VOL.2 NO.2
FREE
June 2015
A NEWSLETTER FROM THE SOUTH LOOP COMMUNITY
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Do you really live in the South Loop? Neighborhood maps show different boundaries for South Loop
Photo: Flikr, ryansblog By Michael Heinley | Community Contributor
“Where do you live?” Chicagoans are likely to respond to this question by leading with the name of their neighborhood followed with an intersection, if they need to be more precise. Chicago uses neighborhood names like few other cities can and do. Names are shortened, nicknamed, nuanced, and paired with cardinal directions in an effort to be more descriptive or pretentious. But how precise is the science of neighborhood borders, population, and, indeed, existence? It is said that neighborhoods are the invention of realtors and apartment agents to make locales seem more exotic or appealing. Indeed, with the South Loop, a myriad of sources provide different boundaries, particularly in respect
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to the southern border: Community group South Loop Neighbors has it ending at 25th Street; YoChicago takes it down to the Stevenson Expressway; Wikipedia makes a point of excluding Chinatown; and the South Loop Chamber of Commerce has the northern border at 25th and encompassing Bridgeport. For a definitive mapping and definition, surely the city of Chicago can provide clarity in its official map of the city’s “communities.” The city
divides Chicago on all sides into 77 different communities that are drawn with fairly precise borders and structure. However, in the city’s official mapping of neighborhoods, the South Loop doesn’t even exist. The Loop extends all the way to Roosevelt Road and then, POOF, the Near South Side begins. Now before South Loop residents begin feeling like the Back to the Future character, Marty McFly, fading from the picture of his family, there are a number of other prominent areas of the city missing from the official list, such as Wicker Park, Greektown and the not-likelyheard-of-before Hegewisch. So it does seem that Chicago’s nuanced neighborhoods are indeed Turn to South Loop, Page 4
News Intent to develop 62 Acre empty lot
Related Midwest has reportedly signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture in a 62-acre vacant site in the South Loop – one of the largest undeveloped sites in the city. The tract stretches south from Roosevelt Road to Chinatown. Previously the site was owned by defamed developer Tony Rezko’s company Rezmar, who had announced large-scale plans for the site, but ultimately failed to deliver on any expectations that had been set. Related is in continued talks with General Mediterranean Holdings, a Luxembourg-based conglomerate and the site’s current owner, which are expected to take years to solidify based on the size, complexity, and likely price tag of a project that could potentially take place on the site. – Michael Heinley
Photo by Manuel Martinez via Crains Chicago Business
Turn to News, Page 5
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