this article describes the transformation happening in the neighborhood just to the east of us. Well, it hasn't quite reached us yet (there is a huge truck yard seperating us from them) but maybe it will soon...

"Today, the blocks of Halsted between 3000 and 3200 South have been torn down, leveled, and are fenced off, awaiting construction. Just two years ago, they were filled with businesses like Augustine's Spiritual Goods, a bookstore that specialized in Marxist literature and other shops that may remind some more of Wicker Park than Bridgeport. In January of 2003, business owners like Augustine's Frank Steele Pulaski, formerly located at 3114 South Halsted, began receiving letters, then legal eviction notices stating that the city was taking the property under 'eminent domain.'

'They say that they are taking the property to build a new police station,' says Pulaski, whose shop sold candles, incense and charms used in voodoo, Santa Ria, and other ritual ceremonies. 'If they do build a police station, fine, but I have a feeling that this is all part of a much grander, larger scheme.'"

posted by Chaddo 5/05/2005 08:49:00 AM