“There’s a lot more retail than we really need in the area”....
Alderman Joe Moore in a Reader article October 14, 2005.
Blognotes: We'll be pulling up past quotes to share over the next couple of weeks. Following Alderman Moore's past quotes is his track record. After all, that's what he stand's behind.
16 comments:
Please put in context for me Craig.
Thanks
I thought it might be in reference to not building any additional storefronts when so many are already empty. I plan to read the article at lunch today.
The entire article can be viewed here:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/051014/051014_works.pdf
It appears that Moore is misguided in that he thinks there is no market for retail. That is not the case. If there was a good store over there, I'd go.
Again, I am not necessarily opposed to changes in zoning if I know what the intent of the change is. If it is to build an SRO I don't want it. If it is to build a nice apartment building that has a nice first floor lobby instead of a storefront I am for it. Right now, I like the idea of keeping things the way they are and letting people have a public hearing if they want a special concession.
>Alderman Moore, if you're "vision" for the neighborhood is to provide condo conversion residences and nothing else then please quit your job and open up a residential development company
In our City Council we have former teachers, restauranteurs, cops, ministers, morticians, and spring manufacturers. Unfortunately, the 49th Ward has a closet real estate mogul.
From the article:
He says
the idea for the change came
from a study overseen by the
Metropolitan Planning Council.
“They enlisted volunteers to go
throughout the ward and do an
inventory of our building stock,”
he says. “We’re trying to determine
the zoning code that’s best
for the community.”
I am concerned with the vision of this group. If you look at their website (http://www.metroplanning.org/) you'll find that they are composed of a lot of developers who are interested in developing the river north and old town areas where they are currently destroying the old projects. I am concerned that there is a connection in which the city would not approve the removal of projects down ther without finding a plce to put them up here.
Joe Moore is a detriment to Rogers Park. We need an alderman who will promote retail (and not $ stores!). I am not as concerned as others that Joe's comments were taken out of context. We should not have to read between the lines! When his comments are reported, his pure stupidity shines. His attitude and his statements are inexcusable.
Metropolitan Plannning Council Board of Governors
Thanks Hugh,
You are the absolute BEST at posting lists of peoples names!
What an amazing gift you have. Could you give us a couple tips on how this is done?
Man you are the coolest!
A Dumping Ground for the Poor?
Critics believe a zoning change in the works for a high-crime, low-income corner of Rogers Park will only make it worse.
By Ben Joravsky, The Works, Chicago Reader, October 14, 2005
When our block meet with Moore I asked about the empty store fronts, the gateway etc. Too many dollar stores, well we have a lot of people to whom that is their budget. You all talk about affordable housing, well it would follow that if you're section eight you don't need a Borders you need a family dollar and Trader Joes, well that would not be affordable to most. Also for all the Moore haters, if you think the guy takes dirty money from developers wouldn't more retail mean more for his pockects, therefore he'd want more retail...sorry I used logic again.
Roxy
don't worry, no, you didn't
we are not Moore haters
we love Joe Moore
we just want what's best for him, that's all
Joe needs a gentle nudge toward his national ambitions
Hugh, thanks for posting that article.
I understand the concerns about concentrations of the poor in one area, and that needs to be dealt with. At the same time, low income or affordable housing does not need to equate to drug-infested, crime ridden housing. The alderman needs to stay on top of that and I am not convinced Joe is.
Roxy - we do need retail that appeals to those of us whose budgets are not limited to dollar stores. Right now, I don't feel as though much, if any, exists in RP. That needs to change. It's a balancing act to ensure that the needs of our community are met, and our alderman needs to work on that too.
Roxy- you're becoming a one note wonder. I don't hate Joe at all- I just think it's time for a change.
Hating is a waste of energy. It makes no sense to let people live rent free in your head. Not saying I don't get mad- but I guess I don't take what our Alderman does quite as personally as some others.
Now if you kicked my dog- then I would probably hate you. I sometimes hate people who litter, but again, I try not to because it hurts me not them. This is just what works for me.
The point I'd make overall is that some of you act like we like in some utopian land, I'm a long term Chicago dude and although I'd like a corrupt free 49th ward, I'd also like world peace and the end of famine. You actually blame Moore because we don't have upscale retail for the new rogers park money, dollar store are for the poor right? Do you think that Borders-Trader Joes-Crate and Barrel etc don't come here because Moore is what, just not interested? Did someone like Mr. Coe give him dollars not to accept retail? I really don't understand how this is one mans fault. Retailers aren't jumping on RP because the numbers don't add up. If big retail wanted to come here for profits no silly little Chicago alderman would be able to prevent it. THINK PEOPLE it's about the dollars.
Jocelyn I think your post are thoughtful. You make a good point about the need for a change, that always seems like an easy position, the change factor, it's an election season's greatest hit. Of course you don't hate Moore I just talk that way, I do love politics and tend to get carried away, nothing personal.
Kheris, How do we get that balance, Retail is a matter of choice, they don't check in with city planning when they look for a spot. It's all about the numbers. Or you could take the other view that the reason Lakeview, North Center, Gold Coast have more and better retail options is because their alderman is better at aldermaning. So a company like H&M or Target would come here but the alderman is scaring them away from large profits. Yeah that makes sense...NOT.
As for the one note thing, are you serious, the only one note I read is the daily trashing of the Alderman Moore, he's blamed for everything from gangbanging, crime, burning buildings, and of course that fence is down so Moore should be what arrested?Maybe you can get his crimes indexed. By the way as we all complain there are things we could do to improve our lot. Maybe we should stop bitching at each other and find some common ground. To that end I'm working on something (city wide) about saving fresh water. I have a few hurdles to jump but I think I can get this done. However the burning question on my mind today is, what's with Rex Grossman, and will he be able to handle a snap next year?
Roxy.
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