MOTOR ROW — The fate of the former E2 nightclub remains uncertain as families of the people who died in a stampede there in 2003 shared emotional testimony during a special landmarks commission meeting Thursday.
Building owner Randy Shifrin is seeking permission to demolish the 124-year-old, two-story brick and terracotta structure at 2347 S. Michigan Ave. and replace it with a 21-story senior housing development. The development would include a memorial for the 21 people who died in the 2003 tragedy.
Shifrin filed an application for demolition with the landmarks commission in mid-July. In August, the commission voted to halt plans to raze the building, saying “demolition of the subject property will adversely affect and destroy significant historical and architectural features of the property and the district.” The issue was discussed at Thursday’s hearing, with former Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. serving as Shifrin’s counsel…