Reminder: Community Meeting About Sedgwick / Maryville On Thursday

From Uptown Coalition for Responsible Development (UCRD):

"To be discussed:

• History of the community's involvement in Sedgwick's planning
• $31 Million in public TIF funds requested by Sedgwick, a developer currently in foreclosure for their 2 most recent developments in the South Loop
• Sedgwick's financing for this project, what is at risk for the neighborhood
• Sedgwick's track record and their renewed plan
• What's next in the process and how to get involved

We have a number of documents from the public record regarding Sedgwick and the TIF process and will continue to post information as we get it on our site: www.uptownresponsibledevelopment.tumblr.com. You can also check our Facebook page for links to this information."

From a CPNA block club member:

"Sedgwick has come up with a new proposal. They submitted it to the City in August, but only gave us the first bits of information we have been requesting yesterday afternoon, and they intend to ask for City approval in January.

No public meetings have been held on this project where the community had a chance to voice concerns or ask questions or request revisions. This proposal is now scheduled to be considered at a meeting of Alderman Cappleman's 46th Ward Zoning & Development committee next week. In between the public meeting held in June and now, it was reported that Sedgwick's last two projects are being foreclosed on to the tune of $105 million. In their latest proposal they are asking for $31 million in TIF subsidies paid for by your taxes.

We know that everyone is very busy this time of year with careers, family, obligations, and holiday events, but it is so crucial for us to have a large turnout at this meeting tomorrow night. We will ask you to give your opinion on whether a developer who is being foreclosed on, and will not divulge much of the information sought (let alone give the community time to review it) should be given $31 million in TIF funds. Once they have the money, no one can control where the money goes or how it is spent."

Check out the latest proposal from Sedgwick here.

Packed Meeting Regarding Sedgwick Development

A reader sends in the following photo and info from tonight's meeting:
"I went to the both the Sedgwick Properties and the Uptown Neighborhood Council meeting this evening. The Uptown Neighborhood Council Meeting had a representative from Sedgwick Properties who took notes through the entire meeting while residents hammered him with questions about the development plans.  Most of the concerns from residents revolved around parking and green space. It was a full meeting with standing room only."

I gathered these names at the Sedgwick Properties Presentation:

* Marty Paris from Sedgwick Properties (martyparis@sedgwickproperties.com)
* J Friedeck (Sedgwick Rep at tonight's meeting) - jfriedeck@sedgwickproperties.com
* Jay Camp (Koenig & Strey Realtor who will be selling space at the Megaplex) - jcamp@koenigstrey.com
* Dean Young (Koenig & Strey Realtor who will be selling space at the Megaplex) dyoung@koenigstrey.com
* Luay R. Aboona, PE - Principal (Transportation and Parking Planning Consultants) - laboona@kloainc.com
* William R. Woodward - Senior Consultant (Transportation and Parking Planning Consultants) - wwoodward@kloainc.com

Meeting Regarding Maryville Development June 7

From a Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association mailing:

CPNA is in urgent need of your assistance. The proposed developer and the property owners of the old Maryville site are forcing our new Alderman to call the flawed development proposal for a vote at the City Council  by the end of June (less than 6 weeks into his first term).  Otherwise they are threatening to not allow any development on the lot for 10-15 years. This $350 MILLION dollar project "...Would be the biggest Northside development in decades" (Crain's). Their pressure tactics cannot be allowed to force the approval of a bad development plan that has not had a thorough vetting of financials, TIF qualifications, floorplans, or community need.  Their ultimatum is a ruse and a sham.

CPNA and the neighborhood support a quality development at this location.  After spending 2 years negotiating with Sedgwick Development, we found out they had lied to us about several key features of the development based upon their official plan submission to the City.  Their artists renderings were drawn way out of scale, to mask the 85' high concrete base (reminiscent of bad 80's architecture), they promised low-rise condos along Agatite Avenue, and instead submitted a proposal showing an 80' plus tall parking garage.  They also proposed a TIF subsidy of $50 million dollars with no "Clawback provision" which would give the money back to the City if they did not build everything they proposed.  They are also trying to subvert the City's affordable housing set-aside program, among many other things.

Bottom Line- Their plan is flawed, their architecture is weak, and their track record is not good (either with the community or within the industry).

We need you to come out and voice your support for your neighbors, and make sure our new era in Uptown is not begun with a bad decision leading to bad development.  Alderman Cappleman must hear from us that Uptown deserves great architecture, and solid developers.  This neighborhood has more large developable parcels than any other on the north lakefront, and developers have been trying for 30 years to build here.  When these bad developers have folded up shop, our new Alderman can begin the process of finding quality developers to bring quality development to Uptown.  There is no reason to rush this unless you are trying to hide something.  Please come out to the meeting on June 7th.

Community Meeting: Tuesday June 7, 2011, at 7:00 pm

Place:  Clarendon Park Fieldhouse

What:   Vote on the current plan by Sedgwick Development to develop Columbus-Maryville property
Sedgwick Development and the owners of the Columbus-Maryville property are trying to ram Sedgwick's plan through the City approval process by the end of June. Alderman Cappleman has scheduled a community meeting  to address Sedgwick's plan, opponents will present critical defects in the plan and with this developer that render both unsuitable, and a vote on the plan will be held for residents living within 250 feet of the development.

If you want your voice heard, PLEASE come to the meeting!  More information to follow.

CPNA

Zoning & Development Votes Monday On Sedgwick/Maryville

Apparently the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee will meet on Monday evening to vote on Sedgwick's proposal for The Lighthouse At Montrose Harbor.  If you feel strongly about it, one way or the other, please contact your block club rep or your organization's rep and make your feelings known.  There have been several requests via email and on block clubs' Facebook pages for community feedback from the people who will be representing residents at the meeting.  Give them some help in knowing how to represent your vote.

Here are some links from Ald. Cappleman's website that may help you make up your mind:

• Sedgwick Maryville Questions from Public Meetings. (Very extensive, with answers from the alderman, Sedgwick, UCRD and Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development)
  
• Frequently Asked Questions with answers from Ald. Cappleman.
• The most recent plan drawings from Sedgwick:  Set 1, Set 2, and Set 3.
• The Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor website.

Another link from the comments that we neglected to list:

• Uptown Coalition for Responsible Development

More On Maryville Development From CPNA

From Clarendon Park Neighbors Association regarding the proposed Lake View Station development:

"We wanted to make the neighborhood aware of some recent events surrounding the proposed Maryville site and the development proposal by Sedgwick development.

Today we emailed every Aldermanic candidate we could find an email for (and have reached out to those for whom we could locate a website or telephone number), and asked them to specifically state their stance on the following issues:

1. The Sedgwick Properties development proposal and their feelings about Sedgwick Properties.
2. The proposed Maryville TIF designed to fund improvements at Clarendon Park
3. The community parking lot and its future.

We have asked the candidates to return their responses by Friday, January 21st. We will then send out a email with all their responses, as well as post a flyer on every building in the neighborhood.

We have also a noted a number of inconsistencies listed on Sedgwick Development's website to promote their proposed development and wanted to make sure we highlighted these as well.

• Specifically, they claim they offered to provide free overnight parking after initially planning to charge a fee. In reality, this was our first and strongest demand and was also a demand of Alderman Shiller from day one.
• Secondly, they claim they have held many community meetings and have given the community plenty of input into the planning. In truth, they met with some community representatives, who, at the behest of Alderman Shiller, heard their proposal and offered some insight. In no way were these meetings meant to replace and substantiate a larger community process, that to our minds has not taken place yet. The only true community meetings that were held were arranged as open houses, and did not provide the community the opportunity to hear each others concerns, as well as question the developer in front of the entire assemblage of neighbors and concerned citizens.

A group of concerned citizens has started a group called the Uptown Coalition for Responsible Development (UCRD) and have posted a petition online for those who wish to see a moratorium placed on any decision regarding this property and development proposal until after the new Alderman and the new City administration have a chance to review the facts and design a community process that is transparent, inclusive, and exhaustive.

• Here is a link to the petition, which we encourage every community resident to sign and forward to all your neighbors.
• Here is a link to UCRD's website, which includes a letter from Alderman Shiller specifically spelling out her concerns, as well as contact info for UCRD.

The developer has chosen to engage in a large and expensive PR campaign that seeks to mislead the neighborhood on the history of their proposal. Because of this, we must insist on a complete halt to the process as well as a clear stance from those seeking to replace Alderman Shiller.

Please let us know if you have questions or concerns that we can help to address."

Ground-Breaking News! Zoning Committee Votes To Approve Maryville Development

Nearly eight years after the religious order that owns the 3.5-acre Columbus-Maryville site put it on the market...

Nearly seven years after Sedgwick Properties Development Group signed a contract to purchase it and build a mixed-use high-rise there...

And more than five years after then-alderman Helen Shiller created the Montrose/Clarendon TIF to enable Sedgwick to build there with $60million in assistance...

... it looks like Maryville is finally on the way to being developed.

In a statement issued today, Ald. James Cappleman says:

"Last night, the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee, made up of 40 diverse neighborhood and chamber organizations throughout the ward, voted to support the Clarendon/Montrose development proposal, which is the former site of the Maryville Academy. Each organization sends its own representative to serve on the committee. Click here to find out how your representative voted.

This development is within a Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) district that makes up property owned by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Park District land. Currently the TIF has no money because neither entity pays taxes. The only way TIF funds are generated at this site is to have a development on this site generate tax revenue. Therefore,  I am requiring that JDL Development provide $4.6 million upfront to assist with the Clarendon Park Community Center.

For the past few months, I have met with the Cubs about the potential for a partnership with the Park District to create a Cubs indoor baseball academy at Clarendon Park for neighborhood kids that would also rehab the Community Center.

JDL Development will be contributing $5.7 million to the Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund, money that will go to pay for rent subsidies to people earning 30% or less of the area median income. Currently, the 46th Ward receives more rental subsidy assistance from this fund than the combined total given to 29 other wards in the City of Chicago.

Click here to view the development proposal. Groundbreaking is expected sometime in the spring of 2016."

Our post with information about the latest proposal is here.  Ald. Cappleman's email newsletter is here.

It's been a long trip getting to this point. Sedgwick originally proposed a three-tower development that would have included "1,050 residential units, a hotel, a supermarket, a health club, and parking for 1,100 cars." It was called Lake View Station, odd considering that Clarendon Park is squarely and indisputably in Uptown.

There were meetings held in laundry rooms, many new versions of potential developments, a name change to The Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor, the abandonment of Sedgwick as most favored developer by the then-alderman, accusations of renderings that didn't match the blueprints, more community meetings, a new developer, an attempt to have the building landmarked, a reduction of the TIF amount, and more.

But now, it looks like development at Maryville may finally happen. We see it as a win for Uptown in many ways:

• No residents will be displaced; the 3.5-acre site has been unoccupied for years
• Property taxes, sales taxes and other income will be generated by a a huge piece of land that hasn't contributed to the city's tax base since the Roosevelt Administration. (While the current buildings date back to the 1950s, the hospital was founded in 1942 as a maternity hospital run by the Sisters.)
• New affordable-housing apartments will be created as part of the development and nearly six million dollars will go into the Low Income Housing Trust Fund
• The historic, leaky, deteriorating Clarendon Park Field House will be restored through a combination of upfront money from the developer and a community contribution from the Chicago Cubs
• New residents and new retail moving into Uptown will create a more vibrant community
• The current owners, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, will get a nice chunk of change from the sale to continue their good work, which includes outreach to immigrants, caring for the elderly, and working against human trafficking
• There will be a welcoming gateway to Uptown from Lake Shore Drive, rather than fenced-off boarded-up buildings

Given the long and bumpy road to get to this point, we can't say with any certainty that this plan is locked in. But it is -- by far -- the closest the Maryville property has come to redevelopment since we've been following the story, for almost eight years now. Time will tell. And we're humming a little Etta James.

Two Sedgwick Properties Face Bankruptcy

We're beginning to connect some dots about why Sedgwick Properties might have been so eager to get a $50million TIF subsidy to develop the Maryville property, even though they were never able to tell us exactly what they have planned:

Ventures of Chicago developer Sedgwick Properties Development Corp. are embroiled in litigation with a lender on two South Loop condominium projects, including one of the last developments to break ground there in 2008 just as the recession and credit crunch were taking hold.

Amalgamated Bank, a union-owned lender, is suing to foreclose on the $50-million construction loan it provided for the low-rise, 180-unit Terrazio at 1935 S. Wabash Ave. The New York-based bank filed its foreclosure suit in May and followed up with a separate complaint in June against the development venture and Sedgwick’s Marty Paris, saying Mr. Paris personally guaranteed the 2008 loan.

Read the rest in today's Crain's Chicago Business.

Zoning Meeting Tonight About Maryville / Sedgwick - Public Invited

A public meeting, some controversy and an article in The Reader... hey, it must be Uptown!

Ald. Cappleman's 46th Ward Zoning and Development Committee will meet this evening in the auditorium at Weiss Hospital (4646 N Marine), at 6:30pm.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The subject:  Sedgwick's seeking approval to take its revised plan for the now-vacant Maryville Academy to the next step.  In exchange for its smaller plan, it's asking for a smaller, although still considerable, chunk of tax money.

• The previous plan, "Lake View Station," asked for $50 million of TIF money.  It was rejected by a 9-1 margin by neighbors at a meeting last June.
• The new plan, "Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor," asks for $31 million of TIF money.  Tonight will tell how the vote goes.

We will not attempt to do an update of all the background of this plan, and there's a lot of it.  Best way is to scroll down the page, look on the right hand sidebar below the EveryBlock widget box to where it says "Search UU" and put in "Sedgwick" as your search term.

• To see Sedgwick's plan, this is the website:  The Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor.
• To see Uptown Coalition for Responsible Development's (UCRD's) viewpoint and supporting documents on why they oppose the plan, see their Facebook page and website.

We encourage you to attend and make your views known to the alderman, the developer and members of the Zoning and Development Committee.  What happens tonight may affect Uptown for years.

Sun-Times: "Another Chance On The N. Side's Money Pit"

UPTOWN - Maryville Academy Site is Latest Development Deal

December 17, 2008, DAVID ROEDER Real estate columnist

Uptown is a North Side neighborhood that has made some developers regret they ever ventured into the place. But still they come, drawn by available property that could turn golden with new construction or just a sprucing up.

The latest development firm to bite the Uptown apple is Sedgwick Properties Development Corp., which has signed a contract to buy the former Maryville Academy property at Montrose and Clarendon. The site consists of buildings north of Montrose and on both sides of Clarendon, just off Lake Shore Drive and Lincoln Park.

The potential of new homes with lake views wasn't lost on Marty Paris, Sedgwick president. At 3½ acres, the property is large enough to do several things, such as adding retail space into the design. So Paris said he's working on a mixed-use concept he hopes to refine after discussions with neighborhood groups. He also said he believes the property can accommodate a high-rise, although he didn't want to get specific.

Perhaps more to the point is why he's behind a large-scale deal with the housing market still falling and the credit spigot cut off for almost anything speculative construction. Paris said he looks forward to an economy stabilizing later next year and hopes to close on the sale by this fall. Moreover, the market for rental housing isn't suffering as much as the for-sale component, he said.

"We'll make a prudent business decision. The closing depends on some things happening on our end and on the seller's end," he said. The seller is a Roman Catholic nuns' order, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

With the sale incomplete, Paris declined to say how much he's agreed to pay. Sedgwick has been a quietly effective condo builder, taking its risks in small pieces and handling architectural duties in-house. Just south of Uptown in Wrigleyville, it replaced the shuttered Marigold Bowl at 828 W. Grace with a 140-unit building. Sedgwick has two condo buildings under way in the South Loop, a completed building at 1464 S. Michigan and one under construction at 1935 S. Wabash.

Paris said Uptown's alderman, Helen Shiller (46th), has encouraged him to gather input from the community. Others who have done that have found themselves caught in the Uptown crossfire of rich vs. poor. It took years before developer Peter Holsten to get anything started on the Wilson Yard site at Montrose and Broadway, and now citizens have challenged his zoning deal in a clever lawsuit that alleges the city broke its rules in awarding Wilson Yard tax-increment financing.

A zoning change for housing on the Maryville site would carry a requirement that 10 percent of the units be set at below-market prices or rents. TIF funds could increase that commitment. But Paris said he doesn't expect his site to explode with controversy. The Maryville property is near one of Uptown's wealthiest areas, including the landmark Hutchinson Street district of spacious homes.

Evanston-based Arthur Hill & Co. Realty Services LLC was the broker for the Missionary Sisters.

"We Cannot Go Forward With This Project As Presented"

From Ald. Cappleman's office:

"Montrose Clarendon Park TIF Proposal Report
  Report on June 7, 2011 Community Meeting
  Clarendon Park Field House

A community meeting was held last Tuesday to allow community residents to hear from Sedgwick Properties and neighborhood representatives about the Montrose/Clarendon TIF proposal. Over 700 residents attended and 547 people who live within the boundaries of 2 affected neighborhood organizations weighed in on the proposal by casting their vote.

A special thanks to Jay Feeley from Sedgwick Properties who provided information about this proposed development to the audience, and neighborhood residents Janis Tiffin, Tim Harris, John Wyman, and Bill Petty who presented arguments on why they believe this development should not be supported.

The outcome of the voting is as follows:

• 488 voted to not support the project. (89%)
• 27 voted yes to support the project. (5%)
• 32 voted yes to support the project, but with stipulations. (6%)

The primary stipulations related to the need to lower the height of the development, reduce the number of dwelling units, obtain more market research for the retail, and the use of TIF funds for property along the lakefront.

Uptown United's lack of support for this project due to its density and concern that the proposed retail might divert foot traffic from the targeted retail corridors in the Uptown area also influenced this decision.

Given the input from the community and Uptown United, it's clear to me that we cannot go forward with this project as presented. Sedgwick Properties has requested a meeting with a representative from Uptown United, some concerned neighbors, and community planning experts from the community to explore other possible plan modifications that reflect community input.

As more details emerge, you have my commitment that I will keep you updated. Thanks again to everyone who has participated with their needed feedback."

Update: The Tribune's Blair Kamin covered the story.

• And so did Chicago Real Estate Daily (thanks, EdgeVille Buzz, for the tip).
• And also, Curbed Chicago.

'Sedgwick Properties' To Develop Maryville Site

From a CPNA (Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association) email:

Update: There has been a correction to the proposed developer for the property. Sedgwick Properties is the developer for the site, not Centrum Properties as previously reported.

"A representative from Sedgwick Properties (click link for company info) contacted us today to ask about scheduling a meeting with the community. This process will begin to move fast, and we as a community need to understand and clearly relay our concerns, demands, and questions to the developer and the Alderman's office.

So please come to the meeting Thursday night at 7pm at Kahawa Coffee House, 838 W. Montrose so we can discuss our concerns and questions. This project will have a large impact upon the neighborhood and our quality of life over the next couple of years.

Hope to see you there."

Sun-Times Revisits Maryville

The Sun-Times' David Roeder takes a look at the Maryville property and what's proposed for it:

"In real estate lingo, the 3.5 acres at Montrose and Clarendon, the old Maryville Academy property, has been “in play” for several years. Located just west of Lake Shore Drive, the site’s promise of premium views for high-rise dwellers has made developers dream big.

One such dreamer, Sedgwick Properties Development Corp., overplayed its hand with the neighbors. Sedgwick’s three-tower plan, conceived just as the housing market was crashing, would have brought in 850 residences. Local groups and Ald. James Cappleman (46th) vetoed the project last year, probably doing Sedgwick a backhanded favor.

Now, the site has other potential buyers. They are taking a more pragmatic approach and have shown they know how to handle community pressure."

Read the entire article from the Sun-Times here, and remember that the next community meeting with the prospective developers is Thursday, December 13th, at 7pm, at the Clarendon Park Fieldhouse, 4501 N Clarendon.

Roundy's Market Coming to Maryville Development?

Color us skeptical, but Crain's has a story today about Roundy's/ Mariano's fresh food markets entering Chicago, including the proposed Maryville development site at Clarendon and Montrose.

"In Uptown, Roundy's lease is for about 65,000 square feet in the first phase of the planned three-tower Lakeview Station development near Montrose Harbor, says Marty Paris, President of Chicago-based Sedgwick Properties Development Corp.

“We think (Mariano's) is going to be a real first-quality grocery store,” Mr. Paris says. “It's kind of going to set the standard for the type of development we're going to deliver.”  Mr. Paris says Sedgwick is in advanced talks with a health club that would lease about 45,000 square feet. That deal would almost fully lease up the retail portion of the project, he says, and enable Sedgwick to line up its construction loan and break ground this summer."

Read the entire article here.  We'll be very happy if we can be shopping at Mariano's in a few years, but we've seen a lot of promises about upscale grocery stores coming to Uptown over the years and an equal number of promises broken.  With the talk of a Roundy's/Mariano also buzzing for the 47th Ward development at Ravenswood and Lawrence, our skeptism grows that two stores would be built so close to one another.  We hope it really happens this time, but we aren't holding our breath.

Ald. Cappleman On Maryville's Future

From the alderman's latest email blast:

"Many of you are aware of a development proposal at the site of the Maryville property (corner of Montrose/Clarendon).  The proposed developer, Sedgwick Properties, was seeking to use $31 million in tax incremental financing (TIF) dollars to assist with this project.

Based on input from the 46th Ward Zoning and Development Committee (minutes from this meeting can be found here), I made the decision to not endorse Sedgwick's proposal.  When weighing the merits, I came to the conclusion that the issues outweighed the benefits for this particular proposal.

Moving forward, we will engage in proactive planning and evaluation for the Maryville site and this TIF district.  This study will consider costs for land acquisition, demolition, and other economic factors that are necessary to build on this land.  From this evaluation, I will work with others on the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee to provide clear parameters needed for a planned development at this site.  This would provide a future developer with a clear sense of expectations.

With a study and a well-conceived plan that involves experts in urban planning, architecture, and community input, I believe we can move forward to a development that will stand the test of time for this site."

Looks like Sedgwick, or at least Lighthouse At Montrose Harbor, is out of the game.

Reminder: Public Meeting With Sedgwick Developers Tonight

A reminder that tonight is a meeting that many have been requesting for a long time: Sedgwick Properties will present its plans for the Maryville/Columbus property directly to the community.

Come to the Clarendon Park Fieldhouse (Clarendon and Sunnyside) at 7pm to hear directly from the source what they propose to do, should the deal be approved.

Uptown Coalition for Responsible Development (UCRD) says that two-thirds of the meeting time will be open to audience questions for both Sedgwick and UCRD.

Please make it a point to attend this meeting to have your concerns heard and to get your questions answered. See you tonight at 7pm.

Montrose and Clarendon, Take Two

A sharp-eyed reader sent us a link to the SkyscraperPage forum, which posted pictures of the revised Sedgwick Properties planned development for the northeast cormer of Montrose and Clarendon. Few details other than the two photographs are known, other than the development is "now only a single apartment tower (about 500' tall) with a Mariano's and XSport plus townhomes for a total of 620 units."

What are your thoughts on this revised plan for the eyesore known as Maryville? It appears that Sedgwick made many changes to the plan, including eliminating one of the high-rise towers. To refresh your memory, here is a link to the previous plans.

Update:  The new project is no longer "Lake View Station" and is apparently called "Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor."  Sedgwick's consulting firm is writing to block club presidents in the ward and asking them for meetings and feedback, at the suggestion of Ald. Cappleman.

Uptown United Weighs In On Maryville Development

Amazing what shows up in the mailbox some days.  Someone sent us what appears to be a copy of the letter Uptown United (a member of the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee) wrote to Ald. Cappleman earlier this week, giving its opinion of the proposed Sedgwick development at the Maryville site.

The letter brings up some interesting points.  Uptown United:

• did not support the creation of the TIF, but accepts that it's here and will be used to facilitate any development on the site
• points to Sedgwick's past lack of transparency as a reason for not supporting the current proposed development at Maryville, although it commends Sedgwick's recent attention to community input
• feels the western part of the Maryville site is appropriate for a high-rise, mixed-use complex
• does not believe the retail components in the Lighthouse plan benefit the entire community enough to justify the expenditure of $30 million in TIF funds
• mentions that donating the east parcel and returning it to parkland would be a public benefit, as would engaging retail businesses that help further the growth of Uptown as an entertainment district

Read it yourself (above) and draw your own conclusions.

After Zoning Committee Denial, Sedgwick Counters

An excerpt from an email sent by Ald. Cappleman's office to the 46th Ward zoning committee members:

..."We summarized the main suggestions/concerns from your feedback for Sedgwick at the time that the Alderman informed them that the committee voted "no." He told them that he stands by the decision of the committee. Sedgwick responded by sending us the following proposed changes:

1. Eliminating the development on the east parcel of land and turning it over to the Park District or other public entity. Related traffic improvements would remain in the plan. 

2. Changing the Agatite facade by adding masonry elements to reflect the surrounding residential buildings

3. Changes to the loading dock. These would be: Greening the western wall, wrapping the windows around the southwestern corner from Montrose to the western wall, a canopy covering the loading dock and the addition of a gate.

Alderman Cappleman asked me to reach out to the committee to see if these changes might impact your decision to support or not support this project.

Just to be clear, this is not a vote on the project. This is only to gauge the committee's interest to bring it back to the group based on the developer's response to some of your suggestions. Please let me know if this information would lead you to reconsider your vote in anyway.  We do not need to waste the committee's time by reconvening on this project unless there is a substantial number of you that would like the opportunity to vote again based on the new information. I want to be clear that it is your decision as a group to determine if you would like another opportunity to review.

Please let me know as soon as you are able if you/your organization are wanting to reconsider and let me know if you are not wanting to reconsider as well so I know that I have heard from everyone. As always, please contact me if you have questions."

2011 In Uptown: Looking Back

The Elections

• Three lame duck aldermen in Uptown resulted in candidates! candidates! candidates!  Five in the 48th Ward; five in the 47th Ward (four of whom made it onto the ballot); and 15 in the 46th Ward (11 of whom made it onto the ballot, along with a write-in candidate). There were a bevy of debates, forums, meet & greets and get out the vote rallies. Really, you couldn’t walk out your front door without tripping over an aldermanic candidate.
• When it was all over:  Harry Osterman won in a landslide (81.36% of the vote); Cinderella candidate Ameya Pawar won in a squeaker that surprised even him (50.79% of the vote); and James Cappleman won after he and Molly Phelan went into an April run-off election. We’re still exhausted – the campaigning officially began back in 2009.
• Three new aldermen representing Uptown were sworn in on May 16th… the first changes in representation since 1989. Now we get to go through ward redistricting. Whee.

The Good

• Uptowners attended forums, and wrote and pestered the CTA to do something about Uptown’s long-neglected CTA stations.  In October, Sen. Durbin found $6 million for the Wilson L; much rejoicing was had.  But it paled in comparison to November, when Mayor Emanuel and Ald. Cappleman announced $135 million to completely rebuild the Wilson station.  We’re talking better L tracks, the dismantling of the old unused North Shore Line (which will considerably lighten up Broadway as the old concrete supports come down), and (finally) an ADA-compliant station and filled retail spaces.  Work is scheduled to begin in the spring and go on until 2014.  It’ll be inconvenient, but it’ll be worth the wait.
• The election of three shiny new aldermen has resulted in all sorts of weekly newsletters, town hall meetings, ward nights, public meetings, updates and responsiveness to the constituency.  It’s hard to remember those dark days when a monthly or yearly newsletter was the norm, when Saturday office hours were announced but never happened, and violations of the Open Meeting Act were common.  We salute the new openness and availability of all three aldermen.
• President Obama visited Uptown on his 50th birthday for a party/fundraiser at the Aragon.  Politics aside, seeing Marine One land at the Wilson Skate Park was something you don’t see every day, along with snowplows blocking off streets in August.
• Illinois passed a law legalizing civil unions, primarily sponsored by Uptown's State Rep., Greg Harris.
• The Uptown Theater strutted its stuff in November, when Uptown United held a fundraiser that included tours of the grand old building.  It’s still got it and we were thrilled to finally see the inside of this fabled palace, which did not disappoint.  It is our number one hope that funding comes through this year for its restoration.
• Words to thrill any Uptowner – the new mayor asking the question: “We have a downtown theater district. Should there be an Uptown music district, given our history with labels as well as the club scene, which is truly, truly unique around the country?”
• A row of new storefronts opened on Argyle to replace the ones that burned down in 2008 and were boarded up for years.
• The scaffolding surrounding the Sheridan Plaza came down after nearly five years, and the building ended up being one of the better looking rehabs around.  Something to be proud of.
• The Buttercup Playlot received a million dollars for a rehab to make it a safe, gang-free zone for children, which is well underway.  The first phase of renewing Gill Park into a safe place was also begun. We look forward to seeing the completed projects.
• The New Admiral senior housing complex at Foster and Marine was begun and construction was completed in October.
• The Black Ensemble Cultural Center took less than a year to complete and has dressed up a formerly shabby block of Clark Street.  Here’s to more, as Jackie Taylor has even bigger plans for that part of Uptown.
• Lawrence Avenue was repaved, a huge improvement to the Swiss Cheese Style pavement that was there for so long.  Brighter, history-based street lights went up along Wilson.  And the Clark Streetscaping was completed as well.
• Both the Weiss/Uptown Farmer’s Market and the Windy City Ribfest returned for a second year.
• Residents formed a committee, held some fundraisers, and took on the challenger of reviving Challenger Bark.  On a similar note, “Clarendon Bark” opened just east of Marine Drive, at Sunnyside.
• Chicago Book Expo held its first ever weekend in Uptown, highlighting our past (Charlie Chaplin, speakeasies) and utilizing our historic buildings (Uptown Broadway Building, Borders).  It was awesome.
• Peoples Music School won a $45,000 grant, thanks to community votes and comments.

Changes!

• New businesses came to town:  Petite Pita, Caravan, Tolotzin, Real Kitchen, Spoil Me Hair Salon, Hair Cuttery, Weight Watchers, Uptown Soda Bread, Purple Cow Ice Cream Parlor, The Dock At Montrose Beach, Rokito’s, Zesty Bites, Mink & Arce Gallery, and Xxpress Cleaners,
• We said farewell to too many retailers, some of which we liked very much:  Nick’s on Wilson, Cupcake Gallery, Borders, Kahawa House/The Broadway, Fresh Harvest Market, TCF Bank at Wilson and Broadway, Joy Cleaners, International Cleaners, Taco del Mar, and Manhattan Liquors.
• We look forward to the arrival of these businesses, which have announced they're opening in 2012:  Razon (4250 N Marine), Reservoir (844 N Montrose), Baker & Nosh (1303 N Wilson), and CorePower Yoga (at Wilson Yard).

The Gangs

• Brian Green was murdered on Wilson on January 4th right in front of an undercover police officer. Brayant Rogers, himself a shooting victim in July 2010, is currently in custody and awaiting trial for the murder.
• Brian Gill was murdered at Racine and Sunnyside on August 28th.
• Edward Clark was murdered near Winthrop and Lawrence on December 4th.
• Operation “Sugar Magnolia” and Operation “Uptown Girl” disrupted gang drug sales and put several significant players behind bars.
• We started to do an accounting of the number of shots fired, the number of people shot, and the riots and street violence that were reported, but it got too depressing. Suffice to say, it was too much and too many.  As one of the Big Cheeses who attended the 2312 CAPS meeting said, “Hearing gunfire is not normal. Looking out your window and seeing people shot is not acceptable.”  Remember that. We live in a lakefront community, not at the OK Corral.
• We continue to encourage you to call 911 if you see anything suspicious, if you hear gunshots or see gang activity.   It is only when residents are active and communicate with the cops and elected officials that pressure will be brought to get the habitual troublemakers out of Uptown.
• It’s only been this year that we’ve realized how small and dedicated a group it is that continues to bring trouble to our community.  It’s not hoards of troublemakers; it’s a small number of miscreants who decided to live on the wrong side of the law.  They are far outnumbered by people who work hard at making Uptown better, which is the opposite of what the gangbangers want.  They thrive in chaos.
• Five murders, three gang-related.  Certainly less than some parts of the city, but not acceptable and not normal.  We refuse to let the antisocial activities of a few urban terrorists define our community.

In Other News

• We haven’t heard much since August, but we were rocked when Sonic proposed opening its first Chicago store on Wilson.
• Maryville and its potential developer, Sedgwick Properties, remained a hot topic.  Residents overwhelmingly voted down a proposal for the TIF-assisted “Lake View Station” project in May, and Sedgwick came back with a streamlined plan for the TIF-assisted “Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor” in November. Expect the controversy to go into a third year as Ald. Cappleman’s Zoning and Planning Committee considers the most recent proposal in 2012.
• The seemingly endless construction of the Truman Parking Garage finally ended, freeing up parking in the neighboring streets for the first time in nearly three years.
• Uptown enjoyed a spell of neighborliness and camaraderie after the Groundhog Day Blizzard.  People snowmobiled and skied down our main streets, Lake Shore Drive became a dog walk, neighbors pitched in together to shovel out cars and sidewalks, and the Aragon parking lot and newly opened Truman Garage invited residents to park there while the snow was being cleared.
• We thought the weirdest crime story of the year would be the MacGyveresque acid bombs left in the alley behind McDonalds in March.  Or maybe the guy who had rifles, grenades and gunpowder in his apartment on the 4200 block of Broadway.  Or the idiot who thought it was fun to shoot BBs at passersby and parked cars at Leland and Malden.   That was until December, when three heavily armed accused murderers from South Bend, Indiana, escaped and went to the home of a relative in Uptown.   The resulting barricade situation was something right out of the movies, with ATF, SWAT, Illinois State Police, and local police stopping the Red Line for hours and putting snipers on rooftops and in nearby homes.   Amazingly, it all ended with no loss of life.  Not so amazingly, it was gang-related.
• Even out of office, Helen Shiller remains a polarizing figure.  After she, her son and office staff were featured in a Chicago Magazine article linking politicians and gang members, her supporters and her detractors squared off about the veracity of the report.  It was the fourth most-commented-on post of the year.   (The first two stories were right before the run-off election between Phelan and Cappleman; and the third was reactions to the Maryville/Sedgwick meeting.)
• The Jade Buddha visited the Truc Lam Temple during its year-long tour promoting world peace, leading to a week of festivities at Ashland and Wilson.
• The never-occupied building at 4720 N Clarendon was acquired by Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, who worked with the community on its reconfiguration.   It will become an extension of CLH, currently located at Gunnison and Marine.
• An Uptowner, Kevin Byrne, was selected from over 1000 applicants to live for a month at the Museum of Science and Industry.
• There were two murders that do not appear to be gang-related:  Marvin Baker was bludgeoned and found in Clarendon Park in August, and in November, Maria Santiago’s body was found in her garage after an evening of partying with her upstairs neighbor, who has been charged with her murder.
• The nuns who own the Maryville property decided to stop allowing the community to park in the lot they own, putting 125 more vehicles onto crowded streets of Clarendon Park.  Many, including us, saw this as retaliation for the community’s rejection of Sedgwick’s plans to buy the property.  WWJD, Sisters?

It's been a crazy year, but on the whole, a very good one for Uptown.  What will the upcoming year bring?  Check this space on 12/31/2012.  One thing we'll guarantee:  it won't be boring.

Meeting To Discuss New Sedgwick Proposal

The Uptown Commission for Responsible Development is hosting a meeting to discuss the new proposal by Sedgwick Properties for the Columbus/Maryville site at Montrose and Clarendon.

The meeting will be held at the Clarendon Field House at 4501 N. Clarendon Ave. on Thursday, December 1st at 7 PM.

From the e-mail blast from Buena Park Neighbors:
"Their original plan was overwhelmingly voted down earlier this year at a community meeting held by Alderman Cappleman. Their latest plan, The Lighthouse at Montrose Harbor, is pared down from the original but there are still some concerns that need to be addressed:

1. They are asking for $31 million in TIF funds
2. They currently have two properties in foreclosure
3. The current plan still has density problems

Buena Park Neighbors does not have an official position on this project; however, we believe that all of our neighbors need to be fully informed when such large-scale projects are proposed in or bordering on our neighborhood. With that in mind, we strongly recommend that you attend this very important meeting.

This meeting is being called by The Uptown Coalition for Responsible Development, which is a private organization. Also, we have been informed that, due to prior commitments, Alderman Cappleman will not be present at this meeting."