Carmen-Winona Block Club

April 6, 2010

48^th Ward Office
5533 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640

Alderman Mary Ann Smith

Dear Alderman Smith:

Following our meeting on March 31, 2010 as to the future disposition of the Somerset Building, the residents of the Carmen-Winona Block Club were asked for their input and have made it known that we support the restoration of the current building to its original iconic/historic look and have the building subsequently developed as an affordable rental property.

Additional to the rental units, we find it most important that sustainable retail be incorporated into the street-level base of the building and we continue to support the efforts of your office in conjunction with the Sheridan Road Task Force in this regard.

We must stress that we do NOT support subsidized housing of any sort with this building as we feel it would detrimentally affect our neighborhood as well as our neighboring communities and hinder the vitality potential of Sheridan Road. Potential parking problems remain an issue and must continue to be part of all discussions.

As the Somerset building resides within the boundaries of CWBC, we look forward to our continued part in any and all discussions on the Somerset Building and will be forming a small committee to ease and facilitate future discussions.

We thank you for your continued work and efforts and for having us partake in the discussions that will shape our neighborhood for many years to come.

So you know; the response to this project question has been overwhelmingly positive, running 9 to 1 in favor of the affordable rental/restoration concept/sustainable street level retail.

If there are any questions or needs from your office on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Finally, we wish you much success in your discussions with HUD to un-tether the restrictive language contained in the current mortgage contract.

Respectfully,

Joe Trendl
President