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Construction Prep Starts on Lincoln Elementary Annex Despite Legal Threat

By Paul Biasco | August 28, 2014 7:03pm | Updated on August 29, 2014 10:00am
 Construction crews assembling a fence around the proposed annex site Thursday morning.
Construction crews assembling a fence around the proposed annex site Thursday morning.
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DNAinfo/Paul Biasco

LINCOLN PARK — After months of legal delays, construction started on the controversial Lincoln Elementary annex Thursday morning.

Crews fenced off the school's play lot and playground Thursday in the first steps to prepare the site for construction.

The city issued a building permit for the project Tuesday.

Multiple Chicago Public Schools security personnel were in front of the school Thursday morning and throughout the first day of construction preparations.

A group of neighbors of the school have been fighting the planned four-story addition in court and say they will continue to do so despite the beginning of construction.

Work on the excavation of the site and foundation is expected to begin Wednesday, according to Molly Sullivan, spokeswoman for the Public Building Commission.

Construction of the $20 million addition was originally scheduled to begin July 28, but was stalled by legal challenges to the rezoning of the lot.

Sullivan said she expects the project will be finished on schedule and be ready for the 2015-2016 school year despite the delay.

The city's zoning board of appeals rejected a challenge to the rezoning on Aug. 15 and finalized the ruling during a special meeting of the board Tuesday that was called specifically for the Lincoln Elementary issue.

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