Daniel O'Donnell, owner of a hardware store as well as property in the 900 block of Armitage, tells a public hearing on the landmark designation this week his buildings have 42 new potential tenants, "16 of them are national tenants you said you don't want."

Although 87 owners of 156 affected properties in one of the most affulent areas of the city oppose landmark designation, the measure enjoys support of local and nearby neighborhood groups, in addition to preservation organizations. Although a large turnout has shifted the location of its Nov. 14 meeting, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks is expected to recommend the Armitage-Halsted District to the city council.

Although there would be financial incentives and property tax breaks available, landmark designation will replace severe limits on what they can do with their property, as well as another bureaucracy to deal with, opposing owners say. Getting approval for tenant improvements, for instance, might force some retailers to look elsewhere for space, they note. Property owner and broker Beatrice Nelson challenged proponents to bring her an offer for her two-story storefront at 2118 N. Halsted St., which she has been unable to sell.

Owners in the proposed Armitage-Halsted District also are responsible for preserving much of the turn-of-the-century—19th into the 20th—architecture the measure is designed to preserve, opponents claim.

"By going landmark, you are truly regressing," O'Donnell tells the public hearing held by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. "You should let the owners police themselves, and you'd see something special on Armitage."

However, proponents argue teardowns and renovations inconsistent with the 100-year-old architecture with distinctive cornices and turrets on predominantly two- and three-story retail storefronts with multifamily units above would result. "I don't believe the free market can be trusted to preserve the neighborhood," says Preservation Chicago president Jonathan Fine.

Vincent Michael, director of the history preservation program at the School of the Art Institute, and Timothy Samuelson, cultural historian for the city's department of cultural affairs, testified the Armitage-Halsted District is the best remaining example in the city of a turn-of-the-century commercial area and "satellite" city that marked Chicago's growth.