The building on the corner of Lawrence and Clark is being demolished, as these pictures taken today show. The building to the west (next door to Crafty Beaver) and to the immediate north (formerly housing the african restaurant) have also been demolished. No word on what the developer has planned for this corner. It will surely never look the same.
Seen today on the Riv building at Lawrence and Broadway.
According to "Citizens Clear Map," the 46th Ward has had 5,797 crimes reported in our ward as of today, December 30, for the year 2007. You can check out the stats for our ward and other wards at their website. Just make sure to select "All Crime" under category. How does this compare to year's past? Is crime truly down in our ward?
By Corrinne Hess
Daily Herald Staff
Disappointing sales and a housing market slump are prompting Target Corp. to scrap plans to build several new stores in the Chicago area.
The decision affects at least three communities, including Antioch, where Target was one of three anchor stores planned for the Antioch Marketplace project.
"Antioch Marketplace is in flux right now," said Mayor Dorothy Larson. "I can't speculate if the project will move forward. I would certainly hope so."
Minneapolis-based Target has also shelved plans for new stores in Morris and on Ashland Avenue in Chicago.
Continue Reading...
Today's "vacant storefront showcase" addition comes to us from the 900 block of west Montrose at Broadway (next door to Jake's Chicken). According to the sign in the window, interested parties can call 847-791-8500 to inquire about this space.
The fencing that had been knocked down around Wilson Yard has been put back up and wooden braces have been added for extra "support." We applaud Mr. Holsten for securing his lot.
Due to the normally scheduled CAPS meeting falling on New Year's Day, the Beat 2311 meeting will be held on January 8, 7pm at Truman College. Meetings are generally held in the room off of the cafeteria but residents can inquire at the information desk at the main entrance of Truman College.
On Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. bring your tree or a bag of recyclables to a participating site and receive a free gift, your choice of compact fluorescent light bulb, blue bags, or reusable water bottle (gifts available while supplies last).
From Pioneer Press News-Star
10. Year of the blog
Always interesting, always opinionated and at times, more rancorous than a middle-school lunch room, neighborhood bloggers have both delighted and consternated their readers, as well as becoming the bane of some local aldermen's existence.
Chicago's blogosphere has helped create a "virtual back fence" where neighbors now gather to shape each other's civic lives, whether to complain about "the Stroger fund" where their property taxes drain like water through a sieve, or exchange information about neighborhood issues that otherwise get overlooked by the major daily newspapers or evening news.
Bloggers added brutal honesty as well as frivolity to the 2007 city elections. Like them or not, Mr. or Ms. Elected Official, they are here to stay and hold you accountable.
So here's to 24/7 North of Howard Watchers, Aldertrack II, Alderman's Intern, The Bench, Broken Heart of Rogers Park, Buena Park Neighbors, CTA Tattler, Dog Fight in the 50th, The Living Room of Rogers Park, Rogers Park Inconsistent, Rogers Park Neighbors, Rogers Park Rake, That's My Opinion, Uptown Update, What the Helen, and all the others that haven't been updated in six months.
We wonder why large pieces of green mesh are disappearing from the fencing surrounding our beloved Wilson Yard lot all along Broadway. We also wonder why the fencing has been pushed over yet again. Not a very secure lot Mr. Holsten, now is it? Maybe the "Target Coming Soon" sign is hidden under the mess somewhere.
Seen in the window of "Golden House Pancake Restaurant." For more info on Suzanne Elder, check out her website here. You can also join her at her campaign office on December 29 from 4-6pm, 4704 N. Kenmore, for a "holiday toast."
We were slightly astonished when we checked out the Broadway entrance of our Wilson El station. The main doors have been refinished and the ceiling has been repaired and painted. Bike racks have been added in the lobby and the walls are being repaired. The terrazo flooring has not been polished yet, but hopefully soon. Its amazing what a little elbow grease and attention can do to make a station look halfway presentable. Our kudos to Ron Huberman. The chap we spotted sitting in the lobby warming himself up seemed to be pleased too.
The fencing that had been surrounding the Uptown Broadway Building at Leland and Broadway has been removed and the top layer of concrete has been added, forming the final sidewalk. Thankfully, no thugs were able to carve gang tags into the drying concrete.
Wishing you and yours a healthy, safe holiday and a prosperous 2008.
A reader sent in this black and white photo of Wilson Avenue under the El tracks after the recent snow.
The condo building at the corner of Magnolia and Wilson has been trying to rent out the retail section on the Wilson side (1217 W. Wilson) for quite some time now. We have counted at least 3 different realtors' names on the building. It has changed again and this time we want to draw attention to this great location. The property is listed with Jennifer Kaufman who can be reached at 312-624-7748. The actual listing can be found on the Zifkin Realty website here, by searching for ID number 1575383. We think this area needs a Fed-Ex/Kinkos but we suppose that's up for debate. We trust our TWO Uptown business promoting entities are hard at work to bring businesses to one of the at least 10 vacant storefronts on this stretch of Wilson.
The beautiful, old building on the corner of Lawrence and Clark recently surrounded in scaffolding looks to be meeting a sad fate... demolition. According to the building permit seen on the scaffolding, the building at 1508 W. Lawrence will be demolished. Maybe one of the residents of "Rainbo Village" that finally closed on their properties moved in may have heard something in regards to what is planned for this corner. To see the building in question, click here.
Update: It is likely the demolition permit is only for the already demolished portion of the building that is next to the Crafty Beaver. As the demolition permit states, it for a commercial building and the main part of the building is mixed use with retail on the first floor and residential on the second and third floors. Hopefully this building will be restored to its former beauty.
Work will begin soon on this mixed-use development housing a new Dominick's and condominiums at 3030 N. Broadway. The site was home to the Dominick's that burned a while back. What differences can you spot in this development versus what we have coming down the pike in Uptown?
It's amazing what you can find online nowadays. Check out the "Desman Associates" website for more info. We aren't sure why these aren't front page on the 46th Ward website yet. The only major changes we see is the entrance to Target that is now rounded. We love how the former entrance to Aldi is now bricked over in the updated rendering.
And we are sure most of you did. Here is an article from October discussing Wilson Yard. "Creating Community Connections" is a site featuring local stories put together by journalism students at Columbia College. Some of the featured players in the Wilson Yard development are quoted and it's an entertaining read. Enjoy.
The Gill Park Co-operative in the southern part of the 46th ward at Broadway and Grace caught on fire this afternoon.
See the story in the Chicago Tribune, photo from ABC7Chicago.com
Update: According to ABC7, many residents in this building reporting hearing NO FIRE ALARM and one resident found out his building was actually burning by seeing it live on the news.
By Fran Spielman - Chicago Sun-Times
Mary Poppins once sang about the old woman who exhorted people to "Feed the birds. Tuppence a bag."
Aldermen Danny Solis (25th) and Helen Shiller (46th) are so serious about cleaning up pigeon droppings caked on monuments, bridges, sidewalks and plazas, they want to throw the book at those who feed the birds -- with fines as high as $1,000 and up to six months in jail.
Solis claimed that every well-fed pigeon dumps 25 pounds of fecal matter each year.
"It doesn't look good to have all of this fecal matter around a very beautiful monument" at 18th and Blue Island, Solis said.
It's "causing damage -- not only to property, but to health. . . . Whenever they overfeed them, rats gather around the statue. That's another health problem."
The ordinance that Solis and Shiller introduced at Wednesday's City Council meeting states, "No person shall purposely provide food -- including, but not limited to grain, seeds, greens, bread crumbs and miscellaneous food scraps -- intended for pigeon ingestion on public property or property subject to the city right-of-way."
Punishment would include fines of "not less than $100 or more than $1,000" and up to six months in jail. Each day pigeons are fed would constitute a separate offense.
Solis stressed that he's not talking about enforcing the law immediately. "We're going to try to have people get informed or get [two or three] warnings before anything happens" he said.
A plan by Southwest Side Ald. Lona Lane (18th) to throw chickens into the same coop was postponed at Wednesday's meeting.
The delay might have something to do with Mayor Daley, who sounds as if he's against the chicken ban.
"Let's be realistic. A lot of ethnic people do keep chickens. If you grew up in Chicago, you know that," he said.
OFF TARGET: Online last Wednesday, I reported that the developer of Wilson Yard in Uptown said he'll start construction on the Target store in January. Many in the neighborhood don't believe Target is coming because the retailer has never said so.
After the item was published, I got this in an e-mail from Target Corp. media relations: "At this time, we are very interested in the area and exploring our opportunities. However, to confirm any details or specifics would be premature at this point." I imagine they'll stick with that until the grand opening.
We suspect many residents can relate to flooded streets after any big rain or snow melt in our neighborhood. We spotted this lake at the corner of Wilson and Beacon today. 311 was notified, but it seems to be a problem on other streets as well. We have seen water covering the entire street from blocked drains.
We know many of you have notified the IRS in regards to "Jesus People USA's" blatant disregard to tax laws. They still have not removed the plethora of election posters from the past 15 or 20 years that cover their windows on the second floor of their building at 939 W. Wilson which is also home to their planned school. Once again, we ask our readers to FLOOD the IRS with calls demanding an immediate investigation into why a TAX-EXEMPT organization in Uptown is allowed to display political posters.
Here is the exact wording of the law on the IRS website:
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
Call 877-829-5500, option 2, then option 4 to report this. Feel free to refer the IRS to the photos sent in to us on Uptown Update of this building.
Also, we are receiving word that we will all have to fill out this form (3949a) and mail it to the address listed on the second page of the .pdf file in Fresno, California. You can fill out the form online, print it out and mail it off. Folks we have talked to said the IRS said the more residents who send these forms in, the more likely action will be taken. It takes 3 minutes to fill out.
Update: Just for old time's sake, we added a photo of 920 W. Wilson, home of JPUSA, proudly displaying a politicial sign. This location was used as a POLLING PLACE on election day. We believe this picture was taken on election day but maybe the photographer can clarify. Either way, big no-no.
Seen today on Wilson next to one of Uptown's famous retail establishments, The Wilson-Broadway Mall. Uptown Business Partners should be proud.
Kelley L. Carter
Chicago Tribune
We planned this one for weeks.
AFTERNOON
Yet, days before my girlie-girlfriend and I get to our afternoon holiday-inspired tea at the Drake Hotel, we agonize over what to wear. We want to look like proper ladies who lunch, seeing as how we're both fancy tea first-timers who want to fit in.
It's not that we've never had afternoon tea before, or held our pinkie fingers up in the air while sipping on some hot liquid floating inside a delicate imprinted teacup. We have. Just not at a place where the valet guy dresses better at his job than we do for ours.
Continue Reading:
From "Magnolia Malden Neighbors" and Kathy Cook
"Nick's on Wilson" is applying for a 4am license, and needs signatures of residents on Magnolia, Racine, Clifton, and Wilson in order to have a successful application. Nick's has always been a good neighbor at his other establishments which all have 4am licenses. He has security at the door and video cameras will be installed in the near future. Nick will be ringing doorbells to garner signatures, or you can just stop by the bar, and tell the bartender you want to sign the petition. I stopped by last night and signed my name. I sure don't want another empty storefront!
From Chicago Tribune: Wilco will play a five-night residency at the Riviera Theatre in February in which it promises to play every song the band has recorded.
Wilco’s career covers six studio albums, including last year’s “Sky Blue Sky,” and two “Mermaid Avenue” collaborations with Billy Bragg on the lyrics of Woody Guthrie.
“Over the five nights we will attempt the ‘complete Wilco’ and try to clear out the dusty corners of the catalog that we haven’t attended to in a while,” singer Jeff Tweedy said Monday in a statement announcing the shows, which will take place Feb. 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20. Each night’s set will be different.
Tickets ($35 plus service fees) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster.
Things got a bit heated in front of 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter's office on December 5. Protesters trying to save Lincoln Square from eminent domain, chanted in front of Schulter's office and the Alderman eventually threatened to have the police haul them all off. Entertaining audio nonetheless. It's power in numbers folks. Its amazing what a group of residents can accomplish. This video comes to us from the folks at "The Bench," a Rogers Park blog. We will add a link off on the right for them as well. It's always smart to know what's going on in the areas around Uptown.
Update: Looks like Alderman Schulter has derailed the plan for eminent domain in Lincoln Square...sort of. Read on at Pioneer Press here:
Seen at Sheridan and Leland. We wonder if maybe it says "Season's Greetings" in "tagger-ese?" Maybe not.
Update: A reader who lives in the building wrote in:
A reader writes in:
"As if 36 loads of wood chips dumped on top of the sewers didn't jam them enough, the Park District contractors decided to pile on 6 additional loads of fine black dirt. But the bike path is looking good. Now who is going to pay to clean up this mess given that the Park District claims it has no sewer maintenance equipment?"
A reader writes in:
"Why are so many parking meters broken around Uptown? We watched one poor guy rush to his car as a meter maid slapped a ticket on his car by the Starbucks at Broadway and Lawrence last week. He demonstrated that the meter, like many others in Uptown, is broken. The ticket wasn't torn up. He was only given instructions on how to contact a city department to object due to a broken meter. How about getting these things fixed?"
The Uptown Chicago Commission has invited everyone to a community meeting to hear plans for a proposed new business. A zoning change is required to permit the new use.
Date: Wednesday, December 12th
Time: 7:00pm, lasting approximately 1 hour
Location: Alderman Mary Ann Smith's Ward Service Office
5533 N. Broadway
There is a proposed zoning change for 4707 N. Broadway (picture attached) which would permit a night club to open in the basement space. The nightclub would occupy 7,600 square feet and permit occupancy of up to 300 patrons.
Update: A reader who attended the meeting wrote in:
The "Beast" has arrived in Uptown. Patrick Swayze has been filming a movie entitled "Beast" at Montrose Harbor all week. A reader sent in pictures of the signs up near Montrose Harbor and a pic of the semi-trucks and crews positioned there.
UCC invites you to a taste of Ethiopia at Demera (and help African families in Uptown)
Come and experience Ethiopian food, culture and hospitality at its best!
By David Roeder, Staff Reporter
Chicago Sun-Times
Construction on a Target store in Uptown will begin in January, the developer of the community’s Wilson Yard site said today.
Peter Holsten, president of Holsten Real Estate Development Corp., said the store should be open by October 2009. He said construction also will start in January on the site’s 178 apartments, which are scheduled to open by the end of 2009.
The work would signify further progress on a controversial development site. Despite assurances from Holsten and Uptown’s alderman, Helen Shiller (46th), many residents have voiced doubts and criticism about the project.
The Wilson Yard property, a former CTA maintenance center, covers about four acres on the west side of Broadway between Montrose and Wilson, with the Red Line L tracks the western edge. An Aldi discount food store opened on the site’s north end earlier this year.
Holsten said Target Corp. has signed a lease for the property and that he’s meeting with company officials Friday to review financial and design details.
Target has never confirmed an intent to move into Wilson Yard, which has fueled skepticism in the neighborhood. Media relations staff at the Minneapolis-based company could not immediately be reached for comment.
Holsten said the store will cover 180,000 square feet and be built over a below-grade parking level, a design the retailer has adopted for other cramped land sites in Chicago. He said the Target will be the retailer’s standard format, not the one that includes a full-line grocery.
The housing component, financed by tax credits and debt from city and state agencies, calls for 98 rental units for seniors and 80 for families.
Holsten must market the apartments to people with low to moderate incomes. He said a family of four can qualify with an income of up to $50,000 a year.
From Today's Chicago Sun-Times: Aon Corp. plans to move workers out of Uptown and consolidate them downtown, said Ald. Mary Ann Smith, whose 48th Ward stops near the insurance company's building at 5050 N. Broadway. It's a large office installation for a neighborhood location. Smith said talks with Aon are focusing on how that property would be used once the company moves, with some ideas of city use being raised, such as for a library.
The site is the home of Aon's brokerage unit, Combined Insurance Co. of America, the firm started by the late W. Clement Stone. Aon has said it wants to spin off Combined as a separate company. Smith said the company has not suggested staying in exchange for a city subsidy. Aon spokesman David Prosperi said the company will make no decisions about Uptown until the Combined spinoff is finished, perhaps in early 2008.
Folks, never doubt that you can make a difference in your community. After an estimated 5 pathetic years of lights being out of service under the El tracks near Broadway and Clifton, the lights are BACK ON! At least one of our readers that we know of ("Ronnie"), notified the CTA of this safety danger. We just got back from the area and from the pic above, you can see the lights are back on. However, we did count 2 lights, one of which has a red arrow pointing at it, that are still not working. We trust the CTA will get these last 2 lights in service as soon as possible. Pat yourselves on the back folks!
Annual "Stocking Stuffer" Shopping Social Night
Sunday, December 9, 6pm-9pm
4600 N. Magnolia, Suite C
773-561-0324
Shop until you drop while holiday tunes and the smells of Christmas, Hanukkah and the Winter holidays fill the air! We provide one complimentary stocking per person, champagne and hors d'oeuvres. You just need to fill the stocking! Special guest artist is Mitra Salehzade of Zeba Cosmetics. A minimum of $25 worth of purchases must be made per stocking. Space and stockings are limited to the first 50 people. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Reservations are necessary. RSVP by December 7.
According to today's Chicago Sun-Times, the Dover Street District was approved as a landmark by the Committee on Historical Landmark Preservation. The Dover Street District, a "visually distinctive collection of suburban-style single-family homes and multi-family buildings" constructed between 1893 and 1927 in the Uptown community. The district "exemplifies the growth and development of the North Side neighborhood in the years following its annexation" by Chicago in 1889 - a growth made possible by mass transit to the Loop.
Read more here.
If you live near the 4800 block of north Clark and are looking for a new option when you are craving pizza, you'll soon have your wish. "Monticchio," which we assume is an italian restaraunt judging from the "coming soon" sign, will be filling one of the 2 storefronts in this development at 4880 N. Clark. Rumors are circulating of a tea shop, possibly Argo, filling the other spot. We will keep you posted.
Further up Clark at Lawrence, the long vacant building on the corner had scaffolding put up around it today. We hope this building is undergoing a rehab and will not face the wrecking ball. City workers have also begun resurfacing Clark Street and traffic is down to one lane in each direction in this area. We will keep an eye on this development.
Kidding. We knew it was the "Buddhist Temple of Chicago," but now many others will as well. Now if they could just do something about their "rock garden" and the rocks that end all the way up on Broadway. And worse yet, the rocks kicked against the parked cars nearby by our local youth, all of which we have witnessed.
For those Uptown residents wanting some sort of Uptown-related monument erected in the center island at Broadway and Racine, there has been some activity, but not the good kind. Crime scene "caution" tape was seen dangling from the blightpole on the center island today. Back to square one, we guess.
Clark Street from Montrose to Ainslie is undergoing incredible change. Between the huge amount of construction and the planned streetscape recently announced by 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter, Clark Street will be barely recognizable in another year's time.
The "Vis Vitae" development at Clark and Leland is making some progress. Brick is rising and heating and air conditioning duct work has been added to the retail level of the building. We wonder if the planned Starbucks will occupy the corner section of the building. This project will have a huge presence on this stretch of Clark.
Just a reminder that there will be a CAPS Beat 2311 meeting on Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00pm at Truman College. We encourage all of our readers to attend. There will be plenty to discuss including the lack of lighting under the El tracks near Broadway and Leland. Mark your calendars and spread the word! For more info, email capsbeat2311@yahoo.com
We came across a website we hadn't seen called "outside.in" and it looks to be pretty interesting. According to the website, " We're the best place on the web for discovering what locals are saying about their neighborhoods (in the U.S. for now.) Food, politics, crime, real estate, and way more — if it's out there, it's in here."
Take a gander off on the left of the site and you will see "Uptown Update" and below that you will see "view map." It looks like some of our posts are featured on a "blog map" showing where in Uptown they are located. Fun for the whole family.
Folks, in an effort to make it a bit easier for residents to pass around our web address, we have purchased the "www.uptownupdate.com" domain name and will be porting everything over there soon. We aren't sure if www.uptownupdate.blogspot.com will redirect you to the new address but we will keep you posted. We hope you enjoy the change.
Update: www.uptownupdate.com should be working now and our previous address should link you to our new location. Spread the word!
Uptown resident James Cappleman raised an excellent point in regards to our decrepit Wilson El station. It's something that daily users of the station may have never even noticed. Why are the turnstiles and ticket machines on the SECOND FLOOR? There is a large open lobby on the first floor where the turnstiles and ticket machines could be better installed. How often have you seen folks sleeping or passed out in the lobby? Is that what you want visitors to Uptown seeing upon exiting the train? We encourage our readers to call the CTA and demand this.
James went on to say:
"All the L stops require people to go through a turnstile on the first floor, and that stops some of the problems commonly seen at the Wilson L. The design of the Wilson L actually promotes illegal behavior with the turnstile located in the middle of a stairwell for the main entrance, which is probably why it has an exceptionally high number of arrests at this stop. Last time I checked, there were more arrests at this one L stop than all L stops combined on the Northside for both the Red Line and Brown Lines....our Wilson L main entrance has become a warming center in the winter."
Contact CTA Customer Service at 1-888-YOUR-CTA or 1-888-968-7282 weekdays from 7:00am to 8:00pm or E-mail us at ctahelp@transitchicago.com
