Some years ago, Gerri Oliver and her Palm Tavern on 47th Street were at the center of a heated and complex fight over the tavern's preservation. The whole story is too long to tell here, but ultimately, the building was demolished.

Recently, I happened across a real estate listing for the empty lot and was compelled to write the city's inspector general a letter, which I thought you'd like to read.

In part:

"This lot, wherein the historic Palm Tavern stood, was sold to a private company by the Department of Planning via Ald. Dorothy Tillman. The redevelopment agreement required the purchaser to restore the building, which had been acquired at great taxpayer expense in eminent domain - paying both the owner and the tenant. And, civic dollars were spent to stabilize the building, roof it and secure it via a private security firm with political and gang ties. Money was also spent in an attempt to buy historic artifacts of the building, including the Brunswick bar.

At any rate, the private company began work without a permit and eventually demolished the building without a permit. In the end, the city had to pay to clean up the site.

Now, I see that the property is for sale by a private party.

Can you discover how much money the city spent to not save this historic property?

It was a last remaining icon of the 47th Street entertainment district and Bronzeville that was worn but in working order when the city acquired it. Now, through mismanagement, inattention and malfeasance, it is an empty lot - not restored, and not developed according to the agreement which passed through City Council - being sold for profit.

This would make for a fantastic investigation. The former alderman and her development team should be held accountable for this gross misuse of public funds. Additionally, the officials in the Department of Planning who were responsible for overseeing the project should also be held responsible.

Thank you."