WEST LOOP — More than half of business owners who would be affected by the city's plan to create a historic district along Fulton and Randolph oppose the project, a community group leader said Wednesday.
About 40 business owners gathered Wednesday afternoon to demand Mayor Rahm Emanuel withdraw the city's Fulton/Randolph District Plan. Under the plan, 125 area properties would be tagged as landmarks, a designation that would limit future development opportunities at the sites.
Stephanie Lulay says many owners feel the landmark map is gerrymandered:
The Randolph/Fulton Market Association has now collected 65 forms from affected property owners who oppose the plan, according to Roger Romanelli, executive director of the group.
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has asked those residents to submit affidavits to indicate whether they would consent to or oppose the plan to designate the Fulton/Randolph Market District as a Chicago landmark. City officials request property owners submit the forms before December, Romanelli said.
"The community has decided. This issue is closed. We call on the mayor to immediately withdraw this proposal and work in harmony with people voluntarily," Romanelli said near the site of future Google offices at 1000 W. Fulton Market. The building is now under construction.
This isn't the first time the West Loop business owners have rallied to end the historic district plan. In July, more than 60 business owners presented Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) with a petition stating their opposition.
On Tuesday, Burnett said he was "leaning toward landmarking" to preserve the culture of the Randolph/Fulton Market area. But before taking a final stance, Burnett will seek more community input, he said. The landmark plan must be approved by City Council.
"We're still listening, we're still having meetings," Burnett said. "Some of the residents that live around there don't want the area to get turned into all high-rises and get out of hand."
Aldermanic candidate Gabe Beukinga, who is running against Burnett in the 27th Ward, "strongly opposes" the city's landmarking plan. He said the historic district would stifle economic growth in the area and cause property values to drop.
"Let's end the landmarking proposal and move on with our days," he said. "It's not fair to the small business owners who are affected by it."
Ald. Bob Fioretti, who is running for mayor, also opposes the historic district plan, he said at the event Wednesday.
"I've never seen a landmarking from the top down. It always comes from the people who want it and the people who request it," Fioretti said.
Brothers Tim and Mike Roche operate Arthur Harris and Company, a stainless steel manufacturing business in a building they own at 210 N. Aberdeen St. The property would be landmarked under the city's plan.
"We're not looking to sell, but if someday we would, it's not fair to cut our property values in half," Tim Roche said. "I don't think anybody's looking to put high-rises up."
The city's Fulton/Randolph District Plan calls for granting historic designation to a six-block stretch of buildings on Randolph between the Kennedy Expy. and a property just west of Carpenter Street and along Lake Street from Peoria to Morgan streets. An eight-block stretch on Fulton Market between Halsted Street and Racine Avenue would also be landmarked.
In April, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks gave preliminary approval to the historical landmark recommendations.
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