Sunday, January 25, 2009

What's Going On At Foster And Broadway?


A reader writes: "I have been watching and waiting to see what was going to happen to the buildings on the west side of the street at Foster and Broadway for many, many years. This property contains an apartment building (1310 W. Foster) and the large site of the old Piser Funeral home across from the CVS.

Foster-Broadway LLC has been paying the taxes on this empty eyesore and now these buildings have been vandalized and tagged with gang symbols, but similar to your "4621 N. Broadway article," no one cleans it up. After all these years of looking at this abandoned building, the business community, Uptown Chamber, and Alderman need to force a clean-up or development of this property.

Why is this being neglected? Is Chicago willing to let it sit as long as the taxes are being paid?After some research with the Cook County Assessor and Treasurer, there are 8 parcels owned by Foster-Broadway LLC which is a combination of buildings and parking lots. Even with the absence of good parking in Uptown, I would think the owner could make some money even renting the spaces.

In any case, I am interested if anyone in your reading audience knows what is going on with this site and hopefully by posting these concerns, perhaps we can raise some awareness that some one needs to do something about this real eyesore in our community."

Update: "I was able to locate the following information on this property at 5206-44 N. Broadway. It looks to be newly listed on the market for 76 days advertised as 18.5 lots for $469,900 each or total of $18.5 million, listed by Jameson Realty."

7 comments:

  1. I've been wondering what's going on there for a long time. I remember the businesses shutting down about 7 years ago, and it's looked like this ever since. This building and the creepy old funeral home are total eyesores, however it's encouraging that the properties are now for sale!

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  2. I hear that the alderman's office (Mary Ann Smith) has been getting a lot of community input about what should go there. Don't know any other details, but must be nice...

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  3. I happened to drive by just a few minutes after a truck drove into the corner of that building, which is why it is boarded up. I've been keeping my eye on it as well. I hope something happens soon.

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  4. In the 1990s, Mary Ann Smith invited the UCC to give her a list of buildings in the 48th that the UCC considered of landmark quality. This was one of the six buildings listed. But the plans are to demolish all of it except the two facades, and erect a taller building behind them. This must be stalled; I don't have any current info.

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  5. Why was this building put on the list, Marty? I am not arguing or challenging it having been put on the list. I'd just like more info. Thanks.

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  6. Marty's right. This is a fine building where its owner or developer is or was holding out for a much larger project. It is a great design with great brick work. Fully occupied and in good condition when the owner decided to kick everyone out, it is really inexecusable to let it sit and decay. A good neighbor/citizen? NO!

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  7. I know people have probably forgot about the empty Piser Funeral Home at Foster/Broadway. But I figured I'd bring something up. In the mean time while people are arguing about building A or knocking down B, we should turn this building around. As a community clean this area up. Find the current owner, get permission. I see a perfectly good parking lot. Who knows? Even the inside of the funeral home could be used for a some sort of art space for music. Something! It is pointless to argue or put down ideas.

    If you want to discuss more, PLEASE email me at maxwinkelstein@gmail.com

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