Two community groups have filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop a planned project at the former site of Children's Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park.
The project includes condos, a health club and retail space. The development was approved in April, but the community groups are suing the City claiming it is violating its own zoning laws by green-lighting the 6 acre, $350 million plan which includes two 12-story residential towers and 100,000 square feet of retail space.
"They are planning on building two 214 foot towers. There isn’t anything in the area that even comes close to that," said Norm Wolfe of the Park West Community Association.
"Simply put, the development is out of sync and out of character with properties in our neighborhood," said Lisa Barrow of the Mid-North Association.
The associations say they aren't against development, they just want to see buildings that are more in keeping with the 65-foot height limit in existing zoning -- even though the old hospital is more than 100 feet tall.
The redevelopment plan has the backing of 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith.
"It’s unfortunate that a lawsuit has been filed, but it doesn’t change the fact that the vast majority of the ward wants to move forward and change this now dilapidated hospital structure into a new neighborhood crossroads for Lincoln Park," Smith said.
The project is scheduled to break ground later this year.
City officials say they have not yet seen the lawsuit, so cannot comment on it.
