The proposal to turn what used to be the indoor flea market known as Mega Mall, into a development has been in the air for over a year now. Just this past Thursday did the idea get approval from the city’s Plan Commission. The development itself has gone through some changes since that year, dropping down to 220 units instead of the initial proposal for 267 and settling at a maximum height of 98 feet.
Although most people were in favor of the old Mega Mall structure being turned into something that would bring in more revenue while also more properly fitting the Logan Square modern feel, not everyone was thrilled. Affordable housing advocates would have liked more than the 22 units (minimum requirement) that were agreed upon for affordable housing but didn’t get it. Logan Square Neighborhood Association member John McDermott was against the development saying:
“We are at risk of losing businesses that are bilingual,” McDermott said, as well as other low-end businesses, so that longterm residents might well find themselves saying, “Can we afford to shop in this neighborhood anymore?” He called it “an existential crisis in our community.”
McDermott does have a point but like almost most everything in the world, in the end it comes down to profit. The plan still needs to be approved by the City Council because of the zoning change before it can be on it’s way. Read more about this story here.
