As someone who's met about 80% of the people in that video, I can say that I've never met a smarmier bunch of cologne-soaked ego-stroking morons. Ive had to deal with them ever since the construction started on Dover in 2007. They have such contempt for this neighborhood - there was a now infamous verbal argument between a realtor and his wife where he loudly proclaimed that she could "be attacked by the scum in this neighborhhod" . This video just confirms how self satisfied they are about their non Central Air condos.
Wow, I've met most of the people in that video too and they've been nothing but friendly and helpful. I know people who have moved into that building and they are very happy. Guess it just depends on who you talk to. And....central air ain't all it's cracked up to be, these aren't high-end condos. They are geared more towards first-time buyers. I think its a great addition to the area.
In case anyone wants to know why Helen Shiller and her cronies hate you so much---and why they willfully strip you of your own voice in your own affairs---this video is why. When they look at the rehab of this property, they see the shadows of the former coal miner with black lung disease who used to live there and had to figure out a way to feed his 5 kids. They don't separate you from the developers who (previously to the recent downturn) could make a fast buck off of Uptown and move on.
Nevertheless, shame on Shiller for abandoning her own ideals and failing to embrace the good people of this community who came here because they needed an affordable place to live (but were honestly willing to be a part of the neighborhood with all of its joys and sorrows.) She will never be able to stop the forces of the market moving in on "her" community, but she could have set a level of respect and understanding for this community through compassionate and proactive leadership. She could have led by example and she could have educated newcomers about the history of this community.
She and her cronies choose not to do that. Instead, they made a power play and alienated potential supporters in the process. They have not pulled O.N.E. over on anyone---they have just flushed all of this community's potential down the toilet.
"She could have led by example and she could have educated newcomers about the history of this community."
That's a noble thought, but I want to add this. When the descendants of the African Americans who were forced by law to live on the 4600 block of Winthrop had their 100th anniversary, and celebrated by going "Back to the Avenue" with a block party, Helen was the guest of honor. She was to make the keynote speech.
And you know what? She never showed up. Never called. Has never explained TO THIS DAY why she showed these people and their history so little respect.
So much for her caring about the history and heritage of this community.
That is despicable. Maybe the people of Bridgeport were having a commemoration ceremony for the Hamburg Social Club and that presented a scheduling conflict.
It was a big deal, Anon 12:19. A double-page spread in the Sun-Times. The cover story of the Star-News. Numerous pieces on local tv news stations, both before and during the reunion. Acknowledgment by the city council.
The alderman's staff was involved with the planning, for which the people who held the 100th reunion were grateful. But the alderman herself, the main speaker, didn't show up or explain her absence.
There were quite a few original residents who came from all over the country to be there. Many were in their 90s and 80s (and have since passed on). It was an extraordinarily hot day. And the alderman didn't show, didn't call, didn't explain. And has never done so to this day.
So much for respecting the people and history of Uptown.
In response to anonymous..... I live in Dover Court and the developer and his real estate agents have been nothing but kind and responsive to us. If you had a bad experience with them, I would argue that it was not indicative of the way they conduct themselves. I would be interested in which realtor had the argument with his wife. Since, of late, they've had nothing but good things to say about the neighborhood.
Flippers indeed fueled the housing bust. But as a "true middle class" citizen who's been looking for something to own in the city of Chicago for years, what they did at Dover Court was a welcomed relief to us. We could actually afford to live there without some ungodly huge, or interest only mortgage. The price points are not so out of hand that the average working American could not afford them.
anon 11:15: you raise a good point in that "affordable housing" is really a relative term. disparaging and marginalizing people like you shouldn't be the answer for how to help people poorer than you. it is a hateful and simplistic approach that is especially egregious when it comes from parts of the community who consider themselves to be people of faith.
the last comment...seriously? then what is the answer? as a recent purchaser at dover ct and an inner-city, public school teacher who makes less than $40k a year so that i can 'help those poorer than me', i cannot imagine what you would suggest the answer is. this is affordable housing for those of us who are actually trying to help those who have less than we do. in order to do the job i do, i need somewhere to live too.
while i agree that a few of the agents are a bit "cologne soaked" and "ego stroking", i think you should stop knocking the development and acknowledge it provides necessary housing for those of us who don't need/can't afford air conditioning, etc.
Click here to see a preview of "Gold Coast Reality" featuring the "Dover Court Condominiums" at 4601 N. Dover.
As someone who's met about 80% of the people in that video, I can say that I've never met a smarmier bunch of cologne-soaked ego-stroking morons. Ive had to deal with them ever since the construction started on Dover in 2007. They have such contempt for this neighborhood - there was a now infamous verbal argument between a realtor and his wife where he loudly proclaimed that she could "be attacked by the scum in this neighborhhod" . This video just confirms how self satisfied they are about their non Central Air condos.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've met most of the people in that video too and they've been nothing but friendly and helpful. I know people who have moved into that building and they are very happy. Guess it just depends on who you talk to.
ReplyDeleteAnd....central air ain't all it's cracked up to be, these aren't high-end condos. They are geared more towards first-time buyers. I think its a great addition to the area.
In case anyone wants to know why Helen Shiller and her cronies hate you so much---and why they willfully strip you of your own voice in your own affairs---this video is why. When they look at the rehab of this property, they see the shadows of the former coal miner with black lung disease who used to live there and had to figure out a way to feed his 5 kids. They don't separate you from the developers who (previously to the recent downturn) could make a fast buck off of Uptown and move on.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, shame on Shiller for abandoning her own ideals and failing to embrace the good people of this community who came here because they needed an affordable place to live (but were honestly willing to be a part of the neighborhood with all of its joys and sorrows.) She will never be able to stop the forces of the market moving in on "her" community, but she could have set a level of respect and understanding for this community through compassionate and proactive leadership. She could have led by example and she could have educated newcomers about the history of this community.
She and her cronies choose not to do that. Instead, they made a power play and alienated potential supporters in the process. They have not pulled O.N.E. over on anyone---they have just flushed all of this community's potential down the toilet.
"She could have led by example and she could have educated newcomers about the history of this community."
ReplyDeleteThat's a noble thought, but I want to add this. When the descendants of the African Americans who were forced by law to live on the 4600 block of Winthrop had their 100th anniversary, and celebrated by going "Back to the Avenue" with a block party, Helen was the guest of honor. She was to make the keynote speech.
And you know what? She never showed up. Never called. Has never explained TO THIS DAY why she showed these people and their history so little respect.
So much for her caring about the history and heritage of this community.
That is despicable. Maybe the people of Bridgeport were having a commemoration ceremony for the Hamburg Social Club and that presented a scheduling conflict.
ReplyDeleteWhat's a girl to do?
She left 300 people---lots of them senior citizens---waiting in the August heat without so much as a telephone call to explain her absence? Why?
ReplyDeleteIt was a big deal, Anon 12:19. A double-page spread in the Sun-Times. The cover story of the Star-News. Numerous pieces on local tv news stations, both before and during the reunion. Acknowledgment by the city council.
ReplyDeleteThe alderman's staff was involved with the planning, for which the people who held the 100th reunion were grateful. But the alderman herself, the main speaker, didn't show up or explain her absence.
There were quite a few original residents who came from all over the country to be there. Many were in their 90s and 80s (and have since passed on). It was an extraordinarily hot day. And the alderman didn't show, didn't call, didn't explain. And has never done so to this day.
So much for respecting the people and history of Uptown.
Was "Slim" Coleman there?
ReplyDeleteIn response to anonymous..... I live in Dover Court and the developer and his real estate agents have been nothing but kind and responsive to us. If you had a bad experience with them, I would argue that it was not indicative of the way they conduct themselves. I would be interested in which realtor had the argument with his wife. Since, of late, they've had nothing but good things to say about the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI don't know these people but these flippers are part of what fueled the housing bust.
ReplyDeleteThey buy a place do a little rehab and charge 4 times what they spent rehabbing.
And if you were really sucessful why do a show?
Flippers indeed fueled the housing bust. But as a "true middle class" citizen who's been looking for something to own in the city of Chicago for years, what they did at Dover Court was a welcomed relief to us. We could actually afford to live there without some ungodly huge, or interest only mortgage. The price points are not so out of hand that the average working American could not afford them.
ReplyDeleteanon 11:15: you raise a good point in that "affordable housing" is really a relative term. disparaging and marginalizing people like you shouldn't be the answer for how to help people poorer than you. it is a hateful and simplistic approach that is especially egregious when it comes from parts of the community who consider themselves to be people of faith.
ReplyDeletethe last comment...seriously? then what is the answer? as a recent purchaser at dover ct and an inner-city, public school teacher who makes less than $40k a year so that i can 'help those poorer than me', i cannot imagine what you would suggest the answer is. this is affordable housing for those of us who are actually trying to help those who have less than we do. in order to do the job i do, i need somewhere to live too.
ReplyDeletewhile i agree that a few of the agents are a bit "cologne soaked" and "ego stroking", i think you should stop knocking the development and acknowledge it provides necessary housing for those of us who don't need/can't afford air conditioning, etc.