Residents Near Proposed Wrigley Hotel Say Changes Are Needed
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With the backing of both Mayor Emanuel and Ald. Tom Tunney, many consider the Wrigley renovation practically a done deal. But neighbors living closest to a proposed hotel say changes are needed to keep their area livable. CBS 2's Derrick Blakley paid a visit, just one block away from the friendly confines.
Across the street from the storied ballpark and just behind the McDonald's on Clark, neighbors on a lovely block are worried.
"We're gonna lose the feel and look of our neighborhood," said Wrigleyville property owner Mark Church.
The 1100 block of West Patterson sits right behind the McDonald's. A 175-room hotel is planned for the site, rising 90 feet high, which is three times the height of the tallest neighborhood homes. That alone, neighbors say, is a vivid display of City and Cubby clout.
"If I wanted to build up my building two stories higher and add a tavern on the first floor in a residential, 3.5 zone, I can't do that," said Nicole Greenberg-Stecker, a property owner in Wrigleyville.
The alley now behind the Mcdonald's is going to get plenty busy, housing dumpsters and loading docks for the new hotel. Tom Romano has three properties with 20 parking spaces off the alley.
"Time after time, our tenants will be blocked and they will not be able to use this as their parking," said Romano.
Neighbors also oppose the skybridge that will begin at the east end of their block and cross Clark Street to a new office building, but residents realize, the clock is ticking, the odds not on their side.
Mark Church says there is, "very little" chance that modifications get made before being approved by the City Council.
Neighbors would like to see a service drive created on the hotel property itself. That would preserve the alley for use of residents.
A Cubs spokesman says they've met with the Patterson residents twice, and more adjustments in their plan are possible once construction designs are available.
The entire Wrigley plan goes to the City Council zoning committee tomorrow, and then, onto the full council on Wednesday.
