The Politics of Broadway Upzoning
The proposed upzoning of Chicago’s Broadway corridor, spanning from Montrose to Devon avenues, has garnered support from aldermen across the city. Though Chicago aldermen share a common responsibility for the city’s shortcomings in addressing affordable housing, their focus is focused on the Edgewater neighborhood, at the urging of Mayor Johnson.
Here are five reasons why aldermen from other parts of Chicago may support the Broadway upzoning:
Delegating Development to Other Areas: By supporting upzoning in the Broadway corridor, aldermen encourage increased housing density and development in areas outside their own wards. This approach allows them to address citywide housing shortages without confronting potential opposition from their constituents who may resist similar developments locally.
Avoiding Constituent Pushback: Implementing affordable housing projects often leads to resistance from local residents concerned about property values, neighborhood character, or increased congestion. By endorsing upzoning initiatives in other districts, aldermen can sidestep direct confrontations with sentiments in their own communities.
Maintaining Political Capital: Supporting development in other areas allows aldermen to uphold a pro-housing stance without risking their political standing among constituents who may oppose changes in their immediate vicinity. This strategy enables them to advocate for citywide growth while preserving local support.
Aligning with Mayoral Initiatives: Backing the Broadway upzoning aligns aldermen with the mayor’s development agenda, fostering a cooperative relationship that can be advantageous for securing support for projects within their own wards. Such alignment can enhance their political leverage and facilitate the advancement of local initiatives.
Addressing Federal Scrutiny: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has criticized Chicago’s use of aldermanic prerogative for limiting affordable housing, suggesting it perpetuates segregation. By supporting upzoning elsewhere, aldermen can showcase a commitment to equitable housing policies without directly altering their ward’s landscape.
While the Broadway corridor upzoning offers potential benefits for Chicago’s housing landscape, the support from aldermen in other parts of the city may reflect a strategic maneuver to promote development without confronting challenges in their own wards. This approach underscores the complexities of urban planning and the need for equitable housing solutions across all neighborhoods.