* The James Report

Hi All,

2431 CAPS

Want to remind those who were with us last month that we still need each other to make progress. Anyone else wanting to swing by and contribute is welcome, especially friends who have given up on CAPS because of frustration and lack of accountability. Last month we switched to a problem-solving format, and got decent results. This month we plan to improve on the execution time for implementing the crime triangle model.

We meet at 7:00 pm at 1530 W. Morse, but this month we’re starting at 6:00 pm to apply the problem solving model to the Mindea and Block buildings. The continued activity surrounding these properties is unacceptable and going forward more serious steps are required. Although Mr. Block promised to supply the name of the building owner to the Alderman’s office, he has provided only tax records and building citations that are available to anyone online. He has yet to make a definitive statement identifying the owner of the building.

This is a direct breach of his commitment to supply the Alderman with this information.

The next step available to us is a CAPS - initiated series of inspections by various city departments. The resulting fines from this type of action typically approach $50,000, and that amount is then used as a bargaining chip to exact results-centered change from owners. I sincerely hope not to have to take that step in either of these cases, but a man was severely beaten near the Block building the other night, suspicious activity is still rife at both his and Mindea’s building, and people have to be held accountable for this situation.

“Edgewater” Harbor:

There is so much already said about this. I remain surprised to see it come up so soon after being resolved at the polls. Although the referendum was non-binding, it made clear the intent of those who voted for it. What kind of place is this if a democratic election just doesn’t matter?

I’ve read that in some circles people accuse harbor opponents of a sort of economic pessimism- not proposing anything but opposing all that is laid before them. I think that in this case that is unfair, because this is something that not only was already resolved once but also fundamentally changes our relationship with the lakefront. A decision on this proposal is required, and people who care should be honest about their feelings.

Going through the entire list of specific proposals in the Park District plans, I see 65 steps to improve the structures for boaters and in some cases the public as well, through shared use facilities that are most convenient to boaters and may end up fenced into harbor security zones. There are five for everyone else, with no removal of fencing considered. This despite the Chicago Park District’s stated goal to: “Diminish any perceived barriers separating boaters and non-boaters in the community;”

In most harbor locations, lake access is restricted for other clients. This means that a significant part of the lake front set aside for public use a hundred years ago is now used by a few thousand boat owners. This makes some sense because they too own the parks, but further boating exclusivity is something that should be very carefully weighed with the greater good in mind.

One proposed harbor that should not be built is Navy Pier North. It uses the shore of the Jardin Water Purification Plant, an area with such high security priority that when the tall ships were docked at Navy Pier police boats and jet skis physically prevented boaters from the entering its channel to view the ships. The suggestion is that a manned checkpoint using key cards be constructed. I do not believe that a security guard and a key card are adequate to defeat a terrorist attack on our water supply. On several occasions, the USS Cole for one, terrorists have successfully used small boats for effective assaults. We should be hardening targets, not softening them and this is one harbor we should all oppose.

Next, consider the beach widening strategy that accompanies “Edgewater” Harbor, most of which is in Rogers Park. Pushing the beaches out anywhere from 75 to 200 feet (My estimate based upon CPD drawings), from south of Thorndale to north of Pratt creates an unbroken land strip that could easily be used to extend Lake Shore Drive through Rogers Park.

I realize that isn’t the proposal right now. However, we know it’s been talked about and that powerful people are not opposed to it. This project makes a Miegs Field-style coup possible. The landfill is the key. Without it, there can be no road. Building this harbor makes that throughway a workable option rather than an enormous challenge. Anyone who has operated heavy machinery knows how easy it would be to cut a path through such an area.

The adding of green space argument is challenging both ways because no one knows for sure how much of that pristine green area (about 560,000 square feet) on their map would be needed for marina support and parking facilities. If the access road is thirty feet wide, the approximately 1400 feet of it shown in the drawing eats up 48,000 square feet. Each parking space then adds roughly 120 square feet to that amount. How many spaces would be needed isn’t specified. For the costs associated with landfill, a substitute program to purchase properties on the open market and turn them into parks would be a great way to gradually add park space that is accessible within neighborhoods.

Finally, we have to address the potential for economic advantage. Of course a marina would bring in business to Rogers Park. So would a casino, an ultimate fighting arena, or a nuclear power plant. I could make a sound argument for any of the three if I had to. The question isn’t whether or not we can make money- of course we can. The more important point is that this proposal endangers our way of life. We are connected to the waterfront more intimately than almost any other part of Chicago. That is a unique feature of our neighborhood. Altering it for a boating complex, with a potential legacy of the destruction of that intimacy is simply not worth whatever conjectural economic benefits it might bring us.

As I wrote previously, other places really want these slips. Let’s support them, with the exception of Navy Pier North. Landfill is prohibitively expensive, and Rogers Park Harbor has only 400 of the 2770 – 4000 other spots the CPD wants to add.

It would be great to develop a pedestrian boardwalk along a stretch of our lake front. A place where artist shops, food stands, and some sidewalk performers, no cars whatsoever, and a dog beach could really enhance the lakefront experience for the entire neighborhood. With that as a base, and some additional restaurants and retail close by, some transient docking space would make sense so that people wanting to come here could stop and enjoy our lake with us. But massive landfills and permanent single-use dedication underserves the rest of our community. We can do better and will if given a real chance to help with designs.

And if the Park District really needs to toss some cash our way right now, how about that Gale Park Field House we were promised so many years ago?

James Ginderske