Taking Homes For Parking? Think Again!

A back door plan to use eminent domain to provide additional parking for a main street shopping district creates outrage in a Chicago area community.

1 minute read

December 15, 2006, 8:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

"Plans to buy several Forest Park, Ill. homes and businesses to expand two parking lots were put on hold this week when more than 100 residents protested the idea.

The village's main commercial district along Madison Street has transformed into a dining and shopping destination with new stores, restaurants and condominiums in recent years. With that success, parking has become premium commodity, especially in the evenings, said Joellen Charlton, a consultant hired to study the problem.

In a closed meeting in September, the Village Board decided to build surface lots rather than a parking deck because of the cost. In that meeting commissioners also discussed the need for acquiring properties for additional parking.

But when the agenda for the Nov. 13 board meeting came out, residents and some commissioners were shocked to see mention of the possible use of eminent domain to acquire those properties."

FULL STORY: Forest Park backs off idea of taking homes for parking

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 in The Chicago Tribune

Government / Politics Land Use Illinois

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.