Residents Grill Walgreens Architects, Criticize Site's Need for Parking

Residents asked Walgreens designers Monday to specify everything from the brick sizes for their new Armitage store to how much light will shine through "punch outs" on the building's Dayton Street side. 

Among the most prevalent issues broached by the 100 or so attending the community meeting in nearby Lincoln Park was that of parking. Designers for the site at 834 W. Armitage Ave. were able to avoid the parking issue entirely by creating a store that is 100-square-feet shy of a city code provision that mandates an off-street option. 

The Armitage Avenue store will include about 5,000 square feet of basement-level retail while the first and second floors total 9,900 square feet.

Structures larger than 10,000 square feet are required to provide off-street customer parking, according to the Chicago code. But that provision only takes into account above-ground space. 

"I want everyone here to understand that this is not a 9,900 square foot building," said Richard Walker, who lives on Dayton Street directly across from the site. "I want people to understand what you're doing to skirt the parking ratio."

Another resident piggybacked on that comment saying, "You've achieved the code, but not the spirit of the code which is if you build a store this big, you have to provide parking."

Ted Theodore, owner and lead architect at Camburas & Theodore, said working within the code and adjusting designs to meet it is common in urban settings.

"This happens all the time in the city; that's why the codes exist," he said. " … Walgreens, they need to make money and … I mention that because believe it or not, that was a big deal to pull out that square footage. It's a small footprint. There's issues on a city lot. You can't provide all the parking. That's the nature of building on an urban lot."

Theodore said he worked hard to create a building that worked well with others on the street. 

Two different tones of brick—one a pale yellow shade and another, red—will help to break up the structure so it doesn't look as expansive next to boutiques and smaller retail stores. An all-glass front will entomb part of the brick to mark the store's entry in a "very subtle, yet welcoming way."

"From the beginning we know we wanted to relate to the historic vibe of the neighborhood but it was important to us to bring something fresh," Theodore said. "We knew … brick was going to be the predominant building material. It's complimentary to Armitage. We also knew, being a commercial space … that we would be using glass. 

The building will sit at an end of the block where the historic Greater Little Rock the Lord's Church once was. Although the area is a landmark district, a city of Chicago loophole excluded the specific site from being such.

Developers and architects are working to adhere to the code, anyway, per a recommendation from 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith.

"It's because this is such an important area and I know that Walgreens wants to be a good corporate citizen and a good neighbor," she said at Monday's meeting.

She also imposed a liquor moratorium for the north side of Armitage that will prevent the store from selling alcohol. 

Although most attendees criticized Walgreens' plans Monday, a few applauded them, saying the store's sure to bring more foot traffic to the area and will likely outlive many of the businesses on Armitage, which have been known to have a high turnover.

"I've lived here since January 1978," said Mary Joan McCabe, who's in her 80s. " … I'm thrilled it's coming in here. I've seen this neighborhood change. I've seen the little houses be torn up and big McMansions go up in their place. This Walgreens is just fine. I'm excited to walk just 2 blocks to the store because that's about as much as I want to walk."

Specific truck loading times for an area in the back of the store, off Dayton, are yet to be determined, though many residents voiced concerns about them. Walgreens representatives said they'll work with residents and Smith to establish and adhere to those hours. 

They also haven't cemented store hours, though they said they initially thought the Walgreens would be open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Looking for more background?

• Armitage Walgreens Renderings Released Before Monday Meeting (PHOTOS)
• Vacant Church Lot May be Future Home to 3-Story Walgreens
• Officials Expect Armitage Walgreens Plans in 'Very Near Future'