The neighborhood is a flurry of meetings and activity and that is a good thing. Be sure to head on over to the Buena Point condominium at 4350 N. Broadway on the 2nd floor at 7pm tonight for a Wilson Yard Litigation Meeting. Uptown Neighborhood Council is hosting the meeting to "Fix Wilson Yard." Tax deductible donations can be made out to "Graceland Wilson Neighbors Association" and mailed to:Fix Wilson Yard PO Box 13365 Chicago, IL 60613
I'm not the organizer, but I will be there, drop a quick comment if you plan to attend.
ReplyDeleteI have to be out in the suburbs for dinner, but I will try to make it after that.
ReplyDeletewish i could be there, but late meetings will keep me in the burbs until late this evening.
ReplyDeleteMan oh man do I wish I could be at this meeting but my girlfriend seems to think that celebrating my birthday by planning a whole evening of praising my existance is more important.
ReplyDeletePlease Please someone take good notes at the meeting and post the info. Also, please let us know about future meetings. This issue is key to the survival of Uptowns future safety.
If you are unable to make it tonight, please also send an email to info@fixwilsonyard.org so we can email you directly when the next meeting will be held. There will be many more.
ReplyDeleteIf you are planning on attending, you may want to bring your own chair, as there are not many available in the room. Additionally, bring your check book.
Thanks in advance for your support.
I've been asked numerous times to donate money to this cause, and I every time I do, I ask the person on what grounds are we pursuing litigation? Nobody ever has an answer for me. So if someone at this meeting could actually provide that when its over, I'd be much more likely to pitch in.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think we can stop the Wilson Yard project now, but my bigger concerns are the following:
ReplyDelete1) Can we limit the number of low income units?
2) Can we do anything to bring down the amount of TIF funds?
3) Can we have someone investigate the costs of construction and verify that the spending is reasonable and customary?
Several years ago Hell-en tried to put in a huge "One stop" social service center at the corner of Magnolia and Wilson. It had city and state blessings. Construction was started. The cumunity banned together and the project was stopped dead in its tracks. If they would have done the "Poor me I can't stop it" thing it would have progressed. Today,instead of the service center there is a condominium building
ReplyDeleteWow...I stand corrected, maybe there is a chance to stop the project all together.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow can we stand by and not do anything? Is a $100 or $200 contribution that much considering the affect to the value of our homes? I have an opportunity finally to do something and at least I can say I tried. Apathy could be a big enemy here for us. Too many residents I think are too comfortable enough to think they don't need to care. If you don't have the time, at least contribute to the cause so that the injunction can get filed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you that something should be done. I apologize if my original comments seemed apathetic - I honestly didn't realize we could get an injunction to stop the construction.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone forward the notes from last night's meeting to Uptown Update? I think communication on the overall strategy is key right now. I tend to agree with windycityeagle that I would like more information before I cut a check and trust that my money is going to good use.
Any notes/minutes from the meeting out there? I would love to see them posted!
ReplyDeleteI will ask around to get the notes. note: Allegedly the Tattoo Factory got $220,000 to move across the street. And the owner lives in Naperville.
ReplyDeleteBut he is a "citizen for Shiller" $$$$
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't they want something like a parking garage and shuttle to service Wrigley Field. Wrigley will have to be updated and expaneded when new ownership takes over and parking is already very limited. A garage would drive revenue to the community and create traffic for local businesses.
ReplyDeletePeace!
"Several years ago Hell-en tried to put in a huge "One stop" social service center at the corner of Magnolia and Wilson. It had city and state blessings. Construction was started. The cumunity banned together and the project was stopped dead in its tracks."
ReplyDeleteReally? This is great history. I'll look into this story. I want these stories told on a website where anyone can look them up.
Chris: The TIF 2007 report shows this data. It's posted at Uptown Neighborhood Council.
ReplyDeleteThe Tatoo Factory is owned by Paul Collurafici. He did receive $121,332 to relocate. I do not know if he lives in Naperville. The two addresses that show up in a White Pages search list him at the Tatoo Factory and the President of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce.
This is a screen shot from the 07 WY TIF report.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=hv5atx&s=4
As of 2005, Collurafici lived in River Grove. He ran for mayor of River Grove.
ReplyDeleteHey Soul,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I must say I'm a bit behind here. I've only lived in Uptown for a few years, but the 46th for about 6 years. The Truman meeting, along with the Wilson Yard meeting have me really revved up. I'm a bit dismayed that we have this site, UNC, and the Graceland-Wilson site, it spreads things a little thin, however the Wilson Yard Litigation project will have it's own site, soley for that, which I do think will be good. Do you think we can get 1000 people to donate $100, or 2000 to donate $50? The target is to raise $100,000 and that is with the "community discount."
I too have a general frustration with the disconnect of information. I like Uptown Update because they are the best thing out there that's trying to make this happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on a side project that I hope will provide detailed history of much of Uptown. There are so many stories here that need to be told. Newcomers need to know them. And even people that have lived here for many years need to know them.
I think the data will be a good foundation for anyone that wants to be a part of, and influence the direction of Uptown.
In my brief discussions with residents, people either want to volunteer or they want to write checks. I like to start with an understanding of the story thus far so moving forward I don't stuck in the same hole as someone before me. I want to fill that hole and put up a sign warning people about it.