THREATENED: American Taxi Service Building To Be Demolished By the University of Chicago for a… Vacant Lot

The American Taxi Service Building, Built 1928, 5608 S. Stony Island Avenue. Photo Credit: Google Maps

“Demolition of the University of Chicago-owned American Taxi Service building at 5608 S. Stony Island Ave is expected to begin this week and will continue until the end of November.

“At a September 26 community meeting regarding the demolition, University officials said they have no plans for the future of the property, which is located steps from the recently-built Solstice on the Park luxury apartment complex and just a few blocks from the proposed site of the Obama Presidential Center.

“The American Taxi Service building, built in 1928, was formerly used by Facilities Services and later converted into a rehearsal space for Court Theatre. However, Court Theatre moved out of the space in 2013. It has been vacant since then.

“University of Chicago officials say the historic brick and terracotta building’s deteriorating condition made demolition necessary.

“The building is in terrible disrepair and it’s unsafe,” said Wendy Walker Williams, Executive Director of Community Partnerships for the Office of Civic Engagement.

“Asked whether the University had considered renovating or rehabilitating the building instead of demolishing it, Williams said further inquiries should go through the University of Chicago press office.” (Kirsch, Chicago Maroon)

Its true that the American Taxi Service Building received a Building Code Violation From the City of Chicago on June 11, 2019. The reason for the violation was a failure of representatives for the University of Chicago to meet the inspector to provide interior access. As a result, the inspector was unable to verify the status of the smoke detectors.

On behalf of the University of Chicago and in exchange for halting the demolition of the American Taxi Service Building, Preservation Chicago offers to coordinate with the city insector to provide interior access and to be responsible for replacing any dead batteries found within the interior smoke detectors.

Read the full story at The Chicago Maroon

University to Demolish Taxi Building, Camille Kirsch, The Chicago Maroon, 9/30/19

American Taxi Service Building Code Violation Notice June 11, 2019. Image Credit: City of Chicago

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