We need your help.
Please write to the city and federal officials stating your support for the OPC in Jackson Park now! There are only 3 days left!
Deadline: August 30th, 5pm
In our August 19th newsletter we outlined the results of the recent release of the Assessment of Effects report that was required by the Section 106 Federal Review process that the OPC must under go due to its proposed location in Jackson Park. You can access that newsletter here.
Opponents to the OPC in Jackson Park, including Jackson Park Watch, Friends of the Park and various preservationist groups have jumped on this report as a reason for preventing the siting of the OPC in Jackson Park. They have waged a letter writing campaign to oppose the OPC in Jackson Park.
It is vital that voices of the community are heard.
What can you do??
The 30-day public comment window is coming to a close on August 30th, this precedes and will be used for, generation of a document called the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The City, National Park Service and National Highway Administration must take into account all comments received on the AOE report both at the public meetings and any written comments sent to the city via DPD's Public Participation Officer, Abby Monroe. These comments and letters will be used to weigh in the production of this agreement.
If you have already written, we thank you, but please consider forwarding your letter to the city and federal individuals listed below and cc us so we can track the number of letters sent. If your original email did not include your full name and address (or at a minimum, your neighborhood) then please consider sending again. If you can put your comments into a pdf letter with your signature, that is ideal. In whatever form you can submit, your comments are critical to ensure that people outside our communities are not derailing the plans for the OPC in Jackson Park.
If you have not already written, please do so!!! We have suggestions below for how to tailor your letter, particularly #7. Include your full name and address (or at a minimum, your neighborhood.) If you can put your comments into a pdf letter with your signature, that is ideal. In whatever form you can submit, your comments are critical to ensure that people outside our communities are not derailing the plans for the OPC in Jackson Park. Send to the list of individuals below (namely Ms. Abby Monroe) and cc us on your email so we can track the number of letters sent.
Send your letter to these individuals:
Abby Monroe (DPD Public Participation Officer): abby.monroe@cityofchicago.org
Matt Fuller (FHWA): matt.fuller@dot.gov
Lee Tersiz (NPS): lee_terzis@nps.gov
Nate Roseberry (CDOT): nathan.roseberry@cityofchicago.org
Heather Gleason (Park District): heather.gleason@chicagoparkdistrict.com
Brad Koldehoff (IDOT): brad.koldehoff@illinois.gov
Mayor Lori Lightfoot: lori.lightfoot@cityofchicago.org
Chief of Staff Maurice Classen: maurice.classen@cityofchicago.org
Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development Samir Mayekar: Samir.Mayekar@cityofchicago.org
Chief Engagement Officer Juan Carlos Linares: Juan.Linares@cityofchicago.org
Chief Equity Officer Candace Moore: candace.moore@cityofchicago.org
please include us: sosideneighbors4hope@gmail.com
For your convenience, these email addresses are all below, you can copy and paste them easily into your email.
abby.monroe@cityofchicago.org
matt.fuller@dot.gov
lee_terzis@nps.gov
nathan.roseberry@cityofchicago.org
heather.gleason@chicagoparkdistrict.com
brad.koldehoff@illinois.gov
lori.lightfoot@cityofchicago.org
maurice.classen@cityofchicago.org
Samir.Mayekar@cityofchicago.org
Juan.Linares@cityofchicago.org
candace.moore@cityofchicago.org
sosideneighbors4hope@gmail.com
Suggestions for your letter:
- The AOE uses a technical definition of “adverse effects” as “any direct or indirect alteration.” All progress “alters” existing land. In this case, the positive, beneficial changes vastly outweigh the perceived adverse effects to the park. Say in your letter that you believe the modifications to Jackson Park, including the significance of a Museum honoring President Obama, outweigh the alterations to Olmsted's plan. You can see what the plans are for the OPC site here.
- The identification of “adverse effect” is highly subjective and inconsistently applied to various historical properties. There are numerous examples of modifications being made to historical properties even in Hyde Park that don't appear to trigger this reaction from preservationists. You can even cite that modifications to Olmsted's Central Park have also been made, including elimination of all vehicular traffic in the park (analogous to closing Cornell Drive) and the vast expansion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a building that Olmsted originally opposed. Both of these are seen as significant improvements to the park, yet also significant "adverse" alterations from Olmsted's plans. These changes have not inspired similar ire from preservationists.
- The function of the park as a community resource for recreation, leisure, and education will not be changed and instead will be enhanced. Discuss how the museum, landscaping, playground and new public library (funded by the MacArther Foundation) will be tremendous assets to the community.
- The OPC undertaking updates the use of the park to conform with resources important to the modern community (including people of all socioeconomic, educational, age, and mobility levels).
- The OPC undertaking is consistent with the Chicago Park District’s 2018 South Lakefront Framework.
- Museums, libraries, and schools have enhanced the resources available in other Chicago parks; why not Jackson Park?
- Questions to consider addressing in your letter: How do you and your family use Jackson Park? What does President Obama's legacy mean to you? Are you looking forward to the new sledding hill, picnic grounds, playground? Are you concerned about climate change and support how the landscaping of the OPC is being planned to responding to our changing climate (see our OPC Landscaping discussion in our June 3rd newsletter)? How will the OPC stimulate economic prosperity for our south side communities?
If you have questions regarding what you can do to participate in the Federal Review process, please contact us directly (sosideneighbors4hope@gmail.com) and we would be happy to advise you on what to do to be involved.
