Prioritize Transit-Oriented Development
Don’t let ComEd permanently remove over an acre of equitable TOD land only 700 feet from an ADA-accessible L stop!
A SUBSTATION THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD BELONGS IN AN INDUSTRIAL ZONE!
Thank You, Neighbors!
Call To Action!
Here are 5 things you can do right now to protect our transit-oriented land…it only takes a couple of minutes!
3. Get Yard Sign
Join our mailing list for critical community alerts, public hearing timelines, and action updates.
A Rare Opportunity for Housing & Community at 1111 W. Diversey
View the detailed residential vision designed by Alicia Pederson (Courtyard Urbanist), featuring site renderings and a full breakdown of the proposed courtyard layout.
View Detailed Courtyard Vision →Just 700ft from the Diversey ‘L’, this 1.5 acre site is meant for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD). The choice is clear: vibrant residential living or a windowless industrial fortress.
Build Homes, Not Dead Zones
This site could hold 200+ units of high-density housing on a Pedestrian Street. It’s a chance for:
- Car-Free Living: Supports residents right near the ‘L’.
- Planting Roots: Keeps families local near schools.
- Local Economy: Drives foot traffic to neighborhood shops.
Industrial Encroachment
ComEd is using a zoning loophole to build a massive regional transmission hub without public hearings.
- Blocks Transit: Sterilizes prime ETOD land forever.
- Ignores Alternatives: Sidesteps modern grid tech.
- Breaks Continuity: Creates an industrial dead zone.
Help Us Preserve Our Transit-Oriented Future
TAKE ACTION NOW →WHAT CHICAGO LOSES
The Staggering Opportunity Cost of ComEd’s “Lakeview” Substation
We plugged 1111 W. Diversey into the Metropolitan Planning Council’s ETOD Calculator. If ComEd forces an unstaffed 1.5 acre industrial shell onto this rare transit-adjacent parcel instead of mixed-use residential/retail, here is exactly what the community loses:
In the middle of a city-wide housing crisis, this site has the transit eligibility to natively support 450+ new residents—permanently wiping out housing capacity 700 feet from an ADA L stop.
Under Chicago’s Connected Communities Ordinance, a residential build here would yield affordable units, giving people access to a high-opportunity area.
The calculator proves that utilizing the site’s capacity for 33k+ sq. ft. of ground-floor retail would create permanent local jobs. ComEd’s substation creates zero permanent on-site jobs.
A vibrant community block would inject millions of dollars every single year directly into surrounding neighborhood small businesses. An industrial dead-zone completely breaks walking continuity and discourages shoppers from stopping at our retail corridors.
Over a 10-year period, a mixed-use development would generate millions in real estate and local sales taxes to fund our public schools, parks, and city transit. Tax-deficient utility infrastructure contributes nothing.
Building transit-adjacent homes removes cars from roads. This layout would add thousands of green transit trips per year reducing GHG by ~5,000 kg/year. ComEd is actively blocking ridership and subverting the climate goals of CEJA.
The Case Against a Massive Substation
We believe in a vibrant, sustainable future for the Diversey corridor. Explore the evidence and logic guiding our neighborhood platform.
The 62% Ghost Load
Exposing the corporate over-build.
Major/Minor Loophole
Why this isn’t “routine” utility work.
Squandering Transit Land
The cost of industrial dead-zones.
The 95% Misdirection
Deconstructing blackout claims.
ComEd’s Safety History
Reviewing track records at our site.
Courtyard Vision
See the residential plan by Alicia Pederson.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
The ICC controls the project budget. If they “disallow” the expenditure, ComEd cannot charge ratepayers for it.
FILE AN ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION (ICC) PUBLIC COMMENT
The ICC must approve ComEd’s multi-year plan (Docket 26-0047).
1. Click “🔄 Refresh Text” for a new perspective.
2. Click “📋 Copy Text” to automatically copy the text box data.
3. Click “🌐 Open ICC Portal” to paste and submit your comment.
News & Announcements
📅 JUNE 2026 (Last Month)
🎉
June 22nd Public Forum: Standing Room Only!
June 22nd Public Forum: Standing Room Only!
WE PACKED THE ROOM! A massive thank you to the hundreds of neighbors, local business owners, and city advocates who turned up to hold ComEd accountable. Olson Auditorium was completely full, creating a powerful, united front. With ABC and NBC News filming, our neighborhood made it clear that we reject an out-of-scale industrial dead zone on a pedestrian and transit corridor meant for housing!
Special thanks also go out to the local and state officials who joined us to support our call for equitable Transit-Oriented Development (eTOD).
Resources Added: Our critical community briefing handout exposing the Lincoln Yards “Ghost Load” and the utility’s contradictory ICC filings is now officially live in our resources section. We are currently waiting on ComEd to deliver the digital slides from last night’s presentation and will link them here the moment they arrive.
📥 View Handout & Join the Working Committee →
✅
June 8th Community Meeting Recap & Slides
June 8th Community Meeting Recap & Slides
A massive thank you to the hundreds of neighbors, parents, and local business owners who packed Olson Auditorium for our community-only defense briefing! Your energy, questions, and shared commitment to protecting our transit-oriented corridors are what keeps this coalition moving forward.
For those who were unable to attend or want to review the neighborhood framework, land-use data, and utility cost metrics shared during the room presentation, the official slide deck is now available for download.
📥 Download June 8th Presentation PDF →📅 MAY 2026 +
📜
Coordinated State & Local Legislation Announced…
Coordinated State & Local Legislation Announced…
State Senator Sara Feigenholtz and Alderman Timmy Knudsen announced landmark, coordinated legislative initiatives to restore critical community review and close loopholes for large utility projects exceeding 0.5 acres.
This massive joint effort explicitly targets ComEd’s out-of-scale substation proposal at 1111 W. Diversey, ensuring neighborhood scale, transparent public process, and local transit-oriented zoning laws are legally prioritized.
Read the Press Release →
📺
DCC Featured on CBS News Chicago Broadcast…
DCC Featured on CBS News Chicago Broadcast…
CBS News broadcasted a dedicated segment covering the growing community opposition against ComEd’s proposed electrical substation at 1111 W. Diversey Parkway.
The segment highlighted intense concerns raised by Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighbors regarding the loss of equitable transit-oriented development land and ComEd transparency.
Watch the CBS News Segment →
🚧
CDOT Permit Hold Requested for Public Way…
CDOT Permit Hold Requested for Public Way…
Alderman Knudsen has formally requested the Department of Transportation (CDOT) place an immediate hold on all permits for streets and alleys surrounding the site.
This hold prevents ComEd from performing work above, on, or under the public way—including active duct bank installations—until the critical zoning and safety challenges are resolved.
Read the CDOT Letter →
📰
DCC Campaign Featured in Block Club Chicago…
DCC Campaign Featured in Block Club Chicago…
Block Club Chicago published an in-depth profile tracking the rapid emergence of the Diversey Community Coalition as neighbors organize to contest ComEd’s industrial zoning footprints in Lincoln Park.
The investigative piece maps out key community safety questions, local business perspectives, and the core planning conflicts surrounding the 1111 W. Diversey parcel.
Read the Full Feature Article →📅 APRIL 2026 +
⚖️
Zoning Administrator Issues Official Response…
Zoning Administrator Issues Official Response…
The City Zoning Administrator has provided an Official Response to the community’s request for a Formal Letter of Interpretation regarding the 1111 W. Diversey site.
This response is a key piece of the ongoing challenge to classify this project as a “Major Utility,” which would require a full public hearing.
View the Zoning Response →
🛑
Administrative Hold Requested…
Administrative Hold Requested…
Alderman Knudsen has officially requested that the Department of Buildings place an immediate Administrative Hold on all permits for the site.
Read the Official DOB Letter →
📢
Major Progress: State & Local Officials Unite…
Major Progress: State & Local Officials Unite…
Aldermen Knudsen (43rd), Waguespack (32nd), and Lawson (44th) have officially petitioned the City Zoning Administrator for a “Major Utility” classification.
Read the Official Newsletter →📅 MARCH 2026 +
🤝
WNA & CLVN Community Meeting…
WNA & CLVN Community Meeting…
The Wrightwood Neighborhood Association and Central Lake View Neighbors hosted a community dialogue to discuss ComEd’s 1111 W. Diversey Pkwy substation plans at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital.
Resources & Documents
CONTACT US
Have questions, planning insights, or media inquiries? Connect with the coalition team directly.
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