Thursday, September 29, 2011

More Demolition Coming At Sheridan & Irving

The parking lot at Sheridan and Irving and neighboring building slated for demolition (Google)
A reader writes in:
"I know it’s just the corner of the community, but I’ve always been frustrated at Thorek Hospital.  When we do our Buena Park Green and Clean (or Clean and Green, whatever), that building along Broadway is always so trashed out and filthy. It’s a large hospital, you’d think they could pick up litter and try to make it look inviting.  I believe it’s the medical office area, much of which is vacant.  There is always a ton of trash along Irving bordering their endless parking lots and vacant areas as well.

Then three years ago they tore down a large decent looking residential building right at Irving Park and Sheridan so it could sit as a trash filled weed chocked plot of dirt.  Now I see there’s a permit to tear down a really beautiful looking 3-flat (4009 N. Sheridan, see above) next to it from the early 1900’s.  The building has new windows and a new roof, so I’m guessing it’s the hospital at it again (why else tear it down??).  I’m afraid they’re going to let that one sit as a huge eyesore as well.

Between those two buildings and the extremely suburban style Walgreens going in across the street with all that parking, it’s such a massive waste for a corner with a 24-hour train station and two bus lines.  The corner is embarrassing."

30 comments:

  1. "Between those two buildings and the extremely suburban style Walgreens going in across the street with all that parking, it’s such a massive waste for a corner with a 24-hour train station and two bus lines. The corner is embarrassing"

    Massive applause. NIMYs and a suburban mindset killed any potential that area had of becoming a legit urban destination and it had a ton of potential. Instead of you have another Lawrence/Sheridan and Wilson/Sheridan in the making.

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  2. Have you reached out to Alderman Capplemans office? Maybe they are tearing it down to build something larger than would fit on the vacant lot... reach out and ask him..

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  3. Couldn't agree more. It's such a shame for an area that could be MUCH more vibrant.

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  4. oh great. more lovely wasted open space. although, perhaps the small empty lot wasn't big enough to develop into something useful but they have plans for something now that they are going to demolish the other building. one can only hope. just put SOMETHING there. perhaps a midrise with retail space below. so much foot traffic with the buses and the train and now with the Walgreens it has potential to be a busy corner. next up...fix up that dump of a building that houses places like the Chase. ugh.

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  5. I heard that Thorek buys up all the land surrounding the hospital-the parking lot right across from Thorek on Irving hardly ever has cars in it.Whats the point in buying all this property up?

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  6. I'm the person who had written into Uptown Update (thanks for posting!). I had originally heard that the hospital had torn down the first building to potentially put in a parking lot. I'm assuming the second one is following suit. I've put in requests to the alderman as well as Thorek asking what their final plans are for this area. They've turned two solid blocks of Irving into a massive, ugly parking lot. If you look at that same amount of land across the street from Sheridan to Kenmore and up north a few blocks - you have well over 20 coutyard, 3-flat and midrise residential buildings. And they're using all that prime land for cars. It's a waste.

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  7. I rented a unit in this building (and was not allowed to renew my lease because of the impending sale) and your suspicions are correct. Thorek purchased the building and is now tearing it down.

    It was a really great residental building but in this current real estate market, the hospital is probably willing to pay more than any other buyer (although I am not sure every owner really wanted to sell).

    I am not sure what Thorek plans to do (although I do know they want to take over that entire block) but I am fairly sure putting in well built, safe and affordable housing is probably not in their agenda (unfortunately).

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  8. 1st of all- NEVER EVER go to Thorek's ER if you have a choice, and pray to whatever God you pray to that you never are taken there when you are unable to make the decision yourself. I was stuck there for SEVEN HOURS with a friend who was taken there and they wouldn't let him sign out "against medical advice" even though he was fine because it looks bad on their numbers. It's 100% against the law to prohibit someone from staying in the hospital against their will (unless it's for phych reasons). He FINALLY got up, walked to the front desk, and DEMANDED the paperwork.

    2nd- when I complained to the hospital, a very nice patient advocate (whom I believe won't stick around long she'll get to frustruated!), said they are actually in the midst of building a new ER. The tear downs might be for that reason.

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  9. Well I seriously hope that Nick's Uptown and The Howard Brown Center are not planning to give in and sell their property. That would be extremely disappointing. But there is an alley that goes North/South between their parking lots and the empty lots. I am sure they would like to take that over as well. But I am not sure they can while Nicks and Howard Brown are still around.

    Thorek has not been great about passing along info to the community about their plans. They do own a lot of property around the area I wonder if they have plans to do any building with their office building so empty.

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  10. Sounds like land banking to me.

    Putting in a parking lot in the short term is an inexpensive way to put the land to use until the market can support a higher and better use.

    Just speculation, but maybe Thorek's long-range plans include significant expansion that they want to be prepared for. Or...maybe they are just investing and keeping their options open.

    Since I don't have the facts, I probably should not even share my guesses, which are just that, guesses...oops.

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  11. any chance they are going to build a new hospital? maybe they are setting themselves to move up to be a trauma unit, but do agree tearing down buildings for no reason doesnt make senses. Maybe Lukas is buying the lot and will be doing the development that was going in where the Walgreens is going up.

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  12. ALL their parking lots are generally vacant... albeit formerly a McDonalds, they own the lot at the corner of Cuyler and Broadway, too. Plus they own the ugly building on Broadway (about three stories tall with no windows or obvious door) that they use for storage. They are KILLING the southern end of Buena Park. BPNers, please step up and let's organize calling on the Alderman and those crap hospital administrators. Cappleman needs to do whatever he can to stop the demo. Shiller never would help us deal with the hospital when I led BPN, but someone needs to step in (and I'll help).

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  13. Too late as far as the demo - I walked by this morning and the bricks were already falling as they tore into the roof. Made me so mad. I agree as far as that hospital killing the S end of Buena Park. That's a big area they own and are clearning out.

    I tried to contact Thorek - I'd advise others to do the same. they probably don't care, but at least they'll know people are following what they do to our neighborhood.

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  14. I regret not going the recent BPN meeting at Thorek. I had suspected they were up something with their recent donations; I should have gone and asked. (I know shoulda woulda coulda...)Anyone here go? I believe James was there. Did they say anything about their plans for the neighborhood?

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  15. great more empty parking lot space. fml

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  16. I would like to know whether or not Thorek's long-term plans mesh with the 46th Ward Master Plan. It's high time that the hospitals in the Ward act more like good neighbors in the Ward, instead of paying lip service. After all, Weiss has effectively cut off a big swath from the park areas to the east--in cahoots with the Shilleristas--and it has been obvious for years that Thorek treats itself like an island prison in the middle of our neighborhood. Cappleman needs to make clear to Thorek that they get no more demolition permits without having a master plan for themselves that passes muster with the Zoning Committee and BPN. And for that matter, he needs to be pushing Thorek AND Weiss AND Truman College to integrate themselves into the community instead of putting barriers around themselves to isolate themselves from the community. As it stands right now, none of them are really connected with Uptown--you could carve their "campuses" out with a giant carving knife, yank them up, and plunk them down in North Center or Lincolnwood or Marquette Park or Humboldt Park, and they would continue without blinking an eye. Each institution effectively moons Uptown every time someone passes by, since they simply turn their backsides to the neighborhood with total lack of respect to community they supposedly live within.

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  17. @ Bear 60604

    Weiss reaches out to Uptown in a number of ways.

    The Senior Center is a biggie, and the Farmers Market....didn't we just have a town hall meeting there?

    Truman could do more, maybe it is up to us as a community to step up and propose a way how. We can all take classes there I did.....

    Thorek..........? Boooooooooooo!

    Don't like it.

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  18. No plans, but we're going to keep buying land, tearing buildings down, paving over, fencing or otherwise leaving it looking like shit, and the entire southern end of BP looking like shit... the $5k to BP is very disturbing to me as the founder and 4 year President of the organization... From BPN's site "Thorek Memorial Hospital’s new CFO, Ned Budd, said the hospital is committed to improvements and growth. The ER is being completely renovated with updated facilities (including new patient rooms) and new equipment. Budd said no definite plans have been made for the hospital’s corner property on Irving and Sheridan, although an outpatient facility or extended services clinic may be in the mix. Budd added that Thorek is “looking forward to extending our outreach in the community,” and said the hospital’s recent $5,000 contribution to Buena Park Neighbors was “a first step.”"
    http://buenaparkneighbors.org/2011/09/14/bpn-general-meeting-highlights/

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  19. Just sent an email to BPN and the Alderman, I encourage you to do the same... "Alderman and BPN Board -

    I am very concerned about the damage Thorek continues to do to the southern end of our neighborhood (Buena Park). Then I learn that Thorek presented at the last meeting and indicated "no plans" for the corner of Irving and Sheridan, with no mention that they bought yet another building on that corner and are apparently tearing it down as I type. Not to mention an EXTREMELY generous recent contribution of $5000 to BPN. As the founding president of BPN for 4 years and Board member for several more, I find this all very disturbing. I find it disturbing that our Alderman would allow this to continue to happen. What are we doing to engage them and bring the alderman into the picture to remediate (since stopping seems too late) the horrific damage they are doing to the southern end of our ward and neighborhood? That corner looks like a bombed out WWII city thanks to Thorek. They throw up a fence around it and leave it strewn with trash. Their parking lots and required landscaping are desolate and poorly maintained. It's time to get vocal here. It's time for some action and even though Shiller in all the years BPN tried to get Thorek's lame management to do something about their property never helped -- I thought we elected change. It's also perhaps time for BPN to get back to it's roots and get vocal.

    Let me know what if anything is being done and what I can do to help.

    Regards,
    Christopher"

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  20. I still say the "highest and best use" for that corner would be a mixed-use commercial building with a parking garage on top, for the benefit of local residents, hospital or out-patient clients and guests, and Cubs fans during the summer.

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  21. P.S. to the BPN: Did Ms. Shiller or her aides ever tive you an explanation as to WHY they "wouldn't do anything" regarding the Thorek situation while apparently working with Weiss?

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  22. Wow ChicagoChristopher,

    Those are some pretty strong words for a organization that does a lot of good in our community. Do you think if BPN refused the donation it would have delayed any plans? How do you think BPN can put on so many free community events if they don't accept donations?

    The building owners agreed to sell their property to Thorek just like the building that used to be on the corner or Sheridan and Irving Park did three years ago. Neither BPN or the Alderman have the power to stop the sale of property. I also doubt the Alderman has much to say about City of Chicago Permits to tear down a building. As long as the person applying for them files the correct paperwork first and gets permits to do the work safely. Now when it comes time to ask for a zoning change Thorek will need both the Alderman's office and community support.

    While I agree it is unfortunate that Thorek has no plans for the use of the growing empty space. There is not a whole lot anyone can do about it. As far as the empty lot they did put a nice fence and landscaping around it. Which frankly is a lot more than most landowners do in the neighborhood with empty lots. They do from time to time pick up trash in and around their property but it is a locked fence so when trash ends up in there it is because people throw it in there.

    People are welcome to their opinions but I think expressing your personal opinions and outrage about what a block club you used to be involved with and made a choice to leave is a bit much. If you want to help direct what BPN is doing I say do so by getting back on the board. Otherwise leave it up to those who currently volunteer their time.

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  23. UptownVegetarian..that is a pretty passive-aggressive attitude... and I agree with Christopher.... and just as an FYI... BPN needs to remember it is part of UPTOWN and not an entity to itself... I look forward to finding out the next meeting of BPN...I dont live in your neighborhood but I DO live in Uptown and your decisions are affecting my part of town..in a negative way... time for BPN to lose the arrogance and gain some perspective...

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  24. Just for the record I completely agree with ChicagoChristopher as well....

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  25. Sorry if anyone takes this as overly flippant, but I can't get Joni Mitchell's song "Big Yellow Taxi" out my head!

    "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."

    Yuck.

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  26. I just spoke to the Alderman's office who said they are attempting to contact Thorek to talk about there plans for the property. In summary, Thorek submitted proper paperwork to demolish the property, but they haven't submitted a request to change the zoning for the property. It is unfortunate that someone/anyone can buy a perfectly good building and tear it down without any plans. The individual I spoke did appreciate the feedback so please don't hesitate to call on future issues/concerns.

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  27. Thorek Memorial Hospital is committed to our community and to the healthcare needs of our community.
    The land purchased will allow us to expand to meet the growing needs of our patients and their families here in Lakeview.
    After 100 years of healthcare service in Lakeview we are looking forward to another 100 years serving the healthcare needs of our community.
    We appreciate your support during this time of our growth.
    Please feel free to contact Eileen Johnson, Manager, Patient Access, Advocacy and Relations at 773-975-6863.

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  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  29. Eileen,I am glad to you you earned a PhD in corporate gobbledy gook crap... you managed to write 5 sentences without addressing a single item that is of concern to the neighborhood...

    .. in addition, I sure would like someone from the BPN Board to answer as well..they asked, and received, a HUGE amount of backing from every corner of Uptown regarding the Lakeview Station project.. and yet, are oddly very silent on this issue.. $5k in hush money?

    Eileen,one more thing..Thorek is located in UPTOWN, not Lakeview...(north of Irving)..getting the neighborhood correct where you have been located for the past 100 years would be a big start in working with community..the correct community..

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  30. Hello. I worked as a carpenter/laborer on 4009 N. Sheridan (the building in the picture, I think) that has since been demolished. This was during the years 1987 and 1988. Until about 1986, the building was basically a very run-down rooming house. The contractor I worked for basically gutted everything and restored it to its original configuration as a 6 flat. Units were also created in the basement level as well. So, as of about 1990, the building was basically new. All new electrical, plumbing, walls, windows, roof, porch, etc. etc. I was shocked to see that the building is no more. I really don't know what happened the years following the sale of all 8 units. I wish I knew. It's hard to see something that I worked so hard on just disappear like this.

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