Irving Park Apartment Development Stirs Neighbors

A proposal to build an apartment complex with 75 units at 2437-53 W Irving Park Rd is meeting resistance among some residents in the East Horner Park neighborhood. Thursday evening unsigned flyers appeared in that neighborhood alerting residents of an effort to resist the proposal.

The flyer says a $15 million affordable housing development is slated for the site, with 75 apartments. “They are also proposing less than 50 parking spots total for these units,” the flyer says.

The flyer goes on to accuse Ald. Ameya Pawar of neglecting “to advise anyone in the ward regarding the proposed project.”

The flyer goes on to note “4-6 Million in TIF finds from our community have been requestsed for the project.”

“Alderman Pawar is proceeding in a secretive manner,” it concludes.

That assertion is an overreach.

Pawar had addressed the property in his newsletter of July 6. Information about the project was posted to the Facebook page of the River Path Neighbors by this writer based on the alderman’s newsletter.

Pawar has been open about his position, saying in his newsletter, “I am firmly committed to increasing market based affordable housing in the 47th Ward. To do this, I will commit TIF funds to incentivize development.”

Pawar told The Bulldog “We’ve NEVER made a decision about TIF funding without talking to the community.” He noted that the $4.5 Million TIF commitment at Mariano’s involved four public meetings.

“I want people involved from the very beginning so people can have a role in the project as it evolves,” Pawar said. “This project is still in its infancy.”

“A lot of people have decided that I’ve” made up my mind, he said about the letter. “I haven’t.”

“There is a difference between my policy belief in affordable housing and plopping housing down anywhere.”

 

Read the Alderman’s July 6 newsletter

Visit the Alderman’s Zoning, Land Use & Development Page

*** Updated with Ald. Pawar’s comments 13 July 2012 4.41P ***

Related posts:

1. Irving Park Streetscape Enters 2nd Phase
2. Neighbors celebrate $3 million Chase Park renewal
3. Clark Park/ Lane Stadium funding passes $24.75M
4. North Halsted Neighbor Group Fighting High Rise Development

Tags: 2437 W Irving Park Rd, 47th Ward, Ameya Pawar, development, East Horner Park, River Bank Neighbors

This entry was posted on July 12, 2012 at 11:23 pm and is filed under Other Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.