Monday, March 30, 2009

Fred Woods Expanding Again?

A reader writes in:
"Big fan here. I live next to the empty lot at 4627 N. Beacon St (above) which you may remember was the site of a large single family home torn down (see below) in hopes of rezoning it for R4 and for the developer to build 8 3bd 2ba condos. It was the topic of a meeting at Truman a few years ago attended by Shiller where nobody was in favor of the change. The lot is next to the recently expanded Fred Woods house. The reason for this email is that there is a rumor floating that the developer who owns the lot is selling to Fred Woods and that it is being rezoned to allow them to again expand. I have checked the city website but don't see a zoning change or building permits. I was wondering if perhaps UU could post this and see if anyone else has heard anything. Shiller indicated at the time she was against a change unless the neighborhood was for it, so we are curious if this was yet another lie or if a donation may have changed her mind."

8 comments:

  1. I never understood how they could tear that house down....it was a hundred years old....you would think there would be some ordinance against it....they tried to sell it...I remember looking at it from the interior...it needed work...but it wasn't dilapidated....just out of date...

    What was the history of that house?/

    Those kinds of houses shouldn't be torn down

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  2. The owner tore this old historic home down and knew at the time the community opposed any rezoning. If he can't build a single home on this lot, then too bad. There should be some accountability for his actions.

    As far as Fred Woods expanding, it's unfortunate that Chicago House refuses to acknowledge the neighborhood organizations when they make decisions that directly affect the neighborhood. They said zip about their last recent expansion. Mary Ann Smith wouldn't dare allow that. It's a complete slap in the face to us residents.

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  3. The frustrating thing is that a lot of the neighbors support the work being done, but being disenfranchised in your own neighborhood and forbidden information make opposing expansion and change a reflex. If you're not informed, you can't support without blind trust, and the trust has been squandered.

    For what I know (not a lot) about Fred Woods, their work is something that I'm supportive of and don't object to in the area. From the way it's being told here, it sounds like the previous owner screwed himself trying to upgrade the property and getting caught short by the realestate collapse. The Fred Woods took advantage of the changed situation - good on them, but the lack of information and insider dealing in this ward makes me wonder a bit whether the alderman flat out told the ownner to sell to FW - that nobody else would get a zoning change, meaning that it would be worth far less to anyone else, creating a sweetheart deal for a doner/support base without consulting the neighborhood. Even if we would have supported.

    The reflexive secrecy and inside dealing is what poisons the interactions between the alderman's office and the residents who seek to become involved.

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  4. Well said, seaborne! I couldn't agree more.

    If you're not informed, you can't support without blind trust, and the trust has been squandered....The reflexive secrecy and inside dealing is what poisons the interactions between the alderman's office and the residents who seek to become involved.

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  5. From what I understand, Ald. Schiller required the developer to resubmit signatures from residents in support of his project, which I signed. Not sure what happened after that.

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  6. Helen won't change and there is no longer any chance she could salvage her reputation. Fred Woods can still come forward and do the right thing. BTW, how many SRO's, nursing homes, shelters, and social services are there already in Sheridan Park?

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  7. Thrilla19 is correct. A guy came around seeking signatures...maybe last spring? I asked if it was for condo or rental, and he insisted rental. He did not mention any connection to Fred Woods, but said he was an independent developer of rental properties.

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  8. I've unfortunately learned to never trust a survey in Helen's ward. Ms Trixey will try to trick us everytime she gets the opportunity.

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