Chicago Approves Retirement Community Plans Despite Objections from Evergreen Park Residents

by Heidi M. Stallings
Sept. 12, 2008 – A plan to build a residential retirement community on the city’s Southwest Side for nuns and non-Catholics alike was approved by the full Chicago City Council Wednesday, but a local mayor may try to take legal action against the construction of the proposed center.

The site, owned by Sisters of Mercy and located at 10024 S. Central Park Ave., consists of seven acres, one square mile of which includes Mother McAuley High School, St. Xavier University, Evergreen Park Southwest Elementary and Brother Rice High School.

The site is surrounded by the Village of Evergreen Park , but the land owned is part of Chicago. The property arrangement dates back to the 1950s, and was due to the Sisters of Mercy’s desire for access to Chicago’s fire and police services for their educational facilities.

The Sisters of Mercy project calls for construction of a five-story facility with 116 one-, two- and three-bedroom independent living units, 20 “memory care” units, 41 assisted living units and 35 skilled nursing units. The facility would accommodate about 200 residents ages 62 and older.

On Aug. 21, a group of Evergreen Park residents and Mayor James J. Sexton failed to persuade the Chicago Plan Commission to vote against the proposal. At the Aug. 26 meeting of the Chicago City Council Zoning Committee, the zoning proposal, which would be located in the 19th ward under Ald. Virginia Rugai, passed unanimously.

After that vote, Sexton said he wasn’t surprised to learn the proposal unanimously passed the council’s zoning committee, citing what he believes are flaws in the zoning process.

“The process is supposed to be fair, but with the City of Chicago, it is anything but fair,” said Sexton.

Neither Zoning Committee Chairman William Banks (36th) nor Ald. Rugai responded to multiple requests for comment.

Sister Shelia Megley said the retirement complex needs to be built because elderly nuns have nowhere to live. She also cited the growth of the elderly population overall.

“It would be a wise ministry to help the community and the sisters,” said Megley.

Sexton disagrees. He opposes the size of the project and worries it will increase traffic.

But Megley said a traffic study the order conducted concluded there would be no increase in traffic. She suggests the mayor doesn’t want low-income housing built in the neighborhood.

“It has nothing to do with that,” said Sexton, who added “I was taught for eight years by the Sisters of Mercy. I have nothing but love for them.”

The price of the housing would range from about $190,000 to $300,000, Megley said, adding that there are plans to create a foundation called the Gift of Care for those unable to afford the cost of the facility.

Mayor Sexton said the 1954 agreement that the Sisters of Mercy signed with the Village of Evergreen Park states the property would only be used for educational purposes. He believes that other personal interests are motivating factors for the Sisters of Mercy and the City of Chicago.

“It’s all about money,” said Sexton.

Megley insists that’s not the case, “I still don’t understand why anyone would be opposed to a faith-based elderly living community.”

Megley did not elaborate on how or if money will be made.

The mayor said he still wants his community’s voice to be heard.

“There is a very good possibility we’ll proceed to take legal action against it,” said Sexton.