Marathon Pundit: Chicago alderman: Univ. of Chicago will replace Reagan's demolished home with plaque

Friday, December 28, 2012

Chicago alderman: Univ. of Chicago will replace Reagan's demolished home with plaque

The Reagan Apartment

Chicago Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) tells Voice of America that a plaque will "honor" the only Chicago home of Ronald Reagan, who in my opinion was the greatest president of the 20th century. I'm sure Hairston, a Democrat, disagrees with me. However, she confirms that the University of Chicago, which owns the Reagan apartment, plans to tear down the building down and replace it with a parking lot.

Hairston's email--please be courteous--is lhairston@cityofchicago.org.

I've been to the Reagan home, which is at 832 E. 57th Street; the university can easily keep the building intact and still have its coveted asphalt garden.

From VOA:

The University of Chicago declined VOA's request for an interview. [My note: They are cowards.] But Hyde Park Alderwoman Leslie Hairston says the school is communicating with her office and the community about a way to move forward with the demolition, while honoring President Reagan's legacy in the area.

"We have had meetings with the community, and they found a way to respectfully commemorate President Reagan's time there. They are going to put a plaque there," Hairston said.

But Hairston says another president may eventually overshadow Ronald Reagan in Hyde Park. Barack Obama lived here before his inauguration in 2009 and could choose the neighborhood as the future home of his presidential library.

Had Obama lived in that building, I'm sure the U of C, which once employed Obama as a lecturer, would not consider demolition. Obama's wife used to work for the University of Chicago Medical Center--the planned parking lot is meant for that facility.

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