How about those terrible townhomes on Prairie Ave? Or Chicago's version of Homer Glen aka Dearborn Park? Those projects did more harm to the community's aesthetic because of the lack of true planning and foresight, as well as the fact that they have terrible designs. At least XO provides something new as well as density. I'd rather have a showpiece in our skyline and facing Soldier Field and tourists than more bland brick 20-story buildings.
Anon
· 2 years ago
Sorry for the second post.
However, IIRC, towers were always proposed for the area around XO. If [new] residents don't spend any time researching the area and surrounding zoning then they have no reason to complain because of their ignorance.
bkim
· 2 years ago
I'm not enamored with the townhouses on Prairie, either. However, I think a glut of high rises for density's sake isn't the answer. I don't think Prairie Avenue can handle the traffic or the parking issues that several hundred additional residents will bring. People are already constantly double-parked in front of Prairie Pointe. I suppose that problem could have been easily averted with the inclusion of a driveway, but apparently that wasn't a part of the plan. Oh well, at least they are preserving the lot on the northeast corner of 16th and Indiana for a public park.
The historic prairie district should evoke thoughts of the early 1900's when houses like the Glessner House lined the streets. There are at least two other houses on the 1900 South block of Prairie Avenue that are about 100 years old. The old Marshall Field Jr. house is one more block south (albeit, gutted, subdivided, and rehabbed). You can have your showpiece, just not here. I'm sure the X|O would be more at home further north with the likes of Lake Point Tower and the forthcoming Calatrava spire. Similar debate to prevent the "canyonization" of Printer's Row has long been ongoing.
It has nothing to do with ignorance. I was given all manner of assurances when I bought my property that I would continue to have an unimpeded northern view of the city. However, none of that really matters in Chicago. It doesn't matter how a neighborhood is zoned. A zoning variance is just a campaign donation away. Why do you think over half of Madeline Haithcock's campaign funds came from developers? This is why development is such a big issue in the upcoming municipal elections. Will there actually be affordable housing set aside at X|O? This is a building where there are $500k one bedroom condos. This is an example of what Rick Kogan referred to as "yuppifying" on Eight Forty-Eight this morning.
All Comments
However, IIRC, towers were always proposed for the area around XO. If [new] residents don't spend any time researching the area and surrounding zoning then they have no reason to complain because of their ignorance.
The historic prairie district should evoke thoughts of the early 1900's when houses like the Glessner House lined the streets. There are at least two other houses on the 1900 South block of Prairie Avenue that are about 100 years old. The old Marshall Field Jr. house is one more block south (albeit, gutted, subdivided, and rehabbed). You can have your showpiece, just not here. I'm sure the X|O would be more at home further north with the likes of Lake Point Tower and the forthcoming Calatrava spire. Similar debate to prevent the "canyonization" of Printer's Row has long been ongoing.
It has nothing to do with ignorance. I was given all manner of assurances when I bought my property that I would continue to have an unimpeded northern view of the city. However, none of that really matters in Chicago. It doesn't matter how a neighborhood is zoned. A zoning variance is just a campaign donation away. Why do you think over half of Madeline Haithcock's campaign funds came from developers? This is why development is such a big issue in the upcoming municipal elections. Will there actually be affordable housing set aside at X|O? This is a building where there are $500k one bedroom condos. This is an example of what Rick Kogan referred to as "yuppifying" on Eight Forty-Eight this morning.