Last week (7/30/18) , Alderman Reilly and the River North Residents Association (RNRA) co-hosted a second community presentation for a new commercial development proposal at 444 North Dearborn Street.The proposal includes plans to construct a new firehouse for City of Chicago Engine Co. 42, funded completely by the developer, which would save Chicago taxpayers over $15,000,000. Subsequently, the developer proposes to demolish the existing firehouse and construct a new 455 foot tall (614,648 SF) commercial tower at the southwest corner of North Dearborn Street and West Illinois Street.
All loading for the new tower would occur through the alley to the south of the site, which will be managed by a dockmaster. Ambulances and smaller Chicago Fire Department (CFD) vehicles would be able to access the new Fire Station through the alley, something that is not possible today. CFD would also have the ability to control the traffic lights at both the Clark & Illinois and Dearborn & Illinois intersections, allowing them to flush traffic from the block before exiting for a service call. This modern technology will better control traffic for the safety of residents, as well as allow the CFD to limit use of their sirens to clear the street.
This proposal includes the creation of a Planned Development, incorporating the properties on the block bounded by Clark, Illinois, Dearborn, and Hubbard Streets. The Planned Development would transfer the development rights for the properties in the PD to the office tower, ensuring that no other property on the block will ever be developed past its current height.
Alderman Reilly works hard to provide an open and transparent community review of all local development proposals. Please click on the following links to download the presentation and traffic study, and submit your feedback to development@ward42chicago.com.
Alderman Reilly Reports 8/3/18
