SOAR’s position on the Northwestern Tower

Northwestern Tower Letter 09-16-2026

SOAR’s position on the cannabis dispensary at 212 E Ontario.

SOAR’s position statement on the 212 E Ohio project.

SOAR’s position statement on the Bally’s Casino Project.

SOAR’s position statement on the proposal for the proposed development of 150 E Ontario.

SOAR’s position statement on the proposal for redevelopment of 900 Dewitt.

SOAR voted to support the preservation and landmarking of 212 E. Onratio and 222 E. Ontario.

SOAR’s position statement on the development proposal for the Tribune Tower East.

SOAR’s letter to Alderman Hopkins pertaining to 227 East Walton Pl Zoning Change.

SOAR’s position statement of the initial review of the proposed development of 400 N. Lake Shore Drive.

Alderman Reilly’s invitation to community members about an upcoming Community Meeting on the topic of the 400 N. Lake Shore Drive Development.

SOAR’S letter to Alderman Reilly about the Tribune Tower redevelopment.

SOAR’s position statement on the proposal for renaming Lake Shore Drive.

Alderman Reilly’s Response to Renaming Lake Shore Drive.

September 16, 2026

Alderman Gilbert Villegas, Chairmain

Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards

Laura Flores, Chairwoman

Chicago Plan Commission

Dear Alderman Villegas and Ms. Flores,

Thank you for the opportunity to submit the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents’ (SOAR) thoughts and

recommendations regarding the new tower proposed by Northwestern Medicine. SOAR has met several times

with Northwestern Medicine to review the plans for the new Tower and has co- hosted two public community

meetings.

SOAR SUPPORT

SOAR strongly supports the proposed new tower and believes it will enhance healthcare opportunities for

Streeterville and all of Chicagoland. The new proposed tower will expand capabilities resulting in the

hospital’s ability to better serve more patients as the demand increases. However, as with any new development

of this magnitude in our neighborhood, we have several concerns. Throughout the public review process, we have

heard from members of the community that Traffic is a major concern. Traffic around the hospital and surrounding

institutions impacts the majority of central and south Streeterville. We strongly request traffic aids be positioned

beginning now with the demolition and construction phases and that they become a permanent addition

throughout the medical campus.

TRAFFIC

The worst congestion occurs from Chicago Avenue to Ohio Street, Michigan Avenue to Inner Lake Shore Drive

during peak hours. We have reviewed the Hospital‘s Traffic Study and we concur that the hospital employee’s

vehicle trips have reduced over the years; patients and visitors to the medical campus have increased. This will

only increase with the new hospital. We respectfully request that CDOT meet on a regular basis with

representatives of the medical institutions, the Aldermen and SOAR to resolve these issues tin a timely manner

throughout the demolition and construction phases. It is essential to have traffic aids in peak areas through OEMC

during the demolition and construction phases for the safety and well-being of hospital workers, patients and

residents as well as visitors to the area. The aids need to be reinstated and become a permanent addition to the

medical campus. This area did have traffic aids during the construction of Lurie Children’s Hospital. Again, they

need to be reinstated. The CDOT needs to review the current parking on both sides of Erie, east of Michigan

Avenue. While it is convenient parking; these spaces contribute to the congestion and impedes emergency

vehicles attempting to get to the ER entrance on Erie. The elimination of some or all of these spaces needs to be

considered. SOAR believes that it is in the best interest of the City, Hospital, and indeed the community that the

traffic and transportation issue be addressed head on at this point in time. When Northwestern Medicine decides

to proceed with the development of the eastern remainder of the site; there will be an even larger traffic volume

and greater stress on the surrounding streets. The additional development will likely result in more pressure on

McClurg, which is already a bottleneck just east and south of the site. Consideration must be addressed at this

point in the planning process.

ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

There needs to be an enforcement system for double parkers, Uber/Lyft drop off and pick up, bus idling locations,

bus rerouting as well as dump truck routes around the demolition/construction site. Strict protocols need to be

issues and enforced. We also recommend that the City’s Department of Transportation revisit the Hospital’s

requests to create pedestrian drop-off areas around the medical campus. The current lack of appropriate drop-off

lanes for patients contribute to multiple bottlenecks, which impact multiple streets.PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

SOAR has reviewed the demolition and construction plans, and we are most concerned about pedestrian safety

around the site. The sidewalk closures have created crowded areas for people to walk. Installation of a covered

pedestrian walkway on Huron and Erie would greatly improve pedestrian safety. The area welcomes many

visitors with disabilities, and every effort must be made to improve the safety of these individuals. All of the

handicap parking spaces have been removed from the south side of Huron, adjacent to the construction site.

Replacing those spaces closer to Feinberg and Galter would add to pedestrian safety and provide convenient

parking for the patients visiting the many clinics in the area. Lighting at night is important for public safety in the

area. It appears that some streetlights have been removed or disengaged. Lighting needs to be attached to the

construction fencing and/or around the site. Also, care must be taken so that lights added to the site and/or the

tower crane do not impact the residents of 680 Lake Shore Drive or any of the adjacent buildings.

ON GOING COMMUNICATION

During demolition and construction, SOAR would like to receive updates every two weeks that SOAR can share

with the community. We are aware that Northwestern Medicine will have a website but those are often difficult for

the layman to navigate.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

While we acknowledge and appreciate the prospect of an additional world class facility in the neighborhood; we

also know the impact that such an addition will bring to Streeterville. Working together with our Alderman we

would like to identify and suggest some neighborhood improvements that would benefit the community of

residents, workers and visitors to the area. We would envision more green spaces in the vicinity for the long term.

In addition, we understand that the construction has necessitated the loss of so many trees, but we would like to

see the replacement with new trees of significant caliper at the time of planting. We hope that the community

benefits will be significant and visible to all and that the public can enjoy community health education, recreation,

and on-going well-being. There are several ideas that we will look forward to exploring with the Hospital and

Alderman.

Finally, we strongly recommend that a quarterly community meeting and/or with SOAR be initiated to continue

cooperation and improvement to this public private partnership.

Again, we sincerely thank you for the opportunity to present our recommendations as SOAR strongly supports

Northwestern Medicine’s very important and significant project to the future of health care and we look forward to

our continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Deborah Gershbein,

President

cc: Alderman Brian Hopkins

SOAR Board of Directors

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SOAR’s position statement on the proposed demolition or repurposing of the Fire House at 202 E. Chicago Ave

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Alderman Reilly’s letter pertaining to “Curbside Parties”

Alderman Reilly’s letter pertaining to Police Observation Cameras installed at the pedestrian path connecting East Grand and Inner Lake Shore Drive and at the Ohio Street Underpass at Inner Lake Shore Drive.

SOAR is requesting a meeting with the CTA transit police team, 18th District Chicago Police Commander Daniel O’Shea and representatives of Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) and Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) to discuss increased monitoring of social media and police coverage at the Red Line’s Chicago/State and Grand/State stops.

SOAR’s position on Ohio Street beach access in response to the shooting along Lake Shore Drive

SOAR’s Position Statement in Opposition to Clark Street Protected Bike Lanes

SOAR’s Position Statement regarding Noise Pollution

SOAR’s Position Statement in Opposition to Clark Street Permanent Closure

SOAR’s response to the application for SSA designation.

SOAR’s position statement on the Mies Van de Rohe Street Widening.

SOAR’s position statement on E-scooters
The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents is aware of the City’s interest to pursue the addition of E-scooters availability for the residents. The Board of Directors of SOAR have reviewed available information regarding E-scooters and the city’s proposed ordinance, and we are opposed to the use of scooters due to safety concerns for the residents of Streeterville

SOAR’s letter to Alderman Reilly pertaining to the proposed Aerial Cable Cars on Riverwalk.

This is a letter SOAR received from Alderman Reilly’s office about the condition of the Grand Street underpass.

SOAR’s position statement on Dave & Busters Water Tower proposal.

SOAR’s letter to Alderman Hopkins pertaining to Wildberry’s proposed Sidewalk Cafe.

SOAR’s position statement on Firewater Tavern Liquor License

SOAR’s letter to Alderman Reilly and Alderman Hopkins pertaining to new developments along the Chicago Riverwalk.

This is a letter SOAR received from Alderman Reilly about the Tavern License Moratorium which will be instituted within Streeterville.

SOAR’s response to the Sidewalk Cafe application for SPACE 519