The Commission on Chicago Landmarks yesterday unanimously recommended landmarking the Arlington-Deming District, a chunk of Lincoln Park that includes about 120 buildings built between 1872 and 1940, according to a story in today’s Chicago Tribune. The landmark district would include the 2400-2500 blocks of North Geneva Terrace and North Orchard Street, and the 500-650 blocks of West Arlington Place and West Deming Place.
This and other proposed landmark districts have encountered fierce resistance from some residents, including mortgage banker Albert Hanna, who has filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s landmark ordinance. Opponents lament the loss of property rights. Other residents and groups such as Preservation Chicago have praised landmarking as a way to save the character of neighborhoods overrun with gaudy new housing. You can weigh in on the issue at the Landmarks section of our Urban issues forum.