Howard Mandel <hman@jazzhouse.org> Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998
To Chancellor Broski:
As a native Chicagoan, longtime browser and professional involved with America's music (faculty at NYU re The Arts: Jazz, and Roots of American Music writer for Down Beat, JazzIz, The Wire, Tower Pulse!, producer for National Public Radio, president of the Jazz Journalists Association), I was greatly disturbed the last time I drove down Halsted Street near Roosevelt Road, and realized how much destruction of a unique cultural site U of I/Circle Campus has rained upon what was the Maxwell Street open air market.
The area formerly *was* a living, breathing crosssection of the city, uniquely *not* tipped towards upper middle class Chicagoans, but rather encouraging people of less economic status to come out and mingle. Chicago photographer Marc PoKempner is only one of those who've documented something of Maxwell Street's former vibrancy (he continues to patronize the new area, but tells me much is lacking).
What's most disturbing about Circle campus's take-over is how little has been down with the streets. It seemed to me a busy corner had been turned into a parking lot. I have no idea what you could possibly do to restore the neighborhood to its former functionality, and presume the University intends to go on with its plans, willy-nilly re protests. However, it would be irresponsible of me not to protest further meaningless development of Maxwell Street, and I hope you can convey to all U of I powers that be the regret which multitudes of people experience in the loss of this very special district.
Thanks for your attentions. Howard Mandel, (212) 533-9495
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