To Mr. Lowe:
I read your recent article in support of the Fourth Presbyterian Church project (Commentary: The LoweDown, Landmarking proponents strike again, June 22-28, 2005 Inside Lincoln Park).
For the last 21 years my wife and I have lived in the Gold Coast. Never in all these years have we felt so threatened by overbuilding. High-rise development in our neighborhood has truly gotten out of control. There are currently 10 new high-rise developments proposed near our home on Delaware — yet there is no neighborhood area plan. No community impact study has even been done.
Recently my wife and I were in New York for a short stay and it was simply startling to see the congestion and canyonization — we were very happy to leave and come back to wonderful Chicago. Yet our own local developers in our area are running amok and threaten to so overbuild that it will irreversibly change (and ruin) the character of our neighborhood.
Regarding the Fourth Presbyterian project, while it is true that there are other high rises of equal to or even greater size on the Near North side of Chicago, I challenge you to identify any particular block with so many high-rises in one square block. The larger complexes (the Hancock, Water Tower, Saks, Park Hyatt) all encompass their own block.
In contrast, the Fourth Presbyterian project will be squeezed into an existing, densely packed block that already has:
A 90-year old church and courtyard;
Three hotels (Whitehall, Tremont and Tremont Suites);
At least three restaurants;
A 41-story condominium complex;
A new 40+ story condominium complex scheduled to break ground in July and August (50 E. Chestnut).
As a resident of the immediate vicinity I predict the impacts on traffic, congestion, light and air will be devastating. I, like others, also have serious privacy concerns.
I ordinarily support private landowners in lawfully using property as they wish. However, the Fourth Presbyterian project is absolutely gargantuan for the size of its proposed little vacant parking lot parcel. If Fourth Presbyterian had first purchased the Whitehall or Tremont hotels, and had either redeveloped those to make room for their grand project — that would have been hard to quarrel with. But to now jerry-rig their little vacant parking lot parcel abutting the back of their 100-year old church in order to squeeze in a multi-tiered, 64-story modern monstrosity is insane.
The Fourth Presbyterian Church basically claims that it should be able to do whatever it wants off of North Michigan Avenue because it is building a community center on West Chicago Avenue with its contemplated sales proceeds. In fact, the Church feels it should be lauded for its great community work. However, where does it say in the land planning manuals that a not-for-profit should have carte blanche to ruin one neighborhood in order to benefit another?
Ald. Burt Natarus (42nd) was courageous and correct in publicly opposing the Fourth Presbyterian condominium mega tower. I sincerely hope you will change your position also.
Very truly yours,
John L. Senica |
