Aldermanic hopeful, citing Solis connection, says hold off on South Loop project
One of four candidates vying to replace disgraced Ald. Danny Solis (25th) wants the Community Development Commission to shelve consideration of a massive South Loop development pushed by Solis because of the burgeoning City Hall corruption scandal.
The commission is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider authorizing the city to negotiate a redevelopment agreement with Roosevelt/ Clark Partners LLC and also decide whether to create a tax-increment financing district that would generate $700 million for infrastructure improvements needed to unlock the development potential of the long-dormant 62-acre site.
Alex Acevedo, son of former State Rep. Eddie Acevedo, is vying to replace Solis.
On Monday, Acevedo demanded that the commission call off both votes on the project, known as “the 78,” to give Inspector General Joe Ferguson time to investigate the role Solis may have played in fast-tracking the plan.
“We cannot trust a project this large that was fast-tracked by Alderman Solis,” Acevedo said.
“Alderman Solis put his personal and political interests above the interests of the people at every turn. Did he have plans to get kickbacks from this project? We need answers first.”
A spokesperson for Related Midwest said the developer “fully supports transparency and accountability, particularly with regards to” the proposed TIF. But the spokesperson also noted that the $700 million TIF subsidy is solely for infrastructure: a new CTA Red Line station; relocating and enclosing Metra tracks; public street improvements at 15th and Clark streets; and partial reconstruction of the Chicago River seawall.
Over the last two years, the developer has participated in “more than 30 community meetings with neighbors, community organizations and small business owners” during a process that has been “inclusive and transparent,” the spokesperson said.
“As a result, the master plan sets a new precedent for public open space and connectivity to the Chicago River.”
Solis, former chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee, was a prime mover behind the project. He went underground after the Chicago Sun-Times reported he wore a wire for more than two years, recording conversations with former Finance Committee Chairman Edward Burke as movers and shakers sought city actions.
The newspaper has since reported on the application for a search warrant that explained why Solis became an FBI mole.
The affidavit claims Solis received sex acts, Viagra, free weekend use of an Indiana farm once owned by Oprah Winfrey and a steady stream of campaign contributions in exchange for shepherding City Council actions.
Acevedo acknowledged he has no particular information Solis did anything hinky in promoting the 78, a development so massive it would create Chicago’s 78th neighborhood (hence the name).
He’s just assuming, because of the unfolding scandal.
“That’s $700 million that’s going to a private developer . . . . There’s gonna be rental spaces that working-class families are not gonna be able to afford. We need to make sure that, if we’re gonna use that money, that the people are at the table and they approve of this project,” Acevedo said.