New Developments Toward a Green Chicago

By Sean Corbett in News on Nov 22, 2006 6:43PM

The latest in the trend towards environmental friendliness in Chicago: the old Cooper lamp factory at 2545 W. Diversey in Logan Square is going to be converted into a “green Merchandise Mart.” Known as The Green Exchange, the building will house a furniture maker, a building supply business, a printing company and several other businesses. Chicagoist has long been concerned about the environment, though we usually reserve expressing said concern to when it’s economically prudent (like by replacing the incandescent light bulbs in our homes with more efficient and brighter fluorescents) and not a big hassle. With the convenience of shopping in one location for many different environmentally friendly products and services, we predict shoppers who are not on a tight budget will be looking to on-stop-shops such as this to fulfill their need for material and their need to contribute to society simultaneously.

The building was going to be converted to condos but Alderman Manuel Flores wouldn’t have it wanting to replace the jobs lost when the lamp factory closed in 2005. We at Chicagoist salute him for thinking long term. He brought the idea for The Green Exchange to the properties owners, Baum Realty Group. They are not yet convinced that it’s going to be a money maker. Hopefully the shoppers will convince them. The project is scheduled to be completed sometime late next year. Investing in environmental friendliness is wise, it creates long term jobs, it’s modernization for the city and the nation, and do we really need more new condos these days?