The price of the new district could be about $75 per sf,suggests Scott Heidler, current owner of Heidler Hardwood Co. at2559 S. Damen Ave. "The city is locking down the future value of myland by locking down the future use of my land," he says.

Owners of the 11.8-acre Crowley's Boat Yard and 4.6-acre WorldPaper Storage just west of Halsted Street along the river wereamong those arguing against their properties being included on thenew map, pointing to residential redevelopment on neighboringproperties. Access to the properties is limited by low viaducts,restricting truck traffic, and the sites are smaller than whattypical users aim to buy, says Matt Lieberman of Equis Corp. "Iwould not recommend this site to an industrial user, and wouldsuggest they look elsewhere," says Lieberman, who testified onbehalf of the two property owners.

"The river is a natural boundary for the PMD," says attorneyJack Guthman, representing the two owners of property on theriver's south bank. Meanwhile, other property owners in thenortheast corner of the new district suggest the boundary thereshould he Halsted or Canal Street.