AIA Chicago Statement on General Iron (Southside Recycling)
04.16.2021
As an organization of architects, we are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and communities. We are also guided by our professional code of ethics. We applaud Mayor Lightfoot’s recent decision to delay the issuance of an operating permit in the 10th ward for Southside Recycling (formerly General Iron) in order to further study the cumulative impact of pollution from RMG’s proposed operation and adjacent operations in the area. The investigations into both the environmental impact of the proposed operations and civil rights concerns are critical steps in this assessment process and we join the call for transparency and community involvement as results become available from these investigations.
As we commented at the start of civil unrest in the Summer of 2020, which changed the national architectural discourse, we begin by listening.
