There is growing opposition among members of the Chicago City Council to the $6 billion Lincoln Yards development proposal that would bring several high-rises, retail outlets and new parks to the Near North Side.
Why? Two words: affordable housing.
The developer, Sterling Bay, is promising 300 affordable units within the development – units available to people that earn up to 60 percent of the area median income. But as many as 10 aldermen now oppose the plan because they think there should be more affordable units.
Sterling Bay has thus far agreed to build 600 more affordable units within 3 miles of the development and contribute money to the “in lieu of” fund to support rental subsidies.
The opposition is spearheaded by 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman, who happens to be the new chair of the powerful Zoning Committee after embattled Ald. Danny Solis agreed to step down. Cappleman says he is not ready to consider the project until its opponents are happy.
“Affordable housing is a crisis throughout the entire city, and the entire city needs to step up,” Cappleman said. “The history is that only a few wards provide the bulk of affordable housing, especially for very low-income residents. So, I want to see that type of housing in the 2nd Ward.”
A spokesperson for Lincoln Yards said the project meets all city laws when it comes to affordable housing.
Ald. Brian Hopkins, whose 2nd Ward includes the site of the development, said he thinks opponents of Lincoln Yards are being disingenuous.
“All the aldermen who are in opposition to this plan voted for that ordinance,” Hopkins said. “We’re meeting the minimum standards. That doesn’t mean we can’t do better, and I intend to do a little bit better on this plan.”
Cappleman, who faces five election challengers, some of whom say he hasn’t done enough on affordable housing in his ward, will have the final say when the project comes up for a committee vote. The final plan has to go before the Zoning Committee, and if it passes there, it is likely to pass the full City Council.
More: Chicago Voters’ Guide: The Race for Chicago Alderman
But the notion of aldermanic prerogative, in which aldermen support the zoning decision of the alderman whose ward the project is in, is being challenged. Hopkins said he understands that with a project this big, aldermanic prerogative may not apply.
“When you’re talking about maybe a four- or six-unit building in your ward, it’s easy to play the aldermanic prerogative card there,” he said. “When you’re talking about a major project like Lincoln Yards that has major ramifications for the city, it’s a little harder for me to tell my colleagues ‘Hey, this is none of your business.’”
And again, there is a new sheriff in town on the Zoning Committee. While Solis is investigated for allegedly using his perch to seek favors and campaign money, Cappleman said he wants to leverage his newfound power to create more affordable housing in the city. And he said he doesn’t really abide by the old rules.
“I do not believe in aldermanic prerogative,” Cappleman said. “I think we need a system in place, and I will push for a system in place, where aldermen with little affordable housing in their wards cannot say ‘no’ to more affordable housing.”
The other contentious part of this project is the $900 million in taxpayer TIF funds to help build out infrastructure on the site. That has to be approved separately by the city’s Community Development Commission.
Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter: @paschutz
Related stories:
Chicago Plan Commission Unanimously Approves Lincoln Yards Development
Activists, Local Business Leaders Push Back Against Lincoln Yards
Tall Buildings, More Park Space in $6 Billion Lincoln Yards Master Plan
Final $6 Billion Lincoln Yards Proposal Expected This Week
