Politics & Government
Wilmette Residents Concerned Over Possible Crime at Affordable Housing Development
Neighbors compare plan for former American Legion space to one that's caused problems in Evanston over the past decade.
Residents of Wilmette are worried that replacing the American Legion post in the village with an affordable housing complex will result in problems similar to what has been seen from the Claridge Apartments in Evanston.
More than 40 residents spoke against the plan at a recent meeting in Wilmette, according to Daily North Shore and Evanston Now reports.
RELATED: Affordable Housing Building Planned for Wilmette
The neighbors at the meeting cited 10 years of police reports in regards to the Claridge property at 319 Dempster St. in Evanston. They claim “57 nuisance complaints, 57 disturbance complaints, four criminal trespass,three suicide attempts, seven domestic battery, one death by drug overdose, 10 mental afflictions and 16 suspicious persons” have been reported at Claridge.
The affordable housing building in Wilmette is expected to take shape on Wilmette Ave. Plans include the construction of 10 studio and 10 one-bedroom apartment units on the second and third floors of the building.
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