Luxury High Rise Demolished Into Luxurious Single Family Townhomes

Former baby, infant, child, teenager, student, activist, tenant, resident, publisher, advocate and current adult and alderman, Helen Shiller met with JDL Development about a zoning change. Seems that the property that used to be located on Strattford but was torn down to make way for the fabulous 22 story luxury high rise at 541 W. Cornelia is back under construction.

The Sun-Times June 25th report states that

Letchinger said he made the switch in cooperation with Ald. Helen Shiller(46th) because the market has been sour and the site poses construction
challenges for a high-rise. "The upside for us is far less, but it's still a
profitable deal, and it reduces the risk," he said.

What could have been? 22, no 28, floors of luxurious entire level units is now being turned from rubble into dust. Gold plated, diamond etched dust.

James Letchinger, president of JDL Development Corp., will build just four townhomes on an empty lot at 541 W. Cornelia.
...
The four homes will be marketed at about $3.2 million to $3.6 million. Letchinger said the property cost him $4 million a couple years ago.

Just four? What? It's a perfect site for mixed income housing? It has access from two streets? *headbang* It's right near the harbor for persons of mixed income to mend their sea legs together. *headbang*

I'm crushed by this news. Alderman Helen Shiller has convinced someone to underdevelop.

More coverage of this issue in a special report to the Chicago Tribune published in the Business section of the July 6th Sunday Edition and complete zoning coverage by the Belmont Harbor Neighbors Association which I must add is an awesome organization. Internet archives of zoning documents? Imagine what they're block parties are like?