WEST LOOP — The Commission on Chicago Landmarks is expected to make a recommendation Wednesday to the City Council on the proposed plan to landmark the Fulton/Randolph Market District.
The public meeting will begin at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in room 201-A at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St.
After the recommendation is made, the landmark designation proposal will go before the council.
Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) has previously said he was "leaning toward landmarking" to preserve the culture of the Randolph/Fulton Market area. He continues to seek community input, and as of Monday Burnett had not announced his official position on the controversial issue.
At an April hearing, Landmark Commission officials revealed that only five property owners that would be affected by the plan to landmark the district consented to the city's plan. Another 106 affected property owners indicated that they opposed the landmarking plan and 63 did not respond.
The West Loop Community Organization, a delegate agency of the city, supports the proposed landmark designation. Three other groups — the Randolph/Fulton Market Association, West Central Association and Neighbors of the West Loop — oppose the landmarking plan.
If the plan to create a historic district along Fulton and Randolph is approved, the designation would tag 88 area properties as landmarks, a move that property owners believe would limit future development opportunities at the sites. Another 56 properties would be considered "non-contributing" district properties that could be demolished, according to Peter Strazzabosco, deputy commissioner of the city's Department of Planning and Development.
According to the city, the historic designation would require landmarks commission staff to review any building permits for properties within the district in order to help "maintain its historic character and important role within the thriving Fulton Market Innovation District," Strazzabosco said.
The historic district proposal is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's larger Fulton Market Innovation District, a $42 million development plan to help shape development in the West Loop.
In April 2014, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks gave preliminary approval to the historical landmark recommendations.
Copies of the plan are available at the commission offices in Room 1101 at City Hall and online.
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