Mini-Dorm Vigil in Jefferson Park

Three homes were torn down in the Jefferson Park neighborhood at the end of December.

• Mini-dorm ghettos in Feldman’s.

This neighborhood is adjacent to the Feldman’s Historic Neighborhood, which has seen its share of homes torn down, followed by the construction of large duplexes often grouped together.

These buildings, which barely cling to the definition of single-family housing, have been given the moniker of mini-dorms. What’s worse is that many neighbors didn’t know these homes were bought with the purpose of being torn down to create what the developer describes as “luxury student housing.”

The man behind most of these student housing ghettos is Michael Goodman. We wrote about his handy work and the neighbors in 2009’s “Welcome to Goodmanville.”

The only problem with Jefferson Park, at least for Goodman, is that these neighbors are giving him a good fight that will probably go on for some time. The continued development of mini-dorms will not go on quietly.

Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m., there’s a candlelight vigil organized by neighbors and local activists in front of 1036 E. Waverly St. in Jefferson Park. Bring candles, flashlights and signs.

This article appears in Jan 6-12, 2011.