Residents from the Southwest Side of Chicago gathered last week to voice their concerns over the impending demolition of two historic grain elevators, the Damen Silos, which have stood tall since 1906. The silos have remained empty for years, and now an asphalt company seeks to tear them down.
Despite local opposition, the city issued demolition permits shortly after the public meeting, frustrating many community members who were hopeful for a last-minute reconsideration.
At the meeting, organized by the mayor’s office and the local alderwoman, residents expressed their frustrations, stressing the need for creative solutions to preserve the aging structures rather than dismantling them.
Many in attendance cited the historical significance of the 80-foot silos and questioned the motives of MAT Limited Partnership, the company purchasing the property, which has a troubled history concerning the well-being of the local community.
Residents recalled that MAT, which operates a nearby asphalt plant, has previously been cited for environmental violations and has faced legal action over claims of dust and smoke pollution that affected residents’ health.
Michael Tadin Jr., a co-owner of MAT, initially hinted at the possibility of using the site for a new corporate headquarters; however, he later indicated that he has no immediate plans for the property.
During the public meeting, city officials made it clear that the purpose was to discuss the demolition process’s safety protocols rather than whether the demolition should happen at all.
Mara Georges, representing MAT, assured attendees that future development plans would involve consultations with the city, indicating a planned development process that would require negotiation with city officials.
In light of the community’s ongoing health challenges, organizations like the McKinley Park Development Council rallied support through petitions calling for the preservation of the silos, advocating for transforming the site into a festival ground and city park.
Preservation Chicago, a group focused on saving endangered buildings, expressed interest in finding a way to repurpose the silos into a community space.
Many residents shared concerns about MAT’s previous disregard for their neighborhood, expressing apprehension that the company viewed the area merely as a site for industrial growth rather than as a thriving community.
One attendee passionately questioned: “Is there anything we can do to ensure that MAT Asphalt doesn’t establish another heavily polluting factory in our neighborhood?”
The demolition falls under a classification known as environmentally complex, a status created by the city after a problematic demolition of the Crawford coal-fired power plant in 2020 led to excessive dust pollution in the area.
City officials assured attendees that the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Buildings would oversee the demolition, instituting measures designed to minimize environmental impact.
Buildings Commissioner Marlene Hopkins confirmed that the removal of the silos would be carried out using excavators and that explosives would not be involved.
Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige outlined a comprehensive plan for monitoring air quality and controlling dust during the demolition process, including the operation of four portable air-quality monitoring devices.
These monitors will provide real-time data on airborne particulate matter, which can pose health risks to residents, with work halting if pollution levels exceed established federal standards.
To further mitigate dust, the plan includes the use of water sourced from the Chicago River, a strategy authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the demolition approval process.
Brian Fealy from Heneghan Wrecking, hired by MAT for the project, described the company’s equipment fitted with dust suppression capabilities, including high-reach excavators and specialized machinery designed to manage airborne particulates during the demolition.
While some residents remained skeptical about the efficacy of the proposed safety measures, others voiced doubts about the plan to manage potential debris falling into the adjacent Chicago River.
“While there is some logic to the strategy, we cannot discount the fact that pieces of debris may escape containment,” said Kate Eakin, managing director of the McKinley Park Development Council.
Even further, some residents were concerned that plans to use water to suppress dust could lead to pollution in the river.
Fealy countered these concerns by assuring attendees that protective measures, such as silt socks, would be implemented to prevent the contamination of river water.
Citlalli Trujillo, representing the Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization, highlighted the existing air quality issues plaguing McKinley Park and surrounding neighborhoods and questioned the adequacy of the proposed measures, particularly during poor air quality days.
Dr. Ige maintained that changes to air quality thresholds would require action from the City Council to establish more stringent regulations.
During the meeting, attendees questioned the fairness of making their community a “sacrifice zone” for industrial ventures, highlighting a troubling history of environmental racism in the city where heavy manufacturing is often concentrated in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods.
Critiques towards MAT Limited were prevalent and personal.
Eakin emphasized her gratitude for the public health department’s responsiveness to her concerns about the neighborhood air quality, sharing that intrusive asphalt dust frequently finds its way into her home.
Rachel Havrelock, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, urged stringent water quality monitoring pre- and post-demolition, arguing that city investments in the Chicago River’s cleanliness could be jeopardized by the demolition activities.
“This property may be privately owned, but the water remains a public trust,” she stated, emphasizing the need for careful oversight.
Residents began to unite in a collective call for innovative uses of the property, noting successful transformations of buildings in different cities that have been repurposed into recreational spaces.
“Inspiration abounds; we can envision so many viable alternatives for the site,” asserted Devin Gora, an architectural designer from the nearby Pilsen neighborhood.
Community members expressed that tearing down the silos would mean erasing a part of the neighborhood’s historical landscape.
“Why is it that the interests of a few, able to afford to buy and demolish, take precedence over our community’s legacy?” questioned Tony Adams, a resident of McKinley Park.
Miller, representing Preservation Chicago, pointed out that the structures could qualify for historic landmark status and questioned why more effort wasn’t made to foster preservation.
Sara Mathers from the Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement addressed the audience, explaining that while the silos were evaluated for landmark designation, they ultimately did not qualify due to structural integrity concerns.
In defense of MAT, Georges stressed the urgency tied to safety concerns regarding the dilapidated buildings, mentioning that trespassers frequently enter the site, raising risks of accidents.
However, Georges also acknowledged that an environmental remediation plan in case of a crisis during the demolition had not been established.
Joseph Gamble, a historian affiliated with Friends of the Chicago River, was not surprised by this lack of foresight from MAT Limited, attributing it to a failure in communication and a lack of trust with neighborhood residents.
He recalled a previous incident where debris from construction at a nearby site fell into the North Branch of the river, calling attention to the real danger of unforeseen events during demolition.
The sentiments echoed by former Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago commissioner, Daniel Pogorzelski, suggested skepticism around the demolition being executed without mishaps.
Pogorzelski insisted that the city should consider implementing penalties if MAT failed to adhere to its commitments, urging seriousness when addressing environmental impacts.
“Do we need to experience more disasters before we prioritize cleaning up our river?” he wondered aloud after the meeting.
He also remarked on the silos’ potential for historic landmark status, suggesting that preservation should not be off the table and emphasizing the need for innovative solutions.
Gamble highlighted the opportunity for the property to become public green space, especially given the lack of accessible spots along the South Branch of the river.
He underscored that for over a century, residents have advocated for access and green spaces along the riverfront.
“When will we get another chance at turning a property this significant into something beneficial for our community?” he asked.
“This is a pivotal moment for community engagement and action,” he concluded, encouraging residents to push for creative developments that would benefit the public.
image source from：insideclimatenews
