Some of the final buildings of one of the nation's most notorious public housing communities is coming down. Since the late 90's demolition has removed almost 15,000 units concentrated in highrise towers around the neighborhood. Most of the buildings have been replaced by mixed income housing units consisting of rowhomes, walkups, and midrise buildings of similar character of what once used to exist on this site. Affluent neighborhoods of River North, Gold Cost, and Lincoln park have over the past decade swallowed up land once occupied by housing projects. Assuming [[hopefully) all the former residents were relocated to better housing as the program promised, the federally mandated destruction of Cabrini Green into a vibrant and safe neighborhood "the new Oldtown," has been an incredible success.

But one city block remained of highrise towers, that was a reminder of this areas troubled past. The 1st of the three remaining towers once part of a wall of 14 story towers known as "The White Walls" is coming down. Only 2 towers remain functioning......... just barely. Maintenance has been minimal only to satisfy the few residents that remain. For example you can see what hallways have residents just by what light bulbs have been replaced. Units that caught fire are simply boarded up from the inside leaving large scars on the exterior. Scaffolds are set up around the base of the building to protect residents from falling concrete.

I've gotten a few pictures over the past few years. A couple of them I also took today.

1 / 18 / 2008 "Reds" await demolition

A shot of "Headquarters," one of the reds being demolished


Front view of headquarters


From poverty to prosperity. That elevated track in the distance could be the gates to hell or heaven depending on what direction you are heading. The skyscrapers in the distance are John Hancock Tower and 900 N. Michigan, which contains one of the city's most posh shopping centers.