tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post1164169486261767586..comments2024-03-18T12:16:39.859-05:00Comments on Uptown Update: Lively Discussion At Truman College MeetingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-90922376648593012322008-03-27T10:08:00.000-05:002008-03-27T10:08:00.000-05:00" ... there is just no getting around that this is..." ... there is just no getting around that this is a capital improvement project that the City Colleges should otherwise have to find a way to fund themselves."<BR/><BR/>exactly, and that "otherwise" process would include checks & balances, public hearings, vetting, weighing against alternatives, considering other priorities and opportunity costs, etc.<BR/><BR/>all the good things we expect from a functioning government<BR/><BR/>TIF in Chicago has evolved into e general purpose, fast-track capital fund, minus process<BR/><BR/>TIF projects are sprung on us whole hogHughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-80508228135379549402008-03-25T19:39:00.000-05:002008-03-25T19:39:00.000-05:00Well, maybe if Cubs fans from Winnetka have to tak...Well, maybe if Cubs fans from Winnetka have to take the Wilson EL stop we will finally get some improvements. No one listens when Uptown residents ask for things to be maintained.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-43730063698178296982008-03-25T19:21:00.000-05:002008-03-25T19:21:00.000-05:00I cannot believe the audacity of the CTA building ...I cannot believe the audacity of the CTA building park and drive capacity to service persons from outside our neighborhood when they have ignored us and our needs for so long. <BR/><BR/>It's not enough that they ignore us, they have to use us to serve others also? Jerks!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-60259355380386679812008-03-25T19:18:00.000-05:002008-03-25T19:18:00.000-05:00This is not the first park and drive location for ...This is not the first park and drive location for the CTA in Uptown. Virtually all of Marine Drive operates in that capacity from 7:00 on each morning. The only difference is that this parking structure will feed the El while the existing system no one admits exists feeds the bus system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-77994144510375482712008-03-25T19:13:00.000-05:002008-03-25T19:13:00.000-05:00With regard to future non-degree courses and progr...With regard to future non-degree courses and programs, they have a lot of improving to do other than building a parking garage. <BR/><BR/>I have a degree from an Ivy League university and I wanted to pick up a basic course that I never took as an undergrad. I stood in line for 1/2 of a work day going back and forth from different offices and finally was told that I had to take an entrance exam just to pick up this course. They said I had to take the test to prove that I was literate enough to take part in the class---even though I already had a bachelor's degree. So, I took the hour long test. I got an email later telling me that I passed. When I came to campus to start the class someone then casually mentioned that I never needed to take the test because I already had a degree! Duh! Why did they waste 1/2 of a work day then??? The class itself was very poor and I dropped it 1/2 way through. <BR/><BR/>I will not be taking any classes at Truman when there are so many other alternatives either in the private sector or through other universities in the area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-54107353338321779932008-03-25T16:52:00.000-05:002008-03-25T16:52:00.000-05:00We did in a way, editor. We said "If you are grow...We did in a way, editor. We said "If you are growing, then shouldn't the first priority be classrooms for students?" The answer was that moving the student services into this new building would free up space that could then be turned into classrooms. Clearly, we have a 2 phase project going on here. One might even argue that by getting the $10 million off for the parking they can now spend it on classroom re-habs. <BR/><BR/>As worthy as it may be, there is just no getting around that this is a capital improvement project that the City Colleges should otherwise have to find a way to fund themselves.<BR/><BR/>One might even argue that they are attempting to move into the lucrative non-degree educational market and that these amenities will help them to attract students. This will be a positive income stream for Truman going forward but it will not improve the property tax base for the local area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-89825707859414619542008-03-25T16:32:00.000-05:002008-03-25T16:32:00.000-05:00If this TIF funding is being spent on "education,"...If this TIF funding is being spent on "education," wouldn't spending the $10M toward a renovation of the deteriorating academic facilities at Truman College be a more effective use?<BR/><BR/>Did anyone bring this up at the meeting?The Public Square Bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04884576056661685183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-25373110573424052912008-03-25T14:28:00.000-05:002008-03-25T14:28:00.000-05:00Re: Conservation TIF Q:The first step in establish...Re: Conservation TIF Q:<BR/><BR/>The first step in establishing a TIF district is determining whether it is eligible under the guidelines set forth by State law. In general, the State law allows a municipality to create a TIF if the area is either blighted or in danger of becoming blighted. This second type of TIF is often referred to as a "conservation TIF."<BR/><BR/>Wilson Yard is a Conservation TIF, not a Blight TIF. This was determined by the TIF study performed by S.B. Friedman Co. (yep, the same ones that gave Shiller the campaign contribution.)<BR/><BR/>In the TIF study a factor analysis is performed. To be a Blight TIF many blight factors must be found. They couldn't find them at Wilson Yards. <BR/><BR/>To be a Conservation TIF, first > 50% of the buildings must be over 35 years old. In our TIF area 85% of TAX PAYING BUILDINGS ONLY were > 35 years old. <BR/><BR/>Next at least 3 of 17 other blight factors must be found. At Wilson Yards S.B. Friedman found:<BR/>1. Inadequate Utilities: 24/34 blocks have sewers and water mains that are inadequate or overdue for replacement for insufficient capacity for modern standard or > 100 years old.<BR/>(So why aren't those collapsing sewers mains East of Broadway being dug up and replaced to eliminate this blight, you ask?<BR/><BR/>2. Lack of Growth of Equalized Tax Value (which can only come from TAXABLE PROPERTIES) <BR/>(So how can you eliminate this blight by spending all the TIF money on non-profits you ask???) <BR/><BR/>3. Presence of Structures below minimum code standards<BR/>Here Helen's dirty past caught up with her. They found only 30 documented building code violations per year in the Wilson TIF area. (There are probably that many in the Wilson Men's CLub this day.) But not to worry, lying with statistics kicked in to make this appear to be a large percentage of properties!!!!<BR/><BR/>4. Deterioration - This factor used many of the same data as the preceding factor but also found blight in bad rainspouts and gutters, roof leaks, and CITY SIDEWALKS, ALLEYS, PARKWAYS, CURBS! HEY, I swear I get Shiller campaign literature saying she paves miles of streets & alleys, lays miles of sidewalks, fixes parkways! Does this not contradict???<BR/><BR/>Oh well. By pulling and stretching Mr. Friedman found 2 strong factors and 2 very wobbly ones to get Wilson Yards enough blight factors to issue his esteemed opinion that Wilson Yards was a Conservation District.<BR/><BR/>Then Shiller and Planning's Don Hohenadel tossed the study into the Lake, claimed that they did not have to spend the TIF funds to cure the identified blight, and spent the money on her buddies. <BR/><BR/>P.S. Today they are doing another patch job on the sewer that ate the cab at Wilson and Sheridan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-65290558928474325372008-03-25T14:04:00.000-05:002008-03-25T14:04:00.000-05:00"Shiller only wanted him there as a distraction. O..."Shiller only wanted him there as a distraction. Ooohhh, new "development" on Broadway?"<BR/><BR/>I have repeated this sentiments many times on this blog. <I>Don't get distracted by the candy</I>. The things you want won't happen by magic. You have to get involved and fight for what you want. And, even this isn't enough given Shiller's exclusionary maneuvers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-80079257099712249412008-03-25T13:34:00.000-05:002008-03-25T13:34:00.000-05:00Did you notice Ron Huberman left right after he ga...Did you notice Ron Huberman left right after he gave his speech? Shiller only wanted him there as a distraction. Ooohhh, new "development" on Broadway? Oh my! I wouldn't hold my breath for anything good - or at least anything good while Shiller remains in office.<BR/><BR/>I have a good deal of respect for Ron and what he has done for the CTA, but I am afraid he is just as big of a pawn in his own neighborhood like rest of the city officials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-84735004456711447952008-03-25T13:30:00.000-05:002008-03-25T13:30:00.000-05:00Right on Hugh 12:26. Those are the issues. Howeve...Right on Hugh 12:26. Those are the issues. However, they won't get addressed because of their "technically correct" interpretation. Shiller and the Dept of Planning have been working hard to bolster their case. What can normal citizens do against this TIF abuse? There are no checks and balances and once it gets reformed, the money will be gone.<BR/><BR/>One bit if clarification for you...the CTA got the park n ride spots because they gave up a little sliver of land abutting Truman in order for them to build the structure. In return, they get the park n ride. It was my understand that it had nothing to do with Wilson Yard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-24320622468730547602008-03-25T13:05:00.000-05:002008-03-25T13:05:00.000-05:00on the topic of Helen pleading "it's legal" I thin...on the topic of Helen pleading "it's legal" I think she is unfortunately technically correct, but of course it is a rather weak argument in favor of the proposal but apparently preferable to her to arguing the merits<BR/><BR/>the 1st choice for TIF dollars has to be projects that will contribute to the property tax base, a public/college parking garage never will<BR/><BR/>TIF used on exempt properties in Chicago is relatively rare but not unprecedented:<BR/><BR/>* <A HREF="http://www.chicagoreader.com/tifarchive/060127/" REL="nofollow">Loyola U slapped a TIF on surrounding east Rogers Park to re-hab buildings inside their Lake Shore Campus</A><BR/><BR/>* TIF contributed to <A HREF="http://www.ncbg.org/schools/tif.htm" REL="nofollow">Simeon High School</A><BR/><BR/>TIF projects with public benefits are extremely rare, but we are hearing more about them lately from the City as we move into the era of TIF expiration. The City is putting a kinder, gentler face on TIF in advance of the impending expiration of the City's oldest and most lucrative TIF, the Central Loop TIF. It's "TIF: For the Children!"<BR/><BR/>is this the best use of scarce resources? i don't think so.Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-2375785758513104132008-03-25T12:26:00.000-05:002008-03-25T12:26:00.000-05:00" ... the listed items that were considered blight..." ... the listed items that were considered blighted in order to be made a TIF and expressed serious concerns that this proposal did nothing to address any of those listed concerns. Helen defended it because the proposal would help poor students, but it wasn't clear how doing this addresses blight in the area."<BR/><BR/>for me this is the central issue<BR/><BR/>priorities, and PROCESS in prioritization<BR/><BR/>how did a CTA park n ride in the heart of Uptown become a community priority?<BR/><BR/>how did convenient free parking for Truman students bubble to the top of the list?<BR/><BR/>opportunity costs: what will not get done because we are doing this?<BR/><BR/>how did Chicago's TIF program evolve into a general fund?Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-91306868248168574432008-03-25T12:04:00.000-05:002008-03-25T12:04:00.000-05:00CTA's new "blow our minds" plans for the Wilson St...CTA's new "blow our minds" plans for the Wilson Station<BR/><BR/>what was Huberman doing there?<BR/><BR/>this is really crass, deliberately mixing in people's minds unfunded vapor with a current $10M proposal that is in fact only vaguely related by an accident of geographyHughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-70884979693595443522008-03-25T11:53:00.000-05:002008-03-25T11:53:00.000-05:00The dept of planning guy said the Wilson Yard TIF ...The dept of planning guy said the Wilson Yard TIF was a "Conservation TIF" --- what does that mean?<BR/><BR/>A conservation TIF is a TIF designed not to address blight but to PREVENT an area from BECOMING blighted. It is popular with the city because it has a lower threshold of required findings to establish.Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-64026528206625502362008-03-25T11:47:00.000-05:002008-03-25T11:47:00.000-05:00"Helen [Shiller] ... pointed out that the park n r..."Helen [Shiller] ... pointed out that the park n ride agreement is what the CTA got for giving up land so that was not on the table for renegotiation."<BR/><BR/>where is this agreement documented?<BR/><BR/>I think I follow the available WY documentation as closely as anyone, and this is the 1st I've heard of this<BR/><BR/>anyone else heard this one?<BR/><BR/>how is the community responsible for undocumented secret side deals Shiller made in our behalf years ago?<BR/><BR/>I wonder what else is out there we don't know aboutHughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-67845570724484156982008-03-25T11:35:00.000-05:002008-03-25T11:35:00.000-05:00"The parking for Truman students will be 100% free..."The parking for Truman students will be 100% free."<BR/><BR/>wha?<BR/><BR/>this is unusual for higher education, unheard-of for urban higher educationHughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522429207805068382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-67939162642061452142008-03-25T11:33:00.000-05:002008-03-25T11:33:00.000-05:00"Clifton Daniel - (just a public relations guy for..."Clifton Daniel - (just a public relations guy for Truman College)"<BR/><BR/>And, not so incidentally, the grandson of Harry S Truman, after whom the college is named. He -- and all the Truman people -- were very pleasant and cordial.<BR/><BR/>If you want information or have questions, you can email them to:<BR/><BR/>trumannewbuilding@ccc.eduAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-13172769668210896832008-03-25T11:21:00.000-05:002008-03-25T11:21:00.000-05:00I googled Don Hohenadel. Although I didn't come u...I googled Don Hohenadel. Although I didn't come up with much about him, I did yield this quote from a REST staff member:<BR/><BR/>“We’re already seeing a little bit of what I’ve heard some people call the ‘dumbbell effect,’” Fiedler said. “That is, (development) actually doesn’t benefit some of the middle class folks, that it brings more affluent people into the area while, at the same time, ironically, sometimes pricing out people who have lived here for decades.”<BR/><BR/>This is really an astute comment and makes me hopeful that we can reach around Shiller's divisions and get some responsible planning done around here. Without measures that help middle class families to live here, it is highly likely that all we will get is very high income people and very poor people. In order to keep these middle and lower-middle class families, you need to have good public schools (because they can't afford to opt-out and send their kids to private) and you need to keep the focus on things like pedestrian safety and community-funded resources because these folks have fewer of their own dollars to purchase amenities privately. Between the overall economic trend of inequality and the kind of planning we are doing here, we are headed EXACTLY toward this dumbbell community he describes.<BR/><BR/>I know a very wonderful family who rented here for years but was locked out of homeownership because of rising prices and because they were not willing to send their kids to the local schools. What did they do? They saved up money for years and then moved to a run-down suburb where they could afford a home and could send their kids to school. There are countless families who have run through this cycle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-70691796196714661272008-03-25T10:59:00.000-05:002008-03-25T10:59:00.000-05:00The man who gave the presentation gave this name t...The man who gave the presentation gave this name to get more information:<BR/><BR/>Clifton Daniel - (just a public relations guy for Truman College)<BR/>773-907-4040<BR/><BR/>He can give you the names of the technical people who were there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-83926779344340977842008-03-25T10:28:00.000-05:002008-03-25T10:28:00.000-05:00The putz standing behind Shiller is our community'...The putz standing behind Shiller is our community's Dept of Planning guy, Donald Hohenadel. He has been assigned to our Ward for years, even predating the Wilson TIF and the lack of quality of his work clearly shows. He's help make it the fine mess it is today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-15135364886873503972008-03-25T10:24:00.000-05:002008-03-25T10:24:00.000-05:00So nice of them to bring it for community review o...So nice of them to bring it for community review on March 24, 2008 when construction begins Spring 2008. Hey, wasn't the first day of Spring already three days ago?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-82405703747460504372008-03-25T10:15:00.000-05:002008-03-25T10:15:00.000-05:00This parking garage is too big. It's too tall for...This parking garage is too big. It's too tall for this historic area of small three flats. It's too tall for the low-slung two story Truman College buildings. <BR/>7 stories of parking garage is too tall to tower over the El tracks and neighboring historic cemetary.<BR/><BR/>It's just too tall for this neighborhood. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Where is the green space and setbacks? What little open space surrounding Truman College will now disappear. The concourse will become a garage driveway. The tennis courts, which have been illegally used for parking, will have a few trees and then this towering structure casting shadows over two flats. <BR/><BR/>If they used a giant shoe horn they couldn't fit more onto that sqaure footage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-32434059081444890352008-03-25T09:52:00.000-05:002008-03-25T09:52:00.000-05:00"...but he did say 'we are working with the alderm..."...but he did say 'we are working with the alderman' on the other properties. That right there is scary. I am sure he will do whatever Shiller and Daley want him to."<BR/><BR/>You've got that right. This just shows how clueless they are about what is happening in Uptown and why there is all of this opposition. How could he actually think that we would be <I>comforted</I> by another round of grand plans shoved on us and another cycle of faux community input??<BR/><BR/>WE WANT <B>TRUE</B> INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL ISSUES. WE WANT COMMUNITY DIRECTED CHANGE. WE WANT A VOICE IN OUR OWN AFFAIRS!<BR/><BR/>Why is this so flippin' hard for outsiders to understand???!!! <BR/><BR/>Even Helen understands this. The problem is that her answer to our plea is "NO."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-12120772687607030522008-03-25T09:40:00.000-05:002008-03-25T09:40:00.000-05:00"I'm still shocked that they are providing this pa..."I'm still shocked that they are providing this parking to students and faculty absolutely free."<BR/><BR/>Yes. I think what we need to do is find a finance expert who can figure out how they can loan the $10 million by using the parking lot as a revenue stream. Hell, sell the rights to the garage to Wall Street like every other darn thing around here. The money can be found other places than from our TIF. <BR/><BR/>When we asked Truman what their justification for using TIF money was, the president (or the head of city colleges) said (not verbatim quote):<BR/><BR/>"We believe that using the TIF money makes sense because we are serving the students and residents. It is a 'shared facility' for the CTA and for the community. And, we are committing $30 million dollars."<BR/><BR/>In the real world, you can't get your neighbors to pay for your kitchen remodel just because you invite them over for dinner once a year. If you want to create something new and better for yourself, then you have to find a way to pay for it yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com