ADVOCACY90-Day Demolition Delay

90-Day Demolition Delay

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.
 
Additional Reading

90-Day Demolition Delay : 4500 S. Michigan Avenue, Bronzeville

#101063337 Date Received: 01/07/2025 Ward: 43rd Ward Ald. Pat Dowell Applicant: James Kirk Irwin Owner: JTM & Associates, LLC C/O Tracy Hughes, Manager Permit Description: Removal and replacement of...

90-Day Demolition Delay : 6553 N. Oliphant Avenue, Edison Park

#101065005 Date Received: 02/05/2025 Ward: 41st Ward Ald. Anthony Napolitano Applicant: MK Construction & Builders, Inc. C/O Marcin Kawa Owner: MK Construction & Builders, Inc. C/O Marcin Kawa Permit...