Addison Park on Clark is a mixed-use development that will consist of a hotel, retail outlets and apartments located along the south side of Addison Street, from Sheffield west to Clark Street and extending south on Clark about a block.

Although the developers have made concessions with regard to the size and height of the complex since the project was first introduced two years ago, community members are upset about the fact that iO, along with other businesses in the area such as the Goose Island Wrigleyville Brewpub, are going to be demolished when construction on the new complex begins.

“iO is home to me. It’s the reason I moved to Chicago over two years ago from D.C. It brings community members together and emphasizes the importance of working in a group,” said Joe Russell, an iO student. He also noted that the building has a strong historic significance.

“I can’t imagine this area of town without it, and I don’t think developers understand what a big part of the community it truly has become,” he said.

Charna Halpern, founder and director of iO, says she was not notified that her landlord sold the property to developers until it was too late for her to find another suitable place for it.

Her lease is supposed to end in 2022; however, Tunney states that demolition could begin a year from now if the project meets approval by the plan commission.

“It’s sad the government doesn’t understand Wrigleyville is much more than just the Cubs,” Halpern said. “It’s sad as a homeowner and businesswoman, because I’m a constituent in this community,” she continued.

Tunney responded by saying that Halpern has been on notice for two years, and that she should have been looking for another place in which to hold iO classes and performances.

Other complaints addressed at the meeting from community members revolved around the issue of what type of retailers are going to lease space in the complex.

Although none of the retail spaces have been filled yet, Tunney mentioned that both Best Buy and Dominick’s are considering leasing space in the building. He said that the final retailers that move in depend heavily on the market at the time.

Constituents are also worried about the appearance of the building itself, since it is a large structure that stands at 91 feet at the tallest portion. They say the building will set a precedent in the area for high-rise structures.

“I do worry about precedent,” Tunney said. “This is where density belongs in an urban environment. The area is supposed to be dense.” Tunney concluded the meeting by reiterating his reasons for supporting the project.

“This has reached community support, regardless of how that is quantified,” he said. “I see this is a positive development because parts of this site have long been dormant. The addition of a hotel and health center will benefit the community, and we’ve seen more health-related facilities in all areas.”

In response to complaints about the façade of the building, Tunney said, “The balance of quality architecture tries to minimize the scale.” The exterior of the building will be a mixture of glass and masonry; developers say the use of different building materials will help the structure to look less industrial.

The increase is a security precaution to limit any potential injuries.

“Out of the entire history of the parade, we’ve only had three injuries, and want to keep it that way,” Pfeiffer said.

The barricades should help the parade move smoothly and prevent people from interfering, said Jim Ludwig, president of the Triangle Neighborhood Association. The parade lasts three hours, but streets are blocked for up to nine hours so crews can set up floats and clean debris afterwards.

Pfeiffer notes that having streets closed that long does increase in traffic congestion, but he said  it’s less inconvenient than other festivals that call for streets to be blocked off for one or two days.

Pfeiffer said parade organizers have an agreement with the city to allow a maximum of 250 groups to participate; that keeps the parade under three hours. The participants include local groups, businesses and elected officials – and, for the first time, a group of students and parents from east Lakeview Nettelhorst Elementary School.

Both Ludwig and Pfeiffer emphasized that cooperation with police is key in keeping the parade under control. Ludwig said parade organizers expect protesters. Each year, a separate area away  from the parade route is set up for protesters to gather. The location changes each year; this year, it will be held at the corner of Diversey and Pine Grove, Pfeiffer said. He said the protesters are mostly Christians and fundamentalists.

Ed Jarka, the media director of the ACLU of Illinois LGBT and AIDS Project, said he welcomed protesters because they were exercising the same free speech rights as parade participants. He said their presence promoted dialog between the opponents of homosexuality and gay rights advocates.

“If people there want to suggest discrimination as a good policy, it will lead to a great debate of ideas,” he said.

Pfeiffer said the parade is held in Lakeview because of its high percentage of gay residents, and their contribution to the community. The parade has been held in Lakeview for all but one of its 40-year history, according to Pfeiffer. The first parade was a sidewalk march just south of Old Town near Washington Square Park.

“We want to keep it in that neighborhood to commemorate their work,” Pfeiffer said. Ludwig added, “Any events stir up inconvenience in a neighborhood, but we expect that and it’s why we live there. It’s what makes it vibrant and lively.”

While the increase in foot traffic along the parade route typically boosts sales for restaurants and bars along the strip, it also can deter shoppers who do not wish to participate in the festivities. That’s why the event is held on Sunday, Pfeiffer said. Businesses that might lose profits due to the event such as laundromats, are closed that day. Danny Kopelson, director of communications for the Center on Halsted, said some restaurants that shut down generate revenue during the parade by offering refreshments on the street. The center itself is closed for regular operation as well, but is open to seniors and people with disabilities who would like to watch the parade at a safe distance, he said.

The parade this year will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion in New York, during which gay activists fought against a police raid.

“It’s important to recognize that event, because it’s the first time a gay issue was covered by the national media,” Kopelson said.

It inspired people to organize and support advocacy groups nationwide. In recognition of that watershed event, Pfeiffer said three generations of the gay community will lead the procession. The Grand Marshall will be Alexandra Billings, a trangender woman and Chicago native who is also an actor, teacher and activist.

He also expects the event to be more politicized this year due to the same-sex marriage bans both approved and repealed. It is now legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire. California has upheld the state constitutional amendment Proposition 8, which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The parade route starts at noon at Halsted and Belmont, proceeds north on Halsted, then south on Broadway to Diversey, and ends at Cannon Drive, in Lincoln Park.