The Real Deal, August 3, 2018

In Q&A, Alderman Brian Hopkins makes it clear Sterling Bay's $5B project won't start without his ...

The Real Deal

Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd) sent an unmistakable message to Sterling .... If Amazon does decide to choose Chicago and they do come to Lincoln ...

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Chicago Tribune, July 25, 2018

Lincoln Yards plans filed, but alderman isn't ready to give a thumbs-up

Plans for the $5 billion-plus Lincoln Yards real estate development were formally introduced to the City Council on Wednesday, but the North Side alderman whose ward includes the riverfront site wants it known he’s not on board yet.

 

Chicago Tribune, July 18, 2018

Vision for $5 billion Lincoln Yards development includes 70-story skyscrapers, 5,000 homes, 23,000 jobs
Developer Sterling Bay released new images of its Lincoln Yards development, planned for the former A. Finkl & Sons steel plant near Lincoln Park and Bucktown. The development has been proposed as a site for Amazon's HQ2.

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Crain's Chicago Business, July 13, 2018
Opportunity to revamp a key North Branch parcel just opened up

One of the most coveted properties in the fast-changing North Branch Industrial Corridor will soon be up for grabs as its turmoil-ridden owner plans a long-anticipated departure.

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WTTW - May 16, 2018
3 Aldermen Go Against Mayor to Push for New Riverfront Park
The city of Chicago wants to promote economic activity in 26 industrial areas around the city that have fallen on hard times.

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WGN - May 15, 2018
Residents say Lincoln Park scrap metal plant polluting air
Residents in the Lincoln Park neighborhood said a scrap metal plant is polluting the air and they’re accusing the city of doing nothing about it.​

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Chicago Tribune - May 3, 2018
Chicago eyes 606 extension, light rail route from North Side to downtown
A light rail train linking North Side neighborhoods to downtown Chicago and an extension of The 606 elevated trail are part of a plan starting to take shape to accommodate the expected arrival of thousands of new residents and workers along near the Chicago River along the Lincoln Park area and Bucktown.

Chicago Tribune - May 3, 2018
North Side alderman supports 24-acre riverfront park, if it can be funded

North Side alderman has thrown his support behind a proposed 24-acre riverfront park — if there’s a way to pay for it.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, wants to see the park built, but said he needs cost estimates in hand before proceeding.

Chicago Tribune - Dec 28, 2017

EPA probes pollution from scrap yard near potential Amazon HQ2 site in gentrifying Clybourn Corridor

The city already has cleared the way for redevelopment by eliminating industrial zoning protection for General Iron and other properties along the North Branch. Hopkins said he would like to see the site cleaned up and turned into a riverfront park. "They've been involved in a dirty industry on that site long ...

 

Chicago Tribune - October 10, 2017
$105 million sale of city truck facility advances after promise of more parkland
The sale of an 18-acre city truck facility near Goose Island advanced Tuesday after the local alderman said the developer pledged to increase the amount of park space to help assuage residents’ overcrowding concerns in what could eventually become a densely populated new neighborhood.

 

Chicago Sun-Times - October 10, 2017
Alderman gets something in return for delaying North Branch land sale
Squeaky wheels get oiled. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) is living proof. The City Council’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Tuesday approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to sell a fleet maintenance facility site on prime riverfront land in the North Branch Corridor to a developer who is not the highest bidder. But not before Hopkins got something in return for holding up the $104.7 million sales to mega-developer Sterling Bay two weeks ago.

 

DNAinfo - September 29, 2017

Sterling Bay Purchase Of City Lot Cheered By Community

About three dozen local residents welcomed the city sale of the Fleet Management lot to Sterling Bay at a community meeting Thursday, especially after the host alderman said he'd received a written pledge from the developer to fulfill a commitment to set aside parkland.

 

DNAinfo - September 27, 2017

Why Didn't City Accept Highest Bid For Lot? Ald. Calls For Public Meeting

An alderman has called a public meeting for Thursday evening after delaying the city's sale of the Fleet Management lot near ... to ensuring an open and transparent process exists as the North Branch accommodates for future development and land use opportunities," Hopkins wrote.

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Chicago Sun-Times - September 26, 2017

Alderman wants to know why city leaving $10M on the table in land sale

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) is demanding that Mayor Rahm Emanuel explain why he wants to sell a fleet maintenance facility site on prime riverfront land in the North Branch Industrial Corridor to a developer who is not the highest bidder. Emanuel announced earlier this year that mega-developer Sterling Bay ..

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DNAinfo - August 9, 2017

Manganese A Threat To North Branch Too, Ald. Hopkins Says

According to Hopkins' office, he's worked with Durbin on expanding the study of manganese to the North Side, and Durbin spokesman John Normoyle confirmed Tuesday "the alderman's office has just brought potential pollution concerns to our attention."

 

DNAinfo - May 24, 2017

Antique Swing Bridge Could Be Key To 606 Extension, Ald. Hopkins Says

An antiquated swing bridge across the North Branch of the Chicago River may hold the key to the extension of the 606 Bloomingdale Trail.

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Crain’s Chicago Business - May 3, 2017

Aldermen rip North Branch river development plan

Three aldermen who represent the booming neighborhoods just north and west of downtown are threatening to throw a monkey wrench into the city's plan to redevelop the North Branch industrial district.
 

Curbed - September 9, 2016
Chicago’s 606 trail to be extended eastward, past Kennedy Expressway and river

Currently terminating at Ashland Avenue, the trail will eventually meet the former Finkl Steel site in Lincoln Park.

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NBC 5 Chicago - December 6, 2015

Alderman Calls for Investigation After Scrap Yard Fire

A Chicago alderman wants a full investigation into a fire that ripped through a North Side scrap yard on Sunday, prompting a hazmat situation.