It looks like another rejection has been stamped on the redevelopment plans for the former Children’s Memorial Hospital. In accordance with the wishes of active Lincoln Park residents, Ald. Michele Smith (43rd ward) has formally stated her opposition to the most recent redevelopment plans.
“I believe that our community has reached a consensus that the plan is simply too dense and that the plan aggravates the too-long unresolved problems of overcrowding in our schools,” said Smith in a statement.
The issue of overcrowding in schools, especially Lincoln Elementary (615 W. Kemper Pl.), was a hot issue at a recent town hall meeting July 26 to discuss the redevelopment plans. Area developer Dan McCaffery of McCaffery Interests proposed a plan that included two residential towers with about 900 housing units.
Parents and public school administrators are concerned that the extra housing will force more students into the already-crowded schools. Mark Armendariz, the principal of Lincoln Elementary, attended the town hall meeting and said his school was already 120 students over capacity.
The principal of Louisa May Alcott Elementary, Elias Estrada, expressed the same concern. Alcott Elementary (2625 N. Orchard St.) is the second closest school to the site of the former hospital, near Lincoln and Fullerton Avenues. Estrada said his school is also experiencing overcrowding and is not ready to take on more students from Lincoln Elementary. After listening to their concerns, Smith is siding with the principals and parents
“We cannot offer Lincoln Park as an attractive community for young couples and families while we continue to have no solution to the overcrowded conditions in our local elementary schools and the uncertainty that hangs over the heads of our magnet and other neighborhood schools,” Smith said.
The height of the two residential towers was also a big issue at the town hall meeting. Smith echoed the concerns of many residents who did not think the towers would fit into the context of the neighborhood. McCaffery had already reduced the density of the buildings in his proposed plans, but many residents, and now Smith, says it is still too much.
“The plan does not yet realize our community’s vision – which I wholeheartedly support – that this site create a new neighborhood crossroads, an exciting neighborhood destination for us to walk to, walk through, and enjoy,” Smith said.
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