Neighbors residing at:

1220, 1233, 1239, 1241-43 N. Paulina St.

Chicago, IL 60622
February 15, 2016

1st Ward Alderman Morenos Office

2740 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Dear Alderman Moreno and Staff,

This letter is in response to Centrum Partners proposed Wicker Park Connection development
(WPCD). We believe this development, as proposed, is out of character with the neighborhood given
the density of the project, specifically the proposed 15-story apartment tower and the 7-story condo
building. The proposed density presents several issues including appropriateness for the neighborhood,
CTA infrastructure deficiencies and traffic. As such, we do not support this development unless it is
significantly downsized.
Many residents moved to and live in Wicker Park because of the character of the neighborhood. While
all neighborhoods go through change, many still manage to keep their identity. Unique businesses,
diversity, and lower density are some of the traits that help define Wicker Park. A neighborhoods
identity ultimately makes it unique and draws residents to the area. Wicker Park has traditionally not
been a neighborhood of skyscrapers, but one comprised of 2-4 story buildings, many with architectural
significance. The WPCD feels like something that would be found in River North or the Gold Coast. At a
maximum of 15 stories, it would not only set a new precedent for building height west of Ashland within
the neighborhood, but also for developers to build skyscrapers located mid street versus on corners.
The WPCD is seeking an up-zone pursuant to the Transit Oriented Development ordinance (TOD). We
question whether the infrastructure is there to support hundreds of additional residents using the
Division Blue Line stop. Currently, residents often wait for multiple trains because of increased ridership
partially caused by the TOD. Before a development of this scale is approved, assurances should be made
from CTA/the Alderman that the infrastructure will support the increased ridership. Assurances should
also be made that any resident of a TOD building is not granted neighborhood zone parking.
Traffic is also of increased concern given the size of the proposed project. While some units will not
come with a parking spot, more people inevitably means more traffic. Milwaukee/Division/Ashland and
the surrounding areas are already very congested and will only become more congested after
developments such as Lowes, the 7-story / 58-unit rental project at 1237-53 N. Milwaukee, and 6-story
/ 60-unit rental project at 1660 W. Division are completed. WPCD would only add to this congestion. It
is already extremely difficult and dangerous to turn left from Paulina onto Division or Milwaukee due to
heavy automobile and pedestrian traffic any development on the site must take this into
consideration.

1st Ward Alderman Morenos Office

February 15, 2016
Page 2

Lastly, the vetting process for this project has lacked transparency and inclusiveness. The fact that this
project was vetted through the Wicker Park Committee (WPC) before being taken to the public is
backwards. Many decisions about this development were made without true public input or the input
of residents living within 250 feet of the project. Unless one pays money to be part of the WPC or
closely follows DNAinfo.com articles, they likely are unaware of the development and many of the
handshake agreements that have been made ahead of the public meeting. Even the notice provided for
the public meeting was lacking; it was buried in a 1st Ward email sent less than a week before the
proposed meeting. The timing of the campaign contribution (noted in a recent DNAinfo article) by
Centrum Partners to Alderman Morenos office is also very questionable from a transparency
perspective.
We realize that development of the parking lot is inevitable and should be good for the neighborhood if
done correctly. While Centrum has made efforts to engage the community and seek feedback via the
WPC, we believe the community should have been consulted before any negotiations took place. As
proposed, the WPCD is not in character with the neighborhood and threatens to set a dangerous
precedent for future developments in Wicker Park. We do not support the development as proposed.
Regards,

Kyle B. Sneed, Resident 1239 N. Paulina

Also including neighbors at 1220, 1233, and 1241-43 N. Paulina St.

CC: Alisa Hauser, DNAinfo Chicago