Our thanks to "Koocachoo72" from BPN for sending in these photos from Uptown's heyday. They are from the University of Minnesota Library. Enjoy.
The "Viceroy Hotel," at Lawrence and Kenmore.
Entrance to the "Uptown Broadway Building."

Corner of Broadway and Lawrence.

Lawrence and Winthrop, currently condos, "Kinetic Playground," and Chase Bank

"Cook Department Store," 4720 N Broadway, currently Borders Book Store and condos.

Under the El tracks at Broadway and Leland.

It appears that a new fast food restaurant, "El Pollo Loco," will be opening at Wilson and Sheridan at the site of the former Blight, I mean, "Burger King" this fall. Our thanks to "asurfc2" from BPN for finding this. This will be the second "El Pollo Loco" in Chicago. Welcome, El Pollo Loco!

Taken today at Wilson and Racine.

Does anyone else think the landscaping in front of Bridgeview Bank at Broadway and Lawrence looks really nice? It has really spruced up that intersection.

We have been wondering whats up with this huge lot in the 4600 block of Malden. It has been empty for sometime now. A park would be nice. Anyone have info on this?

Here's another fascinating item from the "Jazz Age Chicago" website and Scott A. Newman. Our kudos to him and the research it took to piece this map together. Check it out here:

The Somerset Hotel at 5009 North Sheridan Road was one of several multi-story apartment hotels built in Chicago's Uptown district during the 1920s. Opened for guests in 1920, the eight-story hotel cost a reported $2 million to build. It was desinged by owner-architect Samuel N. Crowen and contained a total of 441 fully-furnished rooms arranged in 205 suites of one to four rooms each. One-room suites contained a living room, dressing room, and bath without dining facilities, while larger apartments included a sun parlor, separate bedroom, and dining room with kitchenette. All rooms were completely and luxuriously furnished. Opening-year advertisements promoted the hotel as both an "exclusive summer resort" and a year-round residential hotel. One described the hotel as "the ideal dwelling place for those desiring the homelike atmosphere and privacy of an apartment combined with all the modern conveniences of a hotel."

Opened in 1910 as a combination dance hall and skating rink, the Arcadia Ballroom, situated along the west side of Broadway just north of Montrose Avenue, was one of the Uptown district's best known entertainment destinations. During the 1920s, the ballroom became one of the city's most popular dance establishments and stood as one of the few places in the city where white audiences regularly danced to the music of all-black jazz bands. The driving force behind the Arcadia's popularity, particularly during the late 1910s and 1920s, was sports and dance promoter Paddy Harmon, whose interests included the Dreamland Ballroom and Chicago Stadium on the near west side.

We came across this photo on the "Chicago L. org" site from the IRM Collection courtesy of Peter Vesic. The photo was taken in the spring of 1961 on the Wilson El platform facing north.

Here is a short video we came across on YouTube. We doubt the filmmaker will win any awards for this video and you may need a dramamine after watching it, but it does give an interesting view of the Wilson El station if you have never used it.

We came across several rehabs in the neighborhood. The first one is at Sunnyside and Clifton. We are not sure if this rehab is for rentals or condos, perhaps someone who lives nearby has info on this. There is an interesting flag draped over the back porch on the left. We wonder who could live there.
This next rehab is at Magnolia and Sunnyside. The building has been restored to its former glory. The detail on the building is beautiful with turquoise terracotta lining the top near the roof.
This last building is on the 4600 block of Dover at Wilson. Again, we are not sure if this building is being gutted for rentals or condos. The building is enormous and used to feature a huge garden in the front lawn. That has since been removed, and an underground sprinkler system added. Workers have been seen most everyday in the building. If you have info on this building, feel free to add it in the comments.

If you have been looking for a pilates studio in the neighborhood, look no further than the "Chase Park Commons" development near Clark and Leland and the "From the Center Pilates Studio." Check out their website for more info.

The "Vis Vitae" development at Clark and Leland has a website which is now almost up. Word has been spreading of "Starbucks" joining the ground floor retail of this building. When we find out what other retailers you can expect, we will let you know.

An "Updater" sent in a nice pic of the progress made on the "Sunshine Garden" on Clarendon just south of Wilson. The garden features 15 pieces of artwork by local Uptown kids and really looks great. If you get a chance, check it out.

Seen near Sunnyside and Clarendon.

This fellow was seen sitting on a piece of cardboard behind dumpsters next to Ace Hardware on Broadway.

Looks like some Uptown youngsters have been experimenting in a new type of "graff art." From the looks of this giant pink paint splatter on the Lawrence side of a condo building at Malden, the artists prefer "abstract." We noticed a white plastic shell covered in pink paint on the sidewalk. Lovely.

This photo was sent in today by an "Updater" of a Farmer's Market downtown near Water Tower Place. Compare and contrast this with our current Farmer's Market offering.

An organizer of the "Family Fun Fair" at Chase Park wrote in and wanted us to pass along info on their upcoming fest. This doesn't appear to be a festival where you can purchase illegal purse knock-offs or used shoes either. Be warned.

Location: Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland (at Ashland and Leland)
Date: Friday, July 27, 2007
Time: 4:30pm till dusk, followed by a free movie in the park
Description: Come join us for an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Activities include pony rides, face painting, games, live entertainment, dunk tank, bounce houses, relay races and arts & crafts. Food, drinks and treats will be sold. At dusk, stay for the free movie in the park, "ET, The Extra-Terrestrial."
Admission: Some activities are ticketed. All activities to support the Chase Park Playground renovation and Community Building Tutors NFP. Movie in the Park is free. We need the community to come together to improve our park!
Sponsored By: Chase Park Advisory Council, Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Community Building Tutors NFP, and 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter
Questions: contact chaseparkplayground@yahoo.com

Seen near Broadway and Sheridan. "Graffti Busters," anyone?

This was sent in by our Buena Park correspondent, "Buena Boy." Loitering continues to be a problem at the famed "Hotel Chateau" at Broadway and Sheridan as well as in Gill Park next door. "Buena Boy" witnessed a manager come out of the building, when this picture was made, and attempt to force the loiterers to leave, or call the police.

Cub Reporter walked over to Truman College to experience the Uptown Unity Festival on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. In case you aren't able to attend, here are some of the events going on.
A "graff wall" was being constructed for artists to showcase their skills with spray paint.
Until the wall is complete, some kids were practicing their artwork on a piece of plywood.

If walls aren't your thing, you can always apply spray paint to a t-shirt!
An aspiring young entertainer serenaded the audience with her unique blend of shouting and rap.
Weiss Hospital offered blood pressure checks, immunizations and expert manicures.
Why venture all the way down to Michigan Avenue when you can purchase the Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade or Prada purse you were eyeing right at the Uptown Unity festival!

In addition to new purses, you can buy used shoes at the Uptown Unity festival. Who needs to go to DSW when Truman College has all of the latest looks.
And, something for the kids - inflatables of their favorite cartoon character.
If you check this post out before 5 p.m. on Saturday, you can experience unity at the festival too!

Craig Gernhardt, 'The Broken Heart of Rogers Park' blogger, wrote in telling us about this fence at the skate park at Wilson and Lake Shore Drive that has been broken for weeks. The park has become a showcase for out of town skaters and has proven to be very popular, but now the broken fence is a real danger and reflects badly on our ward. This broken fence even affects those playing softball nearby. Let's get this fixed before someone is hurt.

Walking by the Wilson El stop today, we noticed the weeds continue to grow like, well....weeds, out of the top of the station. We wonder why this was left out of the new Uptown banners showcasing this once great station. Shame on the CTA for letting this architectural beauty decay to this point.

From the looks of this crumbling CTA pillar at Broadway and Leland near Ace-Hardware, we could really use some unity.

There will be a community meeting for those interested in the status of the "Theatre District Lofts Phase 2 and 3" development on August 9 at 7:00pm in the Aragon Ballroom at Lawrence and Winthrop. Jim Gouskos, developer, is hosting the meeting along with others involved in the project. Phase 2 consists of the condominium tower located south of Phase 1. The movie theatre/retail section (currently the site of the Aragon parking lot) located at Lawrence and Winthrop is Phase 3.
Mr. Gouskos has made complimentary parking available for those attending the meeting in the lot across from the Aragon. Plans and updated renderings will be available at the meeting.

Who needs a Target when we have more Uptown entrepreneurs setting up shop on Broadway and Wilson? Today's vendor sat in a folding chair right on the corner with a "wheelie suitcase" full of shampoo and soap opened up on the sidewalk. No sign of our previous hat and bag selling vendors as they are being investigated by the city. We have a feeling that this current vendor's days are numbered as well.

Seen on the north wall of the Lawrence El stop overpass.

We are now getting the first glimpse of the new terra cotta being added to the Riviera Building at Lawrence and Broadway. Looks like the folks doing the restoration are trying very hard to stay true to the buildings original appearance, which is great. New brick is being added as we write this. Our thanks to Larry Leland from BPN for tipping us off to the new addition. We were unable to view the pics he uploaded to BPN so we went over and took some ourselves.

By Lorraine Swanson
Pioneer Press News-Star

Chicago Public School students don't have to go hungry this summer thanks to the Seamless Summer Option program that is keeping most public school cafeterias open during the summer break.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and supported by the Illinois State Board of Education, communities where at least 50 percent of children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals during the regular school year are offering the program to all children age 18 and under. Children do not need to be enrolled at participating schools during the summer or regular school year to receive a free breakfast or lunch.
"Our schools serve as important feeding centers for children in low-income families during the school year, and we want to make sure they can continue that critically important role over the summer," CPS Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan said.
CPS is also teaming up with the Illinois Hunger Coalition which is helping to get the word out about the program through schools, churches and community organizations. Last summer, the federally-sponsored program served more than 4.7 million meals to low-income kids in neighborhoods across the city.
"When you have families that are very low income, kids are often on their own during the day when parents are working. When parents find out there is some place where kids can get fed, they're excited," said Diane Doherty, executive director of the Illinois Hunger Coalition.
Cafeterias will close, however, when high school summer programs end Aug. 3, Aug. 10 or Aug. 17, per the school's discretion. Doherty said the Illinois Hunger Coalition is working to line up churches and other sites that can continue offering the summer food program until Chicago Public Schools re-open for the regular school year on Sept. 4.
Anyone who is interested in the Seamless Summer food program can call the Illinois Hunger Coalition's toll-free hotline at 1-800-359-2163 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (Spanish available), or call the neighborhood school to see if free summer meals are being offered. Churches and other facilities with refrigeration and dining space who wish to help continue serving free meals to kids until school starts in the fall, should also contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition's toll-free hotline.
The following schools are offering free meals through Aug. 18. Some schools may ask kids for an ID or address to show that students live in the neighborhood.
Amundsen High School, 5110 N. Damen Ave. Breakfast, 7:15 to 8 a.m. and lunch, 10:55 to 11:15 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Lakeview High School, 4015 N. Ashland Ave. Lunch, 10 to 10:45 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Mather High School, 5835 N. Lincoln Ave. Breakfast, 7:30 to 8 a.m. and lunch, 10 to 10:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Roosevelt High School, 3436 W. Wilson Ave. Breakfast, 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. and lunch, 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Senn High School, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave., Noon to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

An "Updater" sent in this advertisement for the "Kuumba Lynx Urban Arts," who will be at the "Uptown Unity Fest" on July 21. If you would like a lesson in how to deface public property and disguise it as "graff art" then this is for you. And while you're at the Unity Fest, don't forget to get the kiddies immunized or pick up a new state ID. This is truly family fun that can only be brought to you by the 46th Ward.

Courtesy of a resident of the "Wilson Club Hotel" as seen from the El platform. Sent in by an "Updater."

Police were summoned to Clark and Winnemac after receiving a call of shots fired around 2:30 a.m. July 7. Police surveyed the area and found no signs that a crime had occurred. Later that morning, police were summoned to Illinois Masonic Hospital to interview a a 20-year-old man who had been in the La Primera Restaurant parking lot at 5016 N. Clark St. The victim was standing in the parking lot talking to a female who was sitting inside a car, when a male in his late teens came up in another vehicle and started yelled at the victim. The male, who had a bandana covering his nose and mouth, shot the victim and took off, fleeing southbound on Clark. The victim's friends took him in their own car to the hospital. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and is listed in serious condition. (News-Star)

By LORRAINE SWANSON Staff Writer
Pioneer Press News-Star

The Chicago City Council's Committee on Zoning approved a zoning change for a Single-Room Occupancy, or SRO, facility at the former Carmen Manor Nursing Home that has divided residents along the Uptown/Andersonville border.

Members of the zoning committee voted unanimously on July 12 to recommend upzoning the property at 1470 W. Carmen Ave. that will allow for greater density. Two non-profit organizations, Heartland Housing, a division of Heartland Alliance, and International Consultants and Associates, plan to share the building's living space. The zoning committee's recommendation is expected to go before the City Council for a full vote later this month or next month.

Heartland to purchase nursing home
Heartland Housing is putting the financing together to purchase the nursing home, which has been vacant for several years. The property will be leased to International Consultants and Associates, which will manage the facility.

Resident who oppose the SRO took issue with Heartland's plan to house persons living with HIV/AIDS who are clients of its Rafael House program. During a community meeting with Alderman Helen Shiller, 46th, last month, many residents cited past problems with Uptown SROs, saying tenants panhandled and caused other disturbances in the neighborhood.

"Many of the people who would have liked to have been here today are working like yourselves. An SRO does not fit in our community," said Uptown resident Annie Claussen, who lives on the same block as the proposed SRO.

"We have many new restaurants, bars, a health club, and lots of new, small shops trying to develop business. They want to prosper. They need an environment that customers will feel safe visiting and patronizing," Claussen added.

Residents sign petition
Claussen presented a petition signed by 67 residents, 85 percent of whom live within a few blocks of the proposed SRO. Claussen also questioned how many Single-Room Occupancies there are per capita in the 46th Ward. Residents have frequently remarked that the 46th Ward has a disproportionate number compared to other wards in the city.

Shiller could not specifically give the number of SROs in her testimony before the zoning committee.

"We have many SROs in our community, although I think there are a number of wards and communities, including Lincoln Park, that have comparable numbers," Shiller said, stating that her office had received many calls and letters supporting the SRO.

Some favor SRO
Uptown resident Heather Rakes spoke in favor of the SRO.

"I'm not afraid of this population living in this neighborhood," Rakes said, referring to the Rafael House residents.

Andrew Geer, executive director of Heartland Housing, said that he expected to close the sale of the property in September. The hard part now, Geer said, was winning the confidence of those residents who opposed the project.

"We are going to be a responsive owner and landlord. At the end of the day, we take that responsibility to the community very seriously. We don't view today as, 'we won.' This is our first step to building community trust," Geer said.

We noticed this parcel of land from the El tracks today, right before exiting at Sheridan southbound. We remember seeing a sign for an auction for this land (at Irving Park and Kenmore) a while back and wonder who actually purchased it and what is being done with it. We are guessing maybe some sort of park? Anyone who lives in this area know? Anyone?

We know these Wilson El station stairs have been completed for a couple weeks but this was the first chance we had to use this entrance on the south side of Wilson. The dated Truman College mural (covered in graffiti) also appears to have been removed from the stairwell. Seeing these new stairs made us yearn for the day in the distant future when this station will finally be rehabbed. We can dream, can't we?

Saturday July 21, 2007

TIME: 10:00am to 4:00pm

WHERE: Uptown Baptist Church
1011 W. Wilson
Chicago, IL 60640
773 784-2922

WHAT: a “NO QUESTIONS ASKED” gun turn in

HOW: Anyone can bring an unloaded gun, (firearm- shotgun, rifle,
automatic, semi- automatic, pistol or revolver) to any one of 23
locations and receive a $100 Prepaid MasterCard per gun.
Attendees may bring in a BB, replica or air gun and receive a
$10 Prepaid MasterCard per gun
More Information

We would like to see how well our readers know Uptown area architecture. Can you name the location of this particular terra-cotta face? It may be too easy. The winner will receive nothing except the admiration of their peers. Enjoy.

Last night we spotted a construction notice on the window of Heartland Alliance's Leland building on the corner of Leland and Racine. Construction has started on the lower level retail space next to ONE's lovely new office. According to the construction notice, an art gallery/studio is slated for the spot. No other info was available. If anyone has information, feel free to add it to the comment section.

Most Uptown residents with dogs are frequent visitors of the "Montrose Dog Beach." We will be adding a link to their blog on the right. You can sign up for updates on dog beach events or make donations. If you haven't checked it out, you should. It is a definite asset to Uptown.

The area around Lawrence and Clark is seeing a huge construction and rehab boom. Today we noticed that the beautiful building right on the corner, named "Lawrence," appears to be being gutted judging by the windows being removed and retail now closed.
Next door at Rainbo Village, progress remains steady. We now have word from a resident who just purchased in this development that "Panera" has signed on to fill the ground-level retail as well as a "Tea" shop. Our fingers are crossed that it is Argo Tea.
We have also received word that "Lincoln Towing Service" has been sold and a new development will be replacing it. You can see the "Lincoln Towing Service" on the far right in the pic above. The amount of development that has taken place in this block is also apparent with the blue scaffolding in front of yet another upcoming condo building.

The development at the corner of Leland and Clark formerly known as "Clarkview" has been rebranded as "Vis Vitae." We had heard the previous developer lost funding, then construction ran into ground water drainage problems. No website listed yet but it looks like there will be quite a bit of retail space to fill. From the looks of Alderman Schulter's 47th Ward, including Lincoln Square and Ravenswood, there shouldn't be as much trouble filling this retail.

We noticed a "Public Notice" sign on this building near Wilson and Sheridan (across from Joan Arai School) announcing the upcoming Jesus People USA school. It appears it will be taking up the ground floor of this building.

Seen near the "46th Ward Community Service Office" for quite some time now.

Someone obviously wants people to know this building has space to rent in the 4600 block of Broadway (across from the Wilson El vacant storefronts) judging by the number of "Store for Rent" signs in the window. This is one beautiful building and with a little TLC, it could be restored to its former glory. We know there are quite a few other vacant storefronts on Broadway and we will be featuring them, but we felt this one deserved its own post. If you know someone who would be interested in this building, just click the pic and the numbers to call are easily visible. You can also email this post by clicking the email letter icon at the end of the post.

Hey folks, mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 17. An "Updater" wrote in telling us that the "Fat Cat" restaurant at 4840 N. Broadway (next to Marigold and the Annoyance Theatre) will be opening for business then. We look forward to the outdoor seating and a new option for eating in the neighborhood.

Asset Mapping. What is it? We wondered what this term meant after reading about it on the "Uptown United" site. This project started in Uptown on July 5 and will continue through August 18. We did a google search and came across the following from a Michigan State University "Best Practice Briefs."

By Lorraine Swanson
Pioneer-Press

Last week, someone enjoyed a Fourth of July picnic of kosher chickens, believes Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz of the Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation.
For the second time in as many weeks, burglars broke into the synagogue at 5029 N. Kenmore Ave. and "cleaned us out," Lefkowitz said.
"It happens more and more. The police come and their hearts are broken. No matter if you are a Jew, Christian or Muslim, if you're a human being and see a house of prayer robbed or vandalized, it's diabolical," Lefkowitz added.
Continued

From 46th Ward Website:
Blue Sky Inn sells pastries and baked goods at the Uptown Farmer's Market. Blue Sky Inn is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization established to provide educational, cultural and recreational activities to at-risk youth in Chicago. The youth in their programs are between the ages of fourteen and twenty-four. Blue Sky Inn exists to empower our youth to regain the opportunities and options that have been taken from them.

During a Fourth of July walk, the Cub Reporter noticed that the sign and menu that were in the window of the Spotted Pig have been removed. Did the owners decide not to open? Uptown could use a nice casual restaurant and that location has a great area for outdoor dining. Any insight?

We have to hand it to them. These Uptown entrepreneurs don't give up. They have simply moved about 150 feet to the east of the currency exchange and have set up shop once again. We hope they are claiming this added income on their taxes. The police have been notified and we will keep you updated.

We've seen these all over the neighborhood and unfortunately most of them are ending up on the sidewalk. So much for recycling.

According to Crain's Chicago Business, the dated Dominick's grocery store at the corner of Foster and Sheridan may be replaced with two high-rises with 400 residential units, parking garage and replacement (and updated) Dominick's store.

We walk near the intersection of Lawrence and Kenmore often and have made it a habit of removing various cups that are placed on the fence and throwing them away only to find them back up the next day. Could this be a clever game or do these cups on this fence signify more? Thoughts?