Aldermen pushing to freeze development near The 606

City officials have proposed a 14-month moratorium on construction in the area in an effort to stave off gentrification

The 606, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, and Ald. Roberto Maldonado, 26th (Credit: Wikipedia, Getty Images, Roberto Maldonado)
The 606, Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, and Alderman Roberto Maldonado, 26th (Credit: Wikipedia, Getty Images, Roberto Maldonado)

If a pair of aldermen get their way, you won’t see any real estate development along the 606 in 2020.

Alderman Roberto Maldonado (26th) and Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) have proposed a 14-month freeze for the 606 on zoning changes, demolition and construction permits in an effort to prevent the displacement of longtime lower-income residents of the area.

They are hoping to have the ordinance approved at Tuesday’s meeting and passed by the City Council at a Jan. 15 meeting.

Over the past year, the two aldermen have repeatedly said they want to stop gentrification in their districts. Last year, Maldonado authorized legislation to downzone about a dozen properties near the trail. Additionally, last year Ramirez-Rosa was evicted from his office by Mark Fishman who some consider the face of gentrification due to his practice of sharply raising rents on tenants on rehabbed buildings.

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If passed, the freeze would be in effect from Feb. 1 until March 31, 2021 and cover the area between Western Avenue and Kostner Avenue, including about a half-mile north of the trail to Palmer Street and a half-mile south to Hirsch Street.

Since The 606 opened in 2015, home prices and rents have been raised pushing out lower-income residents.

“What I hope will happen in a year is to have clear guidelines in the 606 designated area so we can slow down and hopefully stop gentrification,” said Maldonado. [Chicago Tribune] — Jacqueline Flynn