By LORRAINE SWANSON Staff WriterPioneer Press News-Star
The Chicago City Council's Committee on Zoning approved a zoning change for a Single-Room Occupancy, or SRO, facility at the former Carmen Manor Nursing Home that has divided residents along the Uptown/Andersonville border.
Members of the zoning committee voted unanimously on July 12 to recommend upzoning the property at 1470 W. Carmen Ave. that will allow for greater density. Two non-profit organizations, Heartland Housing, a division of Heartland Alliance, and International Consultants and Associates, plan to share the building's living space. The zoning committee's recommendation is expected to go before the City Council for a full vote later this month or next month.
Heartland to purchase nursing home
Heartland Housing is putting the financing together to purchase the nursing home, which has been vacant for several years. The property will be leased to International Consultants and Associates, which will manage the facility.
Resident who oppose the SRO took issue with Heartland's plan to house persons living with HIV/AIDS who are clients of its Rafael House program. During a community meeting with Alderman Helen Shiller, 46th, last month, many residents cited past problems with Uptown SROs, saying tenants panhandled and caused other disturbances in the neighborhood.
"Many of the people who would have liked to have been here today are working like yourselves. An SRO does not fit in our community," said Uptown resident Annie Claussen, who lives on the same block as the proposed SRO.
"We have many new restaurants, bars, a health club, and lots of new, small shops trying to develop business. They want to prosper. They need an environment that customers will feel safe visiting and patronizing," Claussen added.
Residents sign petition
Claussen presented a petition signed by 67 residents, 85 percent of whom live within a few blocks of the proposed SRO. Claussen also questioned how many Single-Room Occupancies there are per capita in the 46th Ward. Residents have frequently remarked that the 46th Ward has a disproportionate number compared to other wards in the city.
Shiller could not specifically give the number of SROs in her testimony before the zoning committee.
"We have many SROs in our community, although I think there are a number of wards and communities, including Lincoln Park, that have comparable numbers," Shiller said, stating that her office had received many calls and letters supporting the SRO.
Some favor SRO
Uptown resident Heather Rakes spoke in favor of the SRO.
"I'm not afraid of this population living in this neighborhood," Rakes said, referring to the Rafael House residents.
Andrew Geer, executive director of Heartland Housing, said that he expected to close the sale of the property in September. The hard part now, Geer said, was winning the confidence of those residents who opposed the project.
"We are going to be a responsive owner and landlord. At the end of the day, we take that responsibility to the community very seriously. We don't view today as, 'we won.' This is our first step to building community trust," Geer said.
Shiller's got another a little less than 4 years to stick it to Uptown and put her stamp on it.
ReplyDelete"We have many SROs in our community, although I think there are a number of wards and communities, including Lincoln Park, that have comparable numbers," Shiller said, stating that her office had received many calls and letters supporting the SRO."
ReplyDeleteHow convenient that she doesn't know the exact number. Although in fairness to her, I suppose it's easy to lose count.
Isn't it funny how she never has any hard numbers on anything.
ReplyDelete"Many of the people who would have liked to have been here today are working like yourselves. An SRO does not fit in our community," said Uptown resident Annie Claussen, who lives on the same block as the proposed SRO.
ReplyDelete"We have many new restaurants, bars, a health club, and lots of new, small shops trying to develop business. They want to prosper. They need an environment that customers will feel safe visiting and patronizing," Claussen added.
She must be a set-up for the Onion? "An HIV+ SRO does not fit in our community", or is she really saying gay people, or black people, or sick people? She is scared. The # of SRO's and affordable housing in this area has more than halved in the decades, and still, this is the retail you get. This blog has no understanding, and barely any humanity.
ids:
ReplyDeleteWhy are you blaming this blog for what this woman said? Also, did anyone on the blog say "Damn right!" in support of this woman?
No.
I think the bigger issue is that someone wanted to buy that building, and needed a zoning change. But Helen wouldn't have any of that, because only the special friends of Helen get zoning changes, and only the special friends get to move ahead with their projects. The green light always seems to come along with campaign contributions, too.
It's never about what the community wants, it's always about what Helen wants.
Mystery,
ReplyDeleteBecause of the context, and an implicit companionship with the troubles with SRO's. How do U know UU, U a mindreader? & it seems the community wants it, why don't u?
If you have a problem with having Heartland Alliance as a special friend, or have the contribution details rather than NOTHING, than say so. No understanding, no knowledge.
ids:
ReplyDeleteIrish Pirate hit the nail on the head in a comment on another post.
The only difference between his and my thoughts is that I think I will call you "Chapeau d'Anus" rather that AssHat.
It somehow seems more civilized when you throw in some garbage French.
Irish Pirate did, however, use some garbage Latin, too.
ReplyDeleteI guess that fits the bill as more civilized, too.
Maybe since you comment as IDS, I should shorten "Chapeau d'Anus" to "CdA" to give your new nickname some symmetry.
Mystery Man,
ReplyDeleteAnother fine example of the UU Capleman crowd. Way to reach out, Loser.
Lighten up, Francis.
ReplyDelete