Over one thousand residents have voiced clear and consistent opposition to the proposed plan to introduce high-density apartment development into Englewood’s single-family neighborhoods. Yet, despite this strong public sentiment, a majority on the  City Council continues to advance a strategy that has been broadly rejected by the community.

At the recent Affordable Housing Forum, city planner Sabo noted that the Council’s affordable housing subcommittee is reevaluating its initial proposal, which would have applied overlay zones throughout much of the 3rd and 4th Wards. The revised approach now focuses development on Grand, Armory, West, Lafayette, and Englewood Avenues. While this shift alleviates some concerns in parts of the 3rd Ward, it does so at the expense of the 4th Ward — an area already under considerable pressure and of profound historic significance.

This isn’t just about buildings — it’s about history, community, and preservation. The 4th Ward is a cornerstone of Englewood’s heritage, home to landmarks and residences tied to the region’s complicated legacy of slavery and civil rights. Bulldozing forward with development threatens not just homes, but the powerful stories they hold.