AvalonBay developer responds to community concerns
By Marie Balice Ward
The
twin rental tower development at the southwest corner of Polk and Clark Sts.
is proceeding with substantial alterations in response to concerns voiced to
2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti at community meetings and open forums.
At a recent meeting Walter A. Robenson, vice president-development for the project’s developer, AvalonBay Communities Inc., said the company has made major changes to its plans to accommodate the community. For example, the development will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified as requested by Fioretti and the Alliance for a Greener South Loop. It also will provide more parking spaces than originally planned, with an increase from 0.7 to 0.95 of a space per unit to address community concerns over reduced parking, as the site currently is a parking lot.
“In our experience, this parking allocation will exceed need, so we anticipate being able to allow about 150 spaces for public parking once we have satisfied the residents’ needs and incorporate security measures for the garage,” he said.
In addressing another community objection, he said that “more than one-half of the foundation—the entire garage structure—will be built with caissons.” The community wanted caissons rather than pylons, whose pile-driven installation can damage surrounding structures. Robenson’s firm “will attempt to use caissons for the towers as well," although their foundation construction will depend on City building department's approval, soil conditions, and other variables involved with construction on this particular site. "It may still be necessary to use the pylon system” for the towers, he explained.
A community resident who previously opposed the development because of pylon construction and its potential to damage nearby buildings said he now is satisfied with the developer’s concessions.
Fioretti added, “An arbitrator will be assigned by my office to streamline the process in the event there is damage due to the construction, and AvalonBay Communities Inc. is creating a fund to compensate any damages that may be incurred due to construction. Not only will the claim process be streamlined, but it will be less costly for people filing claims.”
The AvalonBay development may be voted on as early as the next City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. Robenson said his firm hopes to start building the first tower in February 2009, with work on the second tower to begin about 20 months afterward. Each tower will feature a combination of 49 studios, convertibles, and one- and two-bedroom rental units. Leasing costs have not been determined.
