Uptown Is An Affordable Lakefront 'Hood'

Courtesy: "UR Chicago" (click text above to enlarge)

Recapturing Suburban Shoppers

A reader tipped us off to this interesting article that discusses how New York City has recaptured shoppers that previously fled to the suburbs to do their shopping. How did they do it and can these ideas be applied to our anemic Uptown retail scene? Read on.

Saved By The Sell

Oak Park's Wednesday Journal Rescues Three City Papers From Certain Death
By Michael Miner

Check out the "Chicago Reader's" coverage here.

Picture It! Sicily...1915!

No, it's more like Uptown, Broadway and Wilson in the 1920's. A resident sent us this postcard showing that (in)famous intersection back in it's heyday. The 4 story building on the left now houses the "City Sports" and "Family Dollar." On the right, that beautiful building was eventually razed for a currency exchange/outdoor market.
(Courtesy "Compass Rose Cultural Crossroads")

Turn Back Time, Part 2

If you get a chance, check out "Chicago 'L'.org." Its one of our favorite sites and you can search for the history of each station in Uptown. There are amazing photos there, including the one above showing a train passing through the Wilson L stop in June 1968. Look closely. The paint is faded on the side of the "hotel" today but you can see how it looked before. Also, you can see the tops of two buildings to the left of the hotel. One is still there and housing "Nick's on Wilson," and the next one which is yellowish brick is gone. We believe that housed the "Wooden Nickel" in recent years before the condo with "Curves" and "Jimmy John's" replaced it. The building on the other side of Wilson next to the tracks is still there where the "Truman College" driveway is today.
(Photo by Leon Kay, Chicago L.org)

'Methods Reporters' Feature Uptown-centric Stories

The folks over at the "Chicago Methods Reporter" keep cranking out Uptown-related articles and we couldn't be happier. There is even a link to their Uptown-centric stories here and now you can find it off on the right under our "Useful Links." Check it out and be sure to fire off an email to the publisher, Brad Flora and thank them for continually giving Uptown much needed media coverage.

Get A Shovel!

A reader writes in:

"Guess which residence is the ONLY home on the 4600 block of Winthrop not to shovel their snow today? Every other building and home had clean sidewalks by 10 a.m., but by 5:30pm, the HRC-managed Scattered Site housing at 4643 North Winthrop still hadn't bothered.

Seems weird, eh, that places that don't have management companies still manage to have their snow removed in time for the kids to walk to school. And the SSA snowplow is out there bright and early clearing the sidewalks. But HRC, for some reason, feels it's fine to just ignore the law."

If you live on Winthrop and have noticed this pattern and want to contact the building management, here is the info:

Scattered Sites Northeast
4429 N. Clifton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 769-1555
Fax: (773) 769-3085
Steven Brown, Property Manager

'Wilde Pug' Update

For those of you wondering what was going on with "Wilde Pug," the upcoming bar from the owner's of "Crew," well, a "stop work order" had been issued and progress has ground to a halt. We are happy to report that according to Brian Wells at Crew, the stop work order has been resolved and they hope to have a building permit in hand within the week. After that, work will resume and the goal is to open mid May.

One Less Vacant Storefront?

A reader alerted us to the fact that a vacant storefront in the high-rise on the corner of Beacon and Wilson has recently covered its windows in brown paper, signaling the fact that work is being done inside. This spot also features a large fenced in outdoor area that could be used for an outdoor seating area of some sort. We are glad to see this building possibly filling another vacant space. The "Express Chicken and Ribs" recently opened and seems to be doing well. We had heard rumors a while back of "Unique So Chique" opening up a chocolate/tea room in this building. Could this be what's going on? We do know that Rob Davis (owner of Unique So Chique) and Robert Emery (owner of Robert Emery Chocolates) are looking for silent investors in upcoming business ventures. If there is anyone who would to become an investor, please call 773-561-0324. In the meantime, we will keep you posted of what is coming to this long vacant storefront.

If I Could Turn Back Time

Next time you're walking westbound on Wilson from Broadway, stop and imagine this block as it used to be. Check out the photo of Wilson Avenue circa 1914 above, courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society. You can see the Wilson Club Hotel on the right, and further down, the beautiful building currently housing "Nick's on Wilson" and vacant storefronts. What a grand avenue Wilson once was. The second photo shows a view looking south towards Wilson where current day "Truman College" stands with the side of the Wilson Club Hotel visible on the right.

Alert: 8 Year Old Child Approached On Wilson

ATTENTION COMMUNITY:
We just wanted to make you aware that an 8 year old child was approached on the 1300 block of West Wilson, by a black male wearing a black jacket, driving a black van with tinted windows. The driver rolled down his window and told the child to get in his van. This occurred at 8:20am this morning. We just ask you to be aware of this incident and inform your neighbors!

23 District Community Policing
Questions or Concerns?
Call (312) 744-0064

Where Have We Seen This Before?

Uh-oh. Looks like some Uptown residents have been playing around in the ground-level section of the as-yet-to-be completed Uptown Broadway Building at Broadway and Leland. Sections of the chain-link fencing have been pushed over and it appears folks have been hanging out in the future retail section of the building. Work looks to have slowed to a standstill on this building, but residents have reportedly contacted Riis-Borg construction, who is handling the rehab, to let them know that this needs to be secured. Let's hope work resumes soon.

Anti-Condo Protest In Rogers Park

Click here to check out this video from Rogers Park this past Friday. Anti-condo protesters gathered in front of a slow-selling condo building for a "sleep out" which apparently never even happened. Towards the end of the video, watch our favorite reporter Lorraine Swanson grill Alderman Joe Moore on how he intends to keep affordable housing in his ward. When the questioning gets a bit tough, watch the protesters burst into bizarre song to divert attention. Also, we expect to see more protests like this in Uptown, so this video is likely a little bit of foreshadowing of what's to come. Our thanks to Tom Mannis and the "Rogers Park Bench."

Argyle Street: Chinatown's Troubled Cousin

By Alex Horowitz
The Chicago Methods Reporter

“Argyle Street looked like death,” recalls Tam Van Nguyen, who frequented the Chicago neighborhood nearly 30 years ago, but only in the daytime.

“Gangs, prostitution, drug trafficking, vacant lots. There were very few open stores, and by 5 p.m. every day, gangs hung around the area. It was very scary.”

Argyle Street, which is regarded as Chicago’s North Side hub of Asian commercial activity, has come a long way since the 1970s. Improved community safety has been the driving force behind Argyle’s vast business growth over the years. In fact, crime on Argyle Street has followed the trend of crime in Chicago, where annual murders have decreased by over 500 since 1975. Now, despite a recent slump, shops and restaurants flourish on the street that was once too dangerous to walk on.

“Crime was certainly detrimental to business before the 1980s,” says Joyce Dugan, the president and CEO of Uptown United, an organization that promotes economic growth in the community. “People were afraid to go [to Argyle], so the business scene was awful. Once crime cleaned up, though, Argyle really became a thriving commercial center.”

Continue Reading:

Uptown Gets Crazier On March 3rd

Uptown's new dining destination, El Pollo Loco, is opening on March 3rd, according to the Store Manager. For those of you not familiar with El Pollo Loco, it is a west coast-based fast food chain that specializes in charbroiled chicken and Mexican food. It is nice to have a reputable restaurant occupy the neglected property at Sheridan and Wilson.

More Blue In Uptown

These are the newly installed cameras on the McJunkin Building in the 4500 block of North Broadway. There are four cameras on the front of the building. They appear different in style than a typical Chicago Police blue light camera, which leads us to believe it is installed by the building management.

Welcome Back, Walgreens

Walgreens is now open on first level of the new Lakeshore Medical Building in the 4700 block of Clarendon, at Lakeside. The store, which closed its location in the same spot nearly three years ago, had located a temporary pharmacy in a trailer in the parking lot of Weiss Hospital. The store has all the elements of a typical Walgreens, including a digital photo lab. The store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day of the week.

High Drama At The ZBA

Islands In The Stream, Parking Free-For-All

No chance of any sort of Uptown related monument in the island between Racine and Broadway. Riv parking is MUCH more important.
photo courtesy: City of Destiny

Mum's The Word

Click here to read the latest issue of "Inside Online." Scroll down to page 12 to read "Wilson Yard Construction Yet To Begin" by Miriam Y. Cintron.
Our favorite part of the article is at the end: "Shiller's office did not return phone calls seeking comment." What a surprise.

Alderman Shiller's Blue Light Special

A reader writes in:
"Just got back from a walk with the dogs and noticed ladders by the McJunkin building. Didn't think anything of it until a closer look revealed blue flashing lights and cameras being mounted right by the alderman's office. Looks like two sets of 2-cameras facing north and south along Broadway."

Dover Street Historical District, With Schulter's Help

From Today's Chicago Sun-Times:

"There are some who aren't happy about the new label, a designation that prevents tearing down any buildings on the street that are historically or architecturally significant. It also prevents development that is out of character with the history of the existing buildings and precludes alterations of the historic facades of the homes.

And those who aren't happy would be?

"Developers," according to Dover Street resident and owner of a Dover Street two-flat John Holden, who took the lead in getting his neighbors interested in applying for the city designation.

Dover Street is represented in the city council by two aldermen: Gene Schulter on the west and Helen Schiller on the east. Schulter was more supportive of the idea of landmark designation.

"If Alderman Schulter hadn't enthusiastically supported the district, the application would have languished," Holden says. "He emphatically stressed to the Landmarks Commission that his ward did not have a single landmark district and that it was overdue."

Developers in recent years had been tearing down all kinds of houses in Sheridan Park with Schiller's blessing -- and Holden and his neighbors were frightened after they lost a number of structures, including a Queen Anne on Beacon Street, which was the oldest building in Sheridan Park. It was torn down to make way for an eight-unit condominium building."

Read the rest of the story here.

News-Star Tells It Like It Is

News-Star, under the editorship of Lorraine Swanson, continues to provide fair and comprehensive coverage of the Labor Ready issues.

In this week's issues, there is a great story about last week's hearing with the Board of Zoning Appeal.

There's also a great editorial about the "new rules" for Chicago aldermen.

Money quote: "When more than 100 people show up at City Hall to oppose an issue, the will of the community should be strongly considered over private interests. Don't ask residents for studies to back up what they are saying. It's a pretty safe bet that they know what's going on in their neighborhood, almost as much as their local alderman."

Will Alderman Shiller listen to the community on this issue? Email her at ward46@cityofchicago.org.

(Photo courtesy of News-Star)

UCC News Briefs

Positive Changes Ahead at 4715 N. Sheridan?
Larry Fischman, a developer who owns the building at 4715 N. Sheridan, has recently initiated eviction notices to all the residential tenants at the crime-plagued property. The building houses Cafe Too on the first floor. He intends to refurbish the residential units and offer the property at market-rate rents.

Changes at Salvation Army Tom Seay Center:
This location, at 1025 W. Sunnyside, will no longer serve as an overnight shelter for the homeless. The Center will continue to provide daytime support, including hot meals, literacy programs, and personal care. UCC has sent letters to both the Salvation Army and REST, a homeless shelter located at 941 W. Lawrence, expressing concern about high levels of criminal activity based on data from CAPS.

Zoning News:

-- Aldermen Mary Ann Smith (48) and Helen Shiller (46) are working on a streetscape of Broadway from Wilson to Devon. The street infrastructure near Broadway and Lawrence may be curbless to accommodate future outdoor festivals.

-- The Urban Land Institute is working with community members and elected officials on recommendations for enhancements of the Argyle Street commercial district.

-- Alderman Smith is launching a large redevelopment of the McCutcheon School campus. The school grounds will be linked to the McCormick Boys and Girls Club, providing access to amenities during school hours of operation. Additional programming will be introduced to assist the large population of homeless children at the school. Approximately 45% of the school's students are drawn from the Salvation Army family homeless shelter at Lawrence and Marine.

-- At its December meeting, UCC reviewed and approved plans for a special use permit by the North Side Federal Savings and Loan Association to build off-street parking at 1475 W. Foster Ave. The proposed parking area will accommodate up to 13 vehicles and includes green space and landscaping. UCC also approved plans for a special use permit by Robert Jeffrey Hair Salon to build a new location at 5142 N. Clark St.

Update: A few more news items that didn't make it in the UCC Newsletter:

Some news items shared by Uptown United members at a recent board meeting:

• Truman College expects to break ground on its Student Center/Parking Deck in mid-March.
• There is a new program focusing on opportunities for ex-offenders - operating at 4750 N. Sheridan.
• Lawrence House has recently taken on clients of Thresholds, a psycho-social rehabilitation agency headquartered in Ravenswood.

Some news shared by Alderman Smith at the most recent 48th Ward Zoning & Planning Committee (the congress of 48th Ward constituents which review and make recommendations on all proposed zoning changes and special use permits in her ward. (Oh, to have that sort of transparency in the 46th Ward!)

Alderman Smith reports that two parties remain interested in purchasing and renovating the Uptown Theatre for use as a concert venue. A related court case is proceeding - as many parties (including the City) have liens on the property related to prior repairs. She remains optimistic that good things are to come.

Alderman Smith and the Department of Planning have been collaborating on the possibility of creating a major transit center around the Berwyn Red Line Stop. Three TIFs converge in this area, including the Lawrence/Broadway Entertainment District TIF. The current vision is to raze the structures from Foster to Berwyn along the Red Line and create a mixed-use transit-oriented complex. Included could be:

• New indoor El stop
• Bus turnaround facility
• Kiss & Ride
• Bike Station
• O'Hare and Metra Station shuttles
• I-Go parking
• Day Care
• Retail
• Mixed-income housing

In addition, Jewel would like to raze and redevelop its site at Broadway and Berwyn. More info to follow in the months to come.

Support Your Local Newspaper

Folks, we have seen how "News-Star" is working to bring hard-hitting news about our ward to the forefront. Now is the time to support them and what better way than to subscribe! We have also been told to expect to see News-Star at newsstands around the ward, more than likely near coffeeshops and El stations. If you choose not to subscribe, at least buy a copy to take on the train with you. Let's show the publisher that we are starving for more in-depth reporting on what takes place in our neighborhood. Also, we know we have excellent writers out there, so don't be bashful. Send in your editorials to News-Star and they may be published. Info below.

1 year subscription: $20
Mail payment to: News-Star
141 South Oak Park Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302

Letters and other comments from readers on topics of community interest, or any aspect of the newspaper, are welcome. They may be mailed to News-Star, Viewpoints, 141 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60302;sent by fax to 708/524-0447; or e-mailed to lswanson@chicagojournal.com. Whenever possible, e-mails are preferred. In order to present as many views as possible, letters should be limited to 300 words.

Letter writers should include a telephone number, preferably a daytime number, for verification purposes. Letters must be signed. Questions should be directed to News-Star editor Lorraine Swanson at 312/243-2696 ext. 3314.

Blast From The Voting Records Past

For those of you interested, we have a couple of handy links to show the Alderman's voting record, and lack thereof, since 2000. Draw your own conclusions. Its also interesting to note her sudden turn towards almost total agreement with the mayor. Funny how that happens. This recent "no vote" on the superintendent of police was not the first time the alderman has cast a "no vote."

Aldermanic Voting Records 2000-2002

Aldermanic Voting Records 2003-2006

Feds Probe City Records on Alderman's Zoning Changes

From Today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Federal investigators have requested city records on four West Side zoning changes pushed by Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th), amid questions about Carothers' relationship with a Chicago developer who made secret recordings as an FBI mole.

Last year, Carothers' New 29th Ward Campaign Committee got $11,000 in contributions from Morgan Properties Inc., which lists FBI mole John Thomas as "manager."

The contributions came in payments of $9,000, $500 and $1,500, with the last one made on Feb. 23, 2007 -- four days before the aldermanic election, records show.

Last April 9, the committee returned all $11,000, offering no explanation in campaign records except "refund of excess contribution."

Carothers, the powerful chairman of the City Council's Police and Fire Committee, did not return calls seeking comment. He also declined to answer written questions.

Thomas is the Chicago developer-turned-FBI-mole who played a pivotal role in one of the two federal cases involving Tony Rezko, the indicted developer and political fund-raiser who is accused of business fraud and of seeking kickbacks and campaign contributions for Gov. Blagojevich from companies seeking state pension business.

The Sun-Times has reported that Thomas recorded hundreds of hours of conversations for federal investigators. Sources said the government had Thomas -- who is cooperating in hopes of getting probation for a felony fraud conviction in New York -- secretly record conversations with an unidentified Chicago alderman.

One of the 29th Ward zoning files that federal authorities requested from the city dates to May 2005, when Carothers introduced a zoning change for vacant land at Roosevelt and Central to be converted from manufacturing to heavy commercial.

The applicant for that zoning change was V-Land Chicago Roosevelt LLC. Jason Gigot, listed as a contact for the applicant, could not be reached. Nor could attorney John Pikarsky. Jay Javors, spokesman for listed property owner Roosevelt and Canal LLC, did not return calls.

Two of the three other zoning files pertain to the same property and were jointly introduced in August 2006 by Carothers and Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), his protege.

The applicant on those, Grand Central Center for Business LLC, was seeking to change zoning from manufacturing to mixed-use. The land, part of a so-called planned development, required -- and received -- a green light from the Planning and Development Department.

The fourth application was introduced by Carothers in 2007 on behalf of the Chicago Board of Education for Knute Rockne Stadium in Austin.

Three years ago, Carothers' name surfaced in the Hired Truck scandal. Carothers, a former Streets and Sanitation Department deputy, received $2,500 in contributions from Naperville businessman Martin McDonagh, who later pleaded guilty.

McDonagh allegedly made the contributions to Carothers at the request of John "Quarters" Boyle, who was sentenced to seven years for accepting $214,000 in cash, gifts and campaign contributions for steering Hired Truck business to favored companies.

At the time, Carothers said he knew Boyle from their days together on the city payroll. Carothers was not charged, said he did not ask Boyle to muscle truckers for gifts. And he returned the money.

Is the FBI going to investigate the 46th ward zoning changes, especially in light of recent contributions by the property owner of Labor Ready?

O.N.E. Does NOT Support Labor Ready!

An Uptown Update reader sent this to us today:

"Jamiko Rose, executive director of ONE, called this afternoon to ask where stoplaborready.org obtained the mis-information that ONE supports Labor Ready opening a northside office. Jamiko re-iterated that ONE has taken NO position; its member organizations could not reach concensus on the matter. Some member organizations are individually supportive - while others are absolutely opposed. Therefore, ONE has taken no position.

I explained that Labor Ready, its attorneys and Alderman Shiller all told the ZBA that ONE was supportive of the proposal.

Jamiko requested that we make it clear that ONE has not provided a letter of support to Labor Ready on stoplaborready.org."

It appears that the Board of Zoning Appeals was told lies on Thursday. Who will correct the lies?

We're Not Ready

Readers continue to send Uptown Update information about past problems with Labor Ready offices. Here are a few of the links:

Labor Ready Sent a Felon to Work

Labor Ready Takes Up to 50% of Pay

Labor Ready's Ethics Questioned By Many

Labor Ready on Wikipedia

Shiller Only Alderman Who Refused To Vote For New Police Superintendent

Why is Alderman Shiller the only alderman who refused to cast a vote on January 9 for the appointment of Jody P. Weis to Superintendent of the Department of Police? Check out the vote roll call here and draw your own conclusions. Is she not elected to vote on issues? It's worth contacting her office on Monday to get their spin.

'Pure2o' Sign Arrives At Clarendon And Leland

The sign announcing the upcoming "Pure2o" condo development was recently posted at Clarendon and Leland. The website says "coming soon." Check back there soon for more info.
Update: Joe Zekas over at "YoChicago" posted a link with more info on the "Pure2o" development. Check it out here. Thanks for linking to it Mr. Pirate.

Zoning Change Proposal At 4557 Sheridan

This zoning change proposal will be heard February 26 in addition to the zoning change proposals on Broadway from Leland to Wilson, and the open lot next to McDonald's on Wilson.

Zoning Board Weighs Labor Ready Request

By Lorraine Swanson, Editor
News-Star
The Zoning Board of Appeals said it would be several weeks before it announces its decision on a special-use zoning variance that would allow Labor Ready Midwest Inc. to open a day labor branch office at 4830 N. Sheridan Road.

Labor Ready Midwest Inc., a division of TrueBlue Inc. based in Tacoma, Wash., provides temporary, blue-collar staffing. It wants to open a Labor Ready branch office on the border between the 46th and 48th Wards. To do so, a special use zoning variance is required.

About 100 Uptown residents from the two wards turned out to testify before the ZBA Friday morning, packing two sections of the city council chambers. Opponents claim that locating a day labor agency does not meet the requirements of the city's zoning ordinance and would affect the quality of life in the already struggling Uptown neighborhood.

Residents also contend that Labor Ready doesn't do enough due diligence in checking potential workers' backgrounds for felony convictions and sex offenses. The proposed site sits across the street from two elementary schools, a play lot, and a Chicago Boys and Girls Club.

Labor Ready requires job applicants to complete a self-administered behavioral survey that asks applicants questions about past drug use and other behavior that might pose a safety risk on job sites.

Uptown-resident Cindy Anderson and a former 46th Ward aldermanic candidate, questioned why the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, a mile south of the proposed Labor Ready site, wasn't considered.

""Why didn't we consider this because (a day labor agency) is already a permitted use," Anderson said.

Alderman Helen Shiller, 46th, told board members that she had 50 letters of support for the day labor agency, including letters from Uptown social service organizations.

"Clearly people are looking to work," Shiller said. "In my opinion, we have a developing community and a lot of needs. This is just a small niche."

Two of the ZBA's five board members were not able to attend Friday's meeting. The ZBA requires three "yes" votes to approve special use requests.

Labor Ready opted to let the absent board members listen to recorded testimony so that the entire ZBA could weigh in on the decision.

Gigi McCabe-Miel, who chaired the meeting, said that the ZBA would notify Labor Ready and residents of its final decision "in a number of weeks."

Reminder: Be There Or Be Square

The Zoning Board Hearing for Labor Ready Variance is Friday, February 15. We need your support.

The zoning meeting for Labor Ready's variance is scheduled for Friday, February 15 at 9am in City Hall.

We're hoping to get as many people as possible to attend and show their support on this issue. Attendees to the hearing can sit in the gallery. Please look for a few of your neighbors wearing orange. They will have buttons for you to wear and we should like our supporters to sit together in the gallery.

City Hall
City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
121 N. La Salle St.
Chicago, IL 60602

Roaches, Bad Goat Meat Close Uptown Restaurant

From NBC5:
An African restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood was ordered shut down Wednesday after city inspectors found a cockroach infestation and food -- including tripe and goat meat -- being stored at unsafe temperatures.City Department of Public Health inspectors discovered a cockroach infestation in the kitchen, as well as cooked food held at unsafe temperatures (goat meat at 120 degrees, chicken at 116 degrees and tripe at 102 degrees -- all well below the 140 degree minimum required) at the TBS African Restaurant, 4507 N. Sheridan Rd., according to a release from the department. Wednesday's visit by the Health Department was a routine, unannounced inspection, the release said.
Representatives of TBS will face an administrative hearing on March 27 and pay a fine expected to total $1,000.The enforcement action was the 16th in 2008 in which Health Department inspectors have closed a food establishment for violations of the city Health Code.

UU Commenter Gets Props

Blog Quote of the Week, News-Star

"I don't think (the Labor Ready) day labor office is a bad idea for the 46th ward, but that close to a Boys & Girls club and an elementary school is a terrible idea.
Maybe there's space near (Ald. Helen) Shiller's office in the McJunkin Building?"

Anonymous comment left on "Uptown Update"

Not In My Backyard?

Uptown Needs To Do Better For Jobless Residents
News-Star Our Views

Once again a silent alderman has played both long-time residents and those new to Uptown against the neighborhood's complex socio-economic problems.

Alderman Helen Shiller's has shown a lack of transparency in not seeking community input from all Uptown residents and only notifying a few of a proposed special-use zoning variance to locate a day labor agency in the 46th Ward. In doing so she has placed the neighborhood's most vulnerable residents in the middle-children and adults who are most desperately in need of full-time, permanent jobs.

This is more than a simplified argument of "not in my back yard." It's about putting a Band-Aid on Uptown's legion of chronically unemployed residents. Offering temporary jobs for pennies a day does not put the neighborhood's homeless and chronically unemployed on the path to living-wage jobs and permanent housing.

While we agree that a majority of those individuals who will use Labor Ready for temporary employment are hardworking individuals looking for an honest day's work, Labor Ready has not done enough to establish how it intends to address potential problems arising from loitering and a lack of background checks to weed out criminal elements, save for a "self administered behavioral survey."

The location of a day labor agency in a largely residential neighborhood near child-centered facilities and a burgeoning commercial district presents too many potential problems that may endanger the safety of children as well as deter retail and commercial investment along the 4800 block of Sheridan Road.

We encourage Labor Ready to consider a location in an industrial corridor near public transportation and away from homes and schools, and ask that the surrounding business community assist Labor Ready in finding such a location.

We also believe that Uptown's public and private interests can do better to make a more concerted effort to assist those residents who for what ever reason, be it substance abuse or a wrong turn on the side of law, access proven and well-supervised job training and job placement programs.

Finally, we urge the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals to listen respectfully and carefully to the concerns of residents on both sides of the argument, and not let the sound of a rubber stamp reverberate through City Hall out of "aldermanic courtesy."

Uptown Residents Oppose Day Labor Agency

By Lorraine Swanson, Editor
News-Star

Uptown residents and civic organizations only have one shot to voice their concern about a proposed day labor service at 4830 N. Sheridan Road that sits on the border of the 46th Ward adjacent to the 48th Ward.

The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals is set to make its final determination at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 at City Hall, on a special-use application submitted by Labor Ready Midwest Inc., a division of Tacoma, Wash.-based TrueBlue Inc., a $348 million company that provides temporary, blue-collar staffing to a variety of industries.

The Uptown Chicago Commission is also encouraging residents to attend Friday's ZBA meeting and voice their concerns.

A majority of those who oppose the location of a Labor Ready office in Uptown said that it does not meet the requirements for a special-use variance.

Residents have expressed concerns that the dozens of workers who are expected to line up daily in front of the Labor Ready office may pose a danger to children who attend two elementary schools and a Boys and Girls Club located across the street on Sheridan Road.

Continue Reading:

Au Revoir, Hotel Chateau?

From a circulating email:
MEETING ABOUT POSSIBLY VACATING THE HOTEL CHATEAU!
From my office-mates at the REMAX:

Hello All RE/MAX Edge office personnel,

We received a call this afternoon from a member of the community letting us know about a hearing at the Daley Center tomorrow morning, February 14, at 9:30am in regards to the Hotel Chateau. My understanding is that the landlord of the wonderful establishment across the street will have to face the music tomorrow about building and code violations that could result in forcing it's tenants to vacate the premises. I was told that the more members of the community to attend, the better, as our presence can only help the judge to decide what is right for the neighborhood. I am told that this should be a "lively" meeting tomorrow.

The Hotel Chateau hearing will be tomorrow, February 14, at 9:30am at the Daley Center, room # 111.

Please extend an invitation to anyone who cares about the neighborhood that we work and live in!

Off Target? Like A Broken Record...

From David Roeder's column in today's Chicago Sun-Times:

"OFF TARGET: Uptown residents keeping watch over the Wilson Yard property at Montrose and Wilson are a vigilant group. Many of them reminded me that the site's developer, Peter Holsten, vowed in December that construction on the Target store would begin in January. He said so in the Sun-Times.

January is gone in the winter slush, and yet no construction has started. I know that thanks to many e-mails. So a conversation with Holsten was mandatory but not revelatory.

"Nothing's wrong and we are in good shape but I cannot talk about it," he said. Many retailers have been delaying or scrapping store expansions because the economy is pinching their earnings and banks are less eager to lend."

Zoning Changes For Sale

As previously posted on Uptown Update, many Uptown residents, including Uptown United, Uptown Chicago Commission and many block clubs, have expressed concern about the proposed Labor Ready location at 4830 North Sheridan. Residents report that Alderman Helen Shiller strongly supports this day labor office.

Could it be a coincidence that the owner of 4830-4 North Sheridan, Slater Realty and Investments, made a $250 campaign contribution to Citizens for Helen Shiller in November 2007? This contribution was made within weeks of the zoning change application.

Update: For those of you who would like to keep track of who donates to our Alderman, we added a handy link entitled "Campaign Contribution Database" off on the right. Towards the bottom of the search fields, enter a name such as "Shiller." You may have to narrow down the results by entering something in the "received date" field. It's hours of endless fun. Try it out! November 2007 was a VERY profitable month for our alderman.

Community Alert: Attempted Abduction

Take A Gander At These Ganders

And now let's take a little time out to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Case in point, this flock of canadian geese that are currently calling Uptown home.

In Case You Missed It...

Seen today at the site of the old KFC near Broadway and Buena. A 24 unit residential condominium plus retail is planned for this spot.

All That Jazz

If you love jazz, you'll want to check out "Chicago Jazz Composers Collective" as they present an afternoon of original jazz.

Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway
Sunday, February 17th
2-4pm
773-878-5552

Featuring:
the "Kelly Band Trio"
and Steve Million

We're Zoned Out

We just came across these letters received by residents living near Broadway and Wilson. Any ideas what our Alderman is up to now? We remember this area was to be downzoned from B3-3 to B3-2, back in May. And why does it take 9 months to finally get this change on Broadway rolling? What is the difference between a "neighborhood mixed used district" and a "community shopping district?"
Update: We added the other mailing received by a nearby resident. It appears that the mailing dealing with common address "4601-19 North Kenmore Ave" pertains to the vacant lot to the west of McDonald's on Wilson. See the photo below.