CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The controversial $6 billion Lincoln Yards development passed the Chicago City Council today, amid objections and strong voices of support.
By roughly a 2-to-1 margin, aldermen approved the zoning changes needed for the 54-acre mixed-use project on the North Side. As of this writing, they had not yet approved the $1.3 billion public assistance necessary for the Sterling Bay development.
Second Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, who ushered the plan through City Hall, said it won’t just benefit his community.
“We have an opportunity to bring 23,000 new jobs to the city of Chicago,” he said.
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Ald. Harry Osterman, 48th, countered that it would be better to wait for the new mayor and aldermen after the April 2 election. That would only improve the deal, he said, considering developers added more affordable housing units under pressure from critics.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said waiting to move the project would send a bad message to business.