Parker Crosses Belden

John Weiss, a “Belden by the Park” tenant, has lived at 327-335 W. Belden for just over a year. Now, he fears he will not be able to sell his home.

Weiss’s trepidation comes after Parker bought six out of the 15 units in his building. The school maintains they were approached by condo owners looking to sell their properties and seized the opportunity in a move toward Parker expansion in what Principal Dan Frank referred to as a  “long play for the school.” Toward the end of January, the school also executed a letter of intent to buy the entire building at 317-325 Belden Ave. The school is negotiating a formal contract.

Condo owners first contacted Parker in the spring, a moment that Frank considered to be a “fact gaining one.” During this time, Parker deliberated the pros and cons of purchasing the units and attacked the question of their purpose. 

“We have a vision,” Frank said. “The school has been here since before most of these buildings: since 1901. We envision the school having a long future, and it is a strong, civic anchor in this community. We want the school to have an opinion for future boards and future educators to build their own vision.” Frank said these principles guided the school in its decision to purchase the condos. 

Since Parker bought its first units at the “Belden by the Park” property, the neighborhood has been largely divided on the move. The East Lincoln Park Neighbors, an informal group of Parker’s neighbors, have distributed thousands of flyers titled “Stop Francis Parker From Demolishing Our Homes and Wrecking our Neighborhood.” They have placed flyers on parked cars and left them in stores, buildings, mailboxes, and more. 

The Neighbors have also protested in Parker’s “Circle Drive,” holding signs and chanting “Parker leave our homes alone.” Neighbors protesting at Parker’s Middle School Open House organized a petition to maintain residential zoning around the school. It now has over 1,100 signatures, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

“You’ve got two different groups here,” Frank said. “Some might look out their window and wonder or worry about what they are going to see in the future, and others might like to see the school have the opportunity to strengthen its position in the city and in this neighborhood.” 

Weiss is certainly concerned about what he might see out his window in the future. He contends that he is not “Anti-Parker,” but concerned about the impact of Parker’s purchases. He says it is not just a matter of selling––he fears he may have to find a new home for his family and a new school for his son and move away from neighbors who have become close friends. 

“Most people have a lot of their life savings invested in their homes,” Weiss said. “They cannot afford to risk not being protected legally from an aggressive neighbor with a large amount of money and little concern for others. From the start, Parker has treated our homes like a piece of land and treated us like we should be happy to surrender, undervaluing our emotional and monetary investments.”

Weiss says that Parker’s position makes it “almost impossible to sell our homes under these conditions.” Due to banking rules, most potential buyers could not get a mortgage, and potential purchasers likely only include the school or investors waiting for the school to buy the units. Condo owners worry they will have to sell at whatever price Parker demands.

Frank says he has no idea what the asking price for new units will be. “All the sales so far have had a price that the people who sold were very pleased with,” he said. Frank asserts that Parker has no plans to expand in the near future, and is not looking to buy more units right away. 

Neighbors do not trust the school’s word. “The school has given several different stories and omitted facts. The first bulk sale letter from the school says it was approached by building leaders, but those persons have insisted that they never approached Parker in their leadership capacity,” Weiss said. “The school should have contacted the building’s board through the management company before starting any attempt at purchasing the building. That would have been the ethical and straightforward way.”

Weiss added that the building’s board wasn’t notified until the school made its first offer. By that time, Weiss said the school had purchased two units under a trust “nobody knew was associated with Parker.” 

Parker says they only bought condos offered to them. “We don’t call people up,” Frank said. “They call us. Whether you’re an independent school or a college or university, it’s within the fiduciary responsibility of the board to look at those future opportunities for developing the educational program.”

Weiss wishes Parker would put itself in his shoes. “The idea of home is something we have put time and money into,” Weiss said. “It is not solely an investment––it is also a belief. What does home mean to you? How would you feel if you and your family were told someone was going to buy your home?”

Frank does not know what the future looks like in terms of expansion but is secure in one thing. “Parker will be ethical, as always. We are good neighbors. We want people to have a sense of pride in where they live, and we will continue to uphold the mission and values of the school.”