Lee Bey: The Urban Observer

(photo by Lee Bey)

Chicago prides itself on being a city of neighborhoods. But when the architectural spoils are dealt, downtown and the central area get most of the good stuff. Neighborhoods get cheapie strip malls, pug ugly midrise buildings and townhouse developments where the units are as uniform as capped teeth. And who will end this insane war between Walgreen's and CVS? Every neighborhood commercial street corner in Chicago is a casualty...

All this is why the Gary Comer Youth Center at 72nd and South Chicago is worth heralding. Located in working-class Grand Crossing, the center is the home and practice space of the South Shore Drill Team & Performance Ensemble, while doubling as a youth center. The unexpectedly bold and colorful building was designed by Chicago architect John Ronan.