Neighbors Mad at Rapper, Castle

By Jacy Wojcik in News on Apr 18, 2008 9:12PM

Two and a half years ago Rudy Acosta, founder and CEO of rap label Legion Records, petitioned for a zoning change that would allow him to build a 6,700 square foot mansion in Independence Park. If you’ve recently driven down the Kennedy Expressway and noticed a giant castle near the Addison exit, you can see his request was granted, making him the most unpopular man in the neighborhood before he even moved in. Residents in the neighborhood continue to be upset as they now discover there will be an 8-foot wall surrounding the mansion. Most of the complaints are because people don’t think Acosta’s home is appropriate for the area, which consists mostly of much older and smaller Dutch Colonial style houses. The rest of the concerns are because neighbors feel Acosta was allowed to build because of his tight relationship with a few members of City Hall’s zoning committee.

OK, we see both sides. Residents want to keep their quaint, close-knit neighborhood the way it is--something that can be hard to come by in Chicago. Rudy wants to be able to build his house the way he wants. After all, it is his home and aren’t we all entitled to build our home the way we want? Possible solution: Rudy hosts a Medieval Times-theme party for the neighborhood, everyone brings a pottage to pass, and we all call it a day. [Trib, photo by geekgrrl++]