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The smokestack implosion that sent thick dust clouds onto Chicago homes Saturday — during a respiratory pandemic — left a lot of people scrambling, inc. the mayor & other reporters.
But I’ve followed what’s going on at the old Little Village coal plant for 2 years. THREAD
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But I’ve followed what’s going on at the old Little Village coal plant for 2 years. THREAD
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City officials sought to lay the blame for the massive dust cloud that descended on Little Village on a “dishonest” developer.
But the city had an active role in the demolition by approving permits & overseeing the work Saturday. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/11/old-crawford-coal-plant-smokestack-blown-up-sending-dust-into-little-village-during-global-pandemic/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/1...
But the city had an active role in the demolition by approving permits & overseeing the work Saturday. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/11/old-crawford-coal-plant-smokestack-blown-up-sending-dust-into-little-village-during-global-pandemic/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/1...
2 yrs ago, developer Hilco unveiled a plan to turn the old Crawford Coal Plant into a massive distribution center in majority Latino Little Village.
It’s a plan many residents oppose. I’ve documented @LVEJO’s fight to protect neighbors’ health since then https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/15/semi-trucks-are-taking-over-little-village-neighbors-say-and-giant-warehouse-plan-will-make-it-worse/?mc_cid=c3216610bc&mc_eid=6f3063ce9a">https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/1...
It’s a plan many residents oppose. I’ve documented @LVEJO’s fight to protect neighbors’ health since then https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/15/semi-trucks-are-taking-over-little-village-neighbors-say-and-giant-warehouse-plan-will-make-it-worse/?mc_cid=c3216610bc&mc_eid=6f3063ce9a">https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/1...
But this story actually starts decades ago.
. @LVEJO & other groups, worried about the impact coal pollution was having on the health of Little Village residents, fought for 12 years and won their fight to shut down the century-old power plant in 2012. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-08-30-chi-closure-of-chicagos-crawford-fisk-electric-plants-ends-coal-era-20120830-story.html">https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/...
. @LVEJO & other groups, worried about the impact coal pollution was having on the health of Little Village residents, fought for 12 years and won their fight to shut down the century-old power plant in 2012. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-08-30-chi-closure-of-chicagos-crawford-fisk-electric-plants-ends-coal-era-20120830-story.html">https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/...
For months, neighbors fought to stop Hilco’s redevelopment plan, fearing the distribution center would bring more diesel trucks and increase pollution in Little Village. https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/15/semi-trucks-are-taking-over-little-village-neighbors-say-and-giant-warehouse-plan-will-make-it-worse/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/1...
In March 2019, the redevelopment plan was approved anyway by City Council — with a $19.7 million tax break. https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/03/13/controversial-distribution-center-in-little-village-get-19-7-million-tax-break-approval-from-city-council/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/03/1...
But environmental groups continued their fight, asking for air quality monitoring during demolition. https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/05/epa-to-detail-clean-up-efforts-of-old-little-village-coal-plant-site-tuesday/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/0...
But a Chicago Department of Public Health official said the developer wouldn’t be required to test air quality.
"Kids & people w/ breathing problems” & ppl who “are sensitive to dust” should “limit outdoor activity” during the demolition, they advised. https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/07/city-tells-worried-little-village-residents-to-limit-outdoor-activities-as-crews-demolish-old-coal-power-plant/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/0...
"Kids & people w/ breathing problems” & ppl who “are sensitive to dust” should “limit outdoor activity” during the demolition, they advised. https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/07/city-tells-worried-little-village-residents-to-limit-outdoor-activities-as-crews-demolish-old-coal-power-plant/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/0...
The old Crawford demolition has not been without problems.
In fact, this is the 2nd time work has been stopped — the 1st time was because a worker died at the site.
And the developer was fined $10,000 after dust was seen blowing off the demo site. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/06/demolition-of-crawford-coal-plant-suspended-after-worker-falls-to-his-death/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/0...
In fact, this is the 2nd time work has been stopped — the 1st time was because a worker died at the site.
And the developer was fined $10,000 after dust was seen blowing off the demo site. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/06/demolition-of-crawford-coal-plant-suspended-after-worker-falls-to-his-death/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/0...
Neighbors received little notice the implosion was happening. And w/ a “bad track record,” according to Ald. Rodriguez, those who did know were worried.
Activists begged the city not to allow the demolition.
But the city said it was safe. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/10/old-crawford-coal-plant-smokestack-will-be-blown-up-saturday-in-little-village/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/1...
Activists begged the city not to allow the demolition.
But the city said it was safe. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/10/old-crawford-coal-plant-smokestack-will-be-blown-up-saturday-in-little-village/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/1...
Despite activists’ cries, the implosion proceeded anyway with Chicago officials from the Department of Health, Buildings and Fire Department on hand to watch. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/12/extremely-angry-lightfoot-blames-developer-for-massive-little-village-dust-cloud-alderman-apologizes/">https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/1...
