Focal Point was supposed to include everything from 31st down to the RR tracks. St Anthony's bought maybe 60% of what they need from private sellers but the city has been holding up the sale of the Washburne parcel.
I dunno why you think the city has an alternate plan for the site. Since when has the city ever been proactive about planning? To me it seems like a typical case of Chicago politics and backroom dealing, coupled with a greenhorn alderman who doesn't want to anger the two big organizations vying for the land (or three if you count the Mi Villita people).
Focal Point always seemed like a nice idea to me, but it doesn't seem like it could be remotely profitable. I think part of the city's (or the alderman's) reluctance to sell to them is the fear that St Anthony's is just pretending they can pull it off, then they will come back with their hand out again for TIF money, tax breaks, etc when the obviously money-losing project doesn't pencil out.
__________________
la forme d'une ville change plus vite, hélas! que le coeur d'un mortel...
|