Lincoln Park Groups File Suit To Block Redevelopment At Hospital Site
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A pair of Lincoln Park Community Groups have filed suit to block plans for redevelopment of the 6-acre Children's Memorial Hospital tract at Lincoln and Fullerton, reports WBBM's John Cody.
Lisa Barrow with The Mid North and Park West Community Associations says buildings and density are just too high.
"Alderman Michele Smith and her colleagues in City Council passed without floor debate an ordinance to up-zone the site, allowing for a mega-development consisting of twin towers, both 214 feet high in an area that is typically zoned to max out at 65 feet," said Barrow.
Barrow says the Mid-North and Park West Community Associations are asking Cook County circuit court to find invalid the zoning change supported by Alderman Michelle Smith.
Smith, who represents the 43rd Ward, says she got developers to reduce the number of high-rise towers from three to two, as well as make concessions for open land and traffic patterns.
"This is a historic opportunity to turn a dilapidated site into a new neighborhood crossroads in Lincoln Park," she tells CBS 2's Marissa Bailey.
Representatives for McCaffrey say no matter what happens with the lawsuit they are committed to the project.