Hi Craig-
I recently discovered your blog and appreciate your attentiveness to the neighborhood. I am surprised you haven't written about the happiest thing to happen on Pratt in ages: The ratty abandoned synogogue (on the 1200 block of Pratt) demolition started yesterday.
You know, the one that drunks, drug users, and rats call home? I use to have the happy challenge of walking through the small alley to the north of the temple to my garage and avoiding the drunks or drug addicts passed out there- no fun at night.
Then there was labeled "hate crime" when it burned...or, since that couldn't be proven, they determined that the drunk homeless guy sleeping there burned the place down on accident. Anyhoo, I almost broke out in song and danced a happy dance in the alley to see that blighted and vacant hole going down.
FINALLY. Do you know of the plans for the redevelopment of that property?
Have a nice day :-)
Michelle on Lakewood
9 comments:
I'm thrilled to see this place demolished and redeveloped. I live across the street.
The city took this property by eminent domain proceedings, and what I am trying to find out is who, if anyone, bought it, and for how much, and what the developement plans will be.
In the meantime, good riddance to this nasty, dangerous eyesore.
> Do you know of the plans for the redevelopment of that property?
The City has an RFP out looking for a developer. Look for it and a sweet property tax subsidy.to end up in the hands of a Moore contributor.
Ready for Residential Redevelopment
The City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is seeking redevelopment proposals for the former Congregation Beth Sholom Temple in the Rogers Park community.
Located 1233-43 W. Pratt Blvd., the building has been vacant for several years and possesses fire and water damage. The city is seeking proposals that replace the structure with a high-quality, multi-family residential building with off-street parking.
The 20,850-square-foot site is rectangular with 150 feet of frontage on Pratt. Zoning is RS-2 (Residential Single-Unit), however the city may support a change to RM-5
(Residential Multi-unit District).
The city does not own the property but has authority to acquire it.
Proposals that request financial assistance in the form of TIF grants from the city will be considered. Projects that receive certain forms of financial assistance are required to set aside 20 percent of the residential units as affordable.
KEY DATES
RFP Release: June 19, 2007
Pre-Submittal Conf.: July 21, 2007
RFP Due Date: Aug. 31, 2007
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Chris Jang (312) 744-7225
Hugh, it's a foregone conclusion that the developer will be a Joe toadie and will get tax subsidies. Moreover, this property is part of the Loyola TIF. The property was or will very likely be sold for way less money than the city spent to acquire it. I've been too inert and too occupied with personal issues to do the research to see if the property was sold.
When I asked about this at the aldermanic debates at United Methodist, Joe told me that "it would not cost the taxpayers a dime". TIF money is presented as 'free' money, which it surely is not, as it comes out of future tax revenues that ought to be paying for necessary city service.I was affronted by Moore's response to my questioned and his obvious assumption that I and all other present were too stupid to figure out that the taxpayers were going to foot the bill for this mess. But the debate format did not permit me to argue with the response, and Moore got to feel as though he scored a point.
The owners should have been taken to court and ordered to sell to the highest bidder, and eaten the difference between whatever they think the property is worth and the bidder is willing to pay. The taxpayers should not have had to bail out an irresponsible ownership that let this place sit empty and burned out for 2 years.
it hasn't sold yet
the congregation stills owns it
And won't sell it to anyone who does not agree to carve out a piece of the development for a free synagogue for the congregation, as I understand it.
I don't think the congregation still owns it, Hugh. I saw the notice from the city pursuant to acquiring it a few months ago.
I'll find it and post it. Forgive me for being too lazy to post it on my own blog.
We were told by the developer of the lovely Arts & Crafts rcondo rehab across the street that this lot was slated t become single family homes (high end) by a well-respected developer downtown-don't know the name though anymore.
Jocelyn, I hope you're right. Nice condos would be OK, too.
I really dislike what the condo developer did with the arts&crafts 3-flat on the east side of the street. The appearance of the bldg is destroyed with the addition of wraparound balconies, and outside entrances. The privacy and security of the units has been compromised, too.
Now that the real estate mania is over, the condo converters are going back to "flipping" the units, only doing enoubh rehab to bring the places to code. That means the beautiful old places are being sold with the millwork and details and floorplans intact, thank God. I hate to think how many of our beautiful old buildings have been wrecked by tasteless rehabs.
i know that years ago Lake Shore School was interested in it.. maybe Miss marsha is finally gonna get to build her dream school and day camp
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