THE OUT NYC chose Chicago for their second hotel THE OUT CHICAGO. And we should be SO EXCITED!
Over the last 10 years, I have personally seen Boystowns customers start to spread out. As GAY is more accepted, gay people in major metropolitan area's start to spread out. It's happening everywhere.
But I think, it is still important to have that center, that hub, of gay businesses and community. I believe that putting an upscale hip hotel in the heart of Boystown, right on Halsted, could truly revive Boystown and bring in more customers.
Some neighbors however against it. Some neighbors surrounding the development site
are less than pleased, with critics saying the building’s height is out of proportion with the community and a hotel will only increase congestion. - I do not believe it's going to create "congestion". Did Center on Halsted? or Whole Foods create "congestion". Both, brought bodies to Boystown - but I don't really see any congestion issues with cars or cabs.
“It has to be a win-win. If they want a 3-story building with 62
hotel rooms, they’re just not going to get me,” Reisner said. “They can
get someone else to build a resort. I’m not going to build something
where there’s no economy to scale.
“If I can’t get an economically viable building (approved), then I
can’t build an economically viable building,” he continued. “It’s not a
choice, it’s a reality. Equity doesn’t chase debt. It doesn’t chase
projects with razor-thin margins because then you have a shift in the
economy and you lose the keys to the bank.”
"I’m negotiable, but failure is not an option. ... this is my goal, my business plan and my passion."
Reisner wants to address a majority of residents’ concerns by June in
hopes of snagging approvals from both the Triangle Neighbors and
Belmont Harbor Neighbors, two community organizations.
But with money already in Boystown for things like deposits and air rights, Reisner says he’s not ready to back out of the race.
“I have a lot invested. My personality is ‘failure is not an option’
in everything I do,” he said. “I’m negotiable, but failure is not an
option. So as long as I’m alive and ticking as an active businessman,
this is my goal, my business plan and my passion. It’s right for
community, it’s right for my career, its right for my partners.”
And we agree - a 100 room hotel is needed BADLY in Boystown. But there is no land available to make it shorter and wider - so you have to build up.
In order to progress, we must allow and accept change. How
many of us can honestly admit that we embrace change and are comfortable with
it? Change means we may have to leave our comfort zone, think outside the box
or modify our standard way of thinking. Easier said than done for some of us, I
know. But if we can have an open mind and think about the benefits for
everyone, I think you can understand what the OUT really brings to Halsted.
We have seen the
OUT's lighting study, renderings of the back alley side, and still, truly feel,
this is an amazing opportunity for Lakeview/Boystown. The
"disruption" will be minimal compared to the positives, and what we
have to gain.
The Majestic, the
Willows, the City Suites and Best Western do not have enough rooms to
accommodate the travelers to Lakeview. 100 more rooms, right on Halsted, will
bring more dollars to our businesses there.
The Majestic and the Willows are smack dab in the middle of
residential neighborhoods! But if you ask the nearby homeowners, the foot
traffic, the cab traffic and the car traffic, really has little impact on their
lives.
Sure there is going to a few more cars in Lakeview. But I
think most of the nearby streets are protected with parking permits - and the
OUT will have some garage parking and other nearby parking - so I really think
the cars is a non issue.
Someone suggested they will live in darkness on their
street. I have seen the light study and it appears to me, some people might
lose a couple hours of sunlight.
It is not a perfect world. And I think change scares a lot
of people. In order to progress, we must allow and accept change. The OUT will
bring new jobs and LOTS OF money from consumers
to the neighborhood!
A bustling neighborhood, means an economic boost FOR
EVERYONE. Businesses thrive and neighborhoods become even more desirable,
meaning property values GO UP! Isn't
that worth something?
Let's leave our comfort zone for a minute and think
about the positives, the economic and
commercial vitality in the surrounding neighborhood.
PLEASE COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE OUT CHICAGO
MAY 21, 7pm @ the police station on Addison.
