unmuted. Please note that your yes or present response will
be deemed to be a? Yes, vote. When the Quorum roll call is
used as reference vote for later, items. Thank you.
Uh, chairman Mitchell present.
Vice chair Vasquez.
Conway president ottoman Irving.
Ottoman Fuentes.
Ottoman guti address here, ottoman. Harris here. Ottoman
Hopkins.
Ottoman Moore.
Ottoman Mosley, ottoman Moore president online. Ottoman
Nugent.
Ottoman Rodriguez. Aiden wages back.
Armenian.
Uh, there are 7 members present. We have a quorum
Um Alderman Moore and Alderman. Vasquez has requested
remote participation on the rule, 59 of the Rules of Order
and procedure of the city council. Can I get a motion to
allow remote participation from Alderman Moore and Alderman
Vasquez. We're gonna hold it.
Nan so moves.
On the motion all in favor. Say I I those opposed no.
In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it.
We start off this meeting with public comment. At this
time, we will begin the public comment period out of
respect. For everybody's time public. Comment will be
limited to 30 minutes and each speaker is limited to 3
minutes.
Our first speaker is Taiwan Sims.
Morning.
Speak up.
Morning. Good morning. Good, there you go. Okay, we got
action. Um,
Last year, that was a headline that read easily targeted.
And then it said, line with Simon Bessie, he was 1 of the 4
people murdered on a blue line last year.
um,
I don't know if a lot of y'all take public trans right now.
The red line, green, or blue line.
And y'all see that the number of people homeless, most of
these are young, like teenagers, young adults. This number
is
exponentially doubled.
let's say since 2022, the number of homeless people has
tripled
So we have out of the 4. 47 thousand immigrants are so
called immigrants, they're legals that came into the city.
That is activated the number of homeless people but these
are not illegals or immigrants that we see in riding in the
subway. These are Americans.
Most of them black Americans.
So they say 70% of the new homeless is Black American how
when all of these resources been given towards the new
arrival initiative?
And yet we see veterans, homeless children, All American.
How
if we've had so much to give towards an initiative,
What consideration didn't we have for the citizens here in
Chicago?
And that should be the first thought, especially for my
Representatives, especially for my leadership. But that
hasn't been the first thought
and so this morning as I got on the air because I've been
doing it now
for what the last 3 days, I took a picture of yet another
10 individuals.
So that's 30 individuals who I've seen not all the same
pictures, 30 individuals, 30 homeless Americans right in
the subway. And that's just the count from my eyes. Not
saying all of the other people use public trans, who get on
a train, who watch people laid across the seats.
Younger adults smoking reefer because they use the trains.
Now it's sanctuary.
The Sheltering system isn't working and I can attest to
that personally because I'm utilizing it now.
This testimony that I give is.
1 of lived experience, that's the best way I could say it
and it's the worst lived experience when you've been in
your in your city for 44 years and you watch how those that
should consider, you don't consider you.
When you watch all of the resources being extended towards
someone else, when it should be extended towards the people
who have paid out this is so security.
These are Provisions that have been set up for Americans.
However,
where we at right now?
And it and it is a tough topic to go over, right? Because
right now, if any of you all were to leave out of here and
get on the red line, you'll be disgusted.
And I'm not trying to put down a security. I'm not trying
to put down those people that are in leadership. There. We
have to start here in this room. This is what a decision is
made, to consider the residents or the citizens here in
Chicago.
I'm just saying.
Thank you, Mr. Sims, um, this concludes the public comment
period.
Um, I moved to approve, the rule, 45 report for the
committee on transportation and public way meeting held on
February. 11th, 2025, can I get a motion from ottoman
Conway to recommend approval?
Ottoman Conway is so moves on the motion all in favor. Say
I I oppose know.
In your opinion of the chair, the eyes have it.
Today, we have 7 items on the agenda going out of order on
page 4. Item 1 is a direct introduction for a
transportation item located in the 42nd War. Can I get a
motion from ottoman Harris to accept the direct
introduction into committee? Ottoman Harris. So moves on
the motion all in favor. Say I I those opposed no.
In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it.
On page 2 item 3 uh at the request of Ottoman Gutierrez. Uh
this item will be held in committee.
Page 2 and 3 include 16 orders. And 1 Amendment for
miscellaneous items. Introduced by the local Alderman from
wards. 231416242829 3235364445
from ottoman news and to recommend approval of these items?
Auto Nuance? So moves on the motion all in favor? Say I I
those opposed no.
In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it, um, want to
um, recognize Jason Ervin, um for purposes of corn.
hello into me for purpose, of course, that's fine as in
this, um,
Okay.
Um,
All right.
What is she holding? Okay.
all right, um,
Page 2 item 4.
Is.
Hey, Roberto. Oh yeah. Okay. Um so autumn
like to speak on an ordinance authorizing and directing the
commissioner of transportation to take actions necessary to
honor rarely, designate South
St. Louis Avenue between West 55th Street and West, 54th
Street, as uh, Rio Berto. Regal Padilla Perez way uh, a
yield of the floor to, uh, um, yeah. Thank you, chairman. I
just would like to honor, uh, the life of Rio to Rio. Pavia
who was a valued member of the 14th, uh, his life to
education advocacy in supporting young people as a staff
member at Solorio High School.
1 of our high schools in the world. Rio was a dedicated
advocate for immigrant rights and became a prominent leader
in the movement and founding member of the Immigrant youth,
Justice League now, organized communities against
deportations and in moments, like right now what we're
facing in our country, in our city, we thank Rio for being
1 of the founding members of this organization. That is
helping a lot, um, with ice in our communities.
Was a tireless F. Uh his tireless efforts to empower
students, his education to education and his advocacy for
immigrant rights. Have led a lasting impact on the lives of
countless individuals at Solorio high school and our
community.
He served as a college and career coach and undocumented
student support specialist at soluri Academy. As I said,
for 9 years guiding students and their families toward the
higher education opportunities, regardless of
socioeconomic, or legal status. He was sent to himself as
well.
Rego was instrumental in establishing the soluri academy,
Dream, Team supporting and documented students, and allies
as and actively involved. As a Chicago Teachers Union
delegate and girls soccer coach.
Rigo's dedication to his community continued until his
passing on August on August 20th, 2023 at the age of 35,
after a courage battle with brain cancer. And that is why
we are honoring, uh, his memory. And all the Legacy, uh,
put behind our community, and the streets that we're naming
on his name are boloro high school, where a lot of
students, remember his work and thank him, uh, for what he
did for us. Thank you.
Thank you. Um, I've been Rodriguez also like to speak on
this item. Yeah. I I knew Regal. Uh, personally knew his
both of the sisters, many of us knew 1 of his sisters. Who
worked here in City Hall, um,
You know, talk about someone Gone Too Soon. A star was was
taken us due to cancer. Um, but he was such a vibrant
Spirit, someone who gave so much to our city and to all of
our young people. Um, I just want to thank alderwoman
Gutierrez for doing this for a friend of mine who passed
away too soon, um, who was such a Shining Light and an
amazing human being coming from an immigrant family who
cared so much about our city. And her made our city such a
better place. He was such an example of who, our young
people are. Um and I just want to say thank you for doing
this and um congratulations to the um to the family, who
have done, such amazing things here in our city. Uh so
thank you Mr. Chair.
All right. Thank you guys. Sounds like a good guy.
All right, moving along uh page 4, item, 1 pad,
encroachment easement agreement ordinance 2025000015748. An
ordinary ordinance, authorizing, the Lake Street.
Encroachment CTA amendments and a new pedway agreement at
the building formerly known as the James R Thompson Center
here to speak on this item. We have Bill Higgins from C do
Thank you chair. And
Thank you. Uh, to the whole committee. Uh, my name is
Higgins assistant, commissioner at C dot uh speaking today.
speaking today. On the direct introduction of the facade.
Encroachment easement uh, agreement. Excuse me. Uh, we had
previously
Presented. The Thompson Center Eastman, uh,
In a, a prior meeting. Um, this
Uh needed to be expanded upon to include the Lake Street
encroachment, as well as some amendments to the CTA station
and the pedway, uh, agreement being formalized as part of
the uh, the Redevelopment of the former Thompson Center.
uh, here for any questions if you have
Any questions uh um in Irving.
Thank. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, um, so this is uh, for the
benefit of the uh the new Google building is that correct.
That's right. The uh the Lake Street encroachment in
particular was an existing very minor encroachment of a few
few inches on the facade of the, the north side of the
building that had existed. Um, as its prior occupant the
state of Illinois.
So this is a, a fancy public way. Permit is that what this
is or
Um, essentially it's it's an easement so that because the
building's actually sticking out into the public way that
it's it's uh, we're granting an easement to the building.
For the future. Yeah. Um the only reason I asked this and
I'm looking like at the work, that's happened over here.
what I don't see is is a is any real local participation
here and I'm trying to understand what that looks like or
what that looks like in the project overall or if you have
that that level of detail and information that you can pass
along to us or get to us through the chair.
In terms of the, uh, the construction. Yeah.
that we're not really a party to so I'm I'm not sure I can
provide that but I can uh,
Find something out and pass it through the chair.
So no, no 1 can can answer the question.
Maybe you is anybody in the department or or just you just
can't answer the question.
I I'm guess I'm not.
Sure. That you're talking about the construction of the
building. Yeah, yeah.
You're asking, you're asking us to Grant privilege.
In the form of this ordinance, I'm asking. What does it
look, what, what benefit Beyond just granting this
privilege exists? I'm just asking that question. So I mean
not be able to answer that you may not be into the weeds of
what's happening there. Sure. But my question is around
what's uh what's going on with that?
Sir you uh you stepped up to add something to this
conversation. John McDonough from the Law Department, okay?
Um the negotiated there are 3 parts to this ordinance and
the encroachment is 1 part, it's existed, since the
building was built in 1984, they built it, it went over the
line, it's approximately a, a sliver of property that
becomes 9 inches at its greatest. Um, the real meat of the
ordinance is about authorizing the CTA station to be
reconfigured prime Group, which is doing the Redevelopment
of the bill.
Building is expanding the CTA station. That's inside the
building. They're doing this. Totally at their cost. The
public benefits are are are somewhat significant in terms
of rehabilitating the CTA station, they're doing it at
their cost at the same time. They're when they're
rehabilitating the building, they are reconfiguring the
pedway through the basement to make the connections, to the
city pedway system, connect the, uh, CTA station to the
pedway system. Those are also significant buildout that
Prime is doing and doing at its cost. Um, this was supposed
to be attached to the uh, ordinance, that was passed in
December. Um,
Through a mistake, these elements weren't added. But
there's a significant public benefit that's coming from the
ordinance in the Improvement of the CTA station and the
Improvement of the pedway system.
So I does that help. No, no, thank you. This is something
that you got to go back to the developer and get I
understand that you may not have that answer today, but I
think, um, I would like the I don't anybody else would like
it. I I would I would like the answer so that we can get
some clarity and understanding of of what's Happening uh,
across the street from this very building that we we sit in
I saw Mr. Chair. Yeah, so let me let me because seems like I
make sure you guys are clear on what the ottoman is
speaking of, he asked about local participation, you're
coming to us asking for an easement which, in his own
words, it does seem to be a glorified, uh, uh, uh, to
Republic Way approval for a sign. That's basically what it
seems like. But
We as a caucus, the black caucus, in particular, in
conjunction with Hispanic car, we look at local
participation in be participation, right?
We would like to know what that looks like over there
because passing by and where we still we don't necessarily
see a lot. So when you asking us for this type of
accommodation, we want to see we, we get everything you
just mentioned attorneys, uh, about the public way and of
the benefit.
But how is this? Benefit a local local GCS and Subs able to
work on this project. I I think there's a the attorney for
the uh developer is is present and can. Okay, uh, receive
those inquiries and deliver them to the client and it can
be passed back. Uh,
Through. Uh,
See that through the chair. Yeah, I mean
We're happy to do that and facilitate that but C dot has no
preview over the development itself for the construction or
the GCS. So that's why I'm a little chairman Ervin is that?
I'm sure.
No, that's that's fine. We I just would like to understand
and know what that information looks like. I'm not, we
don't need to hold this today, uh, but we would like to
have that before our Council next week to to see what
further direction should or maybe on that matter.
All right.
Uh, thank you, uh, Autumn Conway. Uh, yeah, uh so I I I
understand the 3, the 3 parts of this. I understand the
last 2 are uh, a little bit.
Reconfiguring and refurbishment of the CTA, and a recount
configuration of the pedway. The first part of it is just
so I understand this, uh, it sounds like we are.
Giving part of the public way, to the Thompson Center, that
it kind of has already taken in years past, would that be
fair to say?
Yes, the from your nod is a. Is that a yes for the sake of
the court reporter? You're both prominent over earnings.
Yeah, it's it's it's a wedge at Max 9 inches of the, the
facade of the building that
Goes beyond the property lines and and the existing nothing
was changing with that facade. Right? As as as my rewards
across the street, a few different ways. I get a lot of
questions about Thompson Center construction so appreciate
the clarification. Thank you both. Yep. All right, I don't
know what to expect.
Thank you. Chairman, um, Bill, uh or John, are there any
significant changes to the agreement or is it pretty
boilerplate?
It's pretty boilerplate. I mean you, yeah, I've been
negotiating to, uh, for the the uh,
Easement will be relocated, it'll have a larger portion of
the interior of the building. It will also be uh
Accessing there will be a Better Door instead of off of
Lake Street, it's going to be at the corner of Clark and
Lake and it'll have a little more, a better pre Public
Presentation. Okay? For the uh, CTA station for the CTA
station. So the clerk and Lake CTA station will now be at
Clark and Lake which is the substance of the agreements.
The easement agreements for the CTA station and the pedway
agreement will be virtually identical to what they have
been for the last uh, 40 years. Yeah. Okay.
um,
I guess we'll we'll just watch and see more of the detail
things. I know a lot of people in the building
when 1 Section closest to the blue line or to the uh other
a access here, you know, sometimes you have you used to be
half, have to go out and go around to Lake and try to get
in there. So I was just curious if there were, we can talk
about our changes and other things some other day, but just
wanted to make sure that it was
Not anything significant. So thank you. Alright, thank you
both.
Chairman, let's all head.
Rodriguez auto Rodriguez just quickly. I just wanted to
thank Alderman, Ervin, for bringing up this issue. Um, and
you chair for mentioning the Latino caucus as well. I
speaking from the Latino caucus, we certainly share that
interest. Um, and thank you guys for bringing it up. As
always
Yeah, you're welcome. Um want to add to to the uh through
the chair request, then the name of the developer, I see
the holding company that owns the property is jrtc
Holdings, LLC, the GC, and the, uh, and the, uh,
Developer.
Yes. Well,
Oh, they're here.
You want I taking notes you want the name of the developer,
the GC it, but I missed the last part.
I'm sorry.
Can you please? I'm sorry. Chris leech. I represent jrtc
Holdings LLC. Okay? Um, good morning, Mr. Chairman members
of the committee,
I'm happy to answer those questions for you. I'll get that
information for you. I don't have that information off the
top of my head though. Okay. So the you heard the original
question while I'm shaming, Irvin right? The local
participation. The local participation numbers GC uh and
the uh developer, right? Yeah.
Okay, any ottoman Rodriguez any? Any other requests you
would like to see
Substitute right.
so,
Yep. Participation broken up by you know, the subs Prime's
everything.
Okay.
Thank you very much. All right, thank you.
All right. Can I get a if there's no further questions for
these witnesses? Can I get a last chairman? We didn't
begin? Yeah. Can I get uh, can I get a motion for model?
And why just back to removal of this item?
And watch it by so moves on the motion. All the favorites,
say I
Oppose know.
In the opinion of chair, the eyes have it.
Thank you. Thank you.
um,
I would like to recognize Brian Alderman. Brian Hopkins,
for purposes of quorum.
All right, moving along.
Page 5 item 1. Chicago Board of Education, ordinance, 2025,
0001528 proposed vacation of the eastern. Most section of a
a 16 ft wide east west alley in the area. Bounded, by
133rd, Street South Avenue, O East 13. 134th Street and
South Green Bay Avenue. This property is located in the
10th. Ward here to speak, we have Scott Borstein, attorney,
Neil, and Leroy, and Stephen Schultz, director of real
estate and CPS. Thank you, chairman. Good morning. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman members of the committee, um, Scott
forsting from the law offices of Neil and Leroy. We do have
a slide here, um, which, uh, we can try to pull up, but
this is a very straightforward matter. Um, the Board of Ed
purchased from the arch. Diocese, uh,
Uh what was formerly St? Columba Church at 3340, West 134th
Street um included with that property was uh property
across what was formerly or was an ally, uh, that the
school built a playground. So, now, the board is seeking to
vacate this alley, which, by the way, was, was never used.
It was grassed over obviously, it has no traffic impacts
but we're seeing to vacate that Ali. So it can be, uh, uh,
uh, completely assembled site. So this is an early learning
center for the Board of Ed. It's about 120 kids there with
this, uh, now which will be an attached playground as
opposed to an adjacent playground. Um, so Steve stolz is
here director of real estate for the Board of Ed if you
have questions, I might add that. This site serves, uh,
Pre-K Pre-K classes from both Grissom and clay prixe and
To get to the playground students have to cross this this
alley, again, it's on paper, it's an ally physically. It's
not improved, its grass, but we would like to connect the
site. So for better ease of access and so we can fence in
the perimeter of the site. So provides better security for
the stew students playing on the playground.
Okay.
Uh,
question how how soon?
Subsequent to the uh, if if approved, will you be fencing
it off? And so, we would what once the vacation is
approved, will put in our upcoming budget request funding.
For the, the fence, and it should be completed before
summer of 2026, okay? But it poses no danger or anything to
the children know but it for for security of of children
you know Pre-K children and to keep other unwanted
trespassers, I'll call them off the site. It it would
provide better security for the children, okay. Uh I mean
Hopkins,
Yeah, thank you. Mr. Chairman, uh, the description
provided, uh, gives the width the dimensions of the Alias
16 foot alley, which is a generous alley, but it doesn't
have the length of the amount that's being vacated in the
description provided
Is this the entirety of the alley or is this, uh, just a
section that adjacent on the Eastern side? Correct. Just
the Eastern side and do you have the length of that? So we
have the full Dimensions 126.09 ft in length by 16 ft in
width. Very good. Thank you.
Um, any more questions? Ms of the body.
All right, the committee has received a letter of support
from ottoman Chico, there's no compensation due to this
project. Uh can I get a motion recommen approval of this
item?
Hopkins. So moves on the motion all in favor, say I I
oppose know in the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it?
Thank you chairman members of the committee. Thank you.
At this time, I want to uh acknowledge uh ottoman Ronnie
Mosley for purposes of quorum.
Item 6 Sunshine, Gospel Ministries.
Ordinance 2025000015475, is it proposed vacation of certain
alleys, bounded by E, 60th Street, East 61st Street, South
CAD Avenue, and South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and the
opening of a new public alley, to serve the affected
balance of the properties. On the Block. This property is
located in the 20th. Ward here to speak on this item is
Brayden Lord attorney Taff.
Uh, Staten Nas and Hollister LLP. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
stenius, is 1 of the harder, last names out there. Um,
thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Um,
as the chairman mentioned, my name is Brayden Lord. I'm
with the law firm of caps titinius and Hollister located at
1, 11 East Wacker Drive, our firm represents Sunshine
Gospel Ministries which is identified as the ASI under the
proposed, intergovernmental vacation and opening ordinance
Sunshine Gospel in conjunction with the sunshine Community
Development Corporation, proposes to acquire the subject
property at issue and develop the proposed Community
Center. Now, the Mr. Chairman is a preliminary housekeeping
matter. We submitted a short presentation to committee
staff. Is it possible to display that would Yeah. Yeah by
all means we also have hard copies and a thumb drive
version of it is that are they able to
okay, I don't want to.
Impose on that.
Thank you.
Okay.
Why are they getting that together? I want to uh I
acknowledge Ottoman and Jessica Winters for purposes of the
quorum.
Good morning.
Thank you, apologies, for the delay, our maintenance in the
morning, breaking. No, no, no problem.
I have her captions as well.
And I can start. But once again the hard copies,
Okay.
Problem.
They, they started passing out.
And and thank you. Mr. Mr. Chairman, I'm happy to proceed
on with the hard copy as well, the digital. Okay, everybody
have a copy follow. Yeah.
Okay, great. I'll continue the uh proposed
intergovernmental vacation and opening ordinance before you
relates to 2, right of way vacations and 1 right of way
opening for the proposed, Sunshine Community Center. The
subject property for the community centers owned by the
city of Chicago and, and therefore the department of
planning and development is treated as the applicant and
the developer for the right of way adjustments ordinance,
whereas Sunshine Gospel Ministries. As I mentioned, is
treated as the assignee, I'd like to First clarify, the
nature of these right of way adjustments in the context of
the community centers, overall, approvals timeline and the
subject property the right of way adjustments are within
the city-owned property bounded by East 60th Street. To the
north south Martin Luther King Junior drive on the East
East 61st Street, on the south and South Calle avenue on
the west. The subject property consists of approximately
240,000, square feet of sight, area and is currently vacant
The city approvals needed for the proposed Community Center
includes these right-of-way adjustments. A zoning change to
establish a plan development, which was uh, approved mid
last year and a Redevelopment agreement to authorize the
sale of the subject property to Sunshine. And an award of
approximately 5 million that has been announced through the
city's Community Development grant program. The proposed
RightWay adjustments for you were previously reviewed by C
dot recommended by this committee and approved by City
Council in 2024 for pursuant to ordinance 20240000009598
however that the 2024 ordinance included a few key.
Deadlines 1 uh city council was directed to approve. A
Redevelopment agreement for the sale of the vacated Land by
December 9th, 2024, and 2 sunshield.
To date as, uh, indicated in the, uh, timeline slide on
slide 2. Um, but not quite fast enough for the initial RDA
recordation deadlines the proposed, RightWay adjustment
ordinance before you modifies those RDA and Recreation
deadlines to align with the RDA and closing timeline but
does not otherwise impact the right of way adjustment
substantively.
however, as as a refresher, those the 3 proposed
adjustments consists of 1, the vacation of a 16 to 20 foot,
north south uh uh alley that bifurcates the site. And the
intent is to turn that Ali into a private interior access
drive for the community center. That is the the thicker
blue. Uh, right of way. Stretch shown on slide, 3 2, the
vacation of an 8-foot East West public alley. That
bifurcates the site the other way, which would be
repurposed into a pedestrian path. And a portion of the
community center's, activity, landscaping and parking
areas, that is the more narrow blue line. And then 3, the
opening of a of a 16 foot East West public alley, along the
Southwest boundary of the site to provide a wider and safer
means of vehicular sight access for the community center as
well as a means of direct Ali sight access for the
properties, immediately, south of that new Ally. And that's
the the blue the, the Orange Line shown.
This, this next slide is the site, plan that gives you a
better idea of what those RightWay adjustment areas will be
turned into. And that's, uh, also further shown on the
following slide, which is our our, renderings of the
overall Community Center. The community center will consist
of a 3 story. Building containing approximately 77,050
square feet of floor area and Outdoor Activity areas that
will host recreational educational, social support and
economic empowerment program.
Grams for youth families and local businesses.
to, to conclude the right-of-way adjustments in particular,
will provide several Community benefits for those within
and Beyond the community center including simplified and
improved site access, which will support traffic and
pedestrian safety enhance facilities and landscaping for
the community center and enhance vehicular access for the
properties immediately adjacent to the new, uh, the
proposed new ally as well as new store, sewer and storm
water infrastructure improvements to, uh, improve storm
water management. At the site, Sunshine is more closely
with alderwoman, Taylor's office and several Community
groups to present discuss and refine its plans, uh,
alderwoman Taylor provided a letter of support, in advance
of this uh hearing of where we respectfully defer to anyone
from alderwoman, Taylor's office or C dot or dpd if they're
in attendance and wish to make any remarks. Otherwise we
thank the committee for its consideration and respectfully
request. Its favorable recommendation we're available for
any questions. Thank you.
All right, thank you for that. Um,
Do you have the?
Information about the value of the project and of those
that information.
I believe the um anticipated value of the project is in a
term sheet. That's currently being negotiated and I believe
I have a copy of it, 1 moment, if you don't have it with
you could you just uh submit it through the chair. Uh, yes.
So we can look at it. It's a good project for me to do
ottoman wages. Back question.
Thanks Mr. Satania
ready. Go ahead. I wish Mr. Mr. Lord, I wish I was Mr.
Tinius back. Um,
I wish that even more. Yeah, um,
On page 3 when you're looking at number 1 for the vacation
of the 16 by 20 foot. Ali is um, does the community center
community center or is that property to um, well to the
left? I'm assuming that's um, West.
Of the orange line is that owned by the same entity? Or is
that a separate entity that owns that? Um, what's
essentially a blank space there that, that property
immediately to the left of the orange Valley, that that's
currently city-owned property, but it's not part of the
community center plan. It's uh, our my understanding is
that this, the city might uh, similarly seek to sell that
land for improvement.
At some point and this alley is is essentially being widened
and relocated to better facilitate that in the future, so
future, so that it correctly, but what might be new
development in the future, okay, I didn't catch that in
your testimony, so that's what I was looking at it. It
doesn't prohibit.
by any kind of easement agreement, the use of that alley by
that if the city owns it or if a developer comes in,
To utilize that Ali. There's no there is an agreement that
they would be allowed to use that in the future. Or do they
have to come back and say
If we build, let's say a building their lot line to lot
line and we need that alley access. Does that prohibit,
whatever entity in the future from from using it. Nothing
that is being uh proposed would prohibit that the that
stretch of of new ally is is proposed as a new public Ally.
Um, so there's there's no current agreement with the
developer and the city about future access to that Ali, I
think access for for future development. To the to the left
would would depend on the regular regulations related to
what's proposed for if it's more than 6 car lie, you'd need
the ordinance, things like that, right? Just because it
said, private interior access. I thought maybe they're it
sounded like there might be some, um,
Something in the agreement but that's fine. That's not
apologies for misleading labeling. Thank you. Thank you
chairman. Okay.
Any other any other questions from members of the
committee?
um, just to add to the um, through the share request, um,
the the proposed GC and developer, um,
all that information will be helpful.
All right. Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. As mentioned earlier,
the committee has received and reviewed a letter of support
from ottoman Taylor. There's no compensation due for this
project. Can I get a motion to recommend approval of this
item?
Ottoman Gutierrez so moves on the motion all in favor. Say
I those opposed no in the opinion of the chair, the chair,
the eyes have it,
Next item is a proposed. Change in use restriction for CPS
Cal. Calhoun School ordinance, 2025000015614, a proposed
change in use, restriction, affecting the previously
affected previously, affected vacated alleys, and the block
bounded by West Adams, Street. South California, Avenue
South, Francisco Avenue and West Jackson Boulevard. This
property is located in the 27th. Ward.
Here to speak. We have Stephen Schultz director of real
estate CPS and Michael Chitwood. CEO, uh,
Marilac St. Vincent.
Good morning, chairman and members of the committee for the
record. My name is Steven Stoltz director of real estate
with Chicago Public Schools.
We're here today to seek your support for the removal of a
use restriction on a vacated alley that is bisecting. The
Calhoun North Elementary School site. I'm sorry to be very
specific. The closed held who North Elementary School site,
located at 2833, West Adams Street.
The alley was vacated in 1933 but the alley has a use
restriction that the um the vacation. I'm sorry that the
alley shall be remain vacated as long as the property shall
continue to be used for educational purposes. The school
was closed in 2013 and CPS put the site out for bid several
times and we finally got a successful bidder in marilac St.
Vincent Family, Services submitted a bid for purchase of
the site. CPS board approved in 2024.
However, this uh this use restriction on the Ally is
proving to be an impediment on closing on the sale.
Um, so we would seek your support and removing the use
restriction, so that, uh, mayor Lac St. Vincent Family
Services can proceed with their adaptive reuse and
Redevelopment the project. And I'll turn it over to CEO.
Michael Chitwood to explain their proposed use for the
site. Yeah, thank you. Thanks for your time. Um, Michael
Chitwood, the CEO of marilac St, Vincent Family, Services.
Um, if you're not familiar mayor, like St, Vincent Family,
Services has been present on the west side of Chicago for
100 years. Um, we have we own the 3 corners of that
property at Jackson and Francisco. We have a parking lot.
We have an early childhood Learning Center and we have a
Youth and Family Center including a food pantry. Um we're
excited about the purchase of Calhoun. Uh elementary school
has been closed as you know for almost 12 years now. Um 1
now. Um 1 of the fifty Chicago Public Schools closed, 12
years ago. Um, we have uh, plans to develop a community
Hub, uh, expanding our current family and social services,
and bringing in Partners to expand services, to disrupt
generational poverty,
Um, on the west side of Chicago.
so, we have, um,
Yeah, we will be expanding our youth development, uh, Youth
and teen development, our senior programs. Um, our Doula
home visiting program economic Mobility programs, as well
as bringing some partner organizations, uh, in areas, like
Workforce Development, Mental Health Care uh, and so on. So
we intend to be a um, we are an intergenerational Family
Services organization working with families at every stage
of life.
And with respect to the alley. Um the alleys actually the
school building is built on top of the alley in 2 legs of
the alley. So really there's it's it's again a big
impediment for us to selling the property. It's been
unfortunately sitting there vacant for many years. It's
continually broken into a few. You know, fires have been
set inside the building. So we are really CPS is really
eager to transfer this to another party that can put it
back to productive use and so it's no longer a blight on
the local community. So again we really uh, strongly, um,
seeking your support for this.
Sounds like a good project. What's the, um, what's the size
of the building?
Says the building is about 75,000 square feet. Oh what.
What was the uh purchase price that you settled on 200,000?
Interesting. It sounds like a great project. Uh there any
questions from members of the body? All right, uh, the
community has received and reviewed a letter of support
from ottoman Bernett. There is no compensation due to this
project. Uh, can I get a motion from ottoman Harris from
ermine approval?
Ottoman Harris so moves on the motion all in favor say I
those opposed no in the opinion of the chair. The eyes have
it? Thank you chairman, thank you so much.
All right, there being no further business before the
committee. Can I get a motion to adjourn by the same roll
call vote as we apply to determine corn?
Yes, Autumn urban urban, so moves on the motion. All in
favor. Say I oppose know and the opinion of the chair. The
eyes have it, the committee on uh the meeting of the
committee on Transportation public way is now adjourned.