The Commission of Chicago Landmarks approved a preliminary landmark recommendation on an East Garfield Park property known as the Wolfson Building was the site of a maternal health center and homeless shelter.
Good morning #Chicago! I’ll be livetweeting today’s Commission on Chicago Landmarks and Permit Review Committee meeting starting momentarily at 12:45 for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters.
Follow along to this thread for updates⬇️
12:43 PM Aug 3, 2023 CDT
@CHIdocumenters The Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) recommends legal protection for buildings, structures, sites and districts that are classified as official landmarks. It’s staffed by the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD).
@CHIdocumenters Find out more about CCL at their site: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/landmarks_commission.html
@CHIdocumenters A motion carries to approve the minutes from CCL’s last meeting.
The next agenda item covers a final landmark declaration at Eugenie Lane Apartments (Ward 2).
A preliminary landmark recommendation passed last June. The condominium association requested the landmark status.
@CHIdocumenters The building’s architectural significance has become clear, according to the meeting discussion. The building was established in 1962 by the firm Weiss and associates.
Read the June proposal here:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Historic_Preservation/Publications/Eugenie_Lane_Apartments_Prelim_Summ.pdf
@CHIdocumenters Weese helped develop residencies and other types of structures throughout Chicago and the nation.
Second ward also alderman Brian Hopkins expressed his written support for the landmark status.
@CHIdocumenters The condominium association’s president Janice Moriarty expressed support to establishing landmark status.
Moriarty was a renter in the 70s and bought a unit when it became available, making her possibly one of the unit’s longest term residents, according to Moriarty.
@CHIdocumenters Public comment on this agenda item is underway.
Ward Miller from Preservation Chicago spoke to Weese’s conservation efforts.
“Here we are 62 years later talking about these buildings… that just shows how important Chicago’s architecture is…”
@CHIdocumenters The Eugenie Apartments are an example of a Chicago mid century modern landmark, Miller said.
A vote for the agenda item is underway.
The motion carries unanimously.
@CHIdocumenters The commission will be holding a special meeting on Aug 7th over a preliminary landmark recommendation for the St. Adalbert Parish Complex in the 25th ward.
The next agenda item is underway.
The CCL discusses another preliminary landmark recommendation for 2678 W. Washington.
@CHIdocumenters The location resides in East Garfield Park in the 27th ward.
The home was originally built in 1880 and later sold to a charitable organization - The Chicago Home for Convalescent Women and Children.
The home now faces potential demolition.
@CHIdocumenters The CHWC was forced to close due to worker shortage. The residence was donated to the Chicago Community Trust.
According to Block Club, New York merchant and philanthropist Charles Crittenton then opted to donate and save the institution.
@CHIdocumenters The site also operated as a homeless shelter. While ownership transferred time and again, the building has a legacy for charitable and non profit work.
The building exemplifies various period styles. Facilities were purposefully built to reflect home life to provide comfort.
@CHIdocumenters The building’s owner Guillermo Meza Ortega speaks on the intentions behind the demolition request.
According to Ortega, the demolition provides that opportunity for prospective buyers. Ortega says he wants to keeps his options open.
@CHIdocumenters Ortega says he is indifferent about the property acquiring landmark status.
“I respect the heritage of the house… but for me it was more of a place to live [and redevelop]…”
@CHIdocumenters Public comments on this agenda item are underway.
Retired teacher Debra Mercer talks about her passion for Chicago’s architecture.
Mercer first photographed the property in 2014. Read more about Mercer here:
@CHIdocumenters Mercer reads a written statement from Jenny Spinner of St. Joseph University of Philadelphia.
Spinner’s mother lived at the property in 1970 for four months due to circumstances surrounding her pregnancy.
Spinner also mentions how the property served women of color in the city.
@CHIdocumenters Max Chavez of Preservation Chicago adds comments in support of the preliminary landmark recommendation for the property.
“[Demolition] is an outcome we absolutely can not allow…”
Chavez added that they would like to preserve the entire property, not just portions of it.
@CHIdocumenters CCL commissioner Tiara Hughes mentions how many historical landmarks tend to preserve locations that are significant to more affluent populations. Hughes reiterates the how the site and its various charitable efforts served a diverse range of Chicagoans.
The motion passes.
@CHIdocumenters The next agenda item is underway.
Commissioners discuss making a preliminary decision to request a permit application on any potential demolition inquiries at the same location.
@CHIdocumenters The motion carries unanimously.
The next agenda item includes the Permit Review Committee reports.
The reports on projects was reviewed at the July 6 committee meeting, outlining permit decisions made by the commission staff.
@CHIdocumenters Staff reviewed 137 permit applications.
That concludes discussions around that agenda item. There is no motion to carry.
The meeting adjourns. The Permit Review Committee will meet shortly at 2:15.
@CHIdocumenters The meeting is called to order and roll call is underway.
Quorum has been reached.
A motion carries unanimously to approve the minutes from the prior July 6th meeting. The minutes will be posted to the commission’s website.
@CHIdocumenters The first permit request at 465 W Cermak is in the 11th Ward. The proposal outlines converting the existing warehouse to a mixed use facility.
The proposed $40.8 million development would include retail, a grocery store, a swim school, restaurants and parking facilities.
@CHIdocumenters Ward Miller from Preservation Chicago expresses support for the project.
“We’re really excited about this being transformative and refocusing on the [industrial history] of Chicago…”
Miller mentions the property having multiple “false starts” over the years.
@CHIdocumenters The motion carries unanimously.
The second agenda item regarding the property at 2338 N Cleveland is in the 43rd ward. The proposed permit involves constructing a three story residence.
@CHIdocumenters There are no public comments for this item.
The motion carries unanimously.
The next agenda item regards the property at 1330 E Hyde Park in the 4th Ward. The proposal would convert what is currently a vacant lot into two townhomes with four dwellings each.
@CHIdocumenters Ward Miller from Preservation Chicago agrees with the commissioners’ comments on how the buildings will be designed and encourages further refinement on those details.
Commissioners agree to further study the details surrounding the proposal.
The motion carries unanimously.
@CHIdocumenters The next agenda item regards the property at 9830 s Longwood, an Italian renaissance revival house.
The owner requests to renovate the exterior.
@CHIdocumenters The motion passes unanimously.
The proposal regards the Big Star restaurant at 1531 N Damen in the 1st ward in Wicker Park. The proposal would install a new canopy and solar panels.
@CHIdocumenters The motion carries unanimously for this agenda item.
That concludes the meeting and it officially adjourns at 3:50 PM.
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