Target Coming to Wilson Yard
‘I told you,’ Shiller says; Alderman suggests all sides ‘lower the temperature’
By LORRAINE SWANSON, Editor
After countdown clocks and an informal neighborhood betting pool that Target would pull out of a deal to anchor the delayed, $151 million mixed-use development on the Wilson Yard site in Uptown, Crain's Chicago Business reported last week that the retailer and Holsten Development are close to finalizing a deal.
Read the whole story here, including how the ground contamination still remains, but is "acceptable" now that the hot spots have been carted away, and how Ald. Shiller insists that the project is "exactly the proposal that went in front of the City Council, the Community Development Commission and the community."
Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War!
ReplyDeleteReading this reminds me of how much I loathe Shiller and her puppet master the Bridgeport Bandit.
Time to Donate to FixWilsonYard.
Since the temperature is so hot let's make em sweat!
I'm glad this article was done. It could be more helpful for the lawsuit. Helen wants us to "cool it" but she doesn't get it that we have caught her in so many lies over and over again that we've given up having any bit of trust. When asked about the Aldi drawing showing people entering a door in the front of the building but the actual entrance being located in the back, Helen stated that the drawing never showed a front entrance. The people in the drawing were just touching a window and not opening a door. Paleeeze!
ReplyDeleteWith all the huge debt the city is facing right now, it is crazy that taxpayers are footing the bill for family units costing $447,000 each and senior housing costing $337.000 each. When that bit of news also gets out beyond the 46th Ward, it will be highly embarrassing for the mayor.
How long have they been "close" to finalizing a deal? It seems to me that when they know people are going to start wondering if Target is coming or not, the Alderman calls her buddy at Crain's and says, "Write another story to string the people along."
ReplyDeleteOkay,
ReplyDeleteCall me a conspiracy theorist, but I'll tell you exactly what is going to happen.
Shiller/Holsten pulled some strings, convinced a writer to do an article saying they are "close" to a deal with Target for Wilson Yard. Basically making it sound like a done deal.
She tells the community to "lower the temperature about Wilson Yard". Says, "I told you, Target is coming."
Now.....The injunction gets filed sometime in the near future. Then, out of nowhere, Shiller tells us that Target has pulled out due to the pending lawsuit.
Shiller then turns it around on the Fix Wilson Yard saying the organization killed this "fabulous" project which could have brought a Target to Uptown.
I can almost gaurantee this is her thinking. She knows she will lose any lawsuit put in front of her, but atleast this thinking gives her some fire power the next time she wants to do one of her "pet projects".
Read the June story from Crain's. What "NEW NEWS" is in the story from last week? NOTHING. It is simply regurgitated. Oh, and we should hear from Target in two weeks? That would be just about October 10, from the story's date. Maybe we need another countdown clock UU?
ReplyDeleteIf she can't stand the heat, maybe it's time for Shiller to get out of the "how can I screw homeowners any more than I have already" kitchen.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how is the lawsuit on the Day Labor Center coming along?
This article made me feel like sharing - $100 to fixwilsonyard.
ReplyDeleteI encourage everyone to give today. Let's make today a record day and shoot for $10,000 as a community, and then tell Shiller to cool it.
Let's show Shiller our pockets are as deep as her developer cronies.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me?????? Doesn't "the mole" understand that tell us to cool down we're just going to get fired up? I certainly don't understand the thinking behind her logic. She need to understand that there is a forest beyond these trees she's hiding behind!
ReplyDelete"The people in the drawing were just touching a window and not opening a door."
ReplyDeleteYeah, and the thought bubbles were taken out of the concept drawing:
"Why the fuck isn't there a door here??"
Seriously though, I am a new Uptown resident and while I know there are a lot of negative feelings towards Shiller, is it possible that Target is actually coming?
It seems strange that Target would make a statement about coming along with Shiller if that weren't actually the case.
I think the correct response here from both us as supporters of the idea and from the FWY folks is a statement that acknowledges and thanks Shiller for her continued commitment to the project and for working with Target, however to say that we still have concerns about the overall project and will continue to be involved.
Maybe I am wrong, but continuing to be extremely combative towards Shiller isn't going to help if Target actually does come to Uptown.
Andy my friend you are new to Uptown and obviously to Chicago and how the Chicago machine operates.
ReplyDeleteTarget has not said they are coming officially. IE. John Doe, VP of Store Development for Target Corp. says so in quotes.
It's always anonymous sources. If they were really interested in the project at this point they would make a formal announcement stating so.
It's not like it's a secret therefore their is zero reason for them not to officially announce it.
It could be the janitor saying they are coming at the other Target store in town. That would be a Target Official or a cashier.
r -- I see your point. I am not suggesting that we rest on our laurels, I am just suggesting that we be more judicious in how we respond to good news, even if it turns out to be a lie.
ReplyDeleteI sent a note to Target stores, we'll see if I get a response.
You are right. I am both new to Uptown and new to Chicago. I realize that there is a lot I don't know about Chicago politics, this ward, and the common ploys that are used over and over. However, it is easy to get so jaded that you can't be happy when something goes right.
I am not saying this is the case here, but I hope that my "new" status will just provide a fresh viewpoint and add to the discussion. If we actually get a target, it will be a good thing.
I agree with you 100% that without an official press release or a statement from a named source that this who thing could be a tactic. We would all feel much better if there were something more official.
I did find the article that the original article references, you can see it here. Obviously, the timing of this is a little old since we have still not heard anything official from Target.
... the Alderman calls her buddy at Crain's and says, "Write another story to string the people along."
ReplyDeletedon't shoot the messengers
I think Shiller would be amused to hear that Crain's staff were her buddies
when you have an elected official pursuing an aggressive rose garden strategy, what you need minimally is reporters to get them on the record and faithfully document their quotes, even when, especially when, what they are saying is absurd
What "NEW NEWS" is in the story from last week? NOTHING. It is simply regurgitated
ReplyDeletewhen news is scarce, slim news is news, and there's LOTS of real news in the News-Star article, among them:
* Shiller naming a completion date, 2010
* a little glimpse into her attitude
* documented a bald-faced Shiller lie: "This is exactly the proposal that went in front of the City Council, the Community Development Commission and the community."
* confirmation from the IEPA that the construction itself, paving over the site, is the "remediation"
* stmt from Fix Wilson Yard that they are not deterred
about 5 minutes ago, I got a call back from Target regarding my email submission. Talk about prompt!
ReplyDeleteI spoke with Matthew (no last name) and he thanked me for my interest but told me that he had no specific information he could give me regarding any new stores in the Chicago area.
So, the mystery remains.
Now add years on to that Andy, that's how long the residents of Uptown have been waiting.
ReplyDeleteWelcome my brother.
I didn't have to call for that.
ReplyDeleteTarget was just what Helen and Holstein dreamed up.
It will end up all low low income housing and vacant retail on the first floor.
Besides Target isn't going to be an anchor in a low income tower. That is not what they are after.
ReplyDeleteI didn't picture the Target being in a tower, I pictured it looking similar to the Target on Peterson...with a garage on the ground floor and the store above...or, just a target cube with shared parking in the development.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I am glad that Target called me back. I hope that the news story that I read based their news on first hand knowledge of this alleged email and that this is really not a scam.
but, i concede that this could be a ploy.
SPP, if you get Royko to author an article on the subject, that WOULD be big news :)
ReplyDeleteI'd vote for Kass, since he's still alive :) :)
If Mike Royko writes the story I'll believe it and donate to Shiller's campaign.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I told Maggie Marystone, on at least two different occasions I can remember, that if Helen would at least communicate directly with the community, rather than the citizens having to find things out second-hand or after-the-fact, she would get a LOT more support and/or understanding. Telling the community to "cool down" through a news article is condescending at best.
ReplyDeleteFor example, our new alderman, O'Connor sent a letter to everyone in the Ward (and posted it to his web site) regarding the accusations of pay-to-play regarding zoning issues in the 40th Ward. Now, his position/defense may be a load of bull from start to finish, but at least he respected us enough to talk to us directly. And that earns him a LOT of mileage in my book.
We also had a series of State of the Ward meetings, across the ward over a three-week period, so that everyone in the area could attend if they wanted. He literally took questions from anyone who raised their hand, even people he apparently knew were hostile. Again, showing enough respect to listen, even if he didn't agree.
Can you imagine what the temperature would be like if Helen started doing that? Yes, she would get burned the first few times, because she's stoked the fire so hot over the past years. But THAT's how you cool the flames - not by dismissing people. (How's that for keeping a metaphor going?)
Hal Shipmen-
ReplyDeleteTelling the community to "cool down" is nothing in comparison to the degrading and ruthless way UU talks about Shiller.
I'm excited for Target, and for the job's it will create. Im sure I will see most of you there.
And I know ChipDouglas is scared for his safety on the way into Target. I'll hold your hand. The panhandlers and drug addicts are more of an eye sore for you people than a physical threat.
WOW!!!!!!!!! Ladies and gentlemen... I'd like to introduce Shiller's screen name uptown girl. The mystery is solved!!!!
ReplyDeleteGet a clue. The mole is a worthless alderman!
UPTOWN GUY-
ReplyDeleteIt is true that I have a different opinion. So if that makes me a mole or a troll than so be it. But I am definitely not the Alderman.
Just ask Irishpirate or Chipdouglas. I'm just a sweet troll.
"Sweet troll"?
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of "sweet roll". Time to hit the panaderia.
Uptown Girl,
ReplyDeleteAlderman Shiller called my wife a racist for raising concerns about Wilson Yard. Thats horribly insulting. She's done the same, or worse, to many other members of this board. Members of her staff have to the community to literally "f-off" when they raised safety concerns.
So yes, she is ridiculed ruthlessly, but she's worked hard to earn every bit of it, and she deserves everything she gets(from us verbally).
did someone say sweet roll? Im off to cinnibuns.
ReplyDeleteoh "
And I know ChipDouglas is scared for his safety on the way into Target."
I would venture to say Chip Douglas can hold his own. My problem is I have to kick people in the face because Im scared of hobo blood. It's sad.
But if you want to hold my hand just let me know. First one let go looses voting privileges.
WIndyCityEagle-
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with UU "stickin it!" to Shiller. Say what you want. That's the beautiful thing about free speech. Something that trolls and moles are not given on UU's blog. We are silenced constantly.
Chip-
How will we know who really let go first? That's a tricky contest. Either way we will both be letting go at the same time. Have a good evening with your sweet rolls.
I just got home with a six pack and am eagerly waiting for the VP debate to begin.
"Telling the community to "cool down" is nothing in comparison to the degrading and ruthless way UU talks about Shiller." uptown girl
ReplyDeleteuptown girl, the difference is that Helen is an elected official and we are not. Elected officials shouldn't be afraid of their constituents. They should have open forums and they shouldn't be afraid of community input. We get told this isn't Lincoln Park when we seek some decent standards around here. That's not the way to engage constituents. It's one thing that you don't understand that. It's quite another that Helen doesn't.
Holy Moley! Holy Moley.
ReplyDeleteI never said Shiller was afraid of her constituents. I have NO idea where you got that from. Thanks for the insight on who is and who is not an 'elected official'.
"Lower your temperature"???
ReplyDeletePlease, Helen might as well be saying "Get a lobotomy please"
She's backed into a corner, and she's nailed for all her lies and over-inflation of promises.
uptown girl, do you know of any other alderman in the city that doesn't hold public meetings in the ward? Do you have any thoughts about that?
ReplyDeletecricket......cricket......
ReplyDelete:-)
"And I know ChipDouglas is scared for his safety on the way into Target. I'll hold your hand. The panhandlers and drug addicts are more of an eye sore for you people than a physical threat."
ReplyDeleteThere's a thin line between being an eye sore and being physically threatened or actually attacked, which has happened to me a few times. I try to be compassionate, but when someone hitting me up for spare change threatens my life because I asked him if he has a place to stay (in a kind way after I refused to give him money), then all bets are off.
Fremodada-
ReplyDeleteI never give panhandlers any money or anything. Not a good idea.
I've never had my life threatened by a panhandler and am sorry you have.