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.
Address: 1319-1325 S. Ashland Ave./1544-1554 W. Hastings Street, Near West Side
#100875210
Date Received: 05/22/2020
Ward: 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin
Applicant: Alpine Demolition Services, LLC
Owner: 130 Ashland Opportunity, LLC
Permit Description: The demolition of a three-story masonry church, while preserving the foundations and footings.
Status: Under Review
St. Stephenson M.B. Church/former Zion Evangelical Lutheran, Theodore Duesing in 1905, 1321 S. Ashland Avenue, built 1905. Photo Credit: Gabriel X. Michael
Preservation Chicago has advocated for St. Stephenson for many years. We found multiple developers interested in adaptively reusing this historic building for a residential use. Multiple offers for purchase that were presented, but the church ownership declined all offers.
Address: 2114 N. Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park
100855857
Date Received: 04/22/2020
Ward: 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith
Applicant: JAR Corp.
Owner: Frederic Boyer
Permit Description: Partial demolition to accommodate third floor additions and a side addition.
Status: Under Review
2114 N. Lincoln Avenue. Photo Credit: Google Maps
Address: Jeffrey Theater and Spencer Arms Hotel, 7054 S. Jeffery Boulevard / 1952 E. 71st / 1950 E. 71st Street, South Shore (a Chicago 7 Most Endangered 2014)
#100850960
Date Received: 02/11/2020
Ward: 5th Ward Alderman Leslie A. Hairston
Applicant: Spirit Wrecking & Excavation, Inc.
Owner: South Shore Commercial Properties, LLC
Permit Description: Demolition of a 3-story masonry commercial building.
Status: Released 05/21/2020
Jeffrey Theater Building Complex, 7054 S. Jeffery Blvd./1952 E. 71st Street by William P. Doerr in 1923. Photo Credit: Preservation Chicago
Address: 3246 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, North Park
#100863883
Date Received: 03/25/2020
Ward: 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent
Applicant: John Hanna
Owner: 3244-50 Bryn Mawr LLC
Permit Description: Partial demolition of an existing 1-story commercial building; the front façade will remain with a new 4-story addition (with a 6-foot setback from the front façade)
Status: Under Review
3246 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Facade Detail View. Photo Credit: Ward Miller / Preservation Chicago
Preservation Chicago has advocated along with the community for the preservation of this facade and restoration as part of the redevelopment plans for this site. We attended community meetings with the developer and neighborhood groups to advance this goal.
