Plans for the [Center on Halsted] gay center were shown to neighbors at a recent East Lake View residents meeting. The sheer mass of the structure caused plenty of questions. Supporters of the gay center admit that it may exceed height limits in the proposed downzoning of Halsted Street, but they indicate that because it will be a gay community center they intend to negotiate an exemption.
Designs call for a 90,000 square foot building, with all but 10,000 square feet set aside for retail, being exempt from paying property taxes, on land essentially city donated, with plans for millions in construction costs being supplied through state taxes in the form of grants and low-interest loans, and aided by over $1 million from the 44th Ward discretionary funds (city taxes). In addition, the gay center is seeking long-term control of the LeMoyne Public School playground [to] turn it into a commercial parking lot. Revenues from parking are estimated at $120,000 a year of which $20,000 a year would go to the school, center officials estimated.
The center says it needs about 40 parking spots for its staff, 40 spots for LeMoyne teachers, and 80 people who rent monthly parking in the city garage—the site of the future center—are likely customers for the lot. The lot should have about 140 spots. How much parking will be available to those attending classes at the center, or shows at its theater, or who play in sports tournaments at its gyms?
And what if this huge complex can not sustain itself? Last year the center got $350,000 from Ald. Bernie Hansen. Has that city tax money been spent wisely? If the center does not endure and must sell, we have a huge facility with no parking.
The gay community thrives here, with booming businesses, leading merchants, and major political clout. Why must they rely on government handouts? What other independent not-for-profit group wins prime commercial real estate essentially for free, tax free, and is showered with tax money to spend building a lavish center, complete with retail space to compete with other merchants who pay the full tax load, and do not have customer parking lots?
Meanwhile, neighbors trying to get a water line for a donated water fountain in Kelly Park are told the city is too broke to lay down the piping. What is wrong with this picture?
Karen Kennedy, Chicago