Church for Sale! (The Sequel)

posted by richard gill & chicago pop

Community Message Board --or--
Most Effective Known Way to Communicate to 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston

Chicago Pop's April 5 post on Hyde Park Progress elicited a number of comments, some of which speculated on re-uses for the St. Stephen's Church property. Based on an April 10 walk-by, I am adding "community message board" and "white elephant dropoff" to the list (see photos). In place of whatever it is the nearby NIMBYs want to stop, maybe they'd prefer these.

Neighbor-Approved Re-Use of St. Stephens Property:
Old Junk Freecycle Station

Also, for those interested in purchasing the property, you can find its listing here, and for your convenience we reproduce it below WITH EDITORIAL REMARKS IN PARENTHESES:

BANK OWNED! Many options and opportunities to revitalize former church building in Hyde Park. Property sits on 100 x 150 sized lot (NEXT TO REALLY WACKY LOCAL FOLKS -- JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE :-> ). Land was rezoned to RM-6 for residential development. No alley access (BUT LOCAL TEENS CAN HELP US GET IN THROUGH THE ROOF), Blackstone is oneway going North. Please daylight showings only (BECAUSE AT NIGHT THE PLACE IS DAMN SCARY AND WE MAY DIE).

Agent Remarks: Bank owned property, agent needs to show...call w/questions (AND BE PREPARED TO KISS ALDERMAN HAIRSTON'S A*S LIKE EVERYONE ELSE EVEN ANTHEUS)

Located on the mid-southside anchored by the University of Chicago, nearby communities Woodlawn and North Kenwood. A stones throw to the southwest shoreline (OR TO THE UPPER WINDOWS OF THE PROPERTY IF ANY GLASS IS LEFT IN THEM) of Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive. Easy public transport, Metra 2 blocks away. (SPECTACULAR GREEK-AMERICAN EATERY RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET BUT YOU ALSO GET A GOOD VIEW OF THEIR DUMPSTERS)

• Price:
  $1,700,000
• Building Size:
  13,300 SF
• Price/SF:
  $127.82
• Property Type:
  Special Purpose
• Property Sub-type:
  Religious Facility
• Property Use Type:
  Vacant/Owner-User
• Distressed:
  Yes
• Commission Split:
  2.5%
• Lot Size:
  15,000 SF

St. Stephens Freecycle Station, Detail