Please sign the Stop Destroying Chicago Bungalows petition
An onslaught of developers are threatening Chicago’s iconic bungalows by tearing off the entire upstairs levels and replacing them with full second stories in lieu of sensible additions. These destructive additions, aka “pop tops,” destroy the architectural/aesthetic value of homes and streetscapes as well as neighbors’ property values. The inferior materials and methods used are short-lived and structurally overwhelming; a complete contrast to bungalows themselves, which were built to last for many decades.
There are ways to expand bungalows with second-story additions that are compatible to the original building in style and proportion. Sensible additions can provide an equally full, high-ceiling expansion of space, and are pleasing to the surrounding neighborhood and environment.
The Chicago Bungalow Association (CBA) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping homeowners maintain, preserve and adapt their unique Chicago bungalow, an indelible part of the City’s landscape. On behalf of CBA’s staff, its 16,000 members and the 80,000 Chicago bungalows, they have created the #StopThePop campaign in an effort to protect Chicago bungalows from this destructive trend. With your support, they hope to achieve the following:
- Educate developers and the public on “good” vs. “bad” additions through campaign-driven seminars, panels, fact-sheets and a comprehensive set of Design Guidelines for additions.
- Provide homeowners with direct access to qualified and affordable architects, engineers and contractors experienced in creating sensible second story additions.
- Bring awareness to Aldermen and the City of Chicago Department of Buildings through our campaign petition, homeowner testimonials, and statements of support from neighborhood organizations.
CBA is just getting started and need you to join their efforts by signing this petition and sharing it with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Stay up-to-date on #StopThePop by visiting www.chicagobungalow.org. Do not hesitate to email your thoughts and ideas in strengthening this campaign.
Please join the 1,500 others and add your name to the Stop Destroying Chicago Bungalows Petition