Ald. Tunney: ‘This is Not Wrigleyville, This is Lake View’

The hotly anticipated annual Wrigely Field meeting Tuesday night brought discussion that proves both Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and Lake View neighbors are still pushing hard to keep the community protected.

The meeting, held at the 19th District Police Station, is a mandatory gathering of city officials per ordinance to recap the 2012 Chicago Cubs season. Representatives from eight Chicago departments gave a report on the previous year.

But from the beginning of the meeting, Tunney told the packed room full of residents, reporters and news cameras that regardless of what happens in negotiations, everyone will make it though together.

“This is not Wrigleyville, this is Lake View,” Tunney said to applause. “We will get through this together. Wrigley Field will survive and thrive and Lake View will survive and thrive. … And honestly, I believe over the last 10 or 12 years we have lived and worked and prospered together, and I believe we will do that with plans through 2015 and beyond.”

“This neighborhood will change every single day. You’re with it, or you’re without it.”

But it was clear a majority of the residents in the room didn’t fully support the Chicago Cubs, coming with their minds already made up. The murmurs before the meeting began even led Cubs Vice President of Community Affairs Mike Lufrano to simply say, “Just give us a chance.”

And those coming to seek new details about the park’s construction or signage in the outfield didn’t get them. New information wasn't released regarding Tunny’s ongoing negotiations with the Cubs on issues like night games, Friday afternoon games or Sheffield Avenue block parties.

Lufrano did, however, say the Cubs were looking to find more entertainment acts for concerts, as they had four last year and have so far only booked two for 2013. He added the team is still hoping to secure Friday games at 3:05 p.m., so those games on the Cubs’ schedule still read TBD.

It wasn’t until later in the evening that those in attendance could ask questions, and a majority of them were directed toward District Commander Elias Voulgaris and ongoing safety initiatives. But after being asked if there’s a jump in crime during Cubs games, the commander was honest.

“From what I’m seeing, I don’t see that big of a difference, “Voulgaris said. “Most people come to the Cubs games and have a great time with their families. For different events—for instance, the pub crawls—you see quality of life issues. But for Cubs games, it’s less.”

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Just one person at the annual meeting asked questions that seemed to favor the new development at Wrigley Field. The last three questions of the night asked Tunney what entity brought in the most tax dollars in Lake View, what project could create 2,100 new jobs and who else is seeking to invest millions into the community.

Tunney responded by saying he’s not anti-investment, but he has to represent the neighbors and small business owners in Lake View, too.

“This neighborhood will change every single day,” Tunney said. “You’re with it, or you’re without it. … It’s very important that we respect the Ricketts family down to the one individual store on Clark. We’re all in this together. And I’m telling you that I believe every day I’m trying to manage the competing interests. I’d love to have the competing interests I have in this ward. … Most alderman come to me and say, ‘You don’t know what problems are.’”

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