Across the street from the high-rise where I live in Chicago, right below my living room window, there used to be a Chinese restaurant called Wing Hoe. It opened 43 years ago in building that had originally been a mansion, built in 1913. The restaurant closed in December 2020 because the owners lost their lease, and the old house was going to be torn down and replaced by a 50-unit apartment building. (Photo by Jonathan Ballew/Block Club Chicago).
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/00-img_1167.jpg?w=500)
Plans stalled over zoning issues, and the property sat empty. Spaces in the old parking lot were rented out. A new building plan was eventually approved by 2023, but for some reason did not move forward. Meanwhile, the owners didn’t do a great job of maintaining the property or shoveling snow.
On Thanksgiving morning, 2023, before dawn, I woke to a two-alarm fire across the street.
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/01-wing-hoe-on-fire.20231123_055308.jpg?w=500)
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/02-wing-hoe-fire-ty-day-20231123_065109.jpg?w=500)
The fire department put it out quickly with no injuries or apparent damage to the cars in the parking lot. Then the building sat burned-out and untended for a while. Our alderwoman reported: “Permits for demolition have been submitted and approved for January 2024, and the subsequent construction on the building is set to commence in March, 2024.”
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/04-january-1-20240101_114909.jpg?w=500)
But not much was done to secure the site or clean up the broken glass, despite complaints. Nothing happened in January — or February or March. Finally, our alderwoman had enough, and here in Chicago, the local alder is a mini-mayor with real power. An emergency demolition was ordered by the city.
In the third week of April, an excavator was delivered to the property, and on April 29, a crew showed up and got to work, perhaps to the surprise of the people renting parking spots.
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05-wing-hoe-april-29-20240429_080417.jpg?w=500)
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/06-wing-hoe-april-29-20240429_163856.jpg?w=500)
A lot was accomplished by May 1.
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/07-wing-hoe-may-1-20240501_120847.jpg?w=500)
Historic bricks, which have a good resale value, were collected on pallets and removed on May 3.
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-wing-hoe-may-03-bricks-20240503_080954.jpg?w=500)
Some of the remaining rubble was pushed into the basement and covered over with clean dirt on May 7.
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/10-wing-hoe-may-07-more-dirt-0240507_141321.jpg?w=500)
On May 10, it was a parking lot again. Will the fresh soil be covered with sod or grass seed, or will it sprout weeds? Or will it attract some of the neighborhood’s ambitious guerilla gardeners?
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/11-wing-hoe-may-10-parking-lot-20240510_121842.jpg?w=500)
Eventually, construction will begin on a 50-unit building.
![](https://sueburke.site/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/12-5356-n-sheridan-road-03-2048x1187-edited.png?w=500)
Groundbreaking was scheduled for two months ago, though. By the time it actually starts, the weeds might have grown lush and inviting to bees and butterflies. I wouldn’t mind.
I am rooting for the weeds, bees, and butterflies!
LikeLike