Negative Impact

Failed Housing Model: The misguided housing model of the past, all low-income housing in high and mid-rise buildings, is being torn down everywhere else, so why is it being built here? Uptown currently has 6,000 units of subsidized housing (25% of all rental units). Similar projects have been recognized as magnets for crime and safety problems.

Criminal Activity: Uptown has an ongoing problem with drug traffickers and gang recruiters/members easily accessing our neighborhood from Lake Shore Drive. The placement of this proposed development will act as a beacon for drug traffickers and gang members, increasing criminal activity in Uptown and endangering all residents.

Lost Economic Development & Community Retail: This plan which should have been the gateway for Uptown's commercial district fails to continue the organic flow of Broadway retail development we see just north of Leland in the 48th ward. Instead it brings dead, negative space with high empty walls and narrow sidewalks that discourage pedestrian traffic.

Poor Urban Planning: The project is dramatically out of scale with the neighborhood. Planning elevations show the housing will be ten stories of sheer brick walls that overpower Montrose from Broadway to the Red-line tracks, and Broadway from Montrose to Sunnyside. Design standards typically used to create safe welcoming spaces were ignored.

Traffic Congestion: The City's traffic study was conducted in September, not during the peak summer months.

Waste of Your Tax Dollars

Mismanagement of TIF Funds

The Wilson Yard TIF is funding almost 35% of the project, well above the mandated guidelines for a TIF. These are your tax dollars. You are paying for this grossly mismanaged project to the tune of:

-Low-income Building 1--$458,076 construction cost per unit
-Low-income Building 2--$330,610 construction cost per unit

Higher Property Taxes:

In addition to paying over $50 million into the Wilson Yard TIF fund, local property owners will shoulder an even greater tax burden in the future when they are forced to take up the slack of tax breaks given to the housing development. This project will also cause additional strain on the infrastructure and city services without it financially contributing to the community.