Neighbors Organize To Oppose 500-Unit Old Town Apartment Tower

A group of Old Town residents is beginning a campaign to alter plans for a proposed 44-story apartment tower they argue is too big for the area. 

Old Town Friends for Responsible Development, a coalition of North Side residents opposing the 500-unit apartment building, announced its formation in a press release Thursday. The group, which claims to have more than 1,500 members, says the development will "overwhelm the community, cause traffic nightmares and forever change the charm and character of Old Town." 

Developer Fern Hill sent in plans for the building on the north side of North Avenue, between Wells Street and LaSalle Drive, to the city council in March after taking over two years to get neighbors' feedback, Crain's Chicago Business reports. The developer said the feedback would shape its vision for properties it owns in the area.

But in the months since the developer revealed its plans for the site, it hasn't shared more details with inquiring community members, said Jordan Matyas, an Old Town resident and attorney. 

"The developer’s lack of transparency and refusal to respond to OTFRD’s numerous requests for details and documents continues to undermine the community’s ability to review and analyze this proposal," Matyas said in the release.  

The coalition wants the developer to shrink the number of stories in the building by more than 75% and make assurances that traffic will stay the same or lessen. Additionally, the locals want the developer to ensure construction will minimally disrupt surrounding businesses and provide details on the time frame for removing two gas stations it owns near the site. 

OTFRD registered as a not-for-profit on Feb. 5, and two of the five members of its board of directors are residents of a condo building at 1660 N. LaSalle St., just north of the proposed development site, according to public records. Maytas is a registered lobbyist who represents the condo association.

Since 2021, Fern Hill has hosted dozens of community meetings to solicit feedback, a spokesperson told Bisnow. As a result of that feedback, it altered initial plans to build multiple apartment towers and consolidated its vision into a single structure.

The proposal includes 100 units designated for households making less than 60% of the area median income.

Fern Hill founder and President Nick Anderson told Crain's thousands of residents have participated in the development process and that the developer's plan reflects their insights and recommendations. 

"Our proposal will beautify and bring back to life a once-vibrant corridor, while helping to reduce both crime and traffic and adding 100 affordable housing units to a community that has gone eight years without a single such unit built," Anderson told the outlet. 

Alderman Brian Hopkins, who represents the area, is scheduled to lead a public meeting to solicit feedback on the proposal on May 7. 

UPDATE, APRIL 25, 8:45 P.M. ET: This story has been updated with more information about Fern Hill's proposal and OTFRD's leadership.