Signatories,
On December 14th, Paula and I lined up with representatives of Preservation Chicago, Friends of the Parks, and Illinois Landmarks as well as other neighbors. We addressed Superintendent Rosa Escareno and the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners at their Board meeting on the topic of unilaterally being opposed to the existence of the monstrosity that their tenant started to build in Humboldt Park next to the historic landmarked Receptory and Stables building.
Your signatures, over 1300 of them, as well as your comments, were filed as supporting documentation with the Board of Commissioners. Your signatures matter, and OUR VOICES WERE HEARD! Signed, sealed, delivered.
Then, on December 15th on a program called "Reset" a segment aired on WBEZ public radio with Sasha-Ann Simons hosting. It is called "What's That Building" by Dennis Rodkin, who addressed the new unpermitted 40-foot-high structure in the park. Here is a link to the printed story and the audio version:
Please continue to spread the word and raise awareness. Thanks again for your support.
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This is our testimony presented at the Chicago Park District Board meeting:
My name is Maria Cabrera. I have a degree in design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. My husband and I have lived in Humboldt Park for over 18 years.
I’m here because the museum constructed a building that could have been placed anywhere, but it was built in the park, and it blocks the view of an important building. It disrespects historic architecture, and the world-class legacy of Landscape Architect Jens Jensen. It also disrespects the history of the community, of Chicago, and the Park District.
We see the new structure as a symbol of public corruption every time we visit the park. So, we started a petition on change.org that has collected over 1300 signatures calling for this eyesore to be removed.
There is no defense for building without Park District approval and without permits from the City of Chicago. There is no other appropriate solution than to order a demolition.
The Archives building cannot be modified to be complementary to the historic structure. It is too big and is of ordinary design and materials. It was built next to an extraordinary building. It was built without permission, without oversight, and without community input. It should not have been built in the park at all.
Board of Directors, be informed that the very legacy of the crown jewels of Humboldt Park are imperiled by the Archives building.
And be informed that in statements made in funding applications filed with the state of Illinois, your tenant has plans to develop additional parkland. Your tenant compared their intentions to a 36-acre privately controlled entertainment venue with a permanent stage and festival area.
Board of Directors, this is not what the community wants. It would diminish Humboldt Park forever.
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A neighbor said:
Hi, my name is David Zapata. I live in Humboldt Park. I am a senior undergraduate design student.
One of the reasons I love Chicago is that it is a city with a rich and vibrant architectural heritage. Allowing a big-box building that looks like a Best-Buy to be built next to the museum is a sacrilege.
Park District, allowing the historic structure to be adversely affected by new development is nothing less than a dereliction of duty on your part.
It will affect future generations, especially neighborhood children with few opportunities to be immersed in nature. Don’t allow these children to be deprived of any aspect of the panoramic view of a pedigreed landscape. Don’t allow any obstruction of the view of any elevation of this unique castle-like building, with a foundation of hand-hewn stone, impressive pillars and arches, endless rows of orange roof tiles, and punctuated with fantastic and inspiring turrets and towers. It is magical and there is nothing else like it.
The parking lot and entrance of the museum is at the rear of the historic structure. The new building would become the backdrop for the arrival of every visitor to the Museum. Just like the new structure would cut off parkgoers from views of the historic building, the connection to the park experienced by museum visitors will also be severed by this building. It is not sympathetic to its surroundings and is so obtuse that it is visible from a quarter-mile.
Board of Directors, the Archives building is devoid of architectural value, and will detract from the existing historic structure and landscape. Please correct the deplorable behavior of your tenant and order them to tear it down.
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My name is Kurt Gippert. I have lived a couple blocks from the park for over 18 years.
A structure was built by a Park District tenant, without permission from their landlord. This is an egregious breach of contract. Please order the demolition of the unauthorized structure.
The Park District has held Community Engagement Forums in several parks. Yet on this important issue, the Humboldt Park community has been excluded. An honest conversation cannot begin while this unauthorized building stands in our park.
Your tenant has not been transparent and has acted inappropriately with you and various government agencies. These include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the State Historic Preservation Office. Your tenant submitted for review and approval a sketch of a low-slung building stated to be 1500 sq ft. What is being built exceeds 6800 square feet, looks nothing like the sketch, and does not compliment the Refectory and Stables building.
Don’t be fooled like those in Springfield. The Archives building is detrimental to our neighborhood park. It blocks the protected roofline and elevations of the historic building, which is landmarked at the Federal and local levels of government.
Demolish the offending structure. It is a trespasser on public and protected land. It would Forever diminish the stand-alone design of the unique historic building, and permanently scar the otherwise masterful landscape as conceived and implemented by the father of [American] landscape architecture, Jens Jensen.
For $1 per year, your tenant should be the most gracious neighbor and sensitive caretaker of the historic structure and lands which has been entrusted to them. Instead of running roughshod over the community your tenant should be in partnership with us and with you to preserve the legacy of the surrounding parkland.
Board of Directors, please undo this wrongdoing that has been done to us all.