Jan 23, 2008 10:22 pm US/Central
Residents Skeptical On Wrigleyville Development
Ald. Tom Tunney Holds Hearing On Proposal
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Wednesday evening, Wrigleyville residents are throwing some heat at a developer who wants to build a hotel, apartment and retail complex across the street from Wrigley Field, as CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports. Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) held a community hearing on the proposal Wednesday night at Wrigley Field's Stadium Club.
Some residents feel they've been thrown a real curve ball regarding the height and scope of the project. And they let that be known at a neighborhood meeting just a few hours ago.
Wrigley Field is arguably the crown jewel of not only Clark and Addison, but all of Wrigleyville. Directly across the street, on Addison, a Starbucks stands out amidst empty lots and smaller businesses. It's on that stretch of land that developer and owner Steven Schultz wants to build a hotel, apartments and other retail stores. The project's architect discussed the plans with Leary residents Wednesday night.
"I think it's the first meeting and it's not unexpected that people are skeptical because history has proven that that's probably the best place for them to be," project architect John Lahey said. "We're trying to start the dialog."
Lahey was not exaggerating. For the 200 or so people at the meeting, most were skeptical at best, especially when told developers wanted to build to 105 feet instead of the maximum 80 feet allowed by the current code -- that's the equivalent to an eight or nine-story building.
"The scale of this is way too much for this neighborhood," said longtime Wrigleyville resident Mike Cornwall. A nine-story hotel along with 50 rental units, I'm against it."
"They've really given no regard to residents in their proposition; they've crammed as much retail, residential and hotel rooms as they can and there's nothing that really benefits the community in this proposal," said Wrigleyville resident Connie Jurczyk.
Developers argue it would benefit residents by increasing the year-round vitality of the neighborhood. The current proposal has already been scaled down from past pitches. Even so, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) says this is far from a done deal.
"I believe there's more refining to do," Tunney said.
Plans for the project could also include a Dominick's, Best Buy, and health club, along with 500 parking spaces. Developers would also work with impacted businesses to possibly include them in the plan.
The area around Wrigley Field is characterized by prewar brownstones and graystones and small-scale businesses.
The Skyline newspaper reported earlier this month that developer Steve Schultz is planning for a building with two towers on the southern side of Addison Street between Clark Street and Sheffield Avenue.
The proposed development initially called for a nine-story tower with 148 apartments, and a 10-story, 137-room Hyatt Hotel, the newspaper reported. A grocery store, big box retailer, athletic club and drug or convenience store have also been proposed, the Skyline said.
The proposal would displace several popular establishments on Clark Street just south of Wrigley Field, including Bar Louie, the Goose Island Pub, and the Salt & Pepper diner, but they would all would be given spaces in the new development, 44th Ward Deputy Ald. Bennett Lawson told the Skyline.
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