Dearborn Street Goodwill Developmer’s request for a rezone is approved.

Of course it was approved, however, now it’s the opponents’ time to appeal the decision if they choose.

The thing about the Dearborn Street Coalition’s position on this project is that they’re not against developing this site (and I’ve been to one of their meetings - and heard them clearly explain their position on this), what they want is a development that benefits the neighborhood by being transit focused, built to environmentally friendly standards and doesn’t gentrify the place.

As others have mentioned, the current plan is way too car-centric for a city who repeatedly expresses the desire to reduce its dependency on the car. The Dearborn Street Coalition is looking to make sure that local businesses benefit from providing the developer with our public asset, the right to upzone. And, the Coalition has also asked that businesses they view as predatory to lower-income folks (shout out here to check-cashing outfits) be restricted from this development.  

The group has also asked that the property be built to LEED standards, of course, this doesn’t matter as much to those who would rather be able to shop for socks at Target on their way home from work.

(We should still do better. Image from Central District News.)