Tribune Response to Sunday Paper Article

Dear Editor-

The image of what is arguably the best planned community of single family homes in the City, Bridgeport Village, was unfairly tarnished on the front page of last Sunday's edition.

As a homeowner and resident of Bridgeport Village, I don't pretend to understand the murky reality of 11^th Ward politics. What is clear, however, is that a well-constructed negative PR campaign waged by a disgruntled contractor coupled with the plight of a few unhappy homeowners along with City politics gone awry, made for an intriguing and titillating story for Tribune readers. The inclusion of a photo of a simple wood frame structure with no internal walls, bracing, windows or exterior masonry which collapsed during a severe windstorm added an extra punch of drama.

While the City inasmuch admitted that they did not and could not execute the proper oversight for a development of its size, many mistakes were also made by the Managing Partner and construction team during the initial construction of homes at Bridgeport Village. This included the mismanagement of contractors and their subs, mishandling of permits and general disregard for homeowners' concerns. As such, both parties share the blame for the building code violations cited in the article.

Once the City of Chicago re-focused itself, the previous Manager/Partner and General Contractor were removed and investment partners Kinsella & Diamond took control, any and all code violations were addressed and a long and expensive road to remediating homeowner's problems began. In atypical fashion, Mssrs. Kinsella and Diamond worked diligently and tenaciously at fixing not only the mundane (i.e. leaking windows and roofs) but potentially more serious matters identified by subsequent City inspections. Their efforts, genuine responsiveness and concern for the well-being and safety of residents have provided my family and other families with safe and comfortable homes.

Undoubtedly, many readers were left with the impression that all of the homes in Bridgeport Village share the same problems, are flawed and are in imminent danger of collapse. This implication is itself, flawed. The reality is that a majority of homes in Bridgeport Village have no code violations whatsoever.

What we have at Bridgeport Village is truly unique; an oasis of green space in the heart of the City bordered by an ever-improving Chicago River, inhabited by families which are not just neighbors, but are in the truest sense, family.

We are proud of our homes and our community and know that, unlike our homes; the negative PR will "blow over". What will remain is a legacy that will far outlast the tactics of a disgruntled contractor, the complaints of a few unhappy homeowners not to mention shameful City politics and back room deals.

Sincerely,

Thomas Krueger