First renters move into mega development Lincoln Common this week in Lincoln Park

The two large towers of Lincoln Common on the old Children's Memorial Hospital site.  All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Crain's reported the first renters have moved into the Lincoln Common development in Lincoln Park. It will be awhile until all the buildings are completed and the whole site pulls together.

Apartment rents range from $1,800 to $6,300 at their site.  If you need an apartment in Lincoln Park, contact me for various options.


Past posts on Children's Memorial site here.

Construction progress is real at old Children's Memorial Hospital

There went the neighborhood! Here comes Lincoln Common. I post these little construction updates fighting back tears.  As many of you know my wife worked at Children's Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park (now a new hospital in Streetrville) and my first offices were located a few blocks away from the site. Many great times and great people!  The intersection of Fullertion, Lincoln and Halsted is almost unrecognizable save for the remaining building on the southeast corner. Progress.

More buildings come down at Children's Memorial site

2350-2358 N Lincoln across from the Children's Memorial main building demo and just north (adjacent) to the old parking garage began demolition last week. The entire development site is in full demolition stage. The changes to this busy section of Lincoln Park are certainly dramatic as more than just old hospital buildings are torn down.

Demo, demo, demo at old Children's Memorial in Lincoln Park

You have to visit the site to get the full effect of the eerie Children's Memorial demolition in the heart of a busy Lincoln Park neighborhood. I took a few more photos last week after visiting 444 West Fullerton. The large hospital structure is almost entirely gone and the site lines driving west up Fullerton are striking.  Here's a look at the over-all development plan.

I can't help but double take when I approach the open space at the corner of West Fullerton and North Orchard in Lincoln Park.  The tedious demolition of the former Children's Memorial Hospital nears completion.

This terra cotta structure at Fullerton and Lincoln is the latest victim of the re-development plan of the multiple sites at Children's Memorial. 

It will be a relief when this part of town is put back together.

Video: Kids watch sad Children's Memorial demolition in Lincoln Park

I've mentioned my wife has been with Children's Memorial Hospital (now Lurie in Streeterville) for 15 years. Almost 13 of those years at the Lincoln Park campus where we enjoyed many good times in the neighborhood.  The whole sale and relocation of the Lincoln Park campus has left our hearts a little heavy each time we are in the neighborhood.

Alas my two youngest boys were very interested in all the noise and commotion they heard all the way over at Oz Park. So, we strolled over sat and watched for a few minutes.

PHOTOS: Children's Memorial Hospital building in Lincoln Park slowly demolished

The main driveway and lobby area that exited onto North Lincoln Avenue. Photo Eric Rojas, Bob DePalma Kale Realty

The long awaited demolition and re-development of the Children's Memorial Hospital campus in Lincoln Park is upon us.  Demo crews started tearing down the main hospital building yesterday.  My wife worked at Children's Lincoln Park as a floor nurse than manager. Now she is a Director in Streeterville at the newly built Lurie Children's Hospital (same company) completed in 2012.

Looking northwest at the corner of Lincoln and Orchard. Photo Bob DePalma on 6/7/16

My Facebook page was filled with posts of friends who worked at the old hospital (most still with Lurie Children's now). Several swung by to take photos like the one below:

Photo from the parking garage across the street.

Controversial Crain's article on Lincoln Park population debunked?

Crain's published a much debated article on "population loss" in Lincoln Park this week. 

Looks good to me! Views from the Lincoln Park Conservatory of Lincoln Park West's mini skyline. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Many Crain's reader comments lament the population woes throwing the Alderman, pensions, zoning procedures, NIMBY's.  In short, most people's gut reaction was gloom and doom for the "dead zone" that is Lincoln Park.  There is clearly room for better process in zoning and development in Chicago overall. However, the "pile on" to the article is surprising.

Why do so many reader comments on the Crain's story feel the city is doomed based on Lincoln Park (and other affluent north side neighborhoods of the city) population?

Read a measured counter point from www.YoChicago.com.
Crain's deeply misleading article on Lincoln Park's population loss

Lincoln Park 2550, the 218 unit luxury building at 2550 N Lakeview, Chicago IL 60614 was completed (on the site of a former parking garage) well after the 2010 census.

The Crain's author makes a lot of assumptions, and in my opinion, is unrealistic in terms of accessibility of real estate in general.  It is unrealistic for anyone to be able to afford any community they desire at any given time. This goes for tony suburbs and vacation spots as well. The author also assumes Lincoln Park to be more desirable to most people than other parts of the city (or suburbs I guess).  It also assumes that a large population that wants to live there is priced out.

Here's where the author's observation that the Lincoln park population is declining morphs into his larger argument:

"The fact that Chicago's affluent North Side communities have lost so many people and aren't gaining them back is a huge problem for many local businesses, current residents of moderate means and anyone who would like to move there but can't afford to.

But even if none of that describes you, it's also a problem for those of us who'd like to see City Hall have more resources to invest in other parts of the city, from policing, to schools, to transit, to road repair. It's a problem for those of us who'd like to see more jobs created within commuting distance of Chicago communities where unemployment is endemic. It's a problem, in other words, for all of us."

Webster Square rental apartments has added 75 units alone after the 2010 census.  100 more units are coming with the construction of an adjacent condo building.

The Children's Memorial site re-development will add more than 700 units to Lincoln Park. My guess is we may see a population increase in Lincoln Park from 2010 to 2020 with the likely addition of at least 1,500 new units. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

 There are no statistics cited correlating Lincoln Parks population "decline" (again, it's actually increased from 1980-2010 by 12% and has lost only 206 people from 2000-2010 according to YoChicago.com) with a decline of tax base or sapping resources for the entire city.  There are no statistics cited that suggest Lincoln Park was better off when it's population was around 100,000 in 1950 rather than with today's steady 64,000. From YoChicago: 

Anyone who’s familiar with the history of Lincoln Park knows that large parts of the neighborhood had fallen into slum conditions by the 1950s and 1960s. Many of its properties were overcrowded, in part due to illegal conversions, in part due to an almost complete lack of new construction from the beginning of the depression-era to the years immediately after World War II. The City used urban renewal funds to clear some of the worst areas, including what is now Oz Park and the large townhome developments north of North Ave. 

Is there a problem in Chicago where you have impoverished neighborhoods with less economic development and resources? Yes and it's as serious and alarming as at any time.  However, I don't think the population trend of Lincoln Park (and other "affluent" neighborhoods) is the deterrent to development throughout the city. 

Children's Memorial development saga close to an end in Lincoln Park

The last community meeting led to "intense negotiations" for the stalled Children's Memorial Hospital site sale and development in Lincoln Park.  According to Michele Smith, 43rd Ward Alderman, the new plan is being submitted to the Chicago Plan Commission on February 20th. 

There are several changes listed that scale down the development again...which I find disappointing for this location.  Another stinky change: "Tenants and owners at the new development will be ineligible for residential or guest permits, thus preserving the limited street parking for existing residents".  This creates two classes of citizens.  NEW renters in existing properties get parking permits but new development owners and tenants (who could have lived in the permit zone already) will be excluded.  There's a lesson for all you new to Chicago city planning. 

Way to go. Here's the update letter below we received from the 43rd Ward Alderman's office:

Children's Hospital CEO urges neighbors support at Lincoln Park development meeting, TUESDAY January 14th

I was sent the letter below from the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago President and CEO urging support for the Children's Memorial development site plans.  The hospital site sale has been reportedly tied up in a political mess for well over a year.  Children's, now Lurie, would like to close this transaction.  In my summation most Lincoln Parkers and business owners would like to see development move ahead.

Much of that "mess" has been "cleaned up".  The latest community meeting will take place tomorrow January 14th at 6:30, DePaul Student Center.  RSVP information below.

Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker

Dear Friend of Lurie Children’s and Lincoln Park resident:

 

I hope you are enjoying a safe and healthy start to 2014.

 

I am writing to remind you that in one week, a critically important community meeting will be held to review revised plans for the redevelopment of our old Children’s Memorial Hospital site.

 

In order to help move this project forward so that the hospital can close on the sale of this property, I would like to respectfully ask you to:

1.    Review the proposed plans;
2.    If your schedule allows, RSVP to join us at the Jan. 14 community meeting; and
3.    Send a letter of support for the revised redevelopment plans to Alderman Smith.

 

Thank you very much to those of you who have already sent letters of support.  To date, we have sent 45 letters of support and have collected 1,463 petition signatures. If you have already sent a letter and/or RSVPed for the community meeting, please consider forwarding this message to other friends and neighbors seeking their support.

 

Community meeting details:

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

6:30 pm

DePaul Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield

Free parking is available at the former Children’s Memorial garage on Lincoln Avenue, and paid parking is available in the Dominicks Garage at the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield.

RSVP to Ken Labok, Community Relations Manager, at klabok@luriechildrens.org

 

Thank you for considering this request, and for all you do to support our Mission.

 

Sincerely,

 

Patrick

 

Patrick M. Magoon

President and CEO

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

NEW expansion to Lincoln Elementary School announced, Children's Memorial development planning to move forward

I just received this email update from Michele Smith's 43rd Ward office concerning the overcrowding of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and the Children's Memorial Hospital redevelopment.  The school overcrowding issue has been used to stymie a larger, more dense redevelopment plan.  A community meeting will be help this November 21st with updated Children's Memorial site development plans. READ BELOW



From da Alderwoman:

The overcrowding at Lincoln Elementary has been a serious concern for our community for many years. I am proud and happy to share with you that Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that we have received funding for a new addition to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School. This addition will not only eliminate the current overcrowding at the school but will also anticipate the growing needs of our community.

The new addition will be built on the site of the current Lincoln Elementary School. It will accommodate approximately 500 additional children and keep all grades at Lincoln Elementary under one roof, unified. The additional space will allow Lincoln Elementary to offer planned pre-K programming, full day kindergarten and to provide adequate facilities for its full range of educational programming.  The current building will also receive significant upgrades. The entire community will benefit from this addition as well, as the design anticipates space for community use when school is not in session.

CPS has provided conceptual plans which you can view on our website. However, these plans are subject to change as we review them further and receive input from parents.  Some key parts of the plan:

• The addition is on the current site, allowing all grades to be in one building;
• A new ground level playground will be built;
• A new open-air play level will be built on the roof, with plenty of space for soccer and basketball.  Best-practices designs such as those incorporated at the British School and Catherine Cook School will be incorporated;
• Nineteen new classrooms will be built, allowing for the full educational program of Lincoln Elementary to thrive, including the IG (International Gifted) program, EFAC (Ecole Franco-Americaine de Chicago), ESL (English as a Second Language) and band;
• A new lunchroom/multipurpose room will be built in the annex, providing modern space for dining and flexibility to use the space for gym, recess, and other activities for younger students;
• Electrical upgrades to the existing 1874-era building will allow for window AC units to be installed;
• The entire school will be ADA-compliant with the installation of an elevator that can stop at all of the many levels of the old school. 

This dream could not have come true without the passionate commitment of Lincoln Elementary parents and community members. Over 1,300 Lincoln parents and community members wrote, called, e-mailed, met, and testified in support of expanding Lincoln Elementary. The Lincoln Local School Council engaged in a rigorous analysis of the various options to handle the overcrowding which guided our decision-making. Ward residents contacted our office with a variety of solutions. The enormous amount of input that we received is what allowed us to make an informed decision and vet all of our options accurately before arriving at this solution.

I want to thank Mayor Emanuel, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, and all the elected officials who listened to our community over the past two years, and who helped us to find the money from other existing state revenues that resulted in several schools receiving funding. Thank you as well to DePaul University, who offered space in their new College of Education Building to help ease the overcrowding this year.

This is a victory for all the children in Lincoln Park and Old Town. Our schools are the foundation of our neighborhood and the reason why people choose to live here. The new addition to Lincoln Elementary ensures that it will remain, along with elementary schools Alcott, Oscar Mayer, Newberry, and LaSalle, and Lincoln Park High School, a place where children receive a top-notch public education right in their own neighborhood.

What's Next?

Look forward to further planning meetings as we finalize plans for the school.  CPS tells us that we can count on having the addition ready for school opening in Fall, 2015 - just one full school year away.  In the meantime, we'll be continuing our work to find a temporary solution to the overcrowding for one more year.

What about the Children's Memorial site?

Last year, I held up further review of any proposed development at the Children's Memorial Hospital site in light of the overcrowding at Lincoln Elementary. I felt that it was irresponsible to move forward on a development that could increase the burden on Lincoln Elementary before resolving the overcrowding issue.

Since we have now reached found a solution, I am immediately directing McCaffery Interests, the developer of the Children's site, to prepare a plan that responds to the community's concerns raised about their earlier plan, chief among them height and density. We have given them a deadline, November 21st, to bring new plans to the community and have scheduled a community meeting for the presentation of these plans. I hope you will join me on Thursday, November 21st to review the plans and provide input:

Children's Memorial Redevelopment Public Meeting

Thursday, November 21st

6:30pm

DePaul Student Center

2250 N. Sheffield

Congratulations to all on this important milestone.  I look forward to working with you as we move forward.  As always, I am honored to represent such a vital and passionate constituency.

Sincerely,

 Michele Smith

 43rd Ward Alderman

Shame on Lincoln Park "dead zone"

We've talked about the "ghost town" that is North Lincoln Avenue at the former site of Children's Memorial Hospital.

Children's Memorial Hospital was vacated over one year ago.  There is still no development deal. (Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker)

 The stalled development is a shame for Lincoln Park. This was a high energy, high pedestrian area in a prime location of the city.  My wife and I miss being in the community on a daily basis and I'm saddened now when in the neighborhood for business or recreation.  It just seems unacceptable.

DNAinfo has the latest story on the business community along North Lincoln Avenue between Halsted and Larrabee. 

Report: Lincoln Park Hospital re-development gets grocery store

 Webster Square  development to feature Mrs. Green's Natural Market  HERE

North Lincoln Avenue between Halsted and Larrabee in Lincoln Park has been in flux with two large vacant hospital sites.  There is far less population density, in my opinion, than there should be and business is suffering in this normally bustling location.  Some major restaurant and bars have gone down to a few days of operation while other businesses pulled out at the time Children's Memorial Hospital packed up and moved to Streeterville.

See some more history and links about the hospital sites here   

Also from the from the 47th ward Alderman email update:

I have been informed that Mrs. Green's Natural Market, a boutique grocer already established in New York and Connecticut, will be moving into the former Lincoln Park Hospital garage site, at the southeast corner of Lincoln and Webster.   Mrs. Green's is bound to the community agreement that was part of  the planned development and will have to abide by the loading zone and other restrictions contained in the PD ordinance. The store is expected to open around Thanksgiving.  

The rest of the Webster Square development is proceeding as well.  A 75-unit luxury apartment building is under construction now, and the former hospital building will be constructed as condominiums beginning later this year.  

 

Now let's get the Children's site done!

Curbed Chicago reports on Webster Square progress, Lincoln Park

 Curbed Chicago posted some photos of demolition and conversion progress at Webster Square; one of two "controversial" hospital re-developments in Lincoln Park.  It's rare to have two such large infill projects in close proximity that happen to be in a top tier Chicago neighborhood.

Former Lincoln Park Hospital parking structure back in 2011 (more photos by Eric Rojas here)

We've been watching the developments of two vacant hospitals in Lincoln Park.  The short strip of North Lincoln Ave (running southeast from Halsted to Larrabee) is poised for large developments and the addition of many housing units. There have been many neighborhood challenges to the developments...and rightly so.  Progress in this prime area has been slow.

The closed down, vacant Children's Memorial Hospital near Lincoln and Halsted (now Lurie Children's in Streeterville)  Photo, Eric Rojas

However, this vibrant area needs the housing and density to support long standing businesses and new business development.  It's also a location near transit and the lake that is very desirable and should be more dense.  Remember, these are ugly, old commercially zoned hospital buildings they are re-developing... not classic row house architecture getting wiped out. 

We'll probably end up with something rather banal looking for each of these high profile locations.  If the process and cost of development was made more attractive, perhaps developers could use more interesting materials and design.

Photos: A ghost town near the old Children's Memorial, Lincoln Park

I took a few shots of the shuttered, and former, Children's Memorial Hospital site in Lincoln Park a couple weeks ago (after a dentist appointment across the street...no cavities).  The new development of the site has run into a fresh set of problems as reported by Crain's.  No one said it was going to be easy, but they didn't say it would be this hard either.

I digress.

The eerily empty hospital driveway.  We'd spent many years dodging cars and pedestrians coming out of this drive.

The hospital closed and moved permanently to Streeterville in June.  However, the vacant site has taken on a new melancholy as we move into cold and grey fall days. It feels a little more vacant now.  As some of you know my wife worked at the old hospital for about 10 years (and continues to work at the new hospital). My old office was a couple blocks away.  A lot of time was spent around the hustle and bustle of this location.

The mostly empty parking structure.

One of the largest concerns of the hospital closing was the affect of the hospital move on local business.  Dissipated are the lunch crowd, work parties, employees, parents, kids...it's a pretty dramatic blow. 

Lunch staples like this Potbellly Sandwich shop are feeling the pinch.

North Lincoln Avenue by the old hospital site was pretty quiet for this Thursday afternoon lunch hour.

More Children's and Lurie Hospital posts HERE

Photos! Touring the new Children's Memorial Hospital in Streeterville

Packed house for the tours!

 Last Saturday our family toured the new Children's Memorial Hospital as part of the Employee, Physician and Volunteer Open House (newly named Ann & Robert H.Lurie Children's Hospital).  The new Streeterville location is at 225 East Chicago Ave.

Here's a few photos from the day...wish I got more.  It was a really well run event and probably emotional for the many employees who have been both doing their jobs at Children's and planning the new hospital move (not to name names, but like my wife Jillian, both an RN and Director of out-patient clinics).

CT scan room...under the sea

One of the operating rooms

Many interactive areas for kids and families

Interesting views all around the hospital

The views are great, but hopefully you will never have to see them from these rooms!

Gorgeous stained glass at the chapel

Eclectic art can be found throughout the hospital

The sky garden

The Zen Garden

Then...we ate!

Photos! Inside the new Children's Memorial Hospital in Streeterville

The new lobby at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

My wife, a director at Children's Memorial Hospital, snapped a few interior photos of the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.  The new Streeterville building is almost complete with modern atrium and sky gardens! Children's will officially move out of Lincoln Park and into the Streeterville facility in June of this year.

More Streeterville and Children's posts!

Children's Memorial redevelopment in Lincoln Park: Next community meeting December 14th

Children's bus stop advertisement. Photo Bob DePalma and Eric Rojas, Real Estate Brokers

I just received an email update from the 43rd Ward Alderman's office in Lincoln Park stating the next Children Memorial Hospital community meeting is this Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30PM in Bigler Auditorium 2300 Children's Plaza (hospital is near at Lincoln/Fullerton/Halsted intersection)


More information and updates on the redevelopment of the hospital site can be viewed HERE


See past posts on Children's Memorial Hospital HERE and Lincoln Park HERE

Story: Lincoln Park businesses brace for Children's Memorial Hospital move

 A good article by Tyler Davis at ChicagoTalks.org addresses the business impact of the Children's Memorial Hospital move.  It's a good primer on the hospital move and features some useful links to neighborhood groups involved.

Main campus building for Children's Memorial Hospital at Lincoln and Orchard.

The relocation and redevelopment of the Children's Memorial Hospital site is a concern in Lincoln Park any way you cut it.  My wife is a 10 year RN and now Director at the hospital.  My office is located a couple blocks away.  We've been going to the area restaurants, bars, booking holiday parties and using nearby services for many years due to the Children's location. Many employees also choose to live very close to the hospital as well and go to area businesses every day.


It will be years before new retail and residential housing adds population density. My wife and I will have new routines and visit more businesses in Streeterville and less in Lincoln Park as a result of the hospital move. The hospital has had a large impact on the residents, employees and businesses and it is really an unknown how its absence will impact each individual.


More Lincoln Park information, stats and tours here

Crain's: Developer chosen for Children's Memorial Hospital Lincoln Park site

I just wrote yesterday about Children's Memorial Hospital move to Streeterville is less than one year away. Today, a Crain's story names development group McCaffery Interests Inc. as the winning bid to develop the 6 acre hospital site in Lincoln Park.

Let the games begin.

Final Countdown: Children's Memorial Hospital leaving Lincoln Park

One of the cute ads at a bus stop in Lincoln Park reminding neighbor's Children's Memorial Hospital is moving to Streeterville in June 2012.

The new Children's Hospital building located at 225 E Chicago Avenue shown below is an impressive, inviting structure among mid and high-rise structures.

My wife and I recently attended a Service Awards dinner for Children's Memorial Hospital employees and volunteers. For those of you that don't know, my wife Jillian is an accomplished Registered Nurse with a Masters and serves as a Director in Ambulatory outpatient clinics at Children's. She is heavily involved in the extraordinary task of planning (and executing) the hospital move to Streeterville.

Jill's award was for 10 years of service while a couple employees received a 45 year award! This dinner was special and emotional for many. A video was played showing the many memories and faces so crucial to Children's Memorial in Lincoln Park. The new hospital move and new name (Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago) is less than one year away! Jillian and I have both worked in this Lincoln Park area for 10 years and she'll miss the many neighbors and great location!

Is there any other development going on in the city that will impact a neighborhood more? The current Children's Memorial Lincoln Park location is A+ real estate in Chicago. The loss of the hospital and pending development are anxious and exciting issues.

Check out some some Children's Memorial coverage and Lincoln Park news at YoChicago.com