Urbanist Happy Hour
We don't have a standalone happy hour this month, so we're teaming up with a coalition of urbanist organizations for a September happy hour featuring special guest Jacky Grimshaw!
Head downtown and join us at the Climate Action Museum on Friday, September 27th @ 5:30 PM.
The Climate Action Museum is located a short walk from Union Station, the Clinton Blue Line station, and the Quincy CTA station.
Member Onboarding Zoom Call
On Tuesday October 1st @ 6:30 PM, join the Urban Environmentalists Co-Leads & Steven Vance to get you (re)acquainted with how our organization works, what projects we're working on, how you can get more involved, and get your feedback on how we can improve.
Damen/Lincoln/Irving Park Housing Win!
On September 13th, Alderman Matt Martin announced his support for 194 new homes in North Center. The project includes 130 homes in a new building replacing a surface parking lot and 64 homes for survivors of gender-based violence in the existing bank building on the SE corner of Damen and Irving Park.
Urban Environmentalists has a long history of advocacy for this project. We launched a support petition way back in February 2023. And this past November, UE members showed up en masse to a community meeting to express support for the project. We've received direct feedback that our support was essential for getting the project approved. 🎉
We can't wait to tour the new homes once they're complete. If you see Alderman Martin, make sure to thank him for his support.
🚦Improvement Plan + Old Town Petition
After six months of radio silence, developer Fern Hill has released an updateregarding their 500 home Old Town Canvas project. The update focuses on the key findings from the traffic mitigation plan developed for the North & LaSalle Corridor adjacent to the project site. Highlights from the plan include:
- Removal of two gas stations
- Eliminating 12 existing curb cuts
- Installing 18 curb bump outs
- Re-optimized signal timings
Traffic getting on and off DSLSD at LaSalle has been a major concern for residents and Alderman Hopkins has alluded to supporting the development if it's bundled with these traffic improvements.
Additionally, Fern Hill has launched their own petition for the project and is looking to hit 1,000 supporters. Let's help them hit their target prior to the next community meeting, which we've heard will be on October 17th.
Sign Fern Hill's Support Letter!
Northwest Preservation Ordinance
On August 26th, UE sent a letter of support for the proposed Northwest Preservation Ordinance. The ordinance would, among other things:
- Establish a density minimum of two-flats for a six square mile area
- Allow two-flats as-of-right in RS-3 zoning districts in the impacted area
- Ensure that existing affordable 2-4 flats are not demolished
We recognize that the ordinance is not perfect. In particular, we have concerns about the inclusion of demolition fees when replacing a single-family home with multiple units. However, we strongly believe that the ordinance is a step in the right direction towards legalizing ADUs and three-flats citywide, and we will continue to advocate behind the scenes to make it as pro-housing as possible.
Speaking of Zoning... 🗞️
Is there ever a month where UE members aren't in the paper? The streak continues this month, with UE member Eshan co-authoring an incredible piece connecting the dots between single-family zoning and Chicago's entrenched racial and socioeconomic segregation.
In the article, Eshan and his co-author urge Illinois's state legislators to support proposed legislation to allow two-flats by-right in Illinois' eight largest cities.
Housing was front and center at the DNC
After attending the DNC and hearing pro-housing messages from President Obama and Vice President Harris, will state and local elected officials take action, or will they do their best Garfield imitation? Let's keep pushing for the former, not the latter!