Vinyl is for Records

I couldn't be more thrilled with Preservation Chicago's Chicago 7 this year. This year they have included "Old Fashioned Wood Windows" on their list and this one really hits home to Pilsen. Here's an exerpt of their description from their website:

Everybody wants to save money on their heating bills, and we’ve all been told that replacing those old wood windows is the best way to do that. But the fact is, traditional wood double-hung windows are more cost and energy efficient, more durable, easier to maintain and simply more attractive than most any replacement window on the market.

The multi-million dollar replacement window lobby has convinced the general public that it is in their interest to pay more for an inferior version of something they already own. This explains why residential and commercial buildings all across Chicagoland are sprouting new vinyl and aluminum replacement windows. And why thousands of wood windows are being relegated to landfills. This neither conforms to the “green” movement, nor does it present a money-smart solution in these challenging economic times.


As a preservationist and as someone who is also frugal, I'm pleased Preservation Chicago has brought this issue to greater attention. Please see my first post for more articles regarding windows and energy efficiency.

Gentrification

During the 1980s, I imagine gentrification was a hot topic like green building is today, in the world of housing. Today I don’t hear too much about it, but am reminded as I pass this sign occasionally on 18th Street. “Danger Gentrification Zone” emblazoned over a yellow traffic sign, on the side of an historic building, interestingly enough.

Technically speaking, gentrification means “The conversion of an aging area in a city into a more affluent middle-class neighborhood, as by remodeling or renovating dwellings, resulting in increased property values and in displacement of the poor.” I’m not quite sure if this is happening in Pilsen or not, as this neighborhood never was originally occupied by Mexicans. Germans settled the neighborhood first and then after the fire, displaced Bohemians, Polish and Czech immigrants moved to the area, building the majority of the buildings from the 1880s thru the 1890s. So, whose neighborhood is it? If anyone’s been displaced, it’s been the Bohemians. Even then, I don’t even think they have been; Pilsen was designed to be a port of entry, not an end destination. It’s proximity to manual labor jobs; the stockyards, lumberyards, McCormick Reaper factory, etc. have all been factors having immigrants move to this neighborhood. However, I do think Pilsen is becoming more of a neighborhood where people do settle for the long term. I think what we want to avoid is something like Lincoln Park, a neighborhood where I see many similarities to Pilsen – working class neighborhood, followed by an influx of artists who preserve and rehab the buildings, and now an upper class neighborhood that is a mecca for young, urban professionals and chain stores. Virtually the same evolution happened in Bucktown/Wicker Park.

I believe neighborhoods like Pilsen are an ecosystem that needs to maintain a balance in order to survive. In nature, if one aspect of the system is thrown off, it eventually becomes out of balance. I believe that in order for Pilsen to survive as the thriving Mexican neighborhood that it is today, it’s simple supply and demand. If the people demand the products the stores in this neighborhood sell, then they will stay in business. I think that as second, third and fourth generations stop being consumers for these goods, the ecosystem will fail and be taken over by the next wave of residents. I don’t believe it’s solely about the residents being priced out of the buildings they own; that is just one factor in the Pilsen ecosystem.

Regardless, a main reason I find Pilsen attractive is the Mexican culture that continues to thrive. But maybe that’s just because of my affinity for Mexican food!

I would be interested to hear other opinions, especially it is whoever spray paints the "yuppies out of pilsen" throughout the neighborhood.

My Pilsen Top Ten

10. The Churches – from St. Paul’s (my favorite) to St. Adalbert’s and St. Procopius, there are some beautiful churches in Pilsen

9. The Festivals – Fiesta del Sol, Buen Provecho! Pilsen, Mexican Independence Day Parade, Pilsen Open Studios and more. Pilsenites know how to have a good time.

8. The Community – The number of community organizations that come together for the greater good of Pilsen is remarkable. All of them do different things but they all work together.

7. The Art – I love the strong artist community here and the murals are amazing too.

6. 18th Street – If I can walk anywhere within Pilsen I try to make my route directed along this vibrant street. I love the smells, the cacophony that surrounds you, the people and buildings that make up this main artery.

5. Old Commercial Buildings in the Middle of a Residential Street – These were obviously put into place before zoning and every time I pass one, I think of what it would be like when these were all operating as commercial businesses and what it would be like now if that happened.

4. The People – This neighborhood has such a sense of community. People are friendly, help you shovel out your car if you get stuck, say hello to you. It’s just different here. If you’ve read The Death and Life of Great American Cities, it has many parallels to Greenwich Village circa Jane Jacob’s era in Manhattan.

3. Vaulted Sidewalks – These are steadily disappearing, but I love the story they tell of the raised streets.

2. The Food. I can’t say enough, I should almost sub-categorize this. I’ve been working here for over a year, haven’t gotten sick of Mexican food in the least. The bakeries in the morning for conchas and café, the restaurants for lunch and dinner and the few and far between bars for after work, like my favorite, El Trebol. You. just. can’t. miss.

1. The Architecture. From the exterior, I am constantly enchanted by the simple design with the unique architectural elements. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten in a car accident or hit from staring at these buildings. I see new things every time I go out and even on the same block I discover more interesting and unique details that you just don’t see in any other neighborhood. The Bohemian influence is everywhere you look, even in vernacular worker’s cottages. I’m fortunate enough to have gone inside many buildings in Pilsen and can’t get over what remains. One apartment building I was in had beautiful interior wood shutters I was just gushing over. I have seen many buildings with remarkably in-tact tin ceilings, original storefronts and prismatic lights. Buildings with bathrooms in the hallway, tiny bedrooms and gorgeous old stoves still in use.