Sun-Times’ editorial defending landmark district plan for Pilsen is ‘pie in the sky’

On Tuesday, the Sun-Times published an editorial arguing that a historic landmark district could be imposed in Pilsen with the proper financial incentives for property owners. The editorial board also called the proposed solution I put forward, with input from multiple community discussions, “toothless” because I did not try to legislate unilateral authority for myself to control demolitions in the proposed district.

One of my core principles as an alderman is collaboration. Collaboration with my community is paramount, but so is collaboration with the city and its departments, even when we disagree. I proposed a community process that the city would have to honor before granting a waiver for a demolition or other major project. If the city chooses to ignore the will of the people, as it has done throughout the ongoing Hilco disaster, the community will continue to hold it accountable.

Given that the city has continually argued for building preservation — and pushed for the landmark district even when it lacked workable financial incentives — it would be a huge reversal for it to grant a waiver to demolish an architectural gem, especially over the objection of the community. Pilsen residents deeply value and cherish Pilsen’s history and culture, and have long been the sole advocates and protectors of our neighborhood, its people, and, yes, its buildings too.

Unfortunately, your suggestion that a landmark district would be the best solution if only the city worked out better financial incentives is a pie in the sky. I did not reject the landmark without careful consideration and nearly a year of negotiations with the city.

The reality is that the city simply cannot afford what it would take to help Pilsen residents afford to live in a landmark district. My solution sought the middle ground in absence of money. However, people can still landmark individual buildings, and my office is ready to help owners navigate that process.

With the introduction of my communitybacked substitute ordinance, the landmark district is officially off the table, and according to their rules cannot be proposed again in the same geographic area. Here in Pilsen, we are ready to move on and find real solutions to preserve our community from gentrification and displacement.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward