’s 7 most endangered buildings update PAGES 9-11

the VOICE THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF PRESERVATION CHICAGO

ISSUE No 3 SPRING - SUMMER 2007

THE FARWELL BUILDING 660-664 N. Michigan Avenue Architect - Philip B. Maher, 1927

CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S  ONE MAGNIFICENT MOCKERY VOICEthe PRESERVATION CHICAGO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 1016 North Oakley Boulevard SPRING, 2007 Chicago, IL 60622

Board of Directors A New City Council – A New Preservation Agenda Jonathan Fine President Michael Moran Vice President By all accounts, the February 27th and subsequent April 17th aldermanic run-off elections were a stunning rebuke to the old Chicago “Machine.” Marcia Matavulj Treasurer Several longtime aldermen were knocked off in the first round: Legendary Kim Mickelson Secretary 42nd Ward alderman Burt Natarus was replaced by 34-year-old Brendan Bill Neuendorf Exec. Comm. Reilly; sixteen-year incumbent Arenda Troutman (20th) was beaten Craig Norris Exec. Comm. by former police officer and community activist Willy Cochran; and Sharon Russell Exec. Comm. , wife of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., trounced Darcel Beavers. Ms. Beavers was installed late last year to warm the seat of her Kimberlee Smith Exec. Comm. father, 7th Ward powerbroker William Beavers, who moved over to the Laura Stigler-Marier Exec. Comm. Cook County Board of Commissioners. Jeremi Bryant Board Bob Clarke Board The run-offs knocked off 5 more long-serving incumbents. Voters sent Meghan Eagen Board pink slips to 2nd Ward alderman Madeline Haithcock, Dorothy Tillman (3rd), Shirley Coleman (16th) and Michael Chandler (24th). They will Sandy Gartler Board be replaced by Bob Fioretti, Pat Dowell, Joann Thompson, and Sharon Eugene Kaminski Board Denise Dixon respectively. However, one of the biggest upsets was in the Vana Kikos Board 32nd Ward, where newcomer Scott Waguespack ended the 70-year reign Nina Newhouser Board of the Ted Matlak-Terry Gabinski-Dan Rostenkowski political oligarchy. Scott Rappe Board A very different city council will now be doing the people’s business. Andy Schcolnik Board And it is hoped that part of that business will include an emphasis on Jack Spicer Board historic preservation. Brooke Williams Board While all politics is local, and each race was determined mostly by Contact us: bread and butter issues, there is no doubt that over-development and neighborhood preservation was the deciding factor in many of these races. www.preservationchicago.org Several of the winning candidates made openness and transparency part ph: 773.489.0300 of their campaigns. Others promised more community oversight and fax: 773.489.0874 participation with regards to development issues in their ward. All of this email: [email protected] bodes well for historic preservation in the next 4 years. EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jonathan Fine SENIOR EDITOR: Laura Stigler-Marier However, not surprisingly, every stakeholder in this election has already GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Sandy Gartler drawn up their own political wish list and will all be aggressively COMMUNICATIONS MGR.: Stacey Pfingsten jockeying for their pet projects to be placed at the top of the agenda.

PHOTO CREDITS: And Preservation Chicago will certainly be right there advocating for its Cover: Stacey Pfingsten Page 3: Michael Moran own agenda. The priorities we would like to see addressed include more Page 4: Peter DeCamp staff and resources for the Landmarks Commission, better monitoring Page 5: William Stephens and protection for Orange- and Red-rated buildings, more developer Page 6: David Audino, private collection incentives to preserve historic structures, and uniform signage in our Page 7: David Audino, private collection landmark districts. But most importantly, we would like to see an active Page 8: David Audino, private collection Page 9: Michael Moran & Chicago Housing Auth. preservation caucus form within city council that will aggressively Page 10: Danielle Scruggs/DRFP, Sandy Gartler advocate for our city’s historical and architectural legacy. and William Neuendorf Page 11: Danielle Scruggs/DRFP Jonathan Fine Page 12: Jonathan Fine President, Preservation Chicago © 2007 PRESERVATION CHICAGO All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Preservation Chicago is a not-for-profit organization registered as a 501c3.

 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org Excerpts from Jonathan Fine’s HONORING THE LANDMARKING OF THE plaque dedication statement ROBERT’S TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST Sunday, April 15, 2007 … because so many Chicago COMING FULL CIRCLE IN A STORY THAT CHANGED THE COUNTRY buildings that tell the story of the In the Summer ‘06 issue of The Voice, our feature article told of how the tragic Great Migration and the African- murder of young Emmett Till and his mother’s courage galvanized the Civil Rights American experience have been Movement…and how the site of Emmett’s funeral, Roberts Temple Church of God demolished, I just assumed that this in Christ, was granted Chicago landmark status in March, 2006 – ensuring that that watershed event would never be forgotten. church was gone too. (See http://www.preservationchicago.org/news/newsletter.html) … The Robert’s Temple Church of God HONORING HISTORY… AND THE DESIGNATION in Christ will now be able to take its One year later, the landmark designation itself was given its full due: a dedication rightful place in the story of the Civil took place on April 13th, 2007 with the unveiling of a plaque mounted on the Rights Movement. Other landmarks, Church’s façade. A worship ceremony was then held on Sunday, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge, April 15th, in the Church’s main sanctuary. Both events drew a large crowd of Little Rock’s Central High School, The proud Church members, along with members of Emmett Till’s extended family, 16th Street Baptist Church, and the the Church’s leaders, Commission on Chicago Landmarks officials, members of very bus that Mrs. Parks was riding Preservation Chicago, and special guests from far and wide. on that day have all been recognized At the Sunday celebration, several distinguished speakers offered thanks for the as important icons of the era… landmark designation, one of whom was Preservation Chicago president Jonathan Fine (see sidebar). But the ceremony’s zenith came when Emmett Till’s cousin, The events that took place in this Simeon Wright, stepped up to the podium. Mr. Wright was sleeping in the same building as a consequence of the room as Emmett on the night of the abduction and murder. Standing on “hallowed courage of Emmett’s mother, Mamie ground,” as one eloquent speaker had put it, Mr. Wright recounted fond stories of Till Mobley, are no less worthy. Emmett, bringing this bright-eyed young man to life for the congregation.

Hopefully, the story of Emmett Till BETTER TO ACT, THAN REACT. will continue to be told. We as a The lessons for landmarking sites such as Robert’s Temple Church of God in Christ society have an obligation and a are clear: That early, well-thought-out action is more effective than last-minute scrambling in response to a demolition threat. And that by pro-actively identifying duty to ensure that buildings like unrecognized historic sites such as Robert’s Temple, we ensure that they are not The Robert’s Temple, and the history demolished, but rather, allowed to stand so as to educate, enrich, and enhance a City, that it holds, are not destroyed. If its people and future generations. we want to preserve history, we have to preserve the places where In the case of Robert’s Temple, that enrichment can have national and international that history was made. We must be impact. That was the goal of Preservation Chicago in initiating the campaign to landmark Robert’s Temple Church of God in Christ. We are grateful to Rev. Cleven able to stand where those who made Wardlow, Jr., pastor of history stood. Because if you can Robert’s Temple and City stand on the spot where history was of Chicago officials who made, you can say that it happened... so actively participated in AND IT HAPPENED RIGHT HERE. making this landmark designation a reality.

– Michael Moran and Laura Stigler-Marier Plaque Dedication (l to r): Commissioner Christopher Reed, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, Deputy Landmarks Commissioner Brian Goeken, Alderman Dorothy Tillman (3rd), Reverend Clevan Wardlow, Pastor of Robert’s Temple, Simeon Wright, Emmett Till’s cousin

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DOWN FOR THE COUNT? SAVING THE LAKE SHORE ATHLETIC CLUB

O nly in Chicago. We’re ecstatic at winning the U.S. bid for the 2016 Olympics. We dream of spending millions to build lasting legacies to the Games. And then, right before our eyes, allow the complete and total destruction of not just a stellar example of our storied architectural might ...but one that already is an Olympic legacy. Ironic, but true: The elegant and inimitable Lake Shore Athletic Club – a structure that has stood prominently at the gateway of our shoreline for over 80 years – is about to take a dive. Currently owned by Northwestern University, the property is under contract to be sold to Fifield Realty, contingent Lake Shore Athletic Club - 850 N. upon the ability to erect a new building. On April 15th, Architect - Jarvis Hunt, 1927 Fifield applied for a demolition permit. But rest assured, the newly-founded Lake Shore Preservation Group, the • A 35’ x 75’ swimming pool, once touted as one of the Organization of Active Residents (SOAR), most luxurious in the country. Landmarks , the citizens of greater Chicago and • Handball courts and squash courts, the latter having Preservation Chicago are not standing idly by. The Lake hosted national tournaments. Shore Athletic Club will not go down without a fight. ROUND ONE: THE ARCHITECTURE ROUND TWO: A HISTORY OF OLYMPIAN – A STUNNER, FROM THE INSIDE OUT PROPORTIONS Designed in 1924 by Jarvis Hunt (1864-1941), the Lake Some of the historical highlights that took place within the Shore Athletic Club is a Georgian jewel, providing visual building’s walls: variety set within the necklace of glass and steel high rises • Olympic trials for the 1928 Olympics for the water along Lake Shore Drive. The first five stories are faced with polo event were held at the club. Johnny Weissmuller eye-catching, ornamented terra cotta – a striking contrast (“Tarzan” in the movies) participated in these trials and to the neighboring Mies Van Der Rohe buildings. Hunt’s swam in a number of other swimming matches held at the other works in Chicago include the Saddle & Cycle Club club. Other club members who were Olympians include (900 W. Foster Avenue) and 30 North Michigan Avenue, Walter Laufer (silver medal in backstroke, 1928); Jean an intricate cornerstone of the “cliff” running along Grant Wilson (medal winner in 100 meter freestyle and the 400 Park. Wrapping around Lake Shore Drive and Chestnut, meter relay, 1948); Ronald Gora, a former member of the Lake Shore Athletic Club remains largely unchanged, “ Kids” (100 meter freestyle race, 1952); Mary Lee looking much as it did when it first opened in 1927. Stephan (medal winner in 100 and 400 meter freestyle, 1952); and Jean Stunyo (three meter springboard diving, 1956) A TREASURE TROVE OF DETAILS Few are the buildings constructed today that can boast • The “Aqua Kids” program at the club was for many years these features: one of the most popular programs for kids in Chicago. (And of which Olympian Ronald Gora was a former member.) • Public areas influenced by the Adam period, including a two-story high foyer, a carved marble fireplace and • Near the end of his illustrious career in 1967, Jack Dempsey wood-paneled main lounge facing Lake Michigan; refereed two rounds of a boxing match at the club. a three-story high Great Hall; and three public and over • Throughout the years, club teams carried off National a dozen private dining rooms with marble, terrazzo, and Central AAU swimming championships. World and wood paneling. swimming records were also set at the club. • Card and conference rooms, a library and 444 • During World War II, the Club opened its athletic facilities bedrooms and suites, each with its own bath. to members of the military.

 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org • The club was also the site of many business and professional meetings through the years, and throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s, it was the venue of choice for many debutante galas, dances and engagement parties. The club also had a radio station, a 175 member men’s glee club and a Red Cross chapter. In the 1970’s, the building was acquired by Northwestern University and used for student housing until 2005. Since then, it has remained vacant. ROUND THREE: THREATENING A KNOCK-OUT The Lake Shore Club is not a landmark. Despite community and preservationist outcries to grant it landmark status, Alderman Natarus (42nd Ward) took no action, leaving the building vulnerable to demolition. In the February city election, Natarus was defeated by Alderman-elect Brendan Reilly, who has taken office on May 21st. It was during this in-between period of “aldermanic limbo” that Fifield applied for the demolition permit. However, the building is rated “Orange” – the second highest listing on the Chicago Historical Resources Survey, subjecting it to a 90- day demolition hold while the city reviews the proposed project. 1…2…3…4…THE COMMUNITY RISES UP What this area does not need is yet another hulking, undistinguished high-rise – the kind that seems to be taking over the once unmistakably Chicago skyline. Which would be the outcome if Fifield gets its way with the demolition. Hardly the desire of the community, let alone preservationists and citizens, city-wide. In reaction, they’re rising up. Resident Pam Jameson founded the Lake Shore Preservation Group (LSPG) and has been working with neighbors to make their sentiments known to city officials. In conjunction with LSPG, Preservation Chicago is formulating plans for an all-out petition drive and protest rally. Grand Staircase THE COUNT CONTINUES It’s a no-brainer. This centerpiece of Lake Shore Drive – a structure with such architectural and historical significance – should not be allowed to fall. We invite everyone to jump in the ring and help us save it. The gloves are off. And we’re going for the gold. To help, please contact: [email protected] – Laura Stigler-Marier

Main Lobby Swimming Pool CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S ARCHITECTURE  VOICEthe

ONE MAGNIFICENT MOCKERY: SELLING THE SOUL OF MICHIGAN AVENUE

The latest insult to befall North Michigan Avenue was The architectural components of its east and south façades officially validated at a special hearing of the Commission on will be preserved off-site, restored, and then reapplied Chicago Landmarks on March 8, 2007. After an expedited to the base of a new 40-story tower, four presentation by Prism Development, little discussion by stories of which will house a parking garage. The architect the commissioners, and brief statements from the general is Lucien LaGrange. public, eight of nine members of the Commission voted to allow the Farwell Building, a designated city Landmark, to Although an earlier version of this project was rejected be skinned of its limestone and demolished. by the same commission in January and sent back to the drawing board for minor tweaks, the end result will be the same: The Farwell will no longer function as a building. Its skin will simply be grafted on to a section of a larger structure, setting a dangerous precedent for North Michigan Avenue as well as for other designated city Landmarks. WE ALWAYS HAD PARIS In 1909, legendary urban planner Daniel H. Burnham envisioned Michigan Avenue as the Champs-Elysées of the Midwest. That vision became a reality after 1920, when the Michigan Avenue Bridge was opened to traffic. The Roaring Twenties saw a rapid transformation of the block from a sleepy residential street to Chicago’s signature high-end shopping district. Landmarks like the , Medinah Athletic Club, and the gothic-inspired dominated the south end of the block while the Drake Hotel and Palmolive Building anchored the north end. In between were numerous smaller-scaled buildings, many designed by architect Philip B. Maher, whose best buildings were the Women’s Athletic Club (built in 1928 at 626 N. Michigan Avenue) and the 11-story Farwell Building, located one block to the north. The Farwell Building represents one of the few remaining structures left on Michigan Avenue from the 1920’s, the period that transformed Pine Street into “The .” Its delicate scale elegantly anchors the prominent northwest corner of Erie Street and Michigan Avenue. (Not of little significance is the fact that for the last 30 years, the Farwell Building was home to Hanig’s Footwear, the last street-level business remaining on North Michigan Avenue that was born and bred in Chicago. With the new plans, Hanig’s will be ousted.) Originally built as a speculative office tower, it was purchased in 1987 by the Terra Foundation to house its art museum. The Farwell Building was granted city landmark status in 2004 with the owner’s consent, but the museum closed its doors later that same year. At that time, the fate of the Terra Museum remained in doubt. However, it was assumed that the Landmark designation would at least guarantee that the building that once housed its famous art collection would remain for generations to come. But now, even that guarantee seems to be meaningless. The Farwell Building Architect - Philip Maher - 1927

 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org THE CHANGING FACE OF NORTH MICHIGAN the famous Jacques Restaurant. It was designed by AVENUE Jarvis Hunt in 1927. Its replacement has been described Starting in the late 1940’s, numerous plans were drawn as a “postmodern homage to the Viennese Secessionist up to revitalize North Michigan Avenue. One such plan architecture of Otto Wagner.” However, regardless of even included the demolition of the Water Tower. Luckily, one’s opinion of the architecture, there is no doubt that that plan was never implemented. In 1967, the monumentality of buildings such as the Marriott and began on the John Hancock Building. Set back from the Bloomingdale’s have forever altered the scale of Michigan street and rising to a staggering 100-stories, the building Avenue. became the second tallest building in the world at the time, The battle for North Michigan Avenue continued throughout and completely changed the scale of Michigan Avenue. the 1990’s with two very prominent historic preservation Its sunken open-air plaza was a radical departure from debates. The first began in 1995 when the John Buck the other buildings on the street, all of which uniformly Company proposed to demolish the entire 600 block and abutted the public sidewalk, and redefined the concept of replace it with an enclosed shopping mall. Preservationists a public urban gathering space. After almost 40 years, it mobilized to try to save the block, including the old Arts still remains a popular destination. Although controversial Club, which was remodeled in the early 1950’s by Mies at first, the city soon embraced the Hancock Building as a van der Rohe and contained his signature switchback stair. modern architectural masterpiece. Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin popularized the Situated one block south of the Hancock, Water Tower term “background building” to describe the pleasantly Place opened in 1976 and incorporated an enclosed detailed but otherwise unobtrusive structures doomed by shopping mall and theater complex, surmounted by a the redevelopment. Ultimately, the preservationists lost, condominium, hotel, and office tower. Unlike the Hancock although the Mies staircase was relocated to a new Arts plaza, however, presented a more Club on East Ontario Street. Sadly, the development that foreboding appearance. Because the vast majority of its ultimately replaced the 600 block has been deemed a “25 retail space was above the ground floor, the street level year” building, meaning that it, too, will be demolished façade lacked any significant ground floor presence. This, once it no longer serves an economic purpose. coupled with its virtually windowless façade, inadvertently weakened the pedestrian experience along North Michigan Avenue. Its covered arcade, however, has since become an impromptu stage for street performers, enlivening the sidewalk by giving a reason for passers by to stop and congregate. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF A ONCE- MAGNIFICENT BOULEVARD The beginning of the architectural decline of the boulevard can be traced to 1978 with the completion of the hulking Marriott Hotel located at 540 N. Michigan Ave. The demolition of the Diana Court Building, designed in 1930 by famed architects Holabird and Root, is still mourned by those who can remember its lobby, which was influenced by Art Deco ocean liners and contained Carl Milles’ statue of Diana, goddess of the hunt. Its unfortunate replacement was one of the most criticized buildings in Chicago up until that time. Ironically, it was designed by the firm of Harry Weese, a fine modernist architect and one of the founding fathers of the Chicago preservation movement. Sadly, a vulgar 1999 remodeling made the building even uglier, and set off a new round of criticism. Another significant loss was the demolition of the old 900 N. Michigan Avenue in 1985 to make way for the Bloomingdale’s Building. The original 900 N. Michigan was an elegantly- Women’s Athletic Club Building at Michigan & Ontario scaled cooperative building and once housed Architect - Philip Maher - 1928

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The second confrontation erupted in the 500 block in 1999 drafting room, to be demolished. Although the façade was and involved the McGraw-Hill building, an Art Deco gem restored, all of the space behind it now is attached to the designed by the architecture firm of Thielbar and Fugard, hotel. Perkins’ studio, now completely subsumed by The and accented with incised limestone panels by artist Gwen Park Hyatt, has a pasted-on appearance and reads more as Lux. The John Buck Company again proposed to demolish an architectural mutation of the larger structure, rather than an historic building, but presented a radical “preservation” a separate individual building. The danger of “Façadism idea. The plan was to strip the entire building of its limestone is that it allows the whole of an historic building to be panels, store them during the construction of a new building reduced to considerably less than the mere sum of its parts, that would house a shopping mall and gateway entrance robbing that building of its function, but more importantly, to a Nordstrom’s department store, and then reinstall the robbing it of its soul. panels on the exterior of the new structure. The goal was to “return” the McGraw-Hill Building to Michigan Avenue DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN as if it had never been gone, but preservationists cried foul. The fate that befell the McGraw-Hill Building and Perkins Although some expressed skepticism that a building of that studio will soon be visited upon the Farwell Building. size could actually be dismantled and seamlessly put back Landmarking has always been the preferred choice for together again, the preservationists’ main objection was the ensuring the preservation of historic buildings, but these precedent that it would set for other historic buildings. latest developments are now making a mockery of the entire Landmarking process and calling into question the THE AGE OF FACADISM BEGINS Ordinance itself. As the economic pressure to redevelop Located at 814 Michigan Avenue directly across from North Michigan Avenue intensifies, especially if the historic Water Tower sits the former studio of the Chicago is granted the right to host the 2016 Olympics, architecture firm of Perkins, Fellows, and Hamilton. preservationists are asking themselves which building Dwight Perkins was one of the most influential of the is next up for evisceration. And if, under the feeblest of Prairie School of architects and the studio he shared with excuses, designated Landmarks can routinely be evaporated his partners was Landmarked in 1993. However, when and then reconstituted to disguise parking garages, power the Park Hyatt Hotel, just to the south, was redeveloped a plants, or hotel ballrooms, what value does a Landmark few years later, the developers and their architect, Lucien designation have at all? LaGrange, decided they wanted a little bit more room The battle for the soul of North Michigan Avenue began than their current footprint allowed. A little noticed and decades ago. But it will not abate any time soon if these often overlooked decision by the Commission on Chicago egregious and needless redevelopment schemes continue Landmarks with regards to this project ushered in the age to be allowed to proliferate. of “Façadism” in Chicago. The Commission allowed the entire studio building behind the façade, including Perkins’ – Jonathan Fine

The former 600 N. Michigan Building Architect - Philip Maher

 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org THE 2007 CHICAGO 7 MOST ENDANGERED BUILDINGS...WHERE THEY STAND

In January of this year, Preservation Chicago unveiled its 2007 list of Chicago’s 7 Most Endangered Buildings. What follows is a summary of each nominee and its current status as of this writing. You can read more about all of them – their histories, the threats and our recommendations – at www.preservationchicago.org/chicago7.html.

THE FARWELL BUILDING (see cover article on pages 6-8)

HISTORIC Address: Archer Avenue (2700 South - 3100 South), in Bridgeport Date: 1866 – 1899 Architects: Various OVERVIEW: At this spot, the town of Bridgeport was born. With its eclectic mix of architectural styles dating from the mid to late 1800’s, historic Archer Avenue tells a true Chicago story of immigration and commerce – and how the industries that sprung from there formed the backbone of America’s Big-Shouldered city. It is a story that must be preserved. But disinvestment, neglect, and the construction of the Stevenson Expressway in the 1950’s all took their toll on Archer Avenue. THREAT: For the past several years, Bridgeport has been the focus of much new residential and commercial development. Historic façades and entire buildings are rapidly Archer Avenue being demolished, only to be replaced by new construction totally incompatible with the historic streetscape. The character of Archer Avenue is slowly, but surely dying. CURRENT STATUS: Although Preservation Chicago has recommended that the district be landmarked, no action by the city has been taken. The demolitions continue.

JULIA C. LATHROP HOMES Address: Clybourn Avenue & Diversey Parkway east of the Date: Completed in 1938. Architects: Robert S. De Golyer, Hugh M.G. Garden, Jens Jensen (landscaping), Thomas Tallmadge, Vernon Watson, E.E. Roberts, Charles White and Hubert Burnham OVERVIEW: Created by a “Dream Team” of building and landscape architects during the Great Depression, the Julia C. Lathrop Homes was a model of what today’s public housing should be. Comprised of brick, low-rise, simply-ornamented buildings, curving walkways and ample green space, the Lathrop Homes enabled generations of lower-income families to live with dignity amongst beautiful, natural settings. THREAT: Despite remaining structurally sound, the Chicago Housing Authority intends to demolish Lathrop Homes and replace it with an apartment- condominium-townhome development. This in the face of a city scrambling to find solutions to the dearth of quality, lower-income housing. CURRENT STATUS: Preservation Chicago urges that both the community and the buildings be preserved. A group of Lathrop residents and neighbors, the Lathrop Leadership Team, has formulated a plan that calls on the CHA to revitalize Lathrop as a low- and moderate-income community, minimizing the displacement of the current residents. The Leadership Team has been assisted by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. Julia C. Lathrop Homes

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NORTH AVENUE BRIDGE Address: Lake Shore Drive near North Ave. (1600 N.) Date: 1938-1940 Architect: Ralph H. Burke Bridge OVERVIEW: Driving along the lake, you see it: a low, graceful expanse arcing over Lake Shore Drive without any central support, affording motorists a virtually unobstructed view. The North Avenue Bridge was an engineering triumph that literally represented a bridge to modern architecture…and looks as fresh today as when it was first built. THREAT: Because this once-revolutionary bridge does not meet modern accessibility requirements, City officials and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) have introduced plans to replace it. CURRENT STATUS: Funding appears to be several years away, but CDOT is still leaning towards replacement. Preservation Chicago is continuing to advocate preserving the North Avenue Bridge in its entirety. We’ve also put forth a plan that has many successful precedents around the country, wherein a new bridge compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act would be built adjacent to the historical bridge. If we make the correct choice to preserve it, it will continue to enhance our city with its historical significance and grace.

PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH Address: 3301 S. Indiana Avenue Date: 1890 Architects: Adler and Sullivan

OVERVIEW: For 115 years, this Adler and Sullivan masterpiece stood, its awe-inspiring architecture matched only by the history it witnessed within. From the 1920’s to the ‘40’s, the Pilgrim Baptist Church served as an anchor to the culturally and commercially flourishing Bronzeville. During that time, in this Church, Gospel music was born. After decades of decline that started in the ’50’s, Bronzeville has finally been experiencing a renaissance, part of which was the restoration of the landmarked Church. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 2006 THREAT: On January 6, 2006, as workers used blowtorches to fix the building’s roof, fire broke out, leaving all in ruins except for portions of the charred limestone façade. CURRENT STATUS: Significant portions of Pilgrim Baptist’s exterior walls have been determined structurally sound, feeding optimism that the Church could be restored. But funds have fallen woefully short of the $20 to $40 million expected cost. Mayor Daley has reacted with a pledge to conduct a fundraising drive. As for rebuilding the church, architect Frank Christopher Lee of the Chicago firm Johnson & Lee was assigned to the project in January, 2007, and is expected to present plans to the public as early as this summer. What those actual plans entail – including adaptive reuse and duplicating the original Adler/Sullivan drawings – remains to be seen.

ROSENWALD (MICHIGAN BOULEVARD GARDEN) Address: 4618-4646 South Michigan Boulevard Date: 1929 Architects: Ernest Grunsfeld, Jr.

OVERVIEW: During the Great Migration of the 1920s. nearly 200,000 African-Americans came to Chicago seeking a better life for their families. While jobs were plentiful post WWI, quality housing was in short supply. In response, Mr. Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears, Roebuck & Company, developed the Michigan Boulevard Garden Apartments, a solid, mas- sive complex executed with humane details that encouraged a neighborly atmosphere. For decades, the Apartments were a desirable place to live, counting among its residents poet Gwendolyn Brooks, singer Nat King Cole, boxing great Joe Louis and musician Quincy Jones.

Rosenwald Apartments 10 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org ROSENWALD (MICHIGAN BOULEVARD GARDEN) APARTMENTS (continued) THREAT: Ownership changes, mismanagement, and years of neglect have taken their toll on the complex. Plans to revitalize it with financial assistance from the City of Chicago are on hold, allowing the buildings’ continual decay. CURRENT STATUS: The facility has been vacant for the last several years. Despite the National Register of Historic Places designation in 1981, it is not landmarked. Prompt action is essential to halt the downward spiral before it’s damaged beyond repair. Preservation Chicago will continue to encourage newly-elected Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), city officials and com- munity leaders to support efforts in the financing and rehabilitation. We believe The Rosenwald has the potential of becoming both an historical showpiece and practical asset to a rejuvenating community.

WICKER PARK COMMERCIAL DISTRICT Address: Milwaukee Avenue, from the Division/Ashland intersection through the Damen/North intersection Date: 1880’s to 1930’s Architects: Various

OVERVIEW: In the mid 1800’s, it was the diagonal path that guided Native Americans towards the heart of city, where they would sell their wares and services. Gradually, Milwaukee Avenue became known as “the immigrants’ path to prosperity.” German, Norwegian, Jewish and Polish settlers poured into the area, setting up businesses that served the community, and building structures that reflected the rich mosaic of cultures. Since then, the businesses have changed. But Milwaukee Avenue has remained the commercial heart of Wicker Park and is in fact, one of the city’s precious few neighborhood commercial strips that has stayed largely intact, still telling the story of Chicago’s evolution. THREAT: Although part of the Milwaukee commercial strip was placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1979, all of it remains unprotected and vulnerable to teardowns, which have already begun. CURRENT STATUS: Because the health and vibrancy of the entire residential District is affected by this strip, Preservation Chicago has been advocating landmark designation. Fortunately, the proposed district has been backed by the community, supported by Alderman Flores (1st Ward), and designated a Preliminary Chicago Landmark District at the May meeting of the Landmarks Commission. – Laura Stigler-Marier Wicker Park Commercial District

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_____ $100 Friends of Preservation _____ $1000 Burnham Alliance _____ My check, payable to PRESERVATION CHICAGO, is enclosed. p I am renewing my membership _____ Charge $ ______to p Master Card p VISA

Credit Card # ______Exp. Date ______Print Name on Card ______Billing Address ______Billing City ______State ______Zip Code ______Signature (required) ______Member Name ______Organization ______AddressCITIZENS ______ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION City/State/Zip OF CHICAGO’S ______ARCHITECTURE 11 E-mail ______Phone ______(Most Preservation Chicago communication with members is via e-mail) VOICEthe ANIMALS RESCUED! Happily, the animals will be restored back to life by sculptor and conservator Andrzej Dajnowski, with an estimated price tag of $110,000. A kickoff celebration sponsored by the Chicago Housing Authority, was held on April 25th to announce a joint fundraising effort with Related Midwest, Chicago Conservation Center, Roosevelt Square Community Partners, the Chicago Park District and former ABLA residents. After restoration, the animals will reside in a newly created park in Roosevelt Square, a $3.5 million dollar project by developer Related Midwest. IRONICALLY, THERE IS ONE SACRIFICIAL LAMB… This newly created park is to be built on the site of the soon-to-be demolished Jacob Riis School, which was on Edgar Miller’s “Hippopotamus” sculpture Preservation Chicago’s 7 Most Endangered List of 2006. Even so, we can still celebrate a win, for as one former EDGAR MILLER’S ANIMALS FINALLY FIND life-long resident of the projects has put it, the sculptures historically “represent the good times.” For that, we are A NEW HOME: WPA SCULPTURES TO BE grateful that the animals will continue in their romp. RESTORED – Stacey Pfingsten & Laura Stigler-Marier

While working as an artist for the WPA (Works Progress Administration), the acclaimed Edgar Miller set about becoming the “Dr. Doolittle” of sculptors: In 1938, his masterful gift to the city was the Animal Court, a joyful grouping of public art pieces in the form of deer, hippos, wolves, bunnies and more. For over 60 years, the seven limestone sculptures lent a decorative whimsy to the courtyard of a Jane Addams housing project. But they also were functional, providing hours of entertainment for the resident children as they climbed and played amongst the works. Over the years, the Jane Addams residences and the sculptures gradually fell into disrepair. The 3,600-unit housing project (bounded between Cabrini St., 14th St., Loomis St. and Racine Ave.) is currently being demolished to make way for a mixed-income community. As for the sculptures… Heather Becker, CEO of Chicago Conservation Center

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12 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org