The Demolition Delay Ordinance, adopted by City Council in 2003, establishes a hold of up to 90 days in the issuance of any demolition permit for certain historic buildings in order that the Department of Planning and Development can explore options, as appropriate, to preserve the building, including but not limited to Landmark designation.
The ordinance applies to buildings rated red and orange in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey (CHRS), but it should be modified to include all buildings included in the survey. These buildings are designated on the city’s zoning map. The delay period starts at the time the permit application is presented to the department’s Historic Preservation Division offices and can be extended beyond the original 90 days by mutual agreement with the applicant. The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure that no important historic resource can be demolished without consideration as to whether it should and can be preserved.
Preservation Chicago is advocating to extend the existing Demolition Delay Ordinance to at least 180 days or longer, in order to create the time community members, stakeholders, decision makers, and elected officials need to conduct robust discussions regarding the fate of these historic buildings and irreplaceable Chicago assets. The support of the Mayor and City Council is necessary to advance this effort.
Address: 344-346 W. 65th St., Englewood
Status: Released 3/17/22
Address: 3920-3922 N. Lincoln Ave., Lake View
Status: Under Review
Address: 2127-2129 W. Crystal St., Wicker Park
Status: Under Review
Address: New Devon Theater / Assyrian American, 1618 W. Devon Ave., Rogers Park
Status: Under review
“As of September 2, 2021 it seems that the beautiful terra cotta face that has looked down over Devon Avenue for more than 100 years is no more. No one is quite sure what happened, but there was scaffolding on the building and someone was chipping away at it in the morning, and it was gone by the afternoon. And the Assyrian American Association name is no longer on the building either.
“The New Devon Theater, with its distinctively austere glazed block façade featuring a large arch and a large bust of a woman’s face, was built in 1912, and was quickly eclipsed by the nearby Ellantee Theater. It disappears from news listings after October, 1917.
“By 1923 it had been converted to a Ford dealership. By 1936 it had become an American Legion hall. In the 1950s it operated as a radio and TV store. Since 1963, it has served Chicago’s Assyrian community as the home of the Assyrian American Association of Chicago.” Cinema Treasures.org
Address: 1535 N. Maplewood Ave., Humboldt Park
Status: Released 02/24/2022
Address: 2028 N. Seminary Ave., Lincoln Park
Status: Released 01/24/22
Address: 17 S. Oakley Boulevard, Near West Side
Status: Under Review
Help Us Save Buildings Like This!
Preservation Chicago advocates with urgency for buildings like this at City Hall, in the press, with owners and developers, with elected officials, and in the community. This work is funded by people who care deeply about Chicago and recognize that historic preservation is the key to unlocking healthy, dynamic, vibrant communities.
Preservation Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax-deductible as permitted by law.
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