May 3, 2017

DNA Info and Crain’s Chicago report opposition to the North Branch Industrial Corridor Modernization Plan from Aldermen Michele Smith (43rd), Brian Hopkins (2nd), Scott Waguespack (32nd) and a dozen community groups representing 350,000 people.

Ted Cox with DNA Info Chicago reports, “The opposition statement charges that the plan ‘offers a vision as though the Industrial Corridor exists in a bubble,’ without accounting for the effect those new residents would have on Lincoln Park to the east and Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square to the west.”

In particular, the alderman and community groups want “more open recreational space to its proposed framework for the area before taking it to the Chicago Plan Commission.” Greg Hinz from Crain’s Chicago reports, “In particular, they said they need a ‘continuous recreational space’ of at least 15 acres for baseball, soccer, ice skating and other sports needed to serve the growing number of youths who live in the densely populated area.

A final draft of the North Branch Industrial Corridor Modernization Plan is set to be delivered to the Plan Commission for approval May 18.

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