If the Wilson Yard TIF story was a book, possible titles would be "Confederacy of the Dumbest Urban Plan Ever" or "How to Rape Taxpayers & Get Away With It".
Part 1 of the story tells the tale of how "the vibrant & cohesive mixed-use development" mission disintegrated into a $58 million sinkhole with:
Who decided that another $54 million of taxpayers' money is best used for a fish-farm, more parking, and "$21 million to preserve affordable housing"? Why was the community excluded from this behind-closed-door planning? What rights do we have in the planning process?
Shiller had scheduled a private Wilson Yard meeting on July 23 when an eagle-eyed resident found the posting on the Truman website. Suddenly the meeting was open to the public. The room was packed on an early Thursday morning with Uptown residents questioning the additional $54 million Shiller wants from the taxpayers. Click here to read more...
Residents questioned who decided that a fish farm and parking are top community priorities. One woman summed it up, "I recently moved to Uptown and don't shop here because the retail streets aren't safe. Why are you spending money on a fish farm when there are so many other needs for our neighborhood? Building a fish farm is like putting organic frosting on a moldy cupcake".
Shiller promised to include the whole community in the planning process when questioned about the closed-door decisions being made. Now it's up to us to hold her to this promise. We must hold her accountable for an inclusive community planning process that gives residents a voice in how the next $54 million will be spent. Inclusive community meetings, etc. will be in the works.
Wilson Yard Lawsuit Update
The Wilson Yard lawsuit is alive and well. Residents heard the good news about the recent complaint filing approved by Judge Rochford. Click here to read the latest.
It's very clear that the citizens of Uptown had no other recourse than to take legal action. The $112 million Wilson Yard TIF is quickly becoming the poster child for taxpayer abuse.
Fix Wilson Yard needs your help. A fundraiser BBQ is planned for Saturday, August 22. You can learn more by visiting www.fixwilsonyard.org
Find out more about Uptown, community issues, Wilson Yard history by visiting:
www.uptownupdate.com
www.uncchicago.org
www.lakeeffectnews.com
www.fixwilsonyard.org
Get involved...join your block club, join UNC, join Fix Wilson Yard. Please forward this e-news.
Part 1 of the story tells the tale of how "the vibrant & cohesive mixed-use development" mission disintegrated into a $58 million sinkhole with:
- Subsidized housing costing $445,000 per unit on a prime commercial corner
- Senior housing on a site that doesn't even meet HUD standards
- Truman parking garage for 1200 cars that shuts off resident access to Wilson
Who decided that another $54 million of taxpayers' money is best used for a fish-farm, more parking, and "$21 million to preserve affordable housing"? Why was the community excluded from this behind-closed-door planning? What rights do we have in the planning process?
Shiller had scheduled a private Wilson Yard meeting on July 23 when an eagle-eyed resident found the posting on the Truman website. Suddenly the meeting was open to the public. The room was packed on an early Thursday morning with Uptown residents questioning the additional $54 million Shiller wants from the taxpayers. Click here to read more...
Residents questioned who decided that a fish farm and parking are top community priorities. One woman summed it up, "I recently moved to Uptown and don't shop here because the retail streets aren't safe. Why are you spending money on a fish farm when there are so many other needs for our neighborhood? Building a fish farm is like putting organic frosting on a moldy cupcake".
Shiller promised to include the whole community in the planning process when questioned about the closed-door decisions being made. Now it's up to us to hold her to this promise. We must hold her accountable for an inclusive community planning process that gives residents a voice in how the next $54 million will be spent. Inclusive community meetings, etc. will be in the works.
Wilson Yard Lawsuit Update
The Wilson Yard lawsuit is alive and well. Residents heard the good news about the recent complaint filing approved by Judge Rochford. Click here to read the latest.
It's very clear that the citizens of Uptown had no other recourse than to take legal action. The $112 million Wilson Yard TIF is quickly becoming the poster child for taxpayer abuse.
Fix Wilson Yard needs your help. A fundraiser BBQ is planned for Saturday, August 22. You can learn more by visiting www.fixwilsonyard.org
Find out more about Uptown, community issues, Wilson Yard history by visiting:
www.uptownupdate.com
www.uncchicago.org
www.lakeeffectnews.com
www.fixwilsonyard.org
Get involved...join your block club, join UNC, join Fix Wilson Yard. Please forward this e-news.
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