LPCC Responds to Nov. 3 Inside-Booster Article

Posted on November 8, 2010 in Business, Community, LPCC

November 8, 2010

Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to your article “Chamber endorses commercial project at shuttered Lincoln Park Hospital site” (Inside-Booster, November 3-9, 2010).  Not only does this article make editorial assumptions based on neighborhood hearsay, but it also distorts the facts to make statements against the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC).

Initially, it should be noted that the Lincoln Park Hospital site story was improperly fact-checked as it notes that Carnival Foods and The Market Place are LPCC members which, as our online membership database will confirm, they are not.  While the LPCC works to support all businesses in the neighborhood, falsely claiming chamber membership to attack the LPCC’s position in the neighborhood is sloppy journalism.  As a pro-business organization, it is not the belief of the LPCC to handpick which ventures are supported or denied access to Lincoln Park.

Mr. Butler claims that the LPCC does not support local businesses saying that this development will lead to the demise of Carnival Foods.  While making a blatant assumption to raise fear in the community, while speaking derogatorily against the LPCC, Inside-Booster fails to note the increased foot traffic and jobs this project will create, leading to more dollars for local shops, restaurants, grocery stores and service providers.  Chain stores and local retailers have long sat arm-in-arm in Lincoln Park.  It’s what makes this community great.  It’s what provides residents, tourists and guests fair consumer choice.

Further, including 43rd Ward aldermanic candidate Michelle Smith’s commentary referencing where the LPCC staff or board of directors reside does not speak to the issues in the community and, most notably, the Lincoln Park Hospital site.  Instead of polarizing organizations committed to the Lincoln Park area and making unnecessary conjecture about where staff calls home, local elected officials and politicians should be focusing their efforts on solutions.

In conclusion, the LPCC is in support of the responsible redevelopment of the Lincoln Park Hospital site for its adaptive reuse of an existing structure, job creation and economic development value.  For Mr. Butler to say our position of supporting new development is “turning our back” on the “Shop Local” mantra is completely short-sighted and misguided.  While Lincoln Park businesses continue to weather the economic downturn, failing to support a new neighborhood development that will create a new customer base would be both against our mission and unfair to local business owners.

Best,

Kim Schilf, IOM, ACE
President and CEO
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce