Form letter from Planning and Development Commissioner Chris Hill.

Form letter from Chicago Planning and Development Commissioner Chris Hill sent in response to letters supporting the preservation of Maxwell Street.

September 5, 2000

City of Chicago Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Department of Planning and Development
Christopher R. Hill Commissioner
121 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 744-4190
(312) 744-2271 (FAX)
http://www.ci.chi.i1.us

We are in receipt of your recent correspondence to Mayor Richard M. Daley regarding the University of Illinois-Chicago redevelopment project along Maxwell and Halsted Streets. The Mayor has asked that I respond on his behalf.

Thank you for your interest in this project and your thoughts regarding the historical significance of Maxwell Street. The City of Chicago worked closely with the University of Illinois-Chicago to develop the best plan that will retain the rich character and diversity in the area while building a dynamic educational and residential community.

The University and the City considered many options in the process of developing this plan. While the option of preservation of the buildings on Maxwell Street was explored, the buildings were subsequently denied landmark status by the national and state Historic Preservation Councils. Most recently, the request for landmark designation was denied by the National Register of Historic Places.

We feel that the plan approved by the University and the City Council is the best plan to honor the history of Maxwell and Halsted Streets while also creating a new and vibrant community on the city’s Near West Side.

Again, thank you for taking the time and effort to write to the Mayor about your views on the Maxwell and Halsted Streets redevelopment project. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Jackie Taylor, our University of Illinois-Chicago Coordinator at (312) 744-5822.

Sincerely,

Christopher R. Hill
Commissioner

Return to the Maxwell St. News Update page.

Return to the Maxwell St. page.

Return to Chuck Cowdery's home page.

Go to the Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition home page.

TO REACH US VIA EMAIL:

Chuck Cowdery, President (cowdery@21stcentury.net)
Steve Balkin, Vice President (mar@openair.org)

TO REACH US VIA THE USPS:

Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition
P.O. Box 6435
Evanston, IL 60204