www.neiuindependent.org
Vol. 33 Issue 11
Photo by Luis Badillo
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
NEIU plans on buying properties between Bernard and Kimball, and Kedzie and Kimball
By Leslie Diaz - Staff Writer administration of Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)’s plan for remodeling and expanding its campus over the course of ten years, is causing controversy and troubling employees and business owners who feel they might be forced out of the community.
Brommel Hall will remain, but be used for other accommodations for Arts building would be remodeled
building new ones. One of the projects in the De-
A new child care center the size ter able to facilitate more children and in turn reduce the size of the center’s waiting lists. In an interview with pendent President Hahs introduced
building that will have classrooms
“mixed use” building for park-
the education major. It would be referred to as the education building.
housing residence halls would be built before beginning the previously mentioned projects. Phase one of student housing
or remodeling some buildings on
NEWS SGA Hears Students Out p. 2
from Bernard Street to Kimball Avenue. Phase two of student housing for the Decade of Dreams would be provided by the state, excluding the land itself for phase one of student housing. Funds for the land to be used for phase one would come In order to obtain the land for phase one of student housing, the landlords of the facilities would have to sell their property. “We looked over everything. We also worked with the alderman for this 3400 block, we are working with property owners because we hope that we will simply be able to ac-
OPINIONS Chiberia, More Like Cry-Beria p. 7
quire them,” said President Hahs. She also mentioned that NEIU can declare eminent domain to obtain the land if the owners do not want to sell their property, but indicates she would prefer not to have to resort to it. of Dreams” was held so that owners of the properties could learn more on the initiative. However, not all were able to attend. Property owners, business owners, and employees along Bryn Mawr Avenue expressed discontent for NEIU’s Decade of Dreams. Bijiang Lin, server at Hunan Wok, said, “My husband has been here for 20 years. I’m just wondering where I’m going because I love this neighborhood. I’m worried be-
SPORTS NBA All-Star Preview p. 9
cause I don’t know where my business will go. My heart, my mind, everybody loves it here.” Sander Caren, private owner of Caren Real Estate commented, “I just want to say that I’m really not for this. I’m kind of against it because our business has been here for more than 40 years. We’ve been in this building and we really don’t want to leave the community.” Caren also owns the property in which other private businesses reside. Among these is Latino Union, which provides work for immigrant workers and ensures that their rights are not threatened.
Continued on Page 3
A&L Northeastern Nom Noms p. 12