Mark Fishman and other Logan Square landlords want to kill Bickerdike’s affordable project

A group of property owners in Logan Square – that includes controversial landlord Mark Fishman – filed a lawsuit seeking to stop a planned affordable housing development near the CTA Blue Line station, ostensibly because it will eliminate public parking spaces.

The dozen plaintiffs in the lawsuit, known collectively as Neighbors for Responsible Development, allege that their rights were violated by the city council’s approval of the zoning application and a subsequent vote for $22.5 million in multifamily housing bonds, the Daily Line reported.

Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation’s proposal to build a seven-story development with 100 subsidized apartments at 2602-2638 North Emmett Street was opposed by multiple neighboring property owners, including some of the plaintiffs, throughout the yearlong process.

The lawsuit argues that the plaintiffs and other local business owners who have helped make the area a “thriving residential, retail and restaurant corridor” will be negatively impacted by the elimination of public parking spaces as a result of the development. They claim it will cause them “irreparable injury.”

Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation CEO Joy Aruguete said in a statement that the nonprofit is aware of the lawsuit and wants it dismissed as soon as possible, according to the Daily Line. She sits on Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s new affordable housing task force.

A spokesperson for the city’s law department declined to comment.

Among the dozen plaintiffs in the lawsuit are four limited liability corporations controlled by Fishman, the Daily Line found.

Fishman and his firm, M. Fishman & Co., are well-known for buying up properties and jacking up rents, accelerating gentrification in the fast-developing neighborhood.

There’s a longstanding feud between Fishman and Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), who wants to combat displacement and supports the project.

The landlord contributed more than $100,000 to the official’s opponent in last year’s aldermanic campaign, according to an analysis by Block Club Chicago. Fishman also evicted Ramirez-Rosa from his Logan Square ward office and filed a pending lawsuit against the alderman for allegely failing to pay rent. [Daily Line] — Brianna Kelly