“Before developers tear down rows of 1910s-era workers cottages and flats on Augusta Boulevard, a group of neighborhood leaders are trying to save what’s left.
“The Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association is attempting to extend the neighborhood’s existing landmark protections to include Augusta Boulevard between Leavitt Street and Damen avenues.While the Commission on Chicago Landmarks already protects large swaths of the neighborhood, these particular blocks were left out of the original designation.
“The impetus behind the movement was a recently proposed tear-down of a workers cottage at 2047 W. Augusta Blvd. The building’s owner wanted to replace the cottage with a four-story building; the tallest building on the block.
“Kimberly Shannon, a 13-year resident of the neighborhood, is spearheading the effort to extend the existing landmark designation.“There’s so much history that we have to honor,” Shannon said. “Workers cottages were built on the backs of what made Chicago great. To tear down this history, it’s sad to me.”
“We are not a neighborhood of homogeneous buildings and big box stores, thanks to the efforts of many who worked tirelessly to gain Landmark District protection for approximately 75 percent of our beautiful neighborhood,” she said.
Ward Miller credited the original Ukrainian Village Landmark district — created roughly 20 years ago — for prompting the city’s present-day appreciation of the “value, quality and importance” of such buildings. “I sort of credit this district with opening people’s eyes to the workers cottages,” said Miller. “This was a real change.” (Alani, Block Club Chicago)