British School of Chicago Wants to Move Forward Just North of Roosevelt Collection Space

We've got some new news on Roosevelt Collection and today it's in regard to the land just North of the current building.  As you may recall, in July we posted about an article stating that the British School of Chicago was interested in building a new school just North of Roosevelt Collection.  Problem is that this was supposed to be a public park built by the owners of Roosevelt Collection and eventually turned over to the Chicago Park District.

Yesterday, Chicagorealestatedaily.com provided the latest on the subject:

Developer Dan McCaffery has asked the city to approve a plan to build a new South Loop campus for the British School of Chicago, even without the buy-in of the neighborhood's alderman. 

The developer and school, which has outgrown its Lincoln Park campus, are seeking a zoning change for a nearly 80,000-square-foot building, including an auditorium and gymnasium, within the Roosevelt Collection, a mixed-use project at Roosevelt Road and Wells Street. But Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) said they have not sought enough community input to gain his blessing. 

“They filed at their own peril, because they haven't done any of the things they've been asked to do the past several months,” Mr. Fioretti said. “They have to go out to the community instead of shoving this down the community's throat.”

First of all, the second paragraph in this blurb is a little misleading (we think).  While it says, "within Roosevelt Collection" we assume they mean it will be built just North of Roosevelt Collection and not within the vacant retail space.  We're assuming this.

Second, the point of debate is about the park.  It sounds like instead of having a park at street level, there may be a public park on the roof?!?!?

One of the biggest sticking points could be a 42,830-square-foot park on the building's roof. Mr. Fioretti said the original Roosevelt Collection plan called for the school space to be a park. He is unsure the community will support green space atop a roof instead.  

“I may be in favor of the school, but you've got to go out to the community, and they haven't done that,” Mr. Fioretti said. “Our green space downtown is very limited. The people in that area approved the (original planned development) because there was going to be a park. They have to convince the park district and the community that it's OK to put a park on top of a school.  

“I want to know what kind of access there will be, and how community use will be regulated.”

Sounds strange, but potentially interesting.  I guess we need more information before we can form an opinion.  Hopefully that information comes out soon.

What do you think?