33-Unit Rental Building Rises on Sheridan, While Surrounding Area Booms

Progress at 4424 North Sheridan Road, as of Wednesday

Quest Realty's upcoming development at Sheridan & Agatite (Hanna Architects)

Work continues on the 33-unit residential rental building going up at Sheridan and Agatite. We love the vintage look of the salvaged Chicago common bricks being used on the exterior.

The two lots on which it is being built stood empty for nearly half a century until work began late last year. I mean, 1972 is ages ago... Grease debuted on Broadway, McDonald's boasted you could feed a family of four for $5 (and get change back), and two obscure reporters at the Washington Post started writing about a second-rate break-in at the Watergate Hotel.

Over the past couple years, there's been a building boom in the immediately surrounding area. This new development joins a laundry list of makeovers and new construction, all taking place within a quarter mile:

• rehabs of two rental apartment buildings on Montrose east of Hazel; 
• 811 Uptown on Clarendon between Agatite and Montrose;
• two historic mansions being restored on the 4500 block of Sheridan; 
• the new mixed-use development at Sheridan and Wilson, now in the very first stages of construction; 
• Pensacola Place (now The Montrose) adding apartments and townhomes to the existing high-rise; 
• rehabbed apartments and new retail (hi, Satellite Cafe!) at 944 Montrose; 
• a proposed new 20-unit building at 820 Agatite; 
• the conversion of a dilapidated building branded with the dreaded "Red X" to a standalone condo unit; and
• the conversion of the closed and landmarked Stewart School building into residential rentals at 4525 Broadway.

Pensacola Place Addition Receives Building Permit, Construction Imminent

Rendering of completed addition atop roof of Jewel & Uptown Fitness (Brininstool + Lynch)

Expect to hear the pitter-patter of construction begin atop the Jewel and Uptown Fitness at Broadway and Montrose soon.

Building permits were issued for Waterton's plans for adding a 4 story addition that includes 132 residential units. A total of 160 units are planned, so the permit for 28 townhomes has not been issued as of now. The Montrose corridor will be totally different in a year or two.

Relive Your Prom, 1980s Style

It's time to bring out the AquaNet and the pastel tux, and dance to the Psychedelic Furs. Yes, it's '80s Prom Party this Friday and Saturday.

The proms take place in the gymnasium (of course!) of Ravenswood UCC at 2050 West Pensacola. Each prom runs between 8pm and 11pm.

Why are we promoting an out-of-Uptown event? Because part of the proceeds go to support programming at Chase Park.

According to the web page, the night will feature "all you can drink beer, wine and Pretty in Pink punch, Garcia's taco bar, 80's music, prom photos and costume contest." More information and online ticketing is here.

A High-Rise In The Jewel Parking Lot? Not So Fast

drawing by OWK Architects, via Curbed Chicago

There was a hubbub on Uptown Update's Facebook page on Monday when we linked to an article in Curbed Chicago that showed a rendering for a high-rise in the parking lot of the Jewel and gym at Montrose and Sheridan.

Some commenters were very much in favor of the population density that a mixed-use tower would bring. Others opposed it for a variety of reasons.

But the thing is, it's apparently just a rendering, at least for the time being. Curbed Chicago said in its article, "it’s important to note that rendering and information shared on OWK’s page is little more than a design exercise showing what could be built at the site. Should the property owner decide to pursue such a project in earnest, an extensive public engagement process and requisite zoning change would likely need to first take place."

By evening, the entire thing had vanished from the website of the design firm. Poof! Not available to the public any longer.

We heard from a source who's knowledgeable about the way real estate works in Chicago. She says:

"I saw the Curbed Chicago reference on your Facebook page, but I don't think they did their homework on the zoning.

Pensacola Place is zoned Planned Development 132. The ordinance creating this PD district was recorded on the City Council Journal on May 7th, 1975.  Based on the regulations of the PD, the total site area allows for a maximum of 1,258 dwelling units and a maximum 285,000 square feet of commercial space.

So basically, Waterton [the owner of Pensacola Place, which includes the Jewel, the gym, and the parking lot] has the zoning in place to explore full development potential of the site. However, Jewel and the Gym's leases do not expire until 2025 so any development would have to be done with cooperation from both major tenants."

In other words, it may happen someday, but don't expect to see it in the near future.

Ald Cappleman: A 2016 Year In Review For Uptown

From Ald. Cappleman's 2016 year in review:

I have heard from many of you about the sudden renaissance of economic development in the 46th Ward. What we're seeing right now is unprecedented, but by no means, was it an accident. During my first term as alderman, I put in place all the needed ingredients to create more vibrant corridors for retail. This has encourage more people to shop in their neighborhoods and has provided more employment opportunities for residents. Exciting new businesses such as Ka'lish, a vegan restaurant that will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday, focused on hiring staff who all lived within a few blocks of their store on Wilson Avenue.

NEW BUSINESSES IN 2016 INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

• First Ascent at 4718 N. Broadway, officially opened in early 2016, and is a rock climber's paradise.
• Heritage Coffee on Lawrence provides great coffee in the beautiful lobby of the Lawrence House.
• Kal' ish, a vegan restaurant, at Wilson/Malden, opened up and will be expanding another restaurant next door in 2017.
• Pokiology, a seafood restaurant, at Wilson/Magnolia, is a quick favorite among many residents.
• The Jerk Stop, a Jamaican restaurant at Wilson/Clifton, gives another great option for food on restaurant alley/coffee bean row.
• Emerald City Coffee, a coffee and pastry restaurant with a cool vibe, located at 1224 W. Wilson
• My Chocolate Soul, a bakery that provides a very unusual and eclectic types of chocolate and pastries: 4442 N. Broadway
• Earth's Kitchen, a restaurant providing a blend of Japanese and American food, located at 3715 N. Halsted
• Selam Market & Restaurant, providing authentic Ethiopian food, at 4543 N. Broadway.
• Uptown Arcade, a bar and arcade that attracts crowds after the concerts in the area, at 4830 N. Broadway.
• Wabi Sabi, Chicago's only rotary sushi restaurant at 4521 N. Sheridan
• Finest Food & NY Subz at 4759 N. Sheridan, also offers coffee and lots of snack options.
• Ensemble Media, a creative services and multimedia production company that creates unique videos, animations, print collateral and interactive solutions at 4704 N. Kenmore.
• Futatsuki Ramen, a Japanese restaurant known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes at 4621 N. Broadway.

COMPLETED DEVELOPMENTS IN 2016 

• Lawrence House at Lawrence/Kenmore: 344 rental apartments with a beautifully restored lobby. Includes a Heritage Coffee Bar and a bar will open inside the lobby within the next few months.
• 4752-60 N. Racine at corner of Broadway/Lawrence: A Lake Point Properties development with 18 soft loft apartments
• 4027 N. Broadway near Irving Park: A 20-unit building with 1st floor retail.
• The Bachelor, a FLATS project at 1136 W. Wilson. Has 40 rental apartments and hosts frequent art shows on the first floor.
• The Firehouse, a FLATS project at 1217 W. Gunnison: 4 apartment units at a formerly abandoned firehouse.

PROJECTS WITH WORK IN PROGRESS IN 2016 

• Clarendon/Montrose Development: a $125M proposal that includes rental apartments and Treasure Island. Approximately 1/3 of the $15.88M TIF will go toward rehabbing the Clarendon Park Community Center, 1/3 will go toward the Low Income Housing Trust Fund that provides rental assistance to people with very low incomes, and the remaining 1/3 toward demolition of the dilapidated Maryville site. A total of 563 rental apartments to be built in 2 stages.
• 3833 N. Broadway: an 8-story, mixed-use development with 134 rental apartments and retail.
• Stewart School Lofts at 4525 Kenmore: a 64 residential development with Morningside Group. The building became a Chicago Landmark in 2016. Plans will later include a mid-rise to be built directly north of the building with retail.
• 4635-41 N. Broadway: Lake Pointe Properties completing 14 residential units and 5 retail spaces.
• 931-33 W. Belle Plaine development with 20 units
• Pensacola Place at Hazel/Montrose: 184 rental apartments will be added to their current mix of 264 units. Town homes will be built around the perimeter of their deck located above Jewel.
• Ross Dress For Less at 918 W. Montrose (across from Jewel). Opening is expected in the spring.

PROJECTS PROPOSED IN 2016 THAT HAVE NOT YET STARTED

• 3901 N. Broadway: a Vermilion Development featuring a 10-story with 100 rental apartments and retail
• 4601 N. Broadway designed by MX3 Architects: 197 apartment units at the corner of Broadway/Wilson with retail on the first floor.
• 4420-30 N. Sheridan development: 33 units in a mixed-use development
• 3928 N. Sheridan: a Loukas Development with 54 apartment units with retail
• 1023 W. Irving Park: 5-story condo building with one unit on each floor.
• 927 W. Irving Park: 5-story with 28 rental units

OTHER DEVELOPMENT NEWS

• Wilson L Station: A $203M project has an expected completion date at the end of this year. In April, the demolition of the remaining old L track will be completed and the escalator is expected to be operational by June. All 4 new tracks will be up and running in September. A request for proposal is going out for the Gerber Building, and I am working with CTA to get that whole space rented out as one large retail space rather than have it broken up into smaller stores. A number of businesses have expressed interest for that spot.
• Uptown Square Historic District: Located within the Entertainment District, this enhances the area's prestige and property values while bringing stability and predictability for future private investment, with the ultimate goal to get the Uptown Theatre rehabbed.
• When the Clarendon/Montrose TIF passed City Council, it allowed for $4.5M to be contributed to the Clarendon Park Community Center. Per the Parks Dept, this was the only way we could get the necessary funds to jumpstart this rehab of this center that had become dilapidated.
• $14K was contributed from Menu funds to the Park District to do necessary plumbing work to allow for a dog washing business (Moxie Wash) to open up near the Montrose Dog Beach this year. 

SUCCESSFULLY PROTECTED AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

All this new development happened while we protected non-profit affordable housing in the 46th Ward. When Presbyterian Homes announced plans to sell their building at 3801 N. Pine Grove, I worked with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Rep Sara Feigenholtz, the City’s Dept. of Planning & Development, and ONE Northside to prevent the seniors in this building from having to move. I found an attorney who took on the case pro bono and then worked with CHA to negotiate a sale in 2016 so that no one would have to move from their home. There is now no longer any threat that they would have to move.

SAVING A HOMELESS SHELTER 

Due to an inability to raise additional funds to supplement the government dollars that Northside Housing & Support Services (NHSS) was already receiving, the shelter announced in September that they were closing in December. The Dept. of Family & Support Services (DFSS) tried getting other providers in to assist, but no other agency was willing to take it over. A generous donor stepped up with 3 years of promised support to keep them open. I will meet with the shelter's board of directors and DFSS to see how I can help them prevent this type of funding crisis again.

A NEW WAY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

When I was elected alderman in 2011, I became very vocal with the way the City addressed homeless encampments. A host of different agencies were providing interventions with limited results of getting people off the streets and into permanent housing. Some of the people living on the streets had been there for many years and appeared stuck in the cycle of homelessness. Early in 2016, I teamed up with Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to push the City to adopt a “housing-first” strategy that places people immediately into housing with wrap-around services. In May, a pilot project was started in Uptown because it was the largest encampment in the City. Of the initial assessment of 75 individuals living at the encampments, 54 were housed, and the remaining 11 left the area on their own. To assist with funding this new way of addressing homelessness, I also led the charge to add a 4% surcharge on Airbnbs, with these additional funds going toward our efforts to get people off the streets and directly into housing. The U.S. Interagency on Homelessness had declared this approach as the best way to address chronic homelessness. This approach also is very cost effective because the cost of a person's health care dramatically drops when he or she is in safe housing.

FRIENDS OF THE 46TH WARD SCHOOLS 

This non-profit organization started out as a task force to help me create the 46th Ward Master Plan, and now it has blossomed into something that has provided ongoing and much needed support to our area CPS schools. Thanks to a matching grant the Friends of the 46th Ward Schools received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, over $3,000 was raised.... all money that will be distributed to our local CPS schools.

PUBLIC SAFETY 

Enhancing public safety in the 46th Ward has always been one of my top priorities. Working with both the Commanders of the 19th and 20th Police Districts, along with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, I established a Retail Corridor Public Safety Committee, and we now have many retail establishments working together with us to reduce criminal activity in the area. In my discussions with Police Supt. Eddie Johnson, I asked for and received more foot patrol officers walking in our neighborhoods. They have strong relationships with the local businesses and community so that we can partner better together to address crime. I successfully fought for the hiring of more police officers in our last City Budget, something I knew many of you wanted. This year we were able to get an additional 52 sworn officers assigned, that is in addition to the police that are being recruited now. I worked with my colleagues and Mayor Rahm Emanuel to expand the Becoming a Man program and the One Summer Chicago program that provides employment opportunities for youth from 14 to 24 years of age.

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

I spearheaded an ordinance to protect members of the transgender community using the bathroom of their gender preference without having to produce an I.D. I was joined by other members of the LGBT Caucus to get this passed. With the Short Term Rental Ordinance, I succeeded in getting a 4% surcharge for Airbnbs to fund homeless services. I pushed to strengthen the City's Inspector General's Office to allow for investigations of aldermen, rather than a separate one for us and another one for all other City employees.

PROTECTING THE WARD'S DIVERSITY 

The thing that people most appreciate about the 46th Ward is its diversity, with over 91 different languages spoken. Besides being the smallest geographical ward in the City, it is also the most economically diverse ward as well. The challenge is to make sure we maintain our diversity as we continue to improve the economic vitality of the ward. 

Best wishes for a wonderful and prosperous 2017,

Ald. James Cappleman

Wind Blows, Scaffolding Goes

There are gale force wind warnings today. Exhibit A is at Pensacola Place, on Hazel south of Montrose, where the strong gusts caused some of the scaffolding to collapse this morning. The reader who sent in these photos says that it looks -- miraculously -- like no pedestrians or cars were hit when the scaffolding fell. She spoke to someone who had just decided not to walk on that side of the street when it came crashing down. Be careful out there!

Pensacola Cleaners Moves Across The Street

For more than 20 years, Pensacola Place (at the SW corner of Hazel and Montrose) was home to Pensacola Cleaners, a family-owned business.  The ongoing redesign of the building has meant that the first-floor businesses located in the Hazel lobby have had to move out (townhomes will take their place).

Devoted customers of Pensacola Cleaners will be pleased to know that they are still around, just a few doors away from their long-time location. Sporting a new name, TAE CLEANERS is now located at 4411 North Hazel, across Montrose.  Same family, same great service.

The hours are 7am-7pm Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm on Saturday, and closed on Sundays. The phone number is 773-506-7577. The first day at the new location was Monday.

We are glad to know that a long-time locally owned business is remaining in Uptown, and so close to its previous location. Thanks to the owners of Food Town -- a long-time family-run business itself -- for helping spread the news.

Pensacola Place Starts Work On Additional Residential Units

As previously reported, Pensacola Place (Montrose and Hazel) will be adding 160 additional residential units to the complex in the form of apartments and townhouses. Most will be added to the roof, and some will be created out of former retail spaces on the ground floor. Reader JD spoke to a worker yesterday who confirmed that work is beginning on the ground floor conversions.

Ross Lays The Foundation

With the winter weather over and the permits approved, work is progressing quickly on the building that will be home to Ross Dress For Less and other retail on the 900 block of Montrose. We've noticed that the rehab of the residential/retail building directly west of it (944-946 W Montrose) is going well, too, with most of the windows now replaced.

With work beginning on the addition of 160 new units (apartments and townhomes) to Pensacola Place, right across the street, Montrose is beginning to look much different than it has in years past.

Thank you to reader Walker Robinson Jr, who posted the above photo on UU's Facebook page.

Renderings Released Of Pensacola Place Proposal

Brininstool + Lynch (h/t to Curbed Chicago)

Curbed Chicago has a complete rundown of the plans to build townhomes on top of the Jewel and World Gym at Broadway and Montrose and update the exterior of the development. The proposal goes before the Chicago Plan Commission today and if approved, construction could begin as early as next spring. Read more at Curbed...

Upcoming Meeting To Discuss Adding Townhouses To Pensacola Place

image courtesy of Apartments.com

As we posted in August, the new owners of Pensacola Place are seeking to add townhouses to the complex. When the property was built in the 1970s, townhouses on the swimming pool deck were planned and laid out, but never constructed.

Now, according to a press release, Waterton Associates would like "to amend the current Planned Development from 1973 for that site to build townhouses where a portion of the current commercial space is on Hazel and make other changes and upgrades."

While this is not a request for a zoning change, aldermanic permission is required for the development of townhouses. On Monday, November 16th, Ald. Cappleman is hosting a meeting for nearby residents to hear about the plans and ask questions. In particular, residents living in the Buena Park Neighbors boundaries (Montrose-Irving Park-Graceland Cemetery-Lake Michigan) and the Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association boundaries (Wilson-Montrose-Sheridan-Lake Michigan) are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will begin at 7pm, and will take place in the community room at Pensacola Place, 4334 North Hazel (east of the World Gym/Jewel part of the property).

Related articles:

• Everything Old Is New Again: Pensacola Place Wants To Build Townhouses On Its Property
• Pensacola Place Sells For $66 Million
• Pensacola Place Under Contract
• Pensacola Place, Including Jewel-Osco, For Sale

944 West Montrose Sells For $1.95M

Side view from the parking lot next door.
The building has a 45' frontage, and a 124' depth

Seems like the ripple effect is real.  With two major properties on the same block selling this year, the market is hot for other properties on Montrose.  After the sale of Pensacola Place (between Sheridan and Hazel), and the empty Dearborn Wholesale Grocers across the street set to become retail, 944 West Montrose, immediately west of the Dearborn Wholesale parking lot, has sold for $1.95million.

It's a 1929 building that doesn't look like it's had much TLC since it was last purchased in 1987 for $110,000. According to real estate records, it consists of 27 studio apartments and two retail areas. One of the storefronts appears empty and was last occupied by a driving school. The other was or is the home of the Polish Yachting Association of North America.

The article announcing the sale of the building in REJournals doesn't identify the new owner of the property.  It does say, "The rents were far below market. The new buyers saw this has a 'value-add' opportunity and are planning to rehab the apartments while upgrading the common areas."

Everything Old Is New Again: Pensacola Place Wants To Build Townhouses On Its Property

Did you know that when you shop at the Montrose/Broadway Jewel, you're literally underneath tennis courts and a swimming pool?  The residents at Pensacola Place are enjoying summer outdoors, right above your head.

In the future, you may be reaching for milk and weighing apples underneath new townhouses. Readers at Buena Pointe, across the street, are reporting that they've gotten notices informing them that the new owners of Pensacola Place are requesting a zoning change that would allow townhouses to be built on the large flat roof of the retail portion of the property.

It's not a new idea.  Back in 1979, when Pensacola Place was designed by Stanley Tigerman and was on the brink of construction, the Tribune reported, "It will have a large base structure with 100,000 square feet of shopping and room for 250 cars topped by a 13-story tower containing 252 rental units. Forty-five two-story condominium townhouses eventually are to be built on top of the base structure."  Apparently "eventually" took a while to happen, but Waterton Residential, the owner, has the original plans in its sights.

We asked someone who's usually in the know about such matters, and he said, "Keep in mind that the building has a parking ramp that can handle any increase in density (i.e. cars) on the site, which should make the UU readers happy."

It's Official! Ross Dress For Less Coming To Montrose Avenue

In April, Uptown Update posted the news that Mid-America Real Estate Group's website was featuring a listing for the former Dearborn Wholesale site at 918 Montrose, with renderings showing that Ross Dress For Less would be the anchor tenant.  Shortly after we posted about it, we were told that the deal with Ross had not yet been finalized, despite the diagrams on the website.

An observant reader (thanks, JD!) sent in this photo today, which confirms that Ross is indeed coming to Montrose.  The flyer and specs are no longer on Mid-America's website, but as of last April there was still one retail space with 4,800 square feet available at the site. So even if Ross Dress for Less isn't your cuppa tea, there's still room for another retailer that might be.

With Pensacola Place right across the street recently selling for $66 million, it seems Montrose is experiencing a heyday.  Good to see so many companies investing big money in Uptown.

Pensacola Place Sells For $66 Million

Crain's Chicago Business is reporting what a tipster told UU back in February: the huge Pensacola Place complex on Montrose, which includes 264 units of rental housing and the Jewel-Osco, has been sold.

At the time, our reader said, "Local firm Waterton Residential has the property under contract. They see a lot of potential in Uptown and believe now is the right time to buy in the neighborhood. They've done some nice work upgrading Presidential Towers, River North Park Apartments, One East Delaware, and The Seneca Hotel."

The price tag?  Crain's reports it was a whopping $65.8 million.

According to the article, Waterton sees Uptown as a great investment because people are moving north to escape higher rents in Lincoln Park and Lakeview.

The building has a massive fourth-floor outdoor deck that the firm plans to fix up, removing an existing tennis court and adding cabanas, fire pits and other features alongside its outdoor swimming pool, he said.

The deck also includes plenty of room along its perimeter for dozens more apartments. Waterton has discussed expansion plans with Ald. James Cappleman (46th), whose ward includes the property, but hasn't decided what it will build.

“There's the potential to do it,” Stern said. “We're just not sure how many or what yet.”

Pensacola Place Under Contract

Three weeks ago, we posted that Pensacola Place, the huge property on Montrose (between Broadway and Hazel) that includes Jewel-Osco, an 18-story residential high-rise and World Gym, was for sale for the first time. It's now under contract, according to the sales listing.

A reader in the know says, "Local firm Waterton Residential has the property under contract. They see a lot of potential in Uptown and believe now is the right time to buy in the neighborhood. They've done some nice work upgrading Presidential Towers, River North Park Apartments, One East Delaware, and The Seneca Hotel."

click to enlarge

The sales points included the fact that there was a lot of space on the property for further development, including pads for 50 townhomes that were planned but never built around the swimming pool/tennis court area.  You can see in the aerial view, via Google Earth, what that part of the property looks like today.

It should be interesting to watch what happens over the next couple years.

Pensacola Place, Including Jewel-Osco, Offered For Sale

Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader to letting us know that Pensacola Place, the large residential and retail complex located on the south side of Montrose between Sheridan and Hazel, is now on the market.

According to Chicago Real Estate Daily, "Chicago apartment landlords Tony Rossi and Tom Moran have put Pensacola Place, a 264-unit apartment building in Buena Park, up for sale. Built in 1981, the 18-story tower at 4334 N. Hazel St. includes a Jewel-Osco grocery store on the ground floor ... A buyer could boost its value by renovating its lobby, adding amenities and adding townhomes on part of the property."  Click here to read the entire blurb.

According to its real estate listing, deal point include "Empirical demand for housing continues to outstrip defined supply, meaning there is a current lack of supply to meet the consistently growing demand for transit-oriented housing" and "Multiple value-add opportunities including upgrades to the marketing window, units, and amenities; commercial lease-up or repositioning; 50 townhouse development pads; and additional potential future development offer investors significant opportunity for revenue growth." You can see the listing here.

How much?  Well, they're being coy.  Interested parties can register at the site to receive offering materials.

4343 Clarendon Mural Honoring Stanley Tigerman

As we mentioned a couple weeks ago, famed Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman recently returned to the Boardwalk Apartments, the first high-rise he designed, for a ceremony and a mural created in his honor.  The building, designed by Mr. Tigerman in 1974, is now known as the 4343 Clarendon Condos and the mural honoring him was created by a resident there, artist Elise Glickman.

We stopped by the building earlier this week to take a look at the mural, located in the lobby, and it is impressive!  It's designed to mimic the square, symmetrical facade of the building.  (Interestingly, the eastern facade of Pensacola Place Apartments, designed by Tigerman in 1981, is a mirror of 4343 Clarendon, just a couple blocks west, at 4334 N Hazel.)  If you want to stop by and take a look, it's in the main lobby, and you'll need to speak to the doorman to gain entry.

What A Difference 45 Years Makes

YouthsCleanWinthrop1967
We hear a lot about Uptown's buildings going up in flames about 50 years ago, as property values deteriorated along with the neighborhood, and it became easier for owners to abandon their buildings (and at worst, burn them) rather than maintain them.  That's one of the reasons so many new buildings were able to be constructed here over the past 20 years:  there were some blocks with six or seven empty lots on them, thanks to owner abandonment, neglect and fires.

In this article from 1967 that a reader sent in, the Tribune talks about a summer work program where teens and adults were paid $1.40 - $2.50 an hour to pick up glass and trash from derelict empty lots, and in some cases, build playlots on them.  It's a fascinating look into the problems of Lakeview and Uptown at that point in time.

(Yes, Lakeview was considered a "deteriorating neighborhood" then.  Believe it or not, one of the abandoned, overgrown lots that the crews cleaned up was at Roscoe and Halsted, and another was Belmont and Racine).

We thought it would be fun to revisit the locations of junky abandoned lots mentioned in the article and see whatever became of them, 45 years later:

• Dover and Wilson - parking lot for Happy Wash
• Hazel and Windsor - hard to say which corner.  There are two parking lots there and one scattered site housing site
• 417 N Montrose - part of the Lakefront Trail
• 731 W Montrose - part of the Carlton Healthcare high-rise
• 901 W Montrose (where the Montrose Urban Progress Center that employed them was located) - part of the Pensacola Place high-rise
• 4516-4522 N Racine (where the owner refused them permission to clean up the lots) - Truman College
• 4611 N Racine - a fenced park next to St Martha Manor
• 4633 N Winthrop - Townhouses
• 4641 N Winthrop (where they got permission to put in horseshoe, basketball and volleyball courts on the blacktop) - scattered site housing
• 4836 N Winthrop - still a playlot!  Located next to 4848 N Winthrop
• 4860 N Winthrop - part of the 4848 N Winthrop co-op

Uptown: A Year In Review (Part 2)

And we continue with a recap of 2010 in Uptown. (Part 1 is here).

July

• The 4600 block of Clifton became less loitered upon, thanks to the work of a task force consisting of the police, UCC, Rep. Greg Harris, the Uptown Chamber, Truman College, businesses on Clifton, and area residents.  Dumpsters were also removed from the public way.
• Molly Phelan threw her hat into the ring for 46th Ward Alderman.  Gerald Farinas retrieved his.  Four candidates now:  Phelan, Nowotny, Carroll and Cappleman.  And a whole lot of rumors.
• Despite fears, the July 4th lakeside fireworks show was a success after Uptown became the North Side location for the city's official show.
• Uptown's first gang-related death:  Detrick Garrett was murdered in the wee hours of the morning in Clarendon Park.  Later that evening, another man was shot in a car Sheridan Park, possibly in retaliation.
• Ald. Shiller, with no community input or notice, submitted an ordinance to lift the package liquor moratorium for the area including Wilson and Broadway.
• Fame da Lupo closed, and was soon replaced by The Cousins.
• The three-day Windy City Ribfest was a lot of fun and a huge success (judging by the number of ribs consumed and number of people dancing in the streets).  It was Uptown at its best and brightest.
• Target opened, with the Mayor, Ald. Shiller and Peter Holsten in attendance.  The mayor assured us that we'd "soon forget" the Wilson Yard controversy.
• There was a violent street fight between gangs at Wilson and Broadway in the middle of the afternoon.  Two convicted felons were arrested and one was tased.  What made this notable was that a couple "concerned citizens" filed complaints with the police over the "unjustified" tasing.
• After a month of reports of "shots fired" on the 4400-4500 blocks of Magnolia, the bullets finally hit their mark, and Aaron Carter was murdered in plain view of residents and onlookers on a Wednesday afternoon.
• There was a fire with injuries at the building on the NW corner of Wilson and Beacon.  Firefighters carried several people from the building and put the fire out quickly.

August

• Ald. Shiller announced to the media that she would not be running for reelection in 2011.  (A full week later, she got around to addressing the residents of the 46th Ward about her decision, via her website.)  This became the most commented-on story of 2010 on Uptown Update.
• Greg Harris, citing his ongoing work on the civil unions legislation in Springfield, announced he would not seek Ald. Shiller's aldermanic seat.
• Our favorite "You Get What You Ask For" moment of the year:  The outdoor screening of Singin' in the Rain was canceled, due to (what else?) rain.
• Lisa Nigro, who founded Inspiration Corporation, received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Obama.
• Ald. Shiller's office said she would not request to have the moratorium lifted on selling liquor-to-go in the Wilson/Broadway area.
• Residents began campaigning to make the drug drive-through in the Wilson/Magnolia strip mall a no-loitering zone.
• Ald. Mary Ann Smith announced that, like Ald. Shiller, she will not seek reelection in 2011.  She informed her constituents about it the same day.
• A Pizza Hut deliveryman was badly beaten on the 4400 block of Magnolia.  We haven't heard any follow-up and hope he is doing well today.
• The snazzy bricolage murals on the outside of Uplift School, done by participants in After School Matters, were completed.
• Harry Osterman hinted he would be interested in running for the 48th Ward Aldermanic opening.
• The Chase Park Playground received a half-a-million-dollar overhaul; the mayor attended the re-dedication ceremony.
• For the second year running, the Wilson el stop received the "Crust Station" award.  Yay, us.
• Andy Lam announced his candidacy for 46th Ward alderman.
• Reed Appliance opened its doors on Wilson Avenue.

September

• Befekadu Retta announced his intention to run for 46th Ward alderman.
• So did Emily Stewart.
• Harry Osterman made it official in the 48th Ward.
• The Black Ensemble Theater broke ground on its new location at 4440-4450 N Clark.
• Arnold's Restaurant closed after many years as an Uptown fixture.
• An Uptown CSA program was started, to provide seasonal produce at an affordable price, year-round.
• A particularly low-water mark in a year marked by gun violence:  A shooter let loose with a volley of shots near the Jewel parking lot at Montrose that had shoppers dropping to the ground.  We don't know the intended target, but bullets went through the window of an older couple on the 8th floor of Pensacola Place, a block away.
• The laundromat at Weiss Plaza re-opened under new ownership.

October

• The Combined Insurance properties, including the main offices and a 600-car parking structure, were sold at auction.
• SL Grill closed, and Papa Ray Pizza & Wings took its place.
• The American Islamic College reopened after ten years, at Irving Park and Marine.
• The Broadway streetscaping was completed.
• While new small trees were being planted along Broadway and Wilson, the mature trees that had been in front of Truman College for years were cut down as part of the parking garage renovation.
• Wild Pug closed its doors.
• The worst day of the year, violence-wise, was Halloween.  In the wee hours of the morning, a man was wounded inside of his home by a shooter outside, near Wilson and Malden.  Then, just steps from "safe trick-or-treating" on Kenmore, a gunman fired a series of shots, wounding three teenagers (one just 13 years old), and forcing little princesses and superheroes carrying bags of candy to jump behind trees and dive behind cars to avoid being shot.  An hour later, a man was murdered on Sunnyside, just steps from the new Target.  Rest in peace, Marlos Canteberry.  A sad, sad day for this community.

November

• Dominick's opened a flagship store at Foster and Sheridan, just a year after the previous, badly outdated store closed.
• The new Admiral at the Lake broke ground on its new senior housing complex, replacing an older building that had been there since 1960.
• The office windows of several politicians and aldermanic candidates were smashed with bricks.
• Stewart Elementary School presented its first musical, "The Best Little Theatre in Town."
• Buttercup Park Advisory Committee put its two final designs online and invited community input and comments.
• Ceres' Table and Hopleaf received Bib Gourmand ratings from the Michelin Guide, denoting that they offer "good cuisine at a reasonable value."
• The new Town Hall police station opened.
• Strictly Locals artist exchange/gallery opened on Clark Street.
• The new property tax bills didn't say it, but a trip to Cook County Clerk David Orr's website revealed that people in the Wilson Yard tax district are paying 71-74% of their property taxes to the TIF instead of to city services.
• The seven 46th Ward aldermanic wannabes who had already declared their candidacies turned in their nominating petitions, with five surprise candidates joining them:  Diane Shapiro, Marc Kaplan, Caitlin McIntyre, Janice V. Thomas and Scott Baskin.  There were five candidates in the 48th Ward and five in the 47th, as well.
• Thanks to the hard work and sponsorship of Rep. Greg Harris, the civil unions bill passed in the Illinois House, followed by the Senate a day later.

December:

• Eight challenges were filed against 46th Ward candidates, and five against 47th Ward candidates.  Even though the Board of Elections required that the ballot be finalized by December 23rd, we're still awaiting the results of most of them.  [Chop, chop, guys and gals!  We'd really like to know who's going to be on our ballots!]
• Sarah's Circle announced its intention to open an SRO at 4836 Sheridan.
• Former political opponents Heather Steans and Suzanne Elder teamed up to get "The Care of Students With Diabetes Act" passed, despite a gubernatorial veto.
• Pegasus Players announced it will leave its home at Truman College to take over the Hull House performance space that Black Ensemble Theater will be vacating.
• The Clark streetscaping project was completed and dedicated.
• Sedgwick Properties resurrected its plan for Lake View Station on the Maryville site, holding small community meetings and sponsoring a write-in campaign.
• Masala Indian and Thai restaurant opened on Argyle.
• Harold's Chicken opened on Wilson.
• A Secret Santa left stockings with gift cards in them around town.
• Uptown won Curbed Chicago's "Neighborhood of the Year" vote.

We ran 1,328 items in 2010, and sadly, no subject was more prevalent than violence, most of it having to do with gangs.  By the numbers:

• Number of times readers reported hearing "shots fired" with no victim reported: 32
• Number of shooting victims UU reported, with injuries ranging from superficial to catastrophic: 31
• Number of residents murdered: 4
• Number of times Ald. Shiller came to CAPS or sent a representative: 0
• Number of times Ald. Shiller responded to or even acknowledged the violence: 0

If we have a New Year's resolution for our community, it's that Uptown's crime rate starts resembling that of its bordering areas, rather than Tombstone, Arizona in the 1880s.  Here's to a safer, saner 2011.