Rogers Park hit hard by condo foreclosures

"Rogers Park ranked fourth among Chicago communities with the largest number of home foreclosures per square mile in 2009, according to a study by National People's Action, a network of community organizations. But because there are few visible cues — boarded-up windows, blocks of For Sale signs — the Far North Side neighborhood does not paint a typical picture of a community in a housing crisis".

Read more at: The hidden housing crisis - Rogers Park hit hard by condo foreclosures
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/city-foreclosures-rogers-park-20100611,0,2200723.story




But, we knew this already and developers are still proposing building more condos in Rogers Park. And, the Alderman is still taking campaign contributions from the developers before they present their proposals. And, proposals that supposidly require community support, are awarded by the Alderman without a community vote at the developers presentation event.

4,500 SQFT

Meet Rogers Park

The Wisdom Bridge Incident Part II

Further thoughts on Rogers Park "coincidence".

Wisdom Bridge Is Falling Down, Falling Down...

The Wisdom Bridge Incident

Many have told me that they suspect Rich Aronson was behind the Wisdom Bridge Theatre damage.

What do you think?









Relevant links:

Building Facade Collapses on Howard Street
http://nhna.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-facade-collapse-on-howard.html

Wisdom Bridge Theater Roof Collapses; No One Hurt
http://morsehellhole.blogspot.com/2010/05/wisdom-bridge-theater-roof-collapses-no.html

Building Collapse in Rogers Park, Chicago
http://rogersparkbench.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-collapse-in-rogers-park.html

Building partially collapses in Rogers Park
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/05/building-partially-collapses-in-rogers-park.html

The Quick on Rich Aronson's Proposal

Update from tonight's meeting with developer Rich Aronson

I asked Rich Aronson if he plans on working with the IEPA on the contaminated land issue. He answered, No.

Swanette Triem, infamous for the North Shore School teardown and IEPA stop work order, was looking a little pale when this was mentioned.

Michael Luckenbach asked Rich Aronson if he currently owns the Wisdom Bridge property. Rich Aronson answered evasively. The answer is No.

Another resident asked Rich Aronson if he had funding for this building. Rich Aronson answered, No.

Rich Aronson stated that he currently has no interested tenants.

Rich Aronson also stated that he may not be able to acquire a loan to fund the project.

Partner, Scott Sinar was not in attendance for this meeting.


In my opinion, the citizens of Rogers Park deserve better.

My final analysis is that this project will not go through. The three main reasons are:

1. The land contamination issue. The IEPA will make the demolition of the Wisdom Bridge Theatre cost prohibitive. If Rich Aronson hires a dubious demolition crew that demo's during nights and weekends, the land will be further contaminated. We learned this from Swanette Triem. It will remain an empty lot or dangerous hole in the ground for years to come.

2. The money issue. Rich Aronson always states that if the project becomes cost prohibitive, he will abandon it and move on. As stated earlier, He cannot fund the project independently, he has no tenants lined up, he even has doubts that the bank will give him a loan.

3. Community opposition. Rich Aronson also has a reputation for buckling under the pressure of community opposition. This was proven with the abandonment of his 7315 N. Sheridan Road project after our community strongly opposed it. If he has to fight at all, he considers his projects a waste of time and money.


RP1000 will continue to follow the progress or decay of this project closely.

Oppose Rich Aronson Tonight

Developers: Richard Aronson and Scott Sinar

Email blast from Alderman Joe Moore: Yes, two.

Developer history of campaign contributions to Alderman Joe Moore: Yes


Attend this meeting to oppose the demolition of the Historic Wisdom Bridge Theatre. Rich Aronson is known as a lightweight developer who often buckles under pressure.

As with all 49th Ward developer meetings, Alderman Joe Moore has previously been paid-off and will be in support of the project.

Developers stick together, so many former pay-offs will be seeded in the meeting to show support. Although the deck is loaded, outstanding community opposition can sink this project.


Please attend the meeting at:

Willye B. White Recreation Center 1610 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626, tonight at 7pm.

same old - same old

"Perhaps instead of promoting the same old developers and ill-thought out social experiments, the man who calls this his ward should do some serious thinking".

Read more here: http://howardwatchers.blogspot.com/2010/05/gunslingers-on-howard.html

Rich Aronson and Scott Sinar's proposal

"I feel that it is in the best interest of the Rogers Park community, which I am a part of, for Rich Aronson and Scott Sinar to choose another location for this building. Preferably somewhere that is already an empty lot or dangerous abandoned hole in the ground. Preferably somewhere that is very far away because I wouldn't want to see it while I’m working at various locations throughout Chicago".

- Bill Morton


Follow the discussion and weigh in here: http://yochicago.com/talks-continue-on-rogers-park-proposal/14909/comment-page-1/#comment-52865

More on the Rich Aronson Proposal

It is always in the best interest of a neighborhood for the residents to be actively involved in any new development in the neighborhood. For the to act as watchdogs for fraud and corruption. For them to make sure that an eyesore which will ultimately drive property values down, instead of up does not get built. It is in the best interest of the people living in a neighborhood to *never* listen to a blow hard telling them to “butt out”. Someone telling me to “butt out” is only going to make me curious about what they don’t want me to see, and therefore more likely to look more closely. Oversight is not merely a good idea, it is critical to the health and well being of the area.

Follow the discussion and weigh in here: http://yochicago.com/talks-continue-on-rogers-park-proposal/14909/comment-page-1/#comment-52855




File under: Richard Aronson and Alderman Joe Moore

the urban politician

The following is our continuing conversation with a large group of developers.

the urban politician, where have you been politicking lately?

Do you even live in Rogers Park? It does make a difference, especially when you so strongly tell longtime Rogers Park residents to “BUTT OUT” of a major issue in our neighborhood.

Follow along or comment here: http://yochicago.com/talks-continue-on-rogers-park-proposal/14909/comment-page-1/#comment-52798

Rich Aronson shuttered?

The following is a comment on RP1000 by Mike Luckenbach:


"In addition to the architecturally unsuitable aspect of this proposed building for Howard Street, the larger concern for the community should be the developer's sorry record in our community. Rich Aronson and his various Real Estate entities have, since getting 'plugged in', twelve or so years ago, with the Alderman and various Rogers Park organizations (Rogers Park Builders Group, DevCorp North/RP Business Alliance, the Alderman's 'Zoning/Land Use Advisory Council', the RPCC, etc.) left a legacy of cookie cutter, cinder block, brick veneered condo/mixed use properties. IMO, these buildings will become to Rogers Park what the 1960's 4+1's are to Lincoln Park and other Northside communities: totally designed and built with the developer's bottom line as the only motivation and driving force, irrespective of community concerns. Today, in Rogers Park many of those 'Aronson' properties are partially occupied and/or converted into rental buildings and in today's RE market, who knows what the future holds. Also, it is my understanding that Mr. Aronson has recently faced and/or undergone foreclosure issues. The last time I looked, his Camelot office on Morse Avenue was shuttered.


We are now being told and getting vague assurance (from both the Alderman and Mr. Aronson) that this proposed building on Howard Street will have a 'theatre' and/or resturant and various commercial/retail spaces inaddition to rental and/or condo housing units. Again, in view of today's Real Estate market, what exactly does this mean and what specific 'businesses' and home-seekers are interested in this kind of space on Howard Street, East of the El?


What this community does NOT need is another vacant/failed development project and more vacant residential and retail space staring us in the face OR anymore subsidized property, OF ANY KIND, added to the already over saturated and concentrated subsidized property situation we now have in the neighborhood".


- Mike Luckenbach

Celebrating 35 years of living, working in, and service to the North of Howard neighborhood and it's residents.

Joe Moore is losing face on this one

File under: Alderman Joe Moore



YoChicago has an excellent example of everything that is wrong with the realtionship between the public and architecture in Chicago...
Read more at: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4813271&postcount=9882


They both suck. The first one looks cheap and clunky. The second looks like a pile of (carefully-arranged) cinder blocks. Neither of them fit the neighborhood at all.
Read more at: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4813559&postcount=9884


The second one's lousy too, but if it were done in limestone and not cinderblock it would at least be decent. FitzGerald Associates isn't a bad firm, I think the client is the problem.
Read more at: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4814603&postcount=9888


I really don't like Joe Moore, I think he is holding Rogers Park back...
Read more at: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4814641&postcount=9889


And I agree, Joe Moore is useless.
Read more at: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4814663&postcount=9890


It's also interesting to note that this proposal was done two years ago.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4814831&postcount=9892

The conversation continues on

Why do I fight for these old buildings? Because they are worth fighting for. They are beautiful, historic, significant and part of our Rogers Park culture. Most importantly, they were built to last. Better materials, superior craftsmanship... these are works of Art.

The Adelphi Theater
The Granada Theater
The Howard Theater
The Norshore Theater
The Nortown Theater
The Uptown Theater
The Wisdom Bridge Theatre

... and many more.

The following is my continuing conversation with a large group of developers.

If you were at the community meeting, you would have heard Rich Aronson state that he would not build without the rezoning because it does not make financial sense. This is his default position.

The building that currently stands on the property is far more attractive than Rich Aronson’s proposal and fits well with the Broadmoor building across the street.

Follow along or comment here: http://yochicago.com/talks-continue-on-rogers-park-proposal/14909/comment-page-1/#comment-52755

More talk about Rich Aronson and Alderman Joe Moore

Sure, Eric. But, we know of Rich Aronson from previous proposals that if he does not get his zoning change, he will abandon the project and move elsewhere. Which, contrary to Alderman Joe Moore’s email blast, is what many in Rogers Park asked for.

If the developer has the right by ownership to build, what more is there to say? But, if the developer is publicly requesting the approval of the community, he is accepting the possibility of denial. It is a free country, after all.

Read more at: Talks continue on Rogers Park proposal by Joseph Askins

Another shoe box proposal

Developers: Richard Aronson and Scott Sinar

Email blast from Alderman Joe Moore: Yes

Developer history of campaign contributions to Alderman Joe Moore: Yes


RP1000 suggests that you attend this meeting to oppose the demolition of the Historic Wisdom Bridge Theatre.

As with 49th Ward developer meetings, Alderman Joe Moore has previously received campaign contributions and will be in support of the project.

Developers stick together, so many former campaign contributors to Mr. Moore will be seeded in the meeting to show support. Although the deck is loaded, outstanding community opposition may sink this project.


Please attend the meeting at:

Willye B. White Recreation Center
1610 W. Howard Street
Chicago, IL. 60626

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 7pm.

This needs further review

Unveiling The Wisdom Bridge Theatre Plan - 24/7 North of Howard Watchers

There are some interesting new comments following the article.


Related articles:

proposed new development at 1557-61 Howard - Fargo Observer

More on the 'Wisdom Bridge Theatre site" proposal - North Howard Neighbors Association

A quick note: Rich Aronson

At last nights meeting, developer Rich Aronson dropped two very suspicious names. He stated "I'm good friends with Jay Johnson and Tariq Siddiqui".

More coverage on these three developers coming very soon.



...and... How does Alderman Joe Moore fit in with this bunch?



file under: Wisdom Bridge Theatre 1557-61 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626

Wisdom Bridge Theatre meeting link list

Here is the complete link list to date of the Wisdom Bridge meeting commentary, opposition and notices.

Wisdom Bridge Theatre
1557-61 W. Howard Street
Chicago, IL. 60626


Unveiling The Wisdom Bridge Theatre Plan - 24/7 North of Howard Watchers

An Open Letter to Alderman Joe Moore - North Howard Neighbors Association

Last Night's meeting - North Howard Neighbors Association

Oppose Rich Aronson Tonight - Rogers Park in 1,000 Words

A ROGERS PARK RESIDENT HAS COMMENTS & QUESTIONS REGARDING THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AT 1557-61 HOWARD STREET... - North Howard Neighbors Association

It's time to revisit - Rogers Park in 1,000 Words

Community Meeting on Proposed Development at 1557-61 W. Howard - North Howard Neighbors Association


Meeting photo galleries:

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting - photography by Stephanie Fitzgerald

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting II - photography by Stephanie Fitzgerald

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting II

Thank you to photographer Stephanie Fitzgerald.

file under: Wisdom Bridge Theatre 1557-61 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626