49th Ward: It Can't Happen Here?

It already has. * Howard/Ashland Site Set For Eminent Domain City Takes Action to Force Development of Vacant Site. A 46,000 square foot parcel at Howard and Ashland in Rogers Park that once was home to the Lerner newspaper facility has sat vacant for more than 10 years. The City of Chicago, at the request of the community, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for redevelopment of the site. Although the City does not own the site, they have authority through eminent domain to acquire it. The RFP will provide a much-needed push to get site development to occur. FULL POST... Joe Moore likes eminent domain. From his web site: Former Lerner Newspaper Building Site, 7519 N. Ashland (Howard and Ashland) The current owner of the site failed to develop the property as promised. Last Fall, I asked the City of Chicago to begin the process of acquiring the property by eminent domain. The City issued a Request for Proposals, seeking development proposals for the site. Two proposals were submitted, and the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee and I will be working with the City to evaluate the proposals to determine their viability. Any proposed development will be subject to a complete and thorough community review process.