Vasquez: Neighbors’ parking worries didn’t cause me to reject rectory redevelopment TOD plan

by John  Greenfield / Streetsblog Chicago / November 2, 2022

A letter Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) sent to constituents on Friday about why he chose to reject a developer’s proposal for a transit-oriented development at the St. Matthias Catholic Church rectory, 2300 W. Ainslie St. in Lincoln Square, mentioned a “lack of parking” as a reason why many residents oppose the project. Letting that concern help tips the scales against a plan for housing at a site an eight-minute walk from the Western Brown Line station would be out of character for an alder who’s emerging as one of Chicago’s most vocal sustainable transportation advocates. Fortunately, Vasquez confirmed to Streetsblog that car parking wasn’t really a factor in his decision. 

As reported by Block Club’s Alex V. Hernandez, last September CKG Realty Group, LLC provided plans to the ward for converting the rectory (priest’s residence) of the shuttered church to a building with nine apartments, as well as building eight more rental units on the southeast corner of the lot. The historic church building would remain as-is. Three of these apartments would have been designated as affordable, the minimum required under Chicago’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance. Read more HERE