Lincoln Yards, Sterling Bay’s $6 billion development on over 50 acres that that would stitch together Lincoln Park and Bucktown at the North Branch has won approval from the Chicago Plan Commission. Over a hundred citizens signed up for public comment period during the contention meeting and—despite what would ultimately be a unanimous vote—various aldermen voiced reservations about the implications of the project.
Responding to vocal community opposition to parts of the development—such as the planned soccer stadium, use of TIF funding, transportation impacts and a deal with concert and promotion giant Live Nation for an entertainment district—Chicago 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins last week rejected Sterling Bay’s plans.
The developer provided updated schematics over the weekend, which Ald. Hopkins vouchsafed at today’s hearing. Many in the audience, and some aldermen, protested that the revised plans were released too close to the Plan Commission meeting for anyone to objectively review them. Hopkins, who said he has worked with Sterling Bay to refine the plans to align with community concerns, brushed off calls to delay the vote.
“I’m here to put my name and my reputation on the line in support of moving forward with Lincoln Yards today,” Ald. Hopkins said. “We’re here today because this is the right time to be here.”
The Lincoln Yard proposal will now go before the City Council zoning and finance committees, as well as the city’s Community Development Commission before it is voted on by the full City Council.
