Last Cabrini Green Building to be Torn Down; What Will Take Its Place?

Photo via Project Cabrini Green

Yes, this story is a bit off our beat being several blocks east of Ashland. But Division Street once ran through the heart of the Cabrini Green high-rise buildings, most of which have been turned into abandoned lots after what most agree was a particularly ugly era in public housing.

There's just one high-rise left standing at 1230 N. Burling (at Burling and Division), and demolition is slated to begin tomorrow on the 15-story building. During the next four weeks, the demo process will be broadcast live via webcam here.

As the lights go out on this particular stretch of Division Street, the Museum of Contemporary Art's Project Cabrini Green will commemorate the demolition with flashing LEDs as part of a public art installation. From the project's website:

"On March 28th, two days before the beginning of the demolition, 134 self-contained, battery-powered LED modules were placed inside 134 of the building's vacated apartments. The lights will blink every day from 7pm to 1am CST, for the four week duration of the demolition, and will be gradually erased with the building.

Each blinking light has a unique pattern. These patterns are a visual translation of poems written and recorded by the youth who attended workshops developed and instructed by Tichy, Appel, and students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The project aims to highlight the significant moment of the demolition, while giving voice to young people, enabling them to reflect on social issues related to their communities."

So what will become of the spot? Crain's Chicago reported that Target is in talks with the Chicago Housing Authority to acquire parts of the Cabrini Green land and build a store there. Though Target has not confirmed officially, a Chicago Housing Authority spokesman said that they are "in discussions [with Target] and hope to help bring additional investment to the neighborhood."

What do you think? Can you imagine a big-box chain on the site of what was once one of the most infamous public housing projects in the country? Would having Target in this location be an economic boon for the neighborhood or are there unintended consequences that are yet to be considered?