Committee on Housing and Real Estate

The agenda can be found here: https://chicago.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=12386&GUID=7F2E07E3-4FED-4863-A084-265E9B04521F

A link to join the live meeting is here: https://livestream.com/accounts/28669066

The Committee is made up of the alderpersons listed here: https://chicago.councilmatic.org/committee/committee-on-housing-and-real-estate-9e36a9fac9ae/

Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) chairs the City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate. This Committee is responsible for drafting ordinances such as Single Room Occupancy Preservation Loan Program to help house the most vulnerable residents

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2022/4/20/23034348/single-room-occupancy-buildings-loan-fund-preserve-homeless-chicago-city-council-committee

11 members present.
Alderman Tunney (44th) and Alderman Burke (14th) are present, even though they are not Committee members
No public speakers.

First item is a resolution. Due to effects of heat in a building, Alderwoman Haddon called for a hearing to discuss more about the three deaths at James Sneider Apartments located at 7450 N Rogers Ave

Inspectors called to speak on the matter - gave an update on how heating/cooling system can adapt to extreme weather and they will be drafting a kind of plan to address it.

Alderwoman Haddon also called - spoke to importance on building management to ensure safety of their residents. Also how residents can contact alderpersons and call 311 especially since we’re facing another heat wave the next few days.

Resolution passed.

Item 2 - Negotiated sale of vacant City-owned property at 1433 S Kedzie Ave “as- is” subject to requisite environmental remediation to GMO Properties LLC. Purchase Price: $22,000.00

Dept of Planning & Development rep Will Holland called to present the details of this sale.

In the North Lawndale community area. Purchaser GMO Properties own and operate properties across South and West sides. https://t.co/ebdnkZGYr8

No questions from the Committee on this item 2. Passed.

Item 3&4: Sale of City-owned property at 1254-1256 S Albany Ave to Natashee Scott. Purchase Price: $8,000. DPD rep N. Chung described how Natashee Scott owns neighboring properties and has been taking care of these lots and wants to develop as garden and children’s play area. https://t.co/9Q3euWVekL

Alderman La Spata questioned: What is the true value of the land that’s been sold given the strong land sales in nearby area? “We need to be beyond reproach” - given that the Committee just approved a sale of nearby land for triple the value.

The purchaser Natashee Scott is the ex-partner of Alderperson Michael Scott of the 24th Ward which is why the ethics of a fair arms-length sale is being questioned.

Alderman James Cappleman makes a remark how vacant city lots being purchased by residents for a purpose that benefits the community helps the city in general.

Both items passed.

Item 5 - Negotiated sale of vacant City-owned property at 5384 N Bowmanville Ave to Neighborspace for expansion of Bowmanville community-managed garden.

Neighborspace is a NFP that owns 100 gardens that keeps them open spaces in perpetuity.
It’s really a formality at this point because it’s already under the stewardship of Neighborspace.

No questions. Alderman Maldonado votes no (with no explanation however). Item passed.

Item 6 - Negotiated sale of City-owned property “as-is” at 1130 N Monticello Ave to Neighborspace for development as open space, including a community garden. Purchase Price: $1.00

This site has been a problem for the community for many years. But Neighborspace is looking to keep this as a garden. Another formality so that it can be kept as a garden open space in perpetuity.

No questions. Alderman Maldonado votes again no (with no explanation). Item passed

Item 7 - Negotiated sale of City-owned property at 912 S California Ave to 914 S California LLC subject to environmental remediation and eligible reimbursement of costs. Purchase Price: $25,000.00

Land between two warehouses. City appraised value is $25,000 and the purchaser will buy it at market rate.

No questions. Passed. https://t.co/Gj3UtCUYOI

Item 8 - Negotiated sale of City-owned property at 1318 S Kilbourn Ave, 1318 S Kilbourn Ave (partial) and 1256 S Kilbourn Ave to Industrial Fence, Inc. for parking and materials storage yard. Purchase Price: $615,528.00 https://t.co/yGUrur1GDX

Industrial fence will keep 68 jobs, potentially adding 6.
Item passed. Passed https://t.co/r2n809Qib9

Item 9 - Negotiated sale of City-owned property at 4214 W Fifth Ave to Lawon Williams. Purchase Price: $5,000.00 https://t.co/awPScctmXa

Lawon Williams already owns three lots to the north, wants to purchase the last lot from the city to finish the project to construct single-family-homes. https://t.co/rq13yomkby

Alderman La Spata - What does Lawon Williams anticipate the market value of them going for? “Just for the record, are there no affordability restrictions for sale of city parcels.” Answered as no.

No more comments. Passed.

Last Item 10 - Loan Forgiveness agreement with Center on Halsted Project at 3628-56 N Halsted St.

Joined by Alderman Tunney since it is in his ward.
Largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Midwest. (Horizons Building) https://t.co/9bQ8p1Mboq

Over a 1000 people visit the center everyday. https://t.co/l4fjyeD2Na

Essentially, city is asking the Council to approve the $1.7M loan forgiveness as an investment in this center and the community in general. If this is to be approved, they are committed to operate the center for 20 years. https://t.co/y0lXTiOZez

Alderman Tunney stresses the importance of this center to not just people in Lakeview but people around the Midwest. Tico Valle, leader at the center, also highlights the importance of this center especially to people of color and people experiencing homelessness.

No further questions/comments. Passed.

Meeting adjourned at 11:03 AM. This concludes the Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting. The items passed today will be up for a full vote at the next city council meeting on June 22nd. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org
https://chicago.documenters.org/assignments/committee-on-housing-and-real-estate-4031/