http://www.aldermanshiller.com/ has been updated to address the Wilson Yard situation. The only problem is, they don't have anything much new to say in The Facts About Wilson Yard. They say: 1. Target is coming and link to the months-old Crain's article that says "talks have opened" with Target and they would "give additional details/updates towards the end of June."
No mention of the fact that for the past TWO YEARS they've claimed to have a letter of intent from Target. How are negotiations just now starting if they've had this never-produced-in-public letter of intent all along?
They say: 2. There are two residential buildings that are part of the Wilson Yard development. Both are rental and will be affordable to households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income.
But, as usual, no mention of all of the minimum household income -- just the ceiling amount. No mention of the fact that the Illinois Housing Development Authority has classified 100% of the Wilson Yard rental units as low-income, very low-income and extremely low-income.
Read it for yourself and make up your mind. But don't just read what the Alderman's office is saying (and it seems to be quite a defensive position). Look between the lines and see what's NOT being said.
Remember, "there are lies, damned lies, and statistics."
UPDATE: A reader points out in the comments:
From the aldermanshiller.com website Terms and Conditions: "Citizens for Shiller does not warrant or make any representations as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text graphics, links and other items contained on this server or any other server."
The most important part of the update is at the bottom in blue.
ReplyDelete"Paid for by Citizens for Shiller"
Where this "plan" is not found is on the actual 46th ward website.
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Ward46&entityNameEnumValue=91
I love that this is how Helen updates her website on July 23rd, after two gang shooting incidents in less than ten days.
ReplyDeleteNothing about crime.
Nothing about bullets.
Nothing to reassure the very angry and fearful citizens whose homes and cars are being hit by gunfire.
But just more lies about Wilson Yard.
There was something reassuring that the Alderman did not report on her campaign website.
ReplyDeleteHer campaign finance disclosure. The Pirate was there.
http://uptownavenger.blogspot.com/2008/07/alderbeast-shillers-campaign-disclosure.html
I worked in a precinct as a pll watcher on election day. Of course Helen has every precinct filled with her little slack-jawed lackeys. Bu the guys I was with were the botom of the barrel. When I informed them that Capplemen was close and witin a few hundred votes I was met by a chorus of "Ohh sucker, shes got all her tricks in place" "She knows how to fix an election." Basically openly gloating that Helen's year-round 365 day plan is 'do nothing for the betterment of Uptown - but do anyting to win the election. Even her offical campaign people boast about the sleazy sh*t she pulls. Its documented even by the State Elections Board. ---My point is she came within a witch's wart of losing the last election. Soon enough, the website www.aldermanshiller.com will no longer legally exist. Too many people in my neighborhood were duped into thinking the lastelection would be a fair election. And now 100% of them are irate that they failed to act and let her sleaze into another do-nothing & deceitful term. Helen hits the old folks homes fills their heads with utter BS. She basically dupes people who are too weak to realize that she never fufills her promises.
ReplyDeleteScott: Helen is aware.
ReplyDeleteIn the meet n greet thread there is a notice that a representative from Shiller's office will attend.
Think this is about listening to concerned citizens or getting names and faces of her opposition?
But, as usual, no mention of all of the minimum household income -- just the ceiling amount. No mention of the fact that the Illinois Housing Development Authority has classified 100% of the Wilson Yard rental units as low-income, very low-income and extremely low-income.
ReplyDeleteWell...if 60% of roughly $50K is $30K, and people making up to that amount are eligible for the low-income housing, then that should give us an idea of the maximum income levels for very low-income and extremely low-income...
In other words, it doesn't sound very good.
In other words, not good.
Helen wants to give her voters the impression that most of the housing will be for people earning up to 60% of the median income. Less than 21% fit that bracket. The remaining 79% are in the extremely low and very low income range. In the past, she has referred to this as mixed income housing. That's a lie and the press has yet to call her on it.
ReplyDeleteHelen, just wanted to let you know that a lie was spotted. That's the problem with lying, you have to have a really good memory when you do it.
ReplyDeleteOn your website, you refer to a Crain's article which stated that Target for the first time is admitting interest with the Wilson Yard (June 2008), yet for years, you have been telling voters, City Council, and the press that Target had a letter of intent written a few years ago.
Helen, which lie will you stick with? The one about the new interest from Target or the years old non-existent letter of intent from Target that you refused to show us when asked for?
A.)“Our real estate team let me know that we'll likely be able to give additional details/updates towards the end of June.”
ReplyDeletehmm, mysterious ... still no word?!?
C.)The article simply states that Target has "confirmed negotiations"
"confirmed negotiations" and Shillers "Target is Coming" are worlds apart!
"shes got all her tricks in place" "She knows how to fix an election." Basically openly gloating that Helen's year-round 365 day plan is 'do nothing for the betterment of Uptown - but do anyting to win the election......"
ReplyDeleteScott when I went to vote I a homeless guy brought in by a Shiller worker gave my address as his place of residence. I couldn't believe my ears, he ethier heard me checking in and used the same address or was reading it off the check in list, I about SH$T myself when I heard him. The "judges" suggested I mind my own business! I was surprised their was even a run off with all the people they shuffled in there from the shelters, just goes to show Cappleman put up a REAL fight.
She is so dreadful......can't this woman be
ReplyDeleteimpeached or something??!!
The votes are already in. The slum is being built at WY. Those votes are necessary to keep a Daley ward on the outside-in. It will be ready in time for residents to make the registration deadline.
ReplyDelete....just to add to prior comment.
ReplyDeleteWalking home along Montrose, the typical 'camp' of crazies was entrenched in the Wholesale Grocer's parking lot. And the same crazy lady that I saw 'taking a dump' by the wall the other night was doing it again.
I made 3 '311' calls in less than a mile.....one operator actually said 'is this Uptown? let me connect you to 911'
Very telling......
The real whopper of a lie was when Helen told the crowd at the 2003 debate against Sandra Reed that the retail might include stores like Crate and Barrel and Treasure Island.
ReplyDeleteAnd she said it with a straight face.
hope in uptown,
ReplyDeleteYou should have called 911 in the first place. For any issue that requires a squad car to come out, you call 911. It doesn't have to be a capital offense.
MichaelHanline: It's my understanding that when the laws were passed about affordable housing in Chicago, they decided to base the income off of the gross median income for the County instead of the city, which makes it $70,000 instead of about $35,000.
ReplyDeleteHope,
ReplyDeleteI saw the same lady wizzing between two cars a few weeks back. little cracky with a Don King Dew.
She also blocked the door from me getting out of Jewel and said "Look at your fine white a$$", I almost puked.
I am not sure why they sit in this parking lot, but I did notice they were gone all last week.
They've moved and hang out behind the tennis courts/maryville academy in Clarendon Park now. At least that is where they have been every evening this week.
ReplyDeleteA lot more has to change than just building a Target. The people in the Jewel lot will just migrate to the Target lot. We're surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods with robust retail and restaurants. Isn't the problem obvious to everyone with a financial stake in Uptown? It could be AMAZING.
ReplyDeleteTake a really close look at the trying-to-entice-you rendering.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant in the room is the wrap-around subsidized housing buildings that dwarfs the Target that has not signed one piece of paper saying they're coming.
Narrowed sidewalks and failed housing model, Holsten letter that promises "CHA residents from around the City will get priority for housing".
I know people are frustrated and many are wondering what happened to UNC? We're alive, very busy and more to come soon.
Our mission is all about economic development and Wilson Yard is still a top priority.
A e-newsletter will be out soon to update everyone on the latest.
If you're not a UNC member or e-news subscriber, visit www.uncchicago.org and sign up today.
Uptown is an amazing community with passionate, give-a-damn folks.
We've come together in ways that give us great strength to shape Uptown's future.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, that's all that ever has. Margaret Mead.
Katharine Boyda
UNC President
From the aldermanshiller.com website Terms and Conditions:
ReplyDelete"Citizens for Shiller does not warrant or make any representations as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text graphics, links and other items contained on this server or any other server."
There ya' have it. A license to bullsh*t.
Thanks, Maggie. You're doing a bang up job as a mouthpiece for the entire Shiller family.
Wasn't the Senior housing pulled? She's still listing it ok her "updat
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, one building is still for low-income seniors. However, HUD and another seniors agency (Department of Aging? Not sure) pulled out because the Wilson Yard plan, as it ended up, didn't meet the necessary requirements for safe or adequate housing for seniors.
ReplyDeleteThe list of the number of agencies that were originally affiliated with the WY plan, but have pulled out because of the pure stupidity and unviability of the final Holsten/Shiller/Rube Goldberg plan, is shocking. Can someone from UNC or someone in the know post all the agencies that have pulled out due to the current "plan" not meeting their specifications and regulations?
they didn't meet the necessary requirements for safe or adequate housing for seniors.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important aspect for local residents to keep in mind. Just as there is a shortage of affordable family housing in the city limits we are on the precipice of a large demand for affordable senior housing. Part of the problem for seniors living in affordable housing developments right now is that they have also been housed with people with disabilities. Our current laws allow that substance abuse is a disability. Therefore, sometimes seniors find themselves in living situations with much younger people who are still battling their addictions (sometimes unsuccessfully) and that puts them in contact with the friends, relatives and dealers of these addicted folks.
If you add mental illness or language barriers to this situation (which are both realities here in Uptown) you can see the reasons why mixed age housing is challenging and perhaps not ideal. I wish we knew more about what was really going to happen at WY. I'd like to think that building this would actually address the current and future needs of Uptown residents but it is not looking good.
Thanks Caring Neighbor for a reminder about the incredible Wilson Yard documents and history stored on the UNC website.
ReplyDeleteVisit www.uncchicago.org and click on the Wilson Yard link.
The information is a blog format, so go to end and read up.
Be prepared to be shocked, disgusted, and stunned at how the entire Wilson Yard has been manipulated from the beginning.
As you read the history, you can only ask: Why have Uptown residents been shut out of the Wilson Yard planning process? How come we get the 100% low-income failed housing on what should be the gateway to Uptown's retail?
While you're at it, please sign up for UNC's email.
Katharine Boyda
UNC President
Katharine,
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Clifton/Magnolia project to be completed in 2008? For anyone who hasn't done so, reading the 2007 disclosure is like peering into Helen's warped mind. It is like housing is a cure-all for everything. Granted, affordable housing is important but so far we've spent a measly >$60,000 on job training? How can she live in Uptown this long and not develop a more complex understanding of what this community needs? If four letter words are off the table, "simpleton" is the only thing that comes to mind at the moment.
Saskia, that's a really great question: What is the Clifton/Magnolia project? And why are they getting $3,765,491 in TIF
ReplyDeletefunds?
Look at the Wilson Yard 2007 Annual Report on page 35
(11 on hard copy), I see it states "Projects to be Undertaken during 2008"
Private investment: $11,029,702
(which could be bonds, etc. that's really public tax dollars"
Public Investment (TIF $$)
$3,765,491
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS MONEY OR PROJECT IS ABOUT--ANYONE WANT TO HELP FIND OUT WHAT THIS IS FOR?
Since our alderman and developer don't communicate with us. Can someone investigate?
Was told this information would be in the City Clerk's on-line resources.
Keep in mind, almost all of the LLCs being formed are really fronts for Peter Holsten. Holsten owns and manages Wilson Yard, lock, stock and barrel.
Thanks saskia for bringing this to our attention.
Katharine Boyda
Is this helpful?
ReplyDelete(from the Illinois Housing Authority meeting notes page 16)
Chairman Newman introduced Item 12 on the Agenda: Resolution
Authorizing Declaration of official Intent for Clifton/Magnolia Apartments.
Ms. Pecori requested the Members’ authorization to declare the
Authority’s official intent to issue tax-exempt bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,300,000.00 to finance the costs of the acquisition and rehabilitation by Community Housing Partners X, L.P., or its designee, of a multifamily development located in Chicago containing a total of 59
units. Ms. Pecori noted that this Resolution did not commit the Authority
to issue bonds or make a loan to finance the development."
Another mention
Again, dunno if this is helpful or not, but this was all I could find after a few minutes of googlin'.
It's another Dan Burke special project, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteCheck the D2s and the SOS web site.
You give, and you shall receive.