The first quarterly meeting of the North Center/Lincoln Square Neighborhood Association (NC/LSNA) was held at Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., on Saturday, Feb. 16, to address the increasing shortage of middle-income housing in North Center and in Lincoln Square. The organization was formed in 1999 to stop condo development of the Davis Theater at 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. It has grown to promote middle-income housing and zoning decisions that preserve the neighborhood’s economic diversity.
The meeting began a few minutes late because many participants were still signing a petition concerning the fate of a three-acre parcel of land donated by Advocate Medical Group as part of their deal to purchase Ravenswood Hospital. The petition calls for two acres to be used for senior housing and one acre for middle-income housing rather than all three acres for senior housing.
“We feel senior housing is important, and we are not against senior housing, but we must address middle-income housing as well,” said Joe Andrews, president of NC/LSNA. “I’m a teacher and I can’t afford to live in my neighborhood...and that’s true of policemen, firefighters, or any middle-income earners.”
The meeting room was packed so some people stood against the walls. Indicating that this issue affects all ages and every economic status, the youngest was under two and the oldest close to 80. They were young mothers and fathers, retired city workers, teachers, students, veterans—Chicagoans of all ages and professions.
Some, like Joe Voss, 29, stepped up to voice their concern. “I have two boys and they’re a handful!” brought laughs from the audience. “But my youngest has heart problems so we must be close to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park. Years ago we could live in Lincoln Park but rents are too high now and the same thing is happening here.”
“New construction of luxury condos—some advertising all marble amenities and three-car garages—have rapidly replaced moderately priced houses and rental units in the area,” said Mary Edsey, former president of NC/LSNA. “Our organization wants to keep the diversity of our neighborhood... and diversity is not only racial and ethnic, but also socio-economic and cross-generational. Many of our long-time residents can no longer afford to live here.”
A retired CTA switchman said, “We have five kids and only one can afford to live in a house we have lived in for 34 years.” His wife of 44 years agreed, adding, “If we don’t get some relief, in taxes or something, we won’t be able to stay.”
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