Community advocates rally for Sterling Bay’s housing project despite city pushback
Even though the city’s Zoning Committee previously rejected it, this meeting is a step toward getting it approved. If all goes well, it could move to a full City Council vote soon.
Sterling Bay first pitched this project back in 2021. It’s a bit of a shake-up to the usual way things are done, where local aldermen have a lot of say over new developments.
Alderman Scott Waguespack isn’t a fan of the project. He’s worried about how tall the buildings will be and the traffic they might bring. He didn’t respond when asked for his thoughts recently.
The plan includes two buildings, one 16 stories and the other 21 stories tall, with a total of 615 units, including 124 affordable ones. There will also be retail spaces, green areas, better bike lanes, and a new Divvy station. Plus, it’s expected to create over 3,200 construction jobs.
The affordable units will be for folks making up to $47,100 a year. But if you’re looking for a market-rate one-bedroom, be ready to pay around $3,600 a month. Two-bedrooms will go for about $5,000, and three-bedrooms will be around $8,000.
The city’s Department of Housing labeled this project as “inclusionary,” which means it aligns with city goals for affordable housing near transit. This designation helps speed up the approval process.
Marisa Novara, who used to be the housing commissioner, supports this move. She believes the city shouldn’t make it harder for developers to build affordable housing.
She emphasized the need for community input but also pointed out that the city has already decided on the importance of building more housing.
Sterling Bay claims that 20% of the apartments will be affordable, while only 13% of all housing in Lincoln Park is currently affordable.
Fred Krol from Sterling Bay highlighted how crucial it is to create more affordable housing, aligning with both community and policy goals.
Around 100 people attended the meeting, many stressing the urgent need for more affordable housing in Chicago.
The development team also suggested bringing back the CTA’s Clybourn bus line, which has been out of service for a while. They’re looking to fund feasibility studies and possibly run a pilot program.
Shawn Ursini from The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat warned that Chicago can’t afford to delay projects like this one, which has been in the works for nearly four years.
He pointed out that other cities, like Columbus, are moving ahead faster in building new apartments.
Erma Tranter, president of the Ranch Triangle Community Conservation Association, expressed concerns about the project’s height. She and other neighbors support affordable housing but feel the density is too much.
They’re hoping for a solution that balances the need for housing with the scale of the development.
