A cyclist wearing a mask rides along the 606 trail in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Aldermen unanimously agreed Tuesday to ban demolitions near the 606 Bloomingdale Trail for another six months as aldermen craft a measure to blunt rapid gentrification along the popular trail.

With the endorsement of the City Council’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate, the measure heads for a final vote at the full City Council meeting July 22.

The City Council agreed in January to ban demolitions along the popular trail until Aug. 1, with Northwest Side aldermen vowing to use that time to develop a way to stop affordable multifamily homes from being demolished and replaced with “luxury” single-family homes near the 606.

However, the coronavirus scrambled those plans, supporters of the extended moratorium said Tuesday.

“We need more time to come up with the final language of a proposed ordinance we’re working on to protect residents along the 606,” said Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th Ward).

However, Paul Colgan, of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, urged aldermen not to extend the prohibition on demolition permits from being issued in an area bounded by North, California, Armitage and Kostner avenues, and Hirsch and Kedzie streets. 

“You are once again asking folks in this area to put their financial security on hold in favor of another artificial deadline,” Colgan said.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot initially opposed the demolition ban, but ultimately backed the scaled-down measure that passed the City Council.

Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]