The architect you hire–do they have the right skillset, the open-mindedness, the experience and the humility to ask the question “Are we solving the right problem?” before pushing ahead on something that may not be the right solution, an appropriate fit, actually sustainable or be financially prudent?
The blank sheet of paper can be the most terrifying of opportunities for a designer. But the blank sheet of paper also has the most potential for increasing the bottom line and the common good. For instance, here in Lincoln Park a local architect who mainly designs luxury housing designed–what do ya know!–a 59 foot tall luxury-residential-looking building that towers over its residential neighbors with new classrooms somehow stuffed between the dark walls of two adjacent historic apartment buildings. At first glance, it appears to be a giant McMansion. (What would Kate Wagner of McMansion Hell think of this?) What about the floorplans? You mean the ones where the classrooms face dark walls? Nothing has surfaced. Chip von Weise’s plan displaces 15 families and tears down a 15 unit apartment building whose homes are an average of 2300 sf apiece. Who builds apartments like that anymore? No one does. Oh, but Parker claims that they are going to “preserve 7 studio apartments” in a building they bought on Clark St. (This eches Mayor Daley’s parking meter math where he gave away $20 billion plus in long-term revenue for a one-time cash infusion of $1.1 billion that historians consider to be the worst municipal deal of all time!) In addition, the demolition, the dust, the waste of embodied carbon, and the risk of harming the neighboring historic buildings including one designed in 1910 by Dwight Heald Perkins, whose son went on to found Perkins and Will outweigh any benefits? In fact, is there a better way forward for Parker and the neighborhood? We are NOT opposed to Parker expansion– just opposed to ill-conceived plans that are worse than the status quo. (Note the previous reference to Daley’s parking meter debacle.)
Or a number of us–a diverse team–including some who have built large, complex $100 million plus construction projects, geothermal conversions-me!– and on school projects came together to present an alternative that supports Parker’s desire to expand but is also a win for the neighborhood and, ultimately, Parker’s bottom line. First we are focusing on maximizing the potential and the value of Parker’s existing spacious 6 acre property. (945 students on six acres is a suburban density, a luxury granted to an owner that pays zero property taxes.) We propose filling in a 13,565 sf corner at Webster and Clark–the school’s architect innaccurately claimed more than once that it was 7,500 sf–where Parker once had a building. Parker also falsely claimed the soils could not support it. One of our team members constructed a 21 story tower a block away and his soil reports and experience contradict this. Parker has yet to provide facts to back up their contention. (See the 1896 Sanborn map and the red polygon.)
How? The 4 properties Parker bought have a market value of about $32 million. What does Parker owe on them? We don’t know. We do know that when Parker originally approached the boards of the two 15 unit condo buildings, they were rebuffed. The boards said no. Parker hired straw buyers to purchase units in secret and acquired enough to take over the boards and buy everyone out. Now, they are kicking everyone out. How’s that for setting an example for your students? “Timmy, if a girl says no, you can trick her.” It’s the same ethics or lack thereof.
This ethic is also apparent in Parker’s “non-profit” disclosures. The principal of Francis Parker made $1.003 million last year and a $35,483 bonus which is based upon expansion. How many K-12 Principals are you aware of that make over $1 million a year? And he makes a bonus directly proportional to expansion and, thus, raising my and your neighborhood property taxes! The chutzpah!
Our proposed new building has all of the square footage Parker proposes and a swimming pool on the roof which has a view of the lake. (Parker’s long term plan includes building a swimming. We read their report.) All of the classrooms have plentiful light and air. Bonus! First, there’s a new one story parking lot with an athletic field. Currently Parker creates a traffic jam at drop-off and pick-up. This covered parking provides a queue space getting the hundreds of idling cars off the busy Lincoln Park thoroughfares. Second, there’s new geothermal field under the parking garage that can heat and cool the new and existing schools buildings at a fraction of the current cost. Non-profits receive federal and state tax credits that bring the construction costs to zero after 10 years. Third, the new corner building rebuilds the streetwall intersection at Clark and Webster. Then three of the four corners are urban again.
![]()
First, non-profit schools should not be in the residential real estate business. Parker could sell the 4 residential properties for $32 million. Our much better proposal costs $20 million. That saves Parker $10 million. It saves the neighborhood housing and keeps familes in their homes. Parker gains a state of the art educational facility and a new swimming pool. Parker nets $10 million and a lot of neighborhood good will.
What’s not to like?
Call Alderman Timmy and let him you think there is a better way. He can change his mind and lead.
So have a look at some of these fantastic images in the meantime.
#FrancisParker #AldermanTimmyKnudsen #ward43 #Chicago #ChipVonWeise #SustainbleChicago #chicagolandmarks #stopparker #chicagolandmarks #midnorthassociation
The blank sheet of paper can be the most terrifying of opportunities for a designer. But the blank sheet of paper also has the most potential for increasing the bottom line and the common good. For instance, here in Lincoln Park a local architect who mainly designs luxury housing designed–what do ya know!–a 59 foot tall luxury-residential-looking building that towers over its residential neighbors with new classrooms somehow stuffed between the dark walls of two adjacent historic apartment buildings. At first glance, it appears to be a giant McMansion. (What would Kate Wagner of McMansion Hell think of this?) What about the floorplans? You mean the ones where the classrooms face dark walls? Nothing has surfaced. Chip von Weise’s plan displaces 15 families and tears down a 15 unit apartment building whose homes are an average of 2300 sf apiece. Who builds apartments like that anymore? No one does. Oh, but Parker claims that they are going to “preserve 7 studio apartments” in a building they bought on Clark St. (This eches Mayor Daley’s parking meter math where he gave away $20 billion plus in long-term revenue for a one-time cash infusion of $1.1 billion that historians consider to be the worst municipal deal of all time!) In addition, the demolition, the dust, the waste of embodied carbon, and the risk of harming the neighboring historic buildings including one designed in 1910 by Dwight Heald Perkins, whose son went on to found Perkins and Will outweigh any benefits? In fact, is there a better way forward for Parker and the neighborhood? We are NOT opposed to Parker expansion– just opposed to ill-conceived plans that are worse than the status quo. (Note the previous reference to Daley’s parking meter debacle.)
Or a number of us–a diverse team–including some who have built large, complex $100 million plus construction projects, geothermal conversions-me!– and on school projects came together to present an alternative that supports Parker’s desire to expand but is also a win for the neighborhood and, ultimately, Parker’s bottom line. First we are focusing on maximizing the potential and the value of Parker’s existing spacious 6 acre property. (945 students on six acres is a suburban density, a luxury granted to an owner that pays zero property taxes.) We propose filling in a 13,565 sf corner at Webster and Clark–the school’s architect innaccurately claimed more than once that it was 7,500 sf–where Parker once had a building. Parker also falsely claimed the soils could not support it. One of our team members constructed a 21 story tower a block away and his soil reports and experience contradict this. Parker has yet to provide facts to back up their contention. (See the 1896 Sanborn map and the red polygon.)
How? The 4 properties Parker bought have a market value of about $32 million. What does Parker owe on them? We don’t know. We do know that when Parker originally approached the boards of the two 15 unit condo buildings, they were rebuffed. The boards said no. Parker hired straw buyers to purchase units in secret and acquired enough to take over the boards and buy everyone out. Now, they are kicking everyone out. How’s that for setting an example for your students? “Timmy, if a girl says no, you can trick her.” It’s the same ethics or lack thereof.
This ethic is also apparent in Parker’s “non-profit” disclosures. The principal of Francis Parker made $1.003 million last year and a $35,483 bonus which is based upon expansion. How many K-12 Principals are you aware of that make over $1 million a year? And he makes a bonus directly proportional to expansion and, thus, raising my and your neighborhood property taxes! The chutzpah!
Our proposed new building has all of the square footage Parker proposes and a swimming pool on the roof which has a view of the lake. (Parker’s long term plan includes building a swimming. We read their report.) All of the classrooms have plentiful light and air. Bonus! First, there’s a new one story parking lot with an athletic field. Currently Parker creates a traffic jam at drop-off and pick-up. This covered parking provides a queue space getting the hundreds of idling cars off the busy Lincoln Park thoroughfares. Second, there’s new geothermal field under the parking garage that can heat and cool the new and existing schools buildings at a fraction of the current cost. Non-profits receive federal and state tax credits that bring the construction costs to zero after 10 years. Third, the new corner building rebuilds the streetwall intersection at Clark and Webster. Then three of the four corners are urban again.
First, non-profit schools should not be in the residential real estate business. Parker could sell the 4 residential properties for $32 million. Our much better proposal costs $20 million. That saves Parker $10 million. It saves the neighborhood housing and keeps familes in their homes. Parker gains a state of the art educational facility and a new swimming pool. Parker nets $10 million and a lot of neighborhood good will.
What’s not to like?
Call Alderman Timmy and let him you think there is a better way. He can change his mind and lead.
So have a look at some of these fantastic images in the meantime.
#FrancisParker #AldermanTimmyKnudsen #ward43 #Chicago #ChipVonWeise #SustainbleChicago #chicagolandmarks #stopparker #chicagolandmarks #midnorthassociation