It's used when a quorum roll call is used as reference.
Vote for later items. Thank you, chair.
I'm just doing it now. Chairman Mitchell, president
Vice Chair Vasquez.
Alderman Conway. Present. Altman Irving. Present.
Altman Fuentes. Alderman Gutierrez. Alderman Harris.
Alderman Hopkins. Alderman Moore. Alderman Mosley.
Alderman Nugent. Alderman Rodriguez. Alderman Scott Wapac.
Alderman Yancy. There are nine members present.
We have a quorum at this time.
We'll 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 three minutes.
Okay, I'll do that now.
Um, before I start public comment, I want to, um,
uh, we have Alderman Gutierrez has requested to participate,
uh, remotely under Rule 59.
Can I get a motion to accept? So moved.
So moved by Alderman Alderman Irvin.
All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
Any opinion of the chair? The ayes have. All right.
Uh, at this time, we begin the public comment period.
Outta respect for everybody's time.
Public comment will be limited. 30 minutes in each speaker.
We have three minutes.
Our first speaker is Laura
Seman Saxon
Sal Saltzman my ticket. Oh,
I'm sorry. My hand. No, my
handwriting's terrible.
Saltzman. My name is
Laura Saltzman and I'm the Transportation Policy Analyst
for Access Living a disability justice org.
I want to talk about liability.
A word that came up a lot the last time this committee met.
We cannot clear the sidewalks via an already funded pilot
because of liability.
Others swore they care about disabled people.
Just not this project, though, I must tell you those
with a words and tone of a, of people who think
that providing services to disabled people is charity
volunteer somewhere
and not as something that doubles as award service.
If you want to do charity, others are government
representatives and disabled residents deserve
access to city goods.
As for the promises, I'm a lifelong Chicagoan,
and I cannot remember a time we haven't been in a budget
crisis when it comes to expenses like these,
which is presumably why the city keeps getting in trouble
for a DA violations.
The only time the city is willing
to spend real money on disability is paying private
attorneys to defend the city's right to be inaccessible,
losing the accessible pedestrian signals case last year
after spending over $5 million in legal fees,
spending millions to fight inaccessible shelter
and housing cases, losing the ADA a sidewalks case 15 years
ago and at risk of losing another one
that was just filed this year, not by my org.
So let's talk about bad sidewalks
and curb ramps year round, which they are.
And anyone walking or rolling through the city knows it
because there is nowhere where with sidewalks that are good,
only areas where they are better.
This is not fixable.
By slightly adjusting the sidewalk inspection system,
there has to be an overhaul to
how inspections and repairs are handled.
We mu we need a more efficient grid-based inspections system
with resulting neither repairs.
3 1 1 complaints are notoriously inequitable
as the OIG has already reported,
and you can't tweak a system
with over 20,000 open inspections.
Meanwhile, most of these complaints are resolved
by dropping a pamphlet, offering a resident the opportunity
to voluntarily shell out thousands
of dollars in the shared cost sidewalk program.
Oddly, we don't handle street repairs the same.
And why haven't we made changes?
I worry the main answer is
because you are afraid it will add to city liability.
See if you, and if that is the case,
I want every resident to understand what that means.
See, if you hurt yourself because of a bad sidewalk
and curb ramp, they want
to make sure the city didn't officially know about it.
So you can't sue to get your medical costs covered.
That is what it means to focus on liability
and not responsibility.
No, you're responsible for serving your community.
I spoke with a woman recently on this very room
who has dealt for decades with permanent disabilities
because she fell through a hole in the sidewalk.
And as someone who has dealt
with disabling back pain every D day,
I speak from experience when I say I find it loathsome
to prefer others suffer an injury causing something like
that rather than fix a sidewalk.
And there is another piece of focusing
so much on liability and responsibility.
It is also the cost of residents not having equivalent
access to infrastructure built by the government.
What is the cost of not being able
to access city blocks or train stations?
Because we won't fix the curb ramp,
fix the system, make it more efficient.
Save the city money long term and let disabled people
and parents with strollers be able to use the sidewalks.
Everyone else does. It is not charity.
Thank you. Uh, our next speaker is TTA Thomas.
Good morning chair and members
of the committee on the public way.
The purpose of this committee is to oversee
how we use the sidewalk streets, buildings,
and public assets that belong to all of us.
But in the last three years, what's become clear is this,
you didn't just manage the public way.
You gave it away to developers, to migrant contractors,
to out of town consultants.
And you did it without the input
of the very black communities who have fought
for decades just to get a street light fixed
or a crosswalk repainted.
Let's start with the facts.
Closed schools and black neighborhoods were converted into
migrant shelters without community meetings,
zoning hearings, or environmental impact reviews.
Hotels were repurposed.
Public park space restricted
and traffic rerouted all
to accommodate citywide migrant resettlement.
Public streets were blocked off.
CTA stops rerouted
and police presence increased not
for public safety in black neighborhoods,
but to manage optics around new shelters.
Where was the transparency?
Where was the democratic process?
You use the power of this committee
to fast track the approvals, reroute public infrastructure,
and allow city owned buildings to become triage sensors
for the crisis that was dumped into black communities
with no warning and no consent.
Meanwhile, the public way in black
neighborhoods remains broken.
Our sidewalks are cracked. Our street lights don't work.
Our abandoned building sits for years,
but when it's for migrants,
they get repurposed in the weeks.
Let's name the death you gave migrant children full service
schools with ELL support.
While black students with disabilities lost access to AIDS
and special ed services, you gave migrant families,
hotel rooms and shelter services.
While black families on CHA waiting lists still haven't
received a callback in years,
this isn't about neighborhood neighbors versus newcomers.
This is about a city that uses public way
as a political weapon, rewarding some and ignoring others.
And now CPS is in the deficit. CTA is in the deficit.
CPD is in the deficit. Why?
Because the department spit from the,
because those departments spent from the public trust
to fund an operation that was never approved by voters
or residents, but rubber stamped
through committees just like this one.
And while you were doing all that slumlords,
like PKO now calling themselves, Halsted
and Taylor were allowed to hide behind name changes
and continue leasing publicly subsidized units with mold,
no heat, rats and crumbling walls.
This committee should be managing the integrity
of the public way, not facilitating a shell game
of slumlord protection and political gas lighting.
So here's my demand.
Publicly released all zoning easement
and right of way changes approved
for migrant shelter operations between 2021 and 2024.
Past legislation requiring community participation
and published notice before any public asset school
building, hotel or street is converted for emergency
or shelter use Ban City registered landlords like PKO,
Halsted and Taylor from receiving further city support
until they fix existing code violations
and return their properties to habitable standards
and stop raising taxes to fix a crisis that was hidden
behind our backs.
You say Chicago is a sanctuary.
Thank you. Uh, our next speaker is Theresa Cardova.
Good morning Alder Aldermen and Alder Women.
My name is Teresa Cordova.
I'm the director at the Great Cities Institute at
University of Illinois Chicago.
Um, also a former elected official in another state county
commissioner, um, where I served on various transportation,
uh, boards and, uh, authorities.
Um, I'm here this morning to speak on behalf
of a proposed appointee to the RTA, uh, committee, um,
and, uh, Oswaldo Alvarez.
Um, and I wanna say something about, uh, about the work
that we've done with him and what I know
to be not only an issue of character,
but knowledge and experience.
So, uh, in, in our capacity at the Great Cities Institute,
we've worked closely with, with Oswaldo
and his team, um, on issues directly related to policy,
a range of policy including transportation policy.
Um, what also, uh, what I know him
to be is someone who's not only extremely enthusiastic,
but well prepared in how he approaches,
um, his subject matter.
And he is also a, um, he's also, uh, uh, someone who brings
to the table a great deal of enthusiasm, creativity,
um, and, and knowledge.
So, uh, I know
that he's being considered for this appointment.
And I'd like to to to suggest to you that
through his knowledge
and experience, he would provide information
and knowledge about the relationship between
economic activity and transportation.
He would have a knowledge of transportation as a, uh,
uh, not only a right, but a necessary function for a city.
The economic activities of the city
and the ability of the, of the, uh, of the city to be able
to, to look not only at capital improvement projects,
but how it operates its transportation system.
What I would look forward to if Oswaldo were appointed
to this is his bringing forward a great deal of optimism,
creativity, fresh ideas, and ability to form partnerships
and ability to listen to a wide range of perspectives, uh,
and ability to bring people together and to bring
and to find solutions for the transportation issues.
Particularly for something as complex
as a regional transportation authority.
Um, thank you.
The power of one.
You watch this clock
and you will see if I truly get my three minutes.
Mr. Blake, can you speak up, sir?
If I would truly get my three minutes, they still
sweetness outta sugar here.
Public transportation.
The streets of Chicago was sold out.
Mayor Daily, don't blame that on Mayor Dailey.
Blame it on all these no good black
s, white s, Hispanic, and Asian.
Blame it on you.
The people are a piece of SHI
you allow this to go on.
Don't talk about these altman's.
Now the buck stop with the people
and the people are sour.
The people are the cause of this problem.
The black ones, the white ones, the Hispanics, the Asian,
all are Democrats.
All are Democrats.
You who does this?
Misfit, elected official
sold the streets out.
That's your money, honey.
When they put these tickets out,
sold the streets out.
It is something evil here. It's something un-American here.
What is it? It's a democratic cspo machine here.
And I advocated for Trump. You cannot clean up this swamp.
It's a culture of corruption here.
Oh, you vote Brandon Johnson out,
another one will come back in.
But it's the most, you see those mini happen.
They went quick with me.
I don't know what kind of clock you you using.
I don't care what they say. It the same went with me.
Corrupt. Yes. And they're all Democrat.
One party and the people, people deserve.
And you got the love that you deserve.
And if you don't do what you got to get what you want,
you don't need what you got.
So all of you are part of the problem here
in the culture of corruption
of,
All right, that concludes the public comment period.
I move to approve the Rule 45 report
for the Committee on Transportation
and Public Way meeting held on September 23rd, 2025.
So move. Uh, so moved by, uh, alderman Mosley.
All those in favor say aye. Opposed no opinion chair.
The ayes have it.
Um, I wanna acknowledge member Scott Wisack
for purposes of quorum.
And Alderman Rodriguez has requested
to participate remotely, uh, via Rule 59.
Can I get a motion from Alderman Irvin to accept the motion?
So Alderman Alderman Irvin.
So moves all those in favor say aye. Oppose No.
And depend of chair. The ayes have it. All right.
Today we have eight items on the agenda.
Uh, page two, item one, appointment of Oswaldo Alvarez
as a member of the Regional Transportation Authority.
Um, uh,
8 8 2 0 2 5 0 0 1 9 8 9 3.
Appointment of Oswaldo Alvarez is a member
of the Regional Transportation Authority
for a term effectively immediately,
and expire in July 1st, 2027 to succeed.
Sarah Payne, whose term has expired. We have Mr.
O Alvarez here. Re here.
Hi. So good morning Mr. Alvarez. Good
Morning.
Um, so I'm, I'm assuming you have, uh, a prepared,
something prepared Yes.
For the committee? Yeah. All right.
Uh, you can go ahead at this time.
Go right ahead. Okay. Well, good morning.
Uh, thank you so much for having me here.
Uh, my name is Oswaldo Alvarez. Um, I, um, uh, sorry.
Uh, so, okay, sorry. Sorry about this.
Good morning, and thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you.
My name is Oswaldo Alvarez.
I was born and raised in Logan Square, in the northwest side
of the city, central Park,
and Fullerton, to be exact, went to CPS schools,
Moser Elementary, and later Kel Park High School.
I currently serve as the executive director
of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation,
which functions as the public policy arm
for the Latino Caucus for the state of Illinois.
Not only do I oversee all operations development
and programs, but in our role, we are in charge
of building the public policy platform called raices
for the caucus year after year.
In that role, my charge is
to build an analysis grounded in data
and research across all policy areas as they intersect
with all of our communities.
Among the many issue areas we delve into last year,
specifically, transportation was highlighted
as a priority issue, requiring focused attention to respond.
We convened both large scale events with our caucus members
and stakeholders, as well
as neighborhood level conversations to engage directly
with residents leaning on research produced by cmap.
And our partners are great citizens to University
of Illinois, who you just heard from,
and community town halls we convened last year.
We documented community perspectives on transit access, city
and suburbs, integration, safety, and reliability.
This work led us to create the transportation platform
that not only reflected the community input,
but ultimately helped inform the transit bills
that are currently being debated in Springfield.
In addition to this work, we produce detailed analysis year
after year on public universities, commission
and state agencies, including
the Illinois Department of Transportation.
We track their budgets, span contracting,
whether BEP goals were met, grant making,
and war for workforce compensation, all through the lens
of participation and representation.
This gives me a strong understanding of how to analyze, uh,
complex state budgets and hold agencies accountable.
Thus, skillset, skill, uh, bills on my direct experience
and managing public dollars.
As I am sure you saw in my resume,
my experience in managing public
and private dollars is vast.
From private philanthropy to managing government contracts.
I currently so serve as a board
of trustee at Lewis University.
And just last year, for example,
we oversaw the merger with St.
Augustine College. However, I'd like to hone in,
in my 2020 census experience.
In 2020, I was appointed by Governor Pritzker
to lead the inaugural census
office for the state of Illinois.
In less than nine months, I oversaw a budget
of more than $50 million funding over 500 nonprofit
and local and, um, entities.
And despite the census timeline changing five times on us,
requiring us to redo the contracts
with all 500 entities each time,
we not only delivered a historic outcome for Illinois.
Indeed, we finished ranking number one in self response
rates in the nation among states,
with over 9 million people eventually moving the state to,
to not only not lose two congressional seats,
but creating additional, um,
Latino congressional district in Illinois.
But we did so without a single administrative finding.
Finally, transit is personal to me.
My grandfather came to Chicago as aero
to work on the blue line expansion from Logan Square,
where it ended at one point
and build a better life for our family.
In fact, I have always lived along the blue line, which is
what I used for work more often before.
Now that my career has taken me more to Springfield, travel
and Leisure, public transit has been part of my life story.
And I know firsthand how vital it is in connecting
communities and creating opportunity.
I am honored to be considered for this appointment,
and I look forward to bringing this combination
of policy expertise, fiscal management experience,
and lived experience, um, as a prospective in the RTA board.
Thank you,
Ottman wa Thank you Chairman.
Um, thank you very much for being here
and, uh, wish you good luck on your appointment.
Uh, so as you probably know, the RTA came out
with a new report, uh, over the last couple days
and say that the, uh, fiscal cliff
that they were envisioning, uh, this upcoming year has kind
of dissipated from well over
700 million, down to 200 million.
Uh, you can kind of look at the numbers
and see they, you know, kind of move things around.
And it looks like, uh, higher revenue, uh, higher operating,
uh, expenditures, um,
using 200 million more in reserves to get to that.
Uh, you know, looking at the CTA, if we go down this path,
CTA goes deeper, deeper into debt by 2028,
and then by the end of 26 next year,
they've completely exhausted their reserves.
Um, so the CTA impacts that all
of us are looking at, and, and I know this is RTA,
but these are all interconnected
because, uh, what we're looking at in Springfield is
how do we fund, uh, the CTA as well as PACE
and Metro, um, you know, uh,
hiring freezes, service cuts, service cuts
to a DA accessibility layoffs for union
and non-union operator layoffs.
And what that leads to is just lack of service, uh, lack
of ability to people to get to work on time.
Uh, I took the blue line today.
Uh, unfortunately it was running a little slow,
but, um, you know, I enjoy taking it too.
It's easy to get down here,
and it's easy to, uh, access all the other parts
of the city that I need.
But I think people who are really looking, uh,
to utilize all of our other system,
um, are extremely worried.
So, a couple of questions for you.
Um, I think number one is what is the solution
for this fiscal cliff other than what that came out in
that report that suddenly got thrown out there?
Um, and even though that number is, uh, suddenly dissipated.
And number two, what is the mayor's priorities
for you on the RTA, uh, board and,
and the CTA, um, hoping that you, unlike some
of our prior candidates, can answer that question.
Yeah, I mean, um, I, so I think that, um, um, in terms
of the fiscal cliff, right, um, I, I, it is my understanding
that, um, the RTA was asked right, to make, to see
where they can identify cuts, right?
And for them to also be able to identify what are the, the,
the, the dollars that may be able to roll over,
if you will, from previous years.
I'm glad that they were able to do that.
Um, it was, um, um,
and for me, you know, in my, in my current capacity also
as executive director with the Latino Caucus Foundation,
I do believe that I can serve as a true bridge, if you will,
when it comes to a lot of the conversations
between Springfield and Chicago.
So for me, that is, uh, that, that is one of the pieces.
I also do bring in a creative mind into this,
into this kind of kind of work.
And by creative mind, I also do believe in being able
to establish partnerships, not only, um,
not only within the public sector,
but also within the private sector.
So that is something that I am, I I will,
I will put in my effort right, in all, all that I can
to make sure that I build that, and I will be bringing that.
I do know that, um, um, in terms of, of the mayor, you know,
the, the, the priorities are actually
all of our priorities, right?
Which are to have a system that is, that that is integrated,
a system that is safe, a system that is reliable,
and a system that is well funded, right?
Um, and the funding is not just about maintaining
what we have, it's also about building on what we have.
So, um, that will be, those will be my priorities as well.
And I, I will bring it all when I, when, if, if,
if approved to serve on that board.
Um, when you mentioned bridging conversations
with Springfield, um, what do you think is the most, uh,
difficult, uh, bridge that you're gonna have to cross there?
Um, and I'll give you an example.
Suburban elected officials don't want the package
that CTA was gonna get out of this.
And, um, that's gonna be a huge bridge to cross. Mm-hmm.
Um, and I haven't seen anyone articulate a good, um,
conversation piece there with those elected officials.
I haven't heard the mayor come out
and say, I'm gonna go meet with those elected officials
because of the CTAs, um, uh,
proportion of those funds.
Um, what moves the city, uh, also moves the suburbs,
but I haven't seen anybody make any comments about that,
uh, out of the fifth floor.
So how would you bridge that gap?
Um, thank you for that question, alderman.
And, um, and how I would bridge it is
by eng engage starting the
conversations if they haven't started.
Okay. Yeah. Um, I think that's, um,
that's a huge part of this.
'cause obviously if they're not on board
with the other RTA members that would look at this serv,
this funding package and say, look,
we're just not going along with it.
Mm-hmm. That's gonna be, um, the gap
that I think you're gonna have to figure out.
Um, you know,
and if we're not making this a priority from the fifth
floor, um, I mean, I hope you do, I hope you can.
Um, but I just haven't seen
that conversation started in the public realm.
It hasn't happened in here.
We haven't had a, uh, policy agenda from the mayor's office.
And it, and it's frustrating, I think, for a lot
of us who's, who have constituents
that on a constant daily basis are calling our office
saying, we can't handle the, the lack of timeliness
and the, the lack of cleanliness on our trains,
but also connecting to those other parts of the suburbs,
either through pace or through Metro.
So, that's right. Um, I know you, I know you, uh,
are gonna get all those questions.
I hope that whatever you end up doing there, uh,
you can bridge those gaps
and, uh, get the proportion of funding that we need
to make sure the CTA is, is well serviced
and all the constituents that we have.
Thank you. Thank you, chairman.
Thank you. I'll make those question, um,
r
Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair.
Um, Mr. Alvar, so good to see you here.
Um, you know, when I think about this appointment
and what characteristics, um,
an individual needs in order to serve in this capacity
for the benefit of the residents of the region,
particularly in our interest for the city of Chicago,
I think about a couple of things.
One, I think I want someone
who has a real commitment to our city.
I think you've demonstrated
that in not only living here all your life, um,
but working here and more so working for the benefit of,
uh, the public good.
So I think that commitment is quite clear.
Um, secondly, I think about someone
who has issue area expertise.
And look, I think you, of you more as a generalist.
Um, with that said,
there's very specific expertise on transportation issues
that you've been able to articulate
in your opening statement.
And I know for one, uh, hearing from Teresa
Cova is a big deal.
Um, getting her kind of, uh, uh, applause
is a big damn deal
because she's it when it comes to this issue
and many other issues from a regional perspective, right?
Great Cities Institute does that work?
And I know you've been a partner there, uh,
you've been a real partner there.
And, uh, the last thing I'd say I wanna see in this, uh,
individual in, in you, in this characteristic is that, um,
you know, that, that that ability to be able to understand
not just how to create policy,
but the relationships that are key to being able to build
that confidence and build that collective decision,
making that consensus to be able to come to decisions
that are for the benefit of, of all those actors.
You know, that the best deal is when nobody's happy
and everybody gets something
that they wanted, but not everything.
I think you have that characteristic,
and that's that kind of, you know, um, value system
that you bring as a committed individual to the city
as a person who has, uh, uh, vast array of expertise,
but certainly knowledge in this area that's competitive
with anybody, uh, here in this room, I would've say.
And then lastly, you know, that ability to, to, to be able
to get things done is how I encapsulate that.
So you have my support and I urge the committee, uh,
to support your appointment as well.
And, and I move, uh,
do pass at the appropriate time. Mr. Chair.
Thank you, alderman. Thank you. Ottoman.
Um, alderman, Mosley
Wanted to ask you, uh, during your time, uh,
how do you plan to use your time as, uh, in the state, uh,
whether you're talking about from the census
or even your work with the Latino caucus
to bring folks on board, um, particularly, um,
the state legislators on issues
that are important to the RTA.
Uh, the question is how do I plan to bring them together?
Yep. How do you plan to leverage your past experience
and relationships and initiatives with RTA?
Um, you know, I think that, I mean, for me, for me,
it is about, uh, reaching out to them, right?
Convening them. I've already started that process.
If, if anything, last year when we started,
before anything in Springfield started,
we already, we've already started.
And it's not just, um, the elected officials themselves,
but also the, the,
the relevant community partners in those districts.
Um, so that what we end up building is something that is,
that is, that is collect that,
that is the collective of everyone.
Um, as Alderman Rodriguez just said, for me,
I do have a track record of doing that, of being able to,
to, to be able to see
and read between the lines, if you will, to be able
to bring all of these stakeholders
and at the end, you know, honestly, um,
and be able to engage in very difficult conversations.
Um, that's how I plan to do it. Right.
Um, I do think that in the RTA, you know, the, the big,
the big piece of it is the budget oversight.
Um, and, um,
and for me that I have extensive experience in doing that
and be able to, um, to be able to hold agencies accountable.
Right. And, and when it comes to the, when it comes to the,
that, that budget oversight,
But is there, uh, within your network, again,
using your past experience,
that you've developed relationships with elected officials,
Is there anyone within my network or
Have you developed a network? Oh, yeah,
Absolutely. I mean, I feel like,
um, uh, my work with the census,
and this is what I tell people,
that I feel like census is like the one job,
and it's the only job that I can think of
that is a hundred percent of people,
like a hundred percent of people, right?
And that's a number that none of us can really grasp
until you have to do this work, right?
And it's not until you do this work
that you start realizing all
of the different networks and what have you.
And I, and, and for me, that is how I'm able
to build the relationships with both city and suburbs
and beyond in the States.
Um, and, and, and, and I'm speaking a, an array, right?
So do I have them? Absolutely.
And will I be tapping into that? Absolutely. Right.
And I mean, you did amazing work at the census.
Um, tell me more about how you'll use
those tactics to engage the community on the platform
or priorities of RTA.
Um, so specifically in the census, right?
I mean, for us, um, it was about a hundred percent
of people, and it was really directly about listening
to people and how they believe
that it was about people being able to,
to get counted ultimately, right?
It was a mar it was a huge, from marketing
to community based kind of ground level work, right?
Um, and those were some of the things
that we used right, in the census, right?
And now you're saying, how would we use this in
the RTA mm-hmm.
Or, um, so for me, you know, um, it, again,
it goes into having, uh, being able to lift
what people have said they want and need, right?
Not just what we think they want and need,
but what they actually said.
Um, and what we keep on hearing from them is the safety,
the reliability, um, and the integration of it, right?
And so for me, it is gonna be about lifting those priorities
and working with all
of the different stakeholders also within the system, right?
To really think about what are the ways
that we can actually do that.
So, okay. Got
It. Mm-hmm. Thank you, chair.
Thank you. Um, are there any more questions for members
of the committee on the motion
for, oh, I'm sorry.
Just, uh, just one follow up question.
So, uh, as we kind of laid out that scenario,
and you read that report, um, from the RTA, the new report,
uh, what is plan B?
If there is no funding from Springfield,
in your mind, what is plan B?
Um, So I, I mean, for me, again,
I would bring in my private public partnerships.
That's what I would bring, right?
I mean, I still remember when, um,
the red line on North Avenue, um, was,
had a partnership with Apple, right?
And that stop was like the Apple stop, right?
I do know that other cities, for example, in Paris, um,
they partner with Disney, right?
So that it, so that the
line can go all the way to Disneyland.
Um, those are just examples
and those are retail examples that are,
that people can relate to.
But we also have so many industrial corridors.
We have so many different job opportunities,
economic vitality, what have you, that there are
so many different ways that we can partner.
I'm not, I, I would bring all my, all myself in,
into something instant into, uh,
an appointment like this, right?
Uh, but for me, again, plan B, I need
to also hear from everyone inside.
This is just me thinking, speaking to you, right?
But my, uh,
but it, it, it will require me speaking to again,
the members of the, of the, of the, of the board, of course,
the mayor's office, everyone to try to see how,
what our collective plan B could be.
But this is what I could bring. Okay.
Thank you, chairman. Right.
Um, on the motion from, um, chairman recommended approval
of this items, all those in favor say aye.
Aye. All those opposed, oh, I'm sorry for wait second.
Oh, I apologize. Autumn Gutierrez, um, you still wish to,
uh, ask questions,
Please.
Okay. Sorry about that. Go Ahead. Hello.
No, no problem. Good morning.
I just wanna express my wholeheartedly, um, support
to Odo Alvarez.
I commend the administration for choosing a great person
to handle this job.
I've worked with, uh, Osvaldo
for many years since I was a staffer
for the commissioner in the area.
And I know that he's gonna do a great
job in this new position.
And I would like to, my colleagues to
as well support this appointment.
Thank you.
All right. Now, the, any, just the questions. All right.
Again, on the motion from Alderman
Rodriguez, recommend approval of this item.
All in favor, say aye.
Those opposed no in the opinion of chair,
the ayes having congratulations. Thank
You. Thank you.
Alright.
A slow clap.
All right. Moving along.
Pages three through seven include 34 ordinances from
miscellaneous items introduced
by the local alderman from Wards
1, 3, 8, 11, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 47,
and 50.
Can I get a motion from Altman Harris?
Recommend approval of these items, honor Harris.
So moves on the motion. All those in favor say Aye. Opposed?
No in the opinion of the chair, the ayes habits.
Uh, page eight, item one, one item one,
west Pullman industrial subdivision Ordinance
2 0 2 5 0 0 1 9 9 4.
A proposed subdivision bounded by west hundred 19th Street,
south Morgan Street, and West hundred 20 20th Street.
Located in the 21st Ward here to speak,
I have Mariah Dino.
Is she Sheri? Oh, hey, there.
From d uh, attorney, DLA, Piper, Erica Salki can see her.
DDPD, Ryan Green, Alex Starhawk with DL three.
Okay, so know, I know Alex Green.
A, uh, Alex Bar Hawk DL three. And
Chairman, I can introduce the team when we Rob
Rose. He's
here. Okay. DL three. All right.
Thank you. Um, well,
we do have some slides while she's pulling them up.
I'll, I'll go ahead and proceed.
Uh, thank you, uh, chairman and members of the committee.
My name is Mariah Dino with the law firm of DLA Piper.
We represent the applicant in this matter.
Um, the applicant is actually the city, uh,
but we represent the developer of the property,
which is West Pullman Development Partners, LLC.
Uh, as you mentioned, I'm joined
by Eric Sel from the Department of Planning and Development.
Uh, to my left is Alex Sparhawk
with West Pullman Development Partners.
We also have Rob Rose, Vince Bass,
and to Tiana Tang from Tandem Ventures.
They're members of the development team as well.
You got the dream team. I see
The Dream team. So
there are two matters, uh, today that are related
that I would ask, uh, be addressed, uh,
with this presentation together.
One is approval of the West Poman industrial subdivision,
and the other is approval of a plaid of opening
for South Ada Street.
Um, the matters relate to property owned by the city,
located in the West Pullman neighborhood,
along a hundred 19th Street between Morgan and Lo Loomis.
The city is seeking to convey, uh, a portion
of the city owned property
to West Pullman Development partners
to facilitate redevelopment of, uh, a larger site
with a light industrial facility.
Um, the city owned portion of the site consists
of approximately the Western quarter of
what would be the development site.
Um, the remainder of the site consists of property
that was abandoned by the former industrial owners.
West Pullman Development Partners has
assembled the abandoned property.
Uh, the city owned parcel is the last remaining piece
of the development site to be assembled.
Um, the subdivision and opening are necessary
to address obsolete platting and, um, tax pin conditions.
Um, the portion of the property that the city seeks
to convey to West Pullman Development Partners, uh, is part
of a larger, uh, pin two pins.
Um, there's also a portion of un platted, uh,
or vacated Racine
that is actually in the wrong location on the tax map.
So we're cleaning a lot of things up with this.
Um, but in order to convey parts of pins,
the Illinois Plat Act requires in this instance,
approval of the subdivision.
Uh, as I mentioned, the subdivision
and the opening, uh, would clear the way for the city
to convey the remaining pieces of the development site
to West Pullman Development Partners.
Um, the city has already approved the terms
of the land conveyance as well as a planned development
and Class six B for the industrial development.
This is an extremely challenged site
that has remained vacant and undeveloped for many years.
Um, we're grateful for Alderman Mosley's support
and guidance, and happy to answer any questions.
We've got the spinning wheel
of death over here on the computer, unfortunately,
so I wish I could pop up the, the slides.
How we doing Stephanie? It says spin
our series Wheel of death.
All right. Um, yeah, you might have to reboot it.
Um, so we, we gonna have to prise
Erica, how you wanna handle it.
Um, Anything.
I, I didn't print anything out.
I have a, a black and white set of what I, um, I can
Question. Oh, you know what,
right, Brian? Sure. Yeah.
So then let, let Ultimate more,
We'll pass some time there with hopefully
the computer will cooperate.
Absolutely. Ahead. Thank you Chair.
And thank you, uh, to this, uh, development team
and Citi for coming together.
As you all know, this is the largest, uh, and, and
or, uh, industrial project in Chicago's history led
by a black developer, Leon Walker, um, Fitz the Ward,
and also is just a great story about the resilience.
This is the city's 10th plan manufacturing district
that we are working to revitalize
and, uh, provide head of household jobs too.
Um, uh, a lot of cleanup is needed
for this site in so many ways.
Uh, so thank you to the developer and,
and team who I have to shout out, not just those like Mariah
that's before, and Alex,
but also I see Rob Rose in the back.
I see Vince Bass in the back
to Tang at Tando Ventures in the back as well,
who has really, who all have been really thoughtful in
engaging, uh, our community on how to be a part
of this success and this great narrative.
And so, uh, as we work through, again, all of these cleanups
that are needed for this site would ask for this committee's
and my colleagues' favor consideration,
uh, on in this matter.
Thank you, chair.
Okay. Alright.
Committee has received
and reviewed a letter of support from Vin Moley compensation
for this project that said, I get a motion commend approval
of this item on your nervous.
So, rules on motion. Alden favor say Aye. Aye. Opposed?
Opposed? No. The chair. The aye.
Thank you. Thank you. Now.
Okay. Moving right along.
Page eight, item two, end, end, end.
Re re, subdivision ordinance
2 0 2 5 0 0 1 9 5 4 5.
A proposed subdivision founded by North Normandy Avenue,
west Grand Avenue in West Armitage Avenue.
Located in the 29th Ward here to speak,
we have Sarah Barnes, partner Eck,
Dale Es America, and LNOP.
Ms. Hall prepared me that the string sometimes doesn't
Oh, I hope necessarily.
Um, Okay. Ms. Barnes, you wanna go
Ahead? Good morning. Good morning
Chair.
Um, Mitchell and esteemed commissioners and elders.
Um, again, once more for the record.
My name is Sarah Barnes
and I'm a partner with the Law Office of
EC del Gache America and Brido, LLP.
And I'm super happy to be here this afternoon on behalf
of the applicant, NNNN
and reit, um, LLC,
and on behalf of their long-term land use tenant raising
Kane's restaurant group.
Um, before I begin, Mr. Uh, Mr.
Chair, uh, just
'cause I don't get this opportunity very often, I do want
to thank all of you on behalf of all of us citizens, um,
for your continued services and keeping us
and protecting us all, um, every right
and interest we have in this beautiful city that you remain
to keep thriving under these tumultuous
sometimes circumstances.
So thank you. Just personal on a very personal level,
but, um, with that
and no further ado, if you turn to the packet,
the subject site comprises, um, these southeast corner
of Grand Avenue and Normandy Avenue.
We're actually right on the cusp.
We are located in the 29th Ward.
So we have been engaging
and working with Alderman Tali Fiero
and his offices, um, over the last year actually
to bring this project to fruition.
Um, and it has been wonderful.
So NN and REI REIT,
LLC is a global commercial development company, um,
that currently owns the subject property.
As you will see. Um, it is currently improved
with an old vacant
and abandoned commercial building as well
as the surface parking lot.
That building was previously occupied by Petco, um,
which shuttered during COVID
and has yet to regain any type of vitality.
So, um, the proposal calls for the subdivision
of the subject site into two divisible, um,
and developable buildable sites.
Um, raising Cane's Restaurant Group has
undertaken a long-term land lease for
the lot one, which will be a result of the subdivision,
and they are seeking to redevelop the site with a brand new
restaurant with drive-through.
We've actually already gone
through all the zoning entitlements
with the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals
to approve a special use, which will allow for the operation
of the new Raising Canes restaurant.
And this was kind of on the back end so that, um,
the new lot too can be redeveloped
for another compatible commercial
business in the neighborhood that will, um, continue
to restore the neighborhood to what it was
before, um, COVID.
So with that, we've worked very closely
with CDOT on the subdivision as well as again, um, alderman
Firo, I believe that he has tendered a copy of a letter
of support, um, to this esteemed committee.
And I am happy to answer any questions.
Thank you. First of all,
I'm super supportive of this.
How long was the land lease for?
Um, it is, right now, it's a term of 10 years
with automatic renew renewing years of seven,
and there is a first
or a right of first ref refusal to purchase the property.
And I think that's the intent. You do. Okay.
Um, so very hopeful and excited
and thank you for your support.
Thank you so much. Uh, alderman Irving.
Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Uh, who, who's doing the construction, uh, here on these,
uh, on this particular project? Yeah,
That's a really good question, alderman.
Um, I don't believe that a GC has yet been selected
because this has taken us a while.
We haven't even gotten to permitting yet.
Um, but I know they will be using, doing local hiring
and working with Alderman Ros office, um,
towards the contracting for the entire,
all the construction jobs
and then post-construction permanent jobs.
Oh, only reason I raised that, uh,
there were some commitments made by, uh,
raising canes previously that really didn't come through.
So I just wanna put on the record that, um, if this is
what you're doing, we wanna make sure that you all do that,
uh, process, um, that you are h hiring locally,
that you are working with the alderman on, uh,
local contracting, that you are looking
to the local community, not only for permanent employment,
but also, uh, for temporary jobs as well.
If that, is that the case?
That is the case. We've actually executed a, um,
or raising Keyes, excuse me, has executed, executed
a community benefits agreement to that effect with, um,
the 29th ward.
And so that will ensure that not just, like you said,
the construction jobs will be local,
but as well will be the permanent
part-time and full-time jobs.
Thank you. Could you, uh, uh,
provide that through the chair? Sure.
I was gonna, thank you. I was gonna ask the same thing.
Okay. Uh, any any more questions? Uh, Ottman? Waba,
Uh, just a quick question.
On the one photo it says, uh, Midvale,
so I'm assuming you're gonna change that
to that brick yard or,
Yes, that's a really good point.
That's sure. That was good. Interesting.
Um, yeah, let's see where that is.
Yeah, some of the render, yeah,
so the renderings were more intended to give you an idea of
what, um, the aesthetics are for the site,
but I believe they're also gonna, um, work with,
I don't know if any of you have visited some
of the other cans either in the city
or in other jurisdictions,
but they always kind of try to team up with, um,
local celebrities.
Uh, so I know that they're working with Alderman Ro on
that one too, so,
So this same logo would go up on every,
Um, Buildings,
but just they wouldn't take like a local artist and put
No, they would, they absolutely would.
And that's another commitment they've made. Yeah.
So, um, they do, they work with the local artists
and, um, on every level.
So yeah, it won't be that same exact logo.
It'll be something that captures the Brickyard.
Thank you. Thank you.
Uh, any more questions from members of the body? All right.
The committee has received
and reviewed a letter of support from, um,
alderman Tyler Farro.
There's no compensation due for this project.
Can I get a motion? Recommend approval
of this item, alderman Rodriguez.
So moves on the motion. All in favor say aye. Opposed? No.
Any opinion of the chair of the ayes habit?
Thank you. Thanks so much,
and I will, um, forward that agreement over
to your office. Alright, chair.
Thank You. Thank you.
All right, going out of order,
page nine, item two, south Ashland Avenue west hundred
and 19th Street, south Morgan Street
and West a hundred 20th Street, currently known
as South a street.
Ordinance 2 0 2 5 0 0 1 9 8 7 0.
A proposed subdivision bounded
by West a hundred 19th Street, south Morgan Street,
and West hundred 20th Street, located in the 21st Ward.
The, uh, witnesses here to speak look awfully familiar.
Maybe I think we'll have the slides this time. Okay.
So we can we get another shot at this?
Uh, so yes, this relates to the matter.
We were just, uh, speaking about related to the subdivision.
Part of what's happening is, uh, in, in addition
to creating the lots for the subdivision, uh,
ADA Street is being opened as a public right of way.
It's currently improved as a public right of way,
connecting from a hundred 19th Street to a hundred 20th, uh,
and just had not been opened previously.
So we're cleaning that up as well.
Um, so it would've,
I think it was that email right there
that would've attached the slides
going up a little bit right there. Go
Back. So,
uh, we go back to
Five then you just one right here.
Five and then eight. There we go.
Yes. Yeah.
All right, thanks. Okay.
Um, so I think you should see on screen now
the development site, uh, is shown here, outlined in red.
There we go.
This is showing you the existing pin configurations.
So you can see the blue is one pin
and you can see it's divided into sort of two parcels.
The red is another pin divided into two parcels,
and the green is Racine Street, which is, uh,
previously vacated and shown, uh,
in the incorrect location on the tax mapped.
The rest of the development site is off to the right, um,
of the colored parcels here.
Um, what you see in between the blue
and the red parcels is a parcel now owned by my fab
that the city previously sold that kind of, of, um,
contributed to the division.
The di the divided situation you see here.
Um, the proposed configuration here for the subdivision,
you'll see the lots one, two, and three in blue,
and then Ada street in red, which would be opened.
Uh, lot three is the lot that would be conveyed
to West Pullman development partners.
And combined with the rest of the land that you see
to the right, uh, going to Morgan Street
to create the development parcel,
This is a, uh, more technical version of, of
what I just showed, the plaque, actual pla
of subdivision showing the lot configurations,
and then the plat of opening, showing Ada Street
and its location being opened.
Uh, this is the development plan, the site plan
for the proposed development of the industrial building.
Um, you can see in, in dashed lines on the left quarter side
of the development site, the current pin configuration
that's being cleaned up that corresponds to
what the city is going to be conveying to the developer.
And just some high level community benefits associated
with the development.
Um, $40 million project cost 800 to,
or eight to 80 to a hundred construction jobs,
and then 150 to 200 estimated permanent jobs depending on
the tenant or tenants that actually occupy the building.
And then this is a proposed rendering of the development.
Oh, So again, um, Mariah Dina with DLA,
uh, to my left Alex Sparhawk
with West Pullman Development partners,
Eric SEL with Department of Planning.
Uh, and then Rob Rose, uh, as well as we are here
to answer any questions you might have.
Um, any questions from the body?
Uh, the
Committee has received a letter
of support from Alderman Mosley on this,
there is no compensation due for the project.
Can I get a motion to recommend approval of these items?
I move Alderman Mitchell. So moves on the motion.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed?
No in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Thank you. Thank You,
thank you.
Okay, Next up we're gonna go to page eight, item three,
we bash riverfront subdivision
0 2 0 2 5 1.
We have a proposed subdivision bounded by the Chicago
and Northwestern Railroad, west Webster Avenue,
north Ashland Avenue in the north branch
of the Chicago River, located in the 32nd Ward.
Um, we have Tyler Manic, uh, an attorney
with Shane Banks who's gonna speak.
I think we're just gonna have Stephanie
help you get all set up.
Uh, yes, please.
Um, I'll just start with the introduction here.
Uh, for the record, my name's Tyler Manic.
I'm an attorney with Shane Banks, Kenny Schwartz,
and I'm acting as a land use attorney
for the 2200 North Ashland Chicago, LLC,
which owns the property at 2200 North Ashland, uh,
2200 North.
Thank you. Tyler,
Can you just speak in the mic more? Sorry. We, yes, thank
You. 2200
North Ashland is a one
and a half acre parcel, never previously subdivided.
It's currently improved
with a one in two story commercial building last, uh, used
by Green Dolphin Restaurant and Bar.
Um, they did operate under a number
of different names towards the end, um, since, uh,
the Green Dolphin restaurant had closed in about 2016,
under probably inauspicious circumstances that I know
that Alderman could attest to, um,
the applicant purchased his property.
Um, it's been vacant since 2016,
but over the last couple years,
the applicant's worked closely with Alderman Wapac
and the community in ways in which we
can activate this building.
Uh, currently the the building is, um, uh,
activated with two different tenants.
One tenant is a cannabis dispensary, uh,
and a second, which brings, uh, substantial revenue
to the city and employs about 20 people at this location.
And the second location is, uh, called Pup Social, which is,
uh, acts as like a person, uh, or pet, a dog owner,
and a dog's kind of community center where, um, uh,
dog owners are able to do some coworking
and lounging while their dogs are able to, uh, get groomed
and do indoor
and outdoor recreation activities,
almost like a dog Soho house.
Um, so, um, and they also employ 20 people.
Uh, so now that this building's activated, um, the,
the owner of this property is looking to do some, uh,
long-term planning.
Um, each of these tenants have long-term leases
of at least 10 years.
Uh, but, um, due to the cannabis dispensary
that's operating there, uh, it does present challenges
to getting permanent financing at this location.
So the subdivision is seeking
to subdivide this lot into four different, um,
four different lots so that the, uh, the owner can get, um,
non-traditional financing on the cannabis dispensary
and then permanent traditional financing on the, um,
rest of the site.
So I'm gonna run through the slides.
So here's the property
as it looked when our client purchased it.
Um, you know, it's been vacant.
It was vacant for seven, eight years.
Um, here's how the property currently looks.
Um, the gray portion
of this building is the cannabis dispensary.
The white portion of this building is that pup social, uh,
business that I did reference before.
Um, in terms, in terms
of the proposed, uh, site plan, uh, in, uh,
pink towards the right, uh,
that would be the cannabis dispensary,
the gray portion of the building.
Uh, the yellow would be the pup social.
Uh, the light green would be shared parking
amongst these uses.
And then the furthest lot to the left, the darker green, uh,
that's just for future planning.
There's no intentions to build, um, a building on
that site at this moment.
Like I mentioned before, each of the tenants have
10 plus year leases.
Um, so nothing would be built there for 10,
at least 10 years, or at least
until these tenants were left.
But since we are going through this process, and
because this parking lot is large
and generally not filled, uh, we're just making some future
planning purposes here.
And then here's the formal plaice subdivision
that we're discussing here.
Um, those lines
that you see follow those different color shades.
Um, as I mentioned
before, um, we did work, uh, with Alderman Wabass office
and I believe he sent the letter to this committee.
He is obviously also here to speak on it, uh, as well.
Um, we, and we have throughout this process, um, worked
with the community to, on each of these tenants
because they did require some zoning relief
to get them activated.
So I'm happy to answer any questions
and I respectfully request this
committee's favorable support.
Great, thank you.
Does anybody in the committee have questions or comments?
Oh, I'll just comment really quick.
Yeah, sure. Alderman wack.
Thank you. Um, just wanted to say Mr.
Manic is correct on everything except for
that part about the Green Dolphin being inauspicious.
That was a little bit of an understatement. Yeah,
I was being polite, But it was all good.
Yeah. So yeah, the two businesses we have there now, um,
have that 10 year lease and we really appreciate that.
And, um, I think this just puts us in a position to prepare
for that fi or for the, uh, development team to get
that financing that they need
and prepare for future development.
So I would just ask my colleagues
for favorable consideration of this item.
Thank you. Uh, the committee has received
and reviewed a letter of support from Alderman Waba.
There's no compensation due for this project.
Can I get a motion to recommend approval of these items?
Alderman Harris. So moves on the motion.
All in favor say aye. Aye.
Opposed say no in the opinion of chair. The ayes have it.
Thank you everyone. Thank you.
Next item, page nine,
item 1, 21, 71 North Rockwell Street.
Item number 0 2 0 2 5 0 0 1 9 4 9 9.
This item will be held in committee.
Next up, we have page nine, item three,
north Milwaukee Avenue in West Logan Boulevard.
Item 0 2 0 2 5 dash 0 1 9 9 3 7.
A proposed opening of the public way along North Milwaukee
Avenue and West Logan Boulevard, north Milwaukee Avenue,
north Sacramento Avenue,
north Lyden Place in North CADs E Avenue.
Located in the 35th Ward here to speak.
We have Lua, uh,
beek from the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Lua, let us know when you're ready
and introduce your colleague.
There we go.
Okay. Thank you. Good
morning committee members.
My name is Luka Beak.
I am with the Chicago Department of Transportation, division
of Project Development.
And with me is Jamie Osborne,
project manager at the Department of Transportation.
I'm appearing before you today in support of our proposal
to open three parcels pictured in red,
located at the southwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue
and Logan Boulevard.
Effectively winding Milwaukee Avenue and Logan Boulevard.
The opening is located within the Logan Square Community,
um, community Area 22,
ward 25 at 25 50 North Milwaukee,
31 20 seventh West Logan Boulevard
and 31 31 West Logan Boulevard.
CDAT intends to open these three unimproved properties
as right of way for public use
and benefit in coordination with the Department of Planning
and Development, public Building Commission 35th Ward,
Logan Square Community Organizations and Constituents.
We are working on a design
for public plaza at this location.
These three parcels are approximately 17,751 square feet
combined and are owned by the city of Chicago
and classified as parks
and open space prior to city ownership.
This was owned by the CTA for the Blue Line Construction.
In 2011, it was sold to the city with the intention
of creating public open space or a public plaza.
Our proposal is to combine the three parcels
and recal reclassify them as public right of way so
that the Department of Transportation
can construct the plaza.
Department of Planning and Development has agreed to,
to open the properties as right of way,
and Alderman Quesada is supportive
of both the project and the opening.
This exhibit illustrates a proposed design for the plaza
that is currently in development.
Key elements of the plaza include landscaped areas, trees,
shade structures, seating areas, paver fields, a play area,
and artificial turf berm.
This design has been shaped by hours of community engagement
with the community advisory group
and general public construction is planned
to start early 2026.
This concludes the presentation
and happy to answer any
questions. Uh, the committee may have
Thanks, Lua.
Um, would anybody like to speak on this item?
Okay. All right.
Well, the committee has received
and reviewed a letter of support from Alderman Ada.
There's no compensation due for this project.
Can I get a motion to recommend approval of these items?
Perfect. Alderman Irvin, so moves on the motion.
All in favor signify by saying Aye. Opposed? No.
In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
There being no further business
before the committee, can I get a motion to adjourn
by the same roll call vote as was applied
to determine quorum Alderman Irvin.
So moves on the motion of, on the motion.
All in favor signify by saying Aye. Opposed? No.
And the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
The meeting of the Committee on transportation
in public way is adjourned.
Thank you.