Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) has proposed building two five to six story residence halls with 500 beds (“University Village”) on both sides of Bryn Mawr Ave. between Kimball and Bernard.  This proposal includes the seizure of properties—through eminent domain—and the closure of all businesses, the demolition of existing buildings, and a partnership with the Wall Street-backed real estate developer, American Campus Communities, Inc.- who will make a windfall profit from NEIU's condemnations.

Lack of Transparency and Research-Based Decisions

Whereas the proposal was developed without any open dialogue and consultation with members of the NEIU campus community or the surrounding community; and

Whereas there have been no environmental, social or economic impact studies conducted to measure how this project would affect the surrounding community and the families that rely on their Bryn Mawr Ave. properties and businesses for their livelihood; and

Whereas a study entitled “A Student Housing Analysis in the City of Chicago, Illinois (Northeastern Illinois University)” by Danter Company, LLC indicates that the vast majority of current NEIU students could not afford the proposed housing; and

Whereas NEIU has land on campus on Foster Avenue that is already designated for a residence hall; and

Economic and Social Harm

Whereas this project will displace immigrant, women, veteran, and minority business and property owners, several of whom are NEIU graduates; and

Whereas the proposed buildings would result in a dramatic increase in neighborhood density, congestion and noise as well as a drastic change in neighborhood character; and

Whereas the proposed project would involve at least two years of construction activity, dirt and noise; and

Whereas the two proposed 5-6 story buildings would create a canyon effect at street level that would create shadows and block natural light to residential properties; and

Whereas this proposal conflicts with NEIU's mission to provide educational access to a diverse array of students, particularly first generation students and non-traditional students; and

Use of Public Funds to Enrich Corporate Interests

Whereas the plan includes the use of eminent domain to seize private properties, BUT the profits from the proposed University Village would only minimally contribute to the public good and largely go to corporate real estate developers and investment bankers; and

Whereas the proposal involves public funds to acquire private property that would subsequently be leased to a private development corporation to build and manage retail stores and dormitory/apartment housing; and

Whereas the retail businesses proposed for this project would remove family-owned businesses in favor of corporate retail with low paying jobs and profits accruing to corporate interests; and

Whereas Northeastern Illinois University already owns 67 acres of land on its existing campus, much of which is undeveloped or under-developed - upon which it may build residential housing for its student population without invoking eminent domain and with significantly less disruption to the surrounding community.

We, the undersigned, oppose NEIU's plans to build retail stores, residence halls, and apartments—University Village—on the 3400 West block of Bryn Mawr Avenue: