New Development Threatens "Integrity" of Wrigleyville
By Karl Klockars in News on Dec 23, 2008 9:30PM
It's being called the "Addison Park on Clark," and plans for it continue to push forward despite complaints of nearby residents. NBC5 has even tagged their story,"Wrecking Wrigleyville," which earns points for alliteration - but is that even close to accurate? Could a hotel property across the street from Wrigley Field destroy all that Wrigleyville has come to be associated with? Perish the thought.
One proposal for the "mixed-use mega-complex" includes 188 apartments, another proposal scales back the apartments to 160 apartments and tacks on a 137-room Hyatt hotel. The developers state on the site that they've tried "to integrate community concerns in a way that maintains the economic and financial viability of the project," and also, "the development team has been working with the Lakeview community to adapt the project based on neighborhood feedback. The evolution of the development reflects the changes made to address points raised by local officials, community groups and residents."
Of course, complaints and concerns still abound from nearby residents. Size, foot traffic and the asthetics of the program are the main sticking points cited. But, again: Wrecking Wrigleyville? The same argument gets trotted out to residents every time someone tries to bring something new to Wrigleyville - it's not like you didn't know it was loud, crowded and rowdy every spring and summer when you moved there, right? And longtime residents - would you trade the huge rise in property values for the way the neighborhood used to be?
Not only that, but as soon as this place goes up, it's a shoo-in for an instant sellout. In this market, could anyone shoot down a project that actually has a hope to make a sale? A hotel would give at least a few drunks pouring out of the stadium or the surrounding bars a place to crash just steps from the bars, and it's not like the 500 parking spots wouldn't come in handy either. Killing this project just to save a 7-11 and a seasonal sporting-wear store seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face. However, if they move to touch the Gingerman, the gloves come off.