The public meetings I attended regarding the proposed UIC-North North Lawndale Presidential Library did not provide the full scope of the project. In fact, a meeting that I helped produce did not include the full scope because the information was not publicly available at the time. The more I read, the more it is clear that a number of questions must be asked and answered regarding the scope of the project. Im still reading the proposal that was submitted on December 11, 2014. Here is an excerpt. “Forming a new town square in North Lawndale, the Library and Museum would operate as a hub to generate commercial and residential development spurred on by the CTA’s commitment to re-open the Kostner Blue Line Station, the City’s promise of small business loans, and the generous support of a $5 million grant from the Steans Family Foundation. Based on available resources a new University component proposed Center for Urban Resilience and Engagement would initially adapt under-utilized structures along the defunct “Sears line” viaduct that enters the middle of the site from the east, setting up a campus spine along a new bike trail and pedestrian corridor. The development of a BRT Bus Rapid Transit along Roosevelt would connect this new Obama Campus the Museum Campus n the lakefront, and set up future commercial and university development along the Roosevelt corridor, modeled along lines of the University’s earlier success with its mixed-use South Campus extension.... The proposal envisions forming a new town square in North Lawndale, with the library and museum serving as a hub to generate commercial and residential development. The defunct “Sears line” viaduct that enters the middle of the site from the east would set up a campus spine along a new bike trail and pedestrian corridor. A proposed Bus Rapid Transit line along Roosevelt would connect the new Obama Campus to the Museum Campus on the lakefront. Along the route, the proposal suggests “these developments would contribute to a re-densification and diversification of the residential grid, the expansion of Chicago Park District land and recreational facilities, and the provision of a civic destination accessible to a wide variety of communities.” If Im not mistaken, the South Campus expansion project totally changed the landscape of the area around UIC. Correct me if Im wrong, but I believe that was the old Maxwell Street area. UIC has said theyd like the Obama Presidential Library to have the same impact along the Roosevelt Corridor as the South Campus Expansion had on that community. The language regarding re-densification of the residential grid suggests taller multi-unit buildings like you might see around the University. The character of North Lawndale as we know it would change permanently. I admit that I havent read the entire bid, but Im hoping the manner in which they plan to expand Park District lands is through using excess land on the 23-acre site. This proposal should be read by all North Lawndale residents, particularly those who live between Roosevelt Road and the Eisenhower Expressway. Our elected officials and the University of Illinois owe it to the community to provide full details of the proposal; how it impacts current residents; the potential benefits and how current residents may be protected from displacement. Heres a link to the proposal. https://presidential-library.uic.edu/files/2014/12/UIC_NL_OPL.pdf
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 08:53:09 +0000
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