The Damen Silos, a set of historic grain elevators in Chicago, are set to be demolished, prompting strong reactions from both supporters and detractors throughout the city.
Amateur architectural photographer Deborah Mercer captured images of the silos, expressing her dismay over their impending demolition due to what she perceives as a lack of imagination from the property owner.
“Went to pay my respects to the Damen Silos, soon to be demolished due to the owner’s lack of imagination,” she posted on BlueSky, a platform where she frequently shares her photography of Chicago’s historic architecture.
For many in the city’s cultural scene, the silos represent a significant piece of history and art, standing as iconic symbols of urban decay for nearly five decades.
They have long served as a backdrop for filmmakers, musicians, and photographers, as well as a canvas for graffiti artists who disregarded “No Trespassing” signs.
The structures were featured in numerous projects, including the 2014 film Transformers: Age of Extinction, and more recently in a Hip Hop music video shot by the group Blue Collar Rock Stars.
Rob Walker, the video’s director, described the experience of creating at the site as invigorating, highlighting the artistic allure the silos have held for the community.
However, not everyone views the silos with nostalgia.
Hai Lam, an artist visiting the nearby Canalport Riverwalk Park, referred to them as an “eyesore,” reflecting a sentiment shared by some Chicagoans who see the derelict buildings as reminders of neglect.
Regardless of personal views, the silos are undeniably part of the Southwest Side’s skyline, with their demolition marking the end of an era.
Last week, demolition crews began their work, causing a squat building along Damen Avenue to crumble.
The sounds of jackhammers echoed as workers diligently sprayed water to control dust from the project.
Kate Eakin, managing director of the McKinley Park Development Council, expressed her disappointment regarding the decision to demolish the silos.
Eakin criticized the lack of cohesive vision from various government entities, which she believes contributed to the demolition decision.
Her organization had hoped to transform the site into a music venue and park, drawing inspiration from similar repurposing projects elsewhere, such as an art museum housed in a former silo in South Africa.
“This could have been a festival ground for so many of these concerts that absorb our neighborhood parks for weeks on end during the summer,” she stated, advocating for more imaginative development.
Michael Tadin Jr., the owner of MAT Limited Partnership, purchased the 23-acre property for $6.5 million at an Illinois state auction in 2022.
Despite continued discussions about potential redevelopment, Tadin believes that preserving the historical structures isn’t practical given the costs involved.
Preservation Chicago, alongside a land trust, the Chicago Park District, and Blue Star Properties, attempted to negotiate a purchase but ultimately failed to reach an agreement.
Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, lamented the lost opportunity for what could have been a major cultural landmark for the McKinley Park community, akin to the impact of Millennium Park downtown.
Architectural professor Tom Leslie from the University of Illinois remarked on the significance of the Damen Silos as reminders of Chicago’s agricultural roots.
He believes their loss signifies yet another opportunity missed to celebrate the city’s history as a center for agricultural trade.
Concerns regarding the pollution from the demolition have also been raised among local residents, recollecting the dust fallout from previous demolitions, notably one in Little Village in 2020.
In response, city officials assured the public that precautionary measures are being taken.
A joint FAQ from the Department of Buildings and the Chicago Department of Public Health specified that the silos would undergo mechanical demolition without the use of explosives.
Additionally, Tadin has made arrangements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure the protection of nearby waterways, agreeing to establish a publicly accessible riverwalk and install historic markers honoring the silos using salvaged materials.
Eakin acknowledged these developments but emphasized that they fell short of what the community had envisioned.
“So, we have had an impact,” she noted, reflecting on the ongoing efforts of local advocates.
Mercer articulated her hopes for saving the silos by referencing Carl Sandburg’s famous poem about Chicago.
She eloquently argued, “If we are going to remember the Chicago that Sandburg describes in his poem, the Chicago of the past that led to the Chicago of today, we must save some of these industrial buildings.”
In Mercer’s view, the Damen Silos embody the essence of Chicago’s industrial heritage, representing the city’s legacy as a leader in agricultural trade.
As the demolition progresses, the divisive opinions on the Damen Silos highlight a larger conversation about the preservation of history versus urban development and the future landscape of Chicago.
image source from：chicago
