Wait wait wait, the three bedroom units are only 1100 square feet, and we paid 449K for these?
Dear Alderman Shiller, I'm selling my 2200 Sq Ft 3BR condo for 375 if you're interested. An extra 1100 sq feet of space, and you can save the taxpayers almost 75 thousand dollars!
Sorry but DUH! This is what big government liberal programs create. Why should they try and create something that is inline with market cost. There is no competition, no consequences (investors), they are not spending their own money, they are simply buying votes. Why anyone would be surprised by this is beyond me. Whats to come next is a bigger mess which usually follows projects like this. And the 449k is the cost as of right now. Like any other government project or program the cost just goes up over time. They have no reason to make money on these like a normal investor would or to even keep cost down.
So...aside from overpaying for the construction of these units, we are paying for the new residents's parking too??? These units have FREE assigned parking available. The city rips us off for parking every chance they get!
Not only that, you are paying for the utilities and cable. This was mentioned on this board, I think about 3 to 4 years ago. Looks like it is true. Apparently the majority of US voters like this type of governing / administration. This is the way Chicago and America is now. Tax tax tax tax and give more and more of your hard earned money away. Next time you do not have enough in your monthly budget to fix the air conditioner or you have cut back on your cable bill (you know, the reward you earned with your money and made to feel guilty about) and the folks in Wilson Yard have everything handed to them and fixed, maybe we can bunk up in one of the places at there. Keep voting them in folks, you earned it.
Two interesting articles, tell me what you find interesting: http://www.newgeography.com/content/0040-the-decline-chicago-the-city-doesnt-work
It doesn't matter if you are liberal or conservative. When someone corrupt is in office they work in very sneaky, self proliferating ways to keep their job. This is what Shiller has done for the last decade plus. At this point, I don't care if a one-armed gorilla ran against her. I would vote for the gorilla. She needs to go. Period. And she can take her fish with her.
Am I missing something or is there absolutely no mention of income restrictions/qualifications? From reading this, I feel like anyone with a job and decent credit could get one of these units. Where's the "low-income" part of this that I've heard so much about?
Someone should post these apartments on Craigslist and label the location as 'northern Lakeview'. Maybe they'll get a flood of recent college grads. Good tenants would help gentrify the neighborhood.
Tenants of the two low income buildings managed in Edgewater by Holsten, The Bryn Mawr at Kenmore and Bryn Mawr and The Belle Shore at Winthrop and Bryn Mawr have to take annual drug tests to live in these buildings.
Do you think we could at least have the tenants take an annual drug test and if they flunk be evicted?
People who flunk their drug test at the Belle Shore and the Bryn Mawr get evicted.
The sell sheet is very deceitful. I went throught the entire application process prior to being able to see the actual apartments because construction was not completed. Once I saw the apartment, there is no way the 1 bed is 650 sq ft. maybe it is 450 and looked nothing like the floorplan on the sheet. They will not discuss income restrictions with you or give you any info on that topic unless you set up a meeting to put in an application and spend the $35 app fee. A single person that makes over $31k a year is not eligible to live there and if you make between $28-$31k per year the rent for a 1 bed is $730- that is about market price for the neighborhood, not a discount. I inquired about a 2 bed since it says they are $805 and was told the rent for me would be $930. Who makes $28k a year and can afford over $900 rent? The whole thing was a smoke screen to get more section 8 into the neighborhood because unless you have a voucher, it's not affordable. Holsten seems sketchy to me also because I worked with 2 different agents at the building and they were giving me conflicting info and wouldn't give me specific info about income requirements at renewal time (I didn't want to have to move if I got a pay increase and made too much money). I also asked to see the income requirements and such in writing so I could understand it more clearly and was told it was very complicated and they did not have it in black & white to show me. I'm sure they have this in writing somewhere, I'm assuming they just did not want to make it 'public'. I had searched the internet vigorously and found nothing. This was in late February so maybe since then they have it listed somewhere. For the entire application process I was told I could have an apartment facing east on the 7th floor and I was told the rent would be $670 until 2 days before I finally got to see the apartment, I was then told it would be $730 and it was on the 2nd floor next to the kids playground. What single person wants to live next to the playground where you can't have your windows open because they are low enough to the ground that anyone can easily pop out the screen & walk right in. Since I was deceived in several different ways, I have tried to get my $35 application fee returned because I was deceived with the info I was told and no one from Holsten will return my call or emails. I was told they are now on a waiting list and have all of the apartments rented yet when you walk by, you can see almost all of them are still vacant so what's really going on over there? Does anyone on this site live there that can fill us in??
Also, everything inside the apartments are the cheapest construction grade materials you can get. The flooring and kitchen counter tops are especially bad.
I do like how they list the requirement of a "Completed application".
Good to see that there's a crack-down afoot for those ne'er-do-wells who only partially complete their applications.
Regardless, I have some time this afternoon, so I'm going to go out and see if I can't envelop myself within this boundless variety of entertainment, restaurants, shopping ... and public transportation.
The brochure is a design disaster. I seem to remember that Helen was a Graphic Designer before she became an Alderman ... so perhaps she designed this brochure -- it would 'fit' as she isn't very good at either job!
miss kitty said... "For a project that cost SO much, this flyer - and their advertising in general - wreaks of cheapness."
As with almost every other government project cost has nothing to do with quality. They are completely removed from each other. The cost has more to do with the quality of the paycheck those connected with the project received.
Just a little lunch hour fun... I searched the Trib for homes between 400 and 455K. I got 1008 results. The only one bedrooms were at the new award winning Aqua building near Millenium Park which were 862 sq. ft. There was a six bed/6 bath in the price range and numerous 2 - 3 bedrooms with over 2000 square feet of space. So what did Peter do with all that money?
Wait wait wait, the three bedroom units are only 1100 square feet, and we paid 449K for these?
ReplyDeleteDear Alderman Shiller, I'm selling my 2200 Sq Ft 3BR condo for 375 if you're interested. An extra 1100 sq feet of space, and you can save the taxpayers almost 75 thousand dollars!
Sorry but DUH! This is what big government liberal programs create. Why should they try and create something that is inline with market cost. There is no competition, no consequences (investors), they are not spending their own money, they are simply buying votes. Why anyone would be surprised by this is beyond me. Whats to come next is a bigger mess which usually follows projects like this. And the 449k is the cost as of right now. Like any other government project or program the cost just goes up over time. They have no reason to make money on these like a normal investor would or to even keep cost down.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hokey looking flyer for a building built in 2010! It's amazing what our tax dollars subsidized. Someone has pocketed millions...
ReplyDeleteSo...aside from overpaying for the construction of these units, we are paying for the new residents's parking too??? These units have FREE assigned parking available. The city rips us off for parking every chance they get!
ReplyDeleteNot only that, you are paying for the utilities and cable. This was mentioned on this board, I think about 3 to 4 years ago. Looks like it is true. Apparently the majority of US voters like this type of governing / administration. This is the way Chicago and America is now. Tax tax tax tax and give more and more of your hard earned money away. Next time you do not have enough in your monthly budget to fix the air conditioner or you have cut back on your cable bill (you know, the reward you earned with your money and made to feel guilty about) and the folks in Wilson Yard have everything handed to them and fixed, maybe we can bunk up in one of the places at there. Keep voting them in folks, you earned it.
ReplyDeleteTwo interesting articles, tell me what you find interesting:
http://www.newgeography.com/content/0040-the-decline-chicago-the-city-doesnt-work
http://www.slate.com/id/2250999/entry/2090862/
It doesn't matter if you are liberal or conservative. When someone corrupt is in office they work in very sneaky, self proliferating ways to keep their job. This is what Shiller has done for the last decade plus. At this point, I don't care if a one-armed gorilla ran against her. I would vote for the gorilla. She needs to go. Period. And she can take her fish with her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links wishinevercamehere...the articles are sad but very true!
ReplyDeleteAm I missing something or is there absolutely no mention of income restrictions/qualifications? From reading this, I feel like anyone with a job and decent credit could get one of these units. Where's the "low-income" part of this that I've heard so much about?
ReplyDeleteuh, ho thats all it is to apply: $35, photo, I.D. and 2 pay stubs....gang bangers apply, fast and easy. Protected by the Ward Office.
ReplyDeleteNed, I think you're right. Someone posted about somebody getting denied a WY apt because their income was too low!
ReplyDeleteThese are the worst looking brochures I've seen for anything in a long time. Look at that font!
ReplyDeleteSomeone should post these apartments on Craigslist and label the location as 'northern Lakeview'. Maybe they'll get a flood of recent college grads. Good tenants would help gentrify the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteTenants of the two low income buildings managed in Edgewater by Holsten, The Bryn Mawr at Kenmore and Bryn Mawr and The Belle Shore at Winthrop and Bryn Mawr have to take annual drug tests to live in these buildings.
ReplyDeleteDo you think we could at least have the tenants take an annual drug test and if they flunk be evicted?
People who flunk their drug test at the Belle Shore and the Bryn Mawr get evicted.
Toto, why limit yourself by an annual drug test, make it a random so users don't have time to plan!
ReplyDeleteThe sell sheet is very deceitful. I went throught the entire application process prior to being able to see the actual apartments because construction was not completed. Once I saw the apartment, there is no way the 1 bed is 650 sq ft. maybe it is 450 and looked nothing like the floorplan on the sheet. They will not discuss income restrictions with you or give you any info on that topic unless you set up a meeting to put in an application and spend the $35 app fee. A single person that makes over $31k a year is not eligible to live there and if you make between $28-$31k per year the rent for a 1 bed is $730- that is about market price for the neighborhood, not a discount. I inquired about a 2 bed since it says they are $805 and was told the rent for me would be $930. Who makes $28k a year and can afford over $900 rent? The whole thing was a smoke screen to get more section 8 into the neighborhood because unless you have a voucher, it's not affordable.
ReplyDeleteHolsten seems sketchy to me also because I worked with 2 different agents at the building and they were giving me conflicting info and wouldn't give me specific info about income requirements at renewal time (I didn't want to have to move if I got a pay increase and made too much money). I also asked to see the income requirements and such in writing so I could understand it more clearly and was told it was very complicated and they did not have it in black & white to show me. I'm sure they have this in writing somewhere, I'm assuming they just did not want to make it 'public'. I had searched the internet vigorously and found nothing. This was in late February so maybe since then they have it listed somewhere.
For the entire application process I was told I could have an apartment facing east on the 7th floor and I was told the rent would be $670 until 2 days before I finally got to see the apartment, I was then told it would be $730 and it was on the 2nd floor next to the kids playground. What single person wants to live next to the playground where you can't have your windows open because they are low enough to the ground that anyone can easily pop out the screen & walk right in. Since I was deceived in several different ways, I have tried to get my $35 application fee returned because I was deceived with the info I was told and no one from Holsten will return my call or emails.
I was told they are now on a waiting list and have all of the apartments rented yet when you walk by, you can see almost all of them are still vacant so what's really going on over there?
Does anyone on this site live there that can fill us in??
Also, everything inside the apartments are the cheapest construction grade materials you can get. The flooring and kitchen counter tops are especially bad.
ReplyDeleteI do like how they list the requirement of a "Completed application".
ReplyDeleteGood to see that there's a crack-down afoot for those ne'er-do-wells who only partially complete their applications.
Regardless, I have some time this afternoon, so I'm going to go out and see if I can't envelop myself within this boundless variety of entertainment, restaurants, shopping ... and public transportation.
Must be new stuff I haven't noticed, yet.
Chicago Reader Ad
ReplyDeleteChicago Sun-Times ad
The brochure is a design disaster. I seem to remember that Helen was a Graphic Designer before she became an Alderman ... so perhaps she designed this brochure -- it would 'fit' as she isn't very good at either job!
ReplyDeleteFor a project that cost SO much, this flyer - and their advertising in general - wreaks of cheapness.
ReplyDeletemiss kitty said... "For a project that cost SO much, this flyer - and their advertising in general - wreaks of cheapness."
ReplyDeleteAs with almost every other government project cost has nothing to do with quality. They are completely removed from each other. The cost has more to do with the quality of the paycheck those connected with the project received.
Two thoughts
ReplyDelete1) Every dollar saved on design is an additional dollar in the hands of Holsten Property Management.
2) Why spend money promoting the properties if you already have a list of tenants that nobody can see?
What are the kitchen cabinets and countertops made of. Is it formica...granite.
ReplyDeleteThe bathrooms what are the sinks made up of.
Are the floors wood. Do the floor have wooden know in them or streaks?
Any other information on the fixtures?
"......imagine a place where old time values are treasured......"
ReplyDeleteWhat is this, a Time Share in Boca???
How about 'imagining' a place built with hard earned tax payer money that the bulk of the community objected to?
Now I'm 'imagining' an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Just a little lunch hour fun... I searched the Trib for homes between 400 and 455K. I got 1008 results. The only one bedrooms were at the new award winning Aqua building near Millenium Park which were 862 sq. ft. There was a six bed/6 bath in the price range and numerous 2 - 3 bedrooms with over 2000 square feet of space. So what did Peter do with all that money?
ReplyDelete