Rally Against the Lakefront Car Tower

PRESS RELEASE (September 13th, 2013)
Rally Against the Lakefront Car Tower

7331 N. Sheridan Road (current state)

On Sunday, September 15th, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., Rogers Park residents will march and rally against a proposed parking garage planned for construction at the corner of Sheridan Road and Sherwin Avenue. Organized by a group of neighbors concerned about the negative impact of the project on pedestrian safety, noise, pollution and the residential character of the area, the march will start at Loyola Park at Touhy and proceed up Sheridan Road past the mansion at 7331 N. Sheridan Road, currently occupied by the Shambhala Meditation Center.  

Colonel J. N. Pritzker, through Tawani Development Corporation, purchased the property and plans to demolish the historic structure.  The four-story parking garage required a zoning change and, despite receiving over 400 petition signatures opposing the change, Alderman Joe Moore recently approved the project.  

On September 20th, 2013, the issue will come before the Zoning Board of Appeals, which will consider, among other criteria, whether the proposal is compatible with the character of the surrounding area in terms of site planning, building scale and project design; will not have a significant adverse impact on the general welfare of the neighborhood; and is designed to promote pedestrian safety and comfort.

Rogers Park residents have a history of fiercely protecting their lakefront, its beaches and the architectural integrity of Sheridan Road, resisting any attempts to extend Lake Shore Drive through unsightly landfills or creating a high-rise canyon down Sheridan Road similar to what was foisted upon the Edgewater community immediately to the South. Sheridan Road in Rogers Park has retained a low-rise, residential character because of those efforts over the past 50 years. This parking garage proposal is yet another attempt to change Sheridan Road and threaten its low-rise, residential character.

WHAT:   MARCH AND RALLY

WHERE:  MEET AT TOUHY AVENUE AND SHERIDAN ROAD

WHEN:   SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2013, 1:00 P.M.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Rogers Park Chamber Landmark Case

The story of 7331 N. Sheridan Road continues as the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce is working closely with the community on preserving this beautiful building.

On June 5th, 2013, the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce will attend the Commission on Chicago Historic and Architectural Landmarks meeting to determine designation for the bungalow.

The Chamber of Commerce asks that if anyone is interested in preserving this building that they print and gain 8 signatures on the below PDF.

You can download and print petition .pdf here.



The petition wordage is as follows:   It is the goal of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce to have 7331 N. Sheridan Road (Shambhala Mediation Center) become a historical landmark so that the future residents of Rogers Park can admire the beautiful bungalow for many years to come. This location is where the current Mision Cristiana Elim was founded. (originally named Temple Mizpah). The owner of the home also worked hard on Marks Nathan Home for Jewish Orphans with Nicolas Pritzker, the patriarch of the Pritzker family. 
We could use your help in preserving this beautiful bungalow mansion, one of the last remaining mansions of the Sheridan Road mansions! Sign below if you want to see 7331 N. Sheridan Road saved!
Please return to:
Quest Network Services  7301 N. Sheridan Road 
by 7pm on Tuesday June 4th

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge