Uptown: Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

By Margaret Lyons in News on Sep 8, 2004 4:20PM

Alert reader Prashanth tells us that there's a meeting tonight to discuss the Wilson Yard project. Monday's Tribune column said opposition to the project had "a classist or even racist ring," so expect some people from the Uptown Neighborhood Council to be pretty pissed off. Remember when we said a "loud, angry public hearing almost seems guaranteed"? It looks like that's tonight.

According to the Uptown Chicago Commission website, "Alderman Helen Shiller, the Holsten Development Team and representatives from the City of Chicago's Department of Planning & Development, the Department of Housing, the Mayor's office, the Chicago Transit Authority, and City Colleges" will all be on hand at tonight's meeting. The UNC is going to present a petition with 2,600 signatures from people opposed to the proposed low-income housing in Wilson Yard.

People are pretty worked up about this, and it is a big deal—wherever you stand on the Wilson Yard project, it's important to take an active and participatory role in your neighborhood and its governance and development. The meeting is at 6:30 in the Truman College Student Dining Room.