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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

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

1 comment:

mcl said...

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 has, 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 driving force. 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 hearing vague assurance that this building on Howard Street will have a 'theatre' and various commercial/retail spaces inaddition to rental and/or condo housing units. Again, in 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 East Hopward Street. What the community does NOT need is another vacant failed development project and more vacant residential and retail space staring us in the face OR more subsidized property added to the already over saturated and concentrated situation we now have in the neighborhood.