Members Move Mountains

By Helen Kaplow, SLN VP

Dearborn Station photo by Jonathan Michael Johnson of Planck Studios

Why Membership Matters

The recent groundbreaking, in May, of what is to be a new Printers Row Park tells an important story. Back in the old days - 1998 or thereabouts - when the neighborhood was still primarily composed of urban pioneers who had built - often with their own hands - what are now the much sought-after and much-copied lofts of the now-charming but once-abandoned historic Printers Row, back in those days, a big developer announced its intentions to build a big new modern building just south of the old Transportation Building on S. Dearborn St.

The neighbors didn't like the idea. The new, proposed building did not fit the character of the neighborhood, nor did it conform to the guidelines for new development in a historic district. Wasn't the City supposed to prevent this type of thing from happening? Well, not exactly. The outraged neighbors learned that, even though a Chicago Landmarks Commission existed, its rules weren't necessarily enforced (or even widely made known) unless someone actively opposed a new development, and even then, the process of challenging the new project was iffy. Thus, Historic Printers Row Neighbors was born.

It was a bunch of neighbors who banded together for a common cause. They wanted to preserve the architecture - and lifestyle - of their community. And, long-story-short: they won. The little guys fought the big guy and actually won! So endures the age-old addage, "There is power in numbers."

The exact details of the deal that emerged from that historic wrangling are difficult to pin down now, so many years later, but the story I have been told is both impressive and very timely. It seems that, with pressure from the neighbors, some sort of land swap and/or zoning swap was arranged between the City of Chicago and the developer, D2 Reality.

The outcome was that D2 built the South Loop's first-ever high-rise condo (almost 400 ft. tall) at 701 S. Wells, just west of the historic strip on Dearborn. The City acquired the disputed parcel of land and the neighbors got the promise of a park on that site, a promise that for various reasons took ten years to fulfill (it is the City of Chicago, after all). But that park will be not just a lovely place to sit on a sunny afternoon; it will stand as a reminder that when a community cares and works together, mountains (and skyscrapers) can be moved.

These days, the neighborhood's population and boundaries have grown, and Historic Printers Row Neighbors has morphed into South Loop Neighbors. The hot-button issues of the area have also evolved. We now struggle with parking problems and adequate space in local schools for our local children. We worry about our buildings being green. And of course, we still care about preserving our history and thoughtfully shaping our future.

So, that's what SLN does: We start by keeping our members informed about what's happening in the community. Then, as necessary, we work with city agencies and local developers to address neighborhood needs and interests.

But wait, there's more. We don't just care about buildings. We care about people too. This year has seen a slew of new social and cultural events sponsored by SLN. We've had a community dinner, a networking night, an evening at Jazz Showcase, a lecture about Burnham's Plan of Chicago, a showcase reading of South Loop writers, and tours of the Harold Washington Library Center. This summer SLN hosted a group outing to the Summer Dance festival, historical walking tours of the South Loop, and the 10th annual South Loop Photo Contest & Show (which is currently touring the area, on display at a series of venues). The SLN September general meeting featured a presentation about the history of the Chicago L train and the South Loop. October will be the 11th year of our much-celebrated Loft Walk and also a new program - a Chicago International Film Festival Sampler, presented in conjunction with the renowned Cliff Dwellers Club.

In order to accomplish our goals and offer this variety of programs, we need your support - in dollars and voices. SLN requests a modest membership fee of $35 for individuals and $55 for households. The key is that through membership, we build a cohesive community infrastructure that empowers and enriches us all.

At South Loop Neighbors, we believe that an active and well-supported neighborhood organization is essential to the success and stability of the community at large. We invite you to participate in these efforts: 1) Join now (click Join on the menu bar); 2) Spread the word (tell a neighbor about SLN and this website).