WCA meeting covers wide range of community changes

By Susan Fong

The West Central Association hosted its annual elections and luncheon recently, where it bid farewell to outgoing President Michael Ezgur of Terrapin Properties and welcomed newly elected President Tom Broderick of Pickens-Kane Moving and Storage.

Also, guests heard presentations on new West Loop development projects by guest speaker Alderman Walter Burnett of the 27th Ward, Joel Pickus of the Pickus Companies, and Ryan T. Holden from Equinox Development.

Burnett outlined more than 20 major building projects and infrastructure changes taking place in the Ward. Three developments are mixed-use, five are retail, 11 are residential, and three are institutional/recreational.

Burnett stressed his quest for balance, saying, “I know there are many different communities within this community. What I am asking of the developers is that they take part in the community by helping existing as well as incoming residents.”

Retail developments in the 27th Ward include a proposed CVS Pharmacy and a Jewel Food Store at Kinzie and Desplaines Streets. Another project, Rancho Verde Greenworks at 551 N. Sacramento Ave., is an environmentally friendly business campus. Christy Weber Landscapes occupies six of Rancho Verde’s 12 City-owned acres; the rest will be occupied by similar green businesses.

Residential plans
Among larger residential units planned are the Parkside in Old Town with 750 units, 735 W. Division St. with 280 units, and 950 W. Monroe St. with 100 units. Also planned is a 96-unit single resident occupancy building, Lakefront Mercy Supportive Housing, at 1234 N. Clybourn Ave.

For those building in the gentrifying areas of Cabrini-Green and Henry Horner Homes, the Alderman asked that 10% of units be allocated for low income housing, 10% for affordable housing, and the rest be at market rate. For areas outside the CHA regions, he requested 20% be set aside for affordable housing.

The institutional/recreational category includes the 1.1 acre Biedler School Campus Park, located between Biedler School at 3151 W. Walnut St. and Lake Street. This park will offer a pool, fieldhouse, tot area, and dog park. Construction begins in summer 2007.

The Humboldt Park area will welcome a new library at 727-742 N. Kedzie Ave. The Public Building Commission recently approved a 41,000 square foot library for the region, to be paid for with Kinzie TIF (tax-increment financing district) funds.

Burnett also talked about the Hellenic Museum, for which the City already has approved TIF funding. This new cultural center and museum will highlight the Greek community’s history and cultural contributions to Chicago.

Infrastructure repairs
Also during the two-hour meeting, Burnett addressed infrastructure repairs along Grand Avenue between Ashland Avenue and Union Street and major infrastructure changes to Milwaukee Avenue from Division to Desplaines Streets.

Burnett emphasized his desire for significant input from local community organizations regarding suggested changes in their communities.

On the developer side, Joel Pickus presented his company’s proposal for a mixed retail/residential building at the former Federal Express site at 1260 W. Madison St.

Originally conceived as a nine-story building from property line to property line, Pickus Companies revised its design to bring a more human scale to the street front. New plans call for splitting the residential portion into two towers set back from the retail/parking base.

Although a bit taller, these two towers will allow more light to reach neighboring buildings.

Ryan T. Holden, acquisitions director of Equinox Development, presented two West Loop projects, an office space at 1001 W. Adams St. and a mixed use building at 1027-29 W. Madison St. The company will move its offices to the Adams site at an unnamed date.

The retail/residential Madison building aims for low population density and high square footage per unit by creating only 18 units; each will feel even more spacious due to 16 foot ceilings.

After the meeting, Burnett commented, “I try to be attentive to all parties involved. There is nothing here for personal gain; everything is for the betterment and healthy growth of the community.”

For information about West Central Association, call (312) 902-4922. To contact Burnett, call (312) 432-1995 or e-mail wburnett@cityofchicago.org. His offices are located at 1452 N. Sedgwick St. and 1463 W. Chicago Ave.