Chicago Daily Observer

Two dormant properties in the heart of downtown Wheaton may soon become contributors to the city’s economy.

City officials expect to have ownership of the two parcels at 107–109 N. Main Street and 111–113 N. Main Street no later than early July.

The properties are the fruits of a long battle between the city and businessman Bob Sandberg. In return, Sandberg will receive about $650,000, which is held in escrow by DuPage County.

The land grab likely marks the final parcels the city will gain by condemnation. The court cases go back so long they were litigated under old standards for government takeover of private land.

The Chicago Park District board president is hinting the agency might lease assets to help pay for the transformation of the former Meigs Field into a nature park.

In the coming days, the park district is expecting to sign an agreement with the the urban and landscape design firm JJR LLC to formulate redevelopment plans of the 91-acre Northerly Island peninsula just east of Soldier Field, park officials say.

Since its inception, the proposed Ogden-Pulaski TIF has stirred commotion among residents in North Lawndale.

Those who support the plan argue it provides a much needed strategy for catalyzing development in the community. Those who oppose the plan argue the community has not had a voice in its creation. Although the consensus appears to be that community development is needed in North Lawndale, many believe the current proposal is not sufficient and requires more resident input before implementation.

Last Tuesday, a public hearing was held at City Hall in front of members of the Community Development Commission. There, community members were given the opportunity to voice their support or concerns publicly before the TIF is passed into law.

Topic: Chicago’s Paul Revere on Tax Increment Financing

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 6:30 PM

TIME: 6:30 – 7:30 pm – Networking
7:30 pm – Program starts

LOCATION: The Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N Lincoln Ave (773) 248–1820

Speaker: Ben Joravsky columnist for the Chicago Reader who specializes in TIFs or Tax Increment Finance districts. He began working as a freelance writer for the Chicago Reader in 1985 after specializing in investigative work for The Chicago Reporter, a monthly newspaper devoted to covering racial issues. Throughout his career, Joravsky has worked to uncover information that isn?t readily available to the public so he could shine light on issues affecting the life of Chicagoans. Tax Increment Financing affects way more than you might know. Come see how it affects you.

Breaking news in Lincoln Square:

Bowing to pressure following a community protest and the Sun-Times coverage of his redevelopment plans for the Lincoln Square business district, Alderman Gene Schulter (47th Ward) pulled an ordinance that would have allowed the city to use its eminent domain powers to gobble up the 4800 block of Western.

A father and son who operate a nonprofit boxing gym for kids in suburban San Diego are fighting their town for the right to stay where they are. Ultimately, their battle to hold onto their property could help decide your right to hold onto yours.

Carlos Barragan and his son Carlos Jr. turned an old gun store into the gym. They sued in September to challenge the “blighted” certification given to the property and an adjacent neighborhood by National City. That designation gives the city the power under California law to seize property, once a fair price is determined, through the constitutional right of eminent domain any time within the next 10 years for private development.