'Community Process' For Maryville Property

You heard it here folks. Back during the debates, our alderman stated that there would be a "community process" for whatever takes place at Maryville Academy at Montrose and Clarendon. Let's hold her to it. Isn't YouTube great?

Cure For Insomnia

Can someone please tell us what she was talking about?

UCC Challenges Labor Ready's 'Expert' Testimony

UCC contends that the expert testimony and accompanying appraisal presented as evidence at the ZBA hearing on February 15th were inherently flawed - and should not be considered in determining whether to grant the special use permit to Labor Ready.

Chicago real estate appraiser Terry O'Brien was hired by Labor Ready to evaluate the proposed office location at 4830 N Sheridan - and the surrounding community - and to provide an "expert opinion" regarding the criteria which must be satisfied when a company requests a special use permit. He was professionally obliged to attest that the special use would:

* Not have a significant adverse impact on the general welfare of the neighborhood or community.
* Promote pedestrian safety and comfort.
* Be compatible with the character of the surrounding area.

According to Terry O'Brien's appraisal report, "It is my professional opinion that the granting of a Special Use for the utilization of the subject property for a Day Labor Employment Agency fulfills all the General Criteria set forth in the Zoning Ordinance. It is in keeping with the character and/or trend of development in the area and will not have an adverse impact upon the value of the surrounding real estate."

Terry O'Brien defined the local neighborhood and community as the properties from Weiss Plaza to the Sheridan Grande - as well as the Boys and Girls Club across the street. He omitted from his description of the community: McCutcheon Elementary School, Buttercup Playlot, St Thomas of Canterbury Grammar School and the single family homes on Castlewood - as well as the broader neighborhood outside of a 250' radius. We believe this was done intentionally so that Terry O'Brien could arrive at the opinion that there would be NO significant adverse impact.

UCC asserts that unbiased appraisers looking at all the properties within the notice area - and in the surrounding blocks - could not have rendered favorable expert opinions.

UCC has filed written objections with his professional association (the Appraisal Institute) as well as with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Both organizations have complaint review processes and can impose disciplinary measures.

We are soliciting contributions for the Labor Ready litigation fund. The Uptown Chicago Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations can be itemized on personal tax returns. Please mail your contributions to us at the address below. And thank you for your continuing support toward improving the quality of life in Uptown.

Robberies On The Rise

(From a Community E-mail Alert)

Neighbors,

This afternoon I spoke with police officers on the street about the
robbery last night, specifically about the inability for squad cars
to get through the barrier at the end of Castlewood. I remember that the north gap used to be wide enough to drive through and indeed, the officer said it used to be, but the post was now closer to the fence. Perhaps we need it moved a little to open up the gap again?

Also: The officers said that they think the same teenagers committed a similar robbery on Ainslie on Sunday and TODAY on Gunnison in the afternoon. There were 4 teens that robbed someone around 3:30 (IIRC) on Gunnison dressed the same way - in black hooded jackets and/or ski-masks that they used to conceal their faces from their victims. Four individuals, not two. Is this getting to be a popular pastime? Since this seems to be a pattern, I think it's fair that if we see 2 or more teens dressed in black jackets with hoods walking on our street we should immediately call police. Whatever time of day, but particularly in the afternoon and early evening. Let the police sort it out. I know that they can use the extra eyes. They are actively looking for these individuals so they will be answering calls in the neighborhood very quickly.
*****************************************
COUPLE ROBBED ON CASTLEWOOD

Hi,
Thanks for passing on the latest crime problems. We also had a couple who was robbed on Castlewood 2 days ago. Like you I am concerned on the sudden upswing of crime in our area.

Now And Then

The above photo shows the Wilson L auxiliary entrance on August 1, 1946. The lower photo shows how this entrance looks today. Notice the building on the right still remains, thankfully.
The facade was built to match the neighboring McJunkin building but was demolished in the mid 1950s to allow for the driveway to the back portion of the McJunkin building seen on the left in the current-day photo.
(photo above: Charles E. Keevil photo, Walter R. Keevil Collection, and Krambles-Peterson Archive)
Update: We added another photo, (top) that shows the Wilson L auxiliary entrance in 1918, before the facade was added to mimic the McJunkin building. They are now in chronological order. As you can see, even this old entrance is an improvement over what we have today.

We'll Take $43 Million, You Can Have An Orange Cone

One year ago, park goers reported this dangerous, 4-foot-deep sink hole in Uptown’s Clarendon Park to the City and Park District. They received an orange cone.

Over the winter, the orange cone disappeared into the abyss and snow drifts covered the hole.

This Spring, the dangerous 4-foot-deep sink hole reemerged from beneath the thawing snow. Park goers again reported the sink hole. They received another orange cone.

Upon further inspection, we see an arched metal structure down that hole. Park goers surmise that this is either:

1. A “spider hole” where Alderman Helen Shiller hides from Uptown block clubs

2. Blighted underground infrastructure (dare we say water pipes or sewers?) such as those which justified the Wilson Yard TIF, but which $43 Million and 8 years have not fixed. Instead our TIF funds, which are supposed to be used to fix that blight, have been diverted to pay for non-blight projects including

a. 2 low-income housing high rises, which are noble causes, but which the City and State should pay for out of their own budgets.

b. A CTA Park-&-Ride Facility – which brings nothing but traffic congestion to our Uptown neighborhood

c. A City College Parking garage so that students – not from our TIF neighborhood - can drive to school and park for free.

For you disbelievers, go to Google Maps, type in "748 West Montrose Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60640”, and choose the “Street Views” photo. There you can view last year’s orange cone.

Have a cone and watch where you walk.

Sun-Times: "What CTA Stations Really Need Work?"

The Sun-Times' blog "The Ride" has a recap on the massive restoration that's coming to the Grand and State station. In part, it reads:

On Wednesday, the Chicago Department of Transportation gave details of a $67 million project to upgrade the Grand and State subway station.

Certainly the Grand and State station is dingy and dimly lit. But do other stations need the rehab more?

Floyd Long in the Sun-Times story commented that other stations, particularly on the Green Line, could use the money more. What do Ride readers think? Can you think of some grungy stations in need of a serious makeover?

Want to weigh in on our beloved, decrepit, ceiling-falling-in, poorly laid out, local Wilson el stop? Let 'em know!

This is the story - go to the bottom of the page to give your opinion. What CTA Stations Really Need Work?

Looking For Something A Bit Different?

A frequent reader of Uptown Update has decided to branch off into the blogging world as well. His blog is entitled, "The Butternut Connection" and from his own description it will be his experience in Uptown as well as random thoughts about gaming, technology, music, politics, and anything else he finds interesting or important. Check it out here folks. We will also link to it on the right.

Zoning Change At 4649 N Winthrop

We found a Zoning Change sign posted on a lamp pole located east of the McDonalds and north of the Grasmere Nursing Home at 4621 N. Sheridan. (sigh, …but no signs posted 2 blocks west on Winthrop). (sigh, …but no mention by our alderman at our community meeting 4 days ago.)

In this photo, 4649 N. Winthrop is the taller, yellow building to the left. Per a local Truman Square neighbor, the adjacent, shorter yellow building was purchased by the same buyer recently. While we’re at it, the red buildings are CHA scattered site townhomes. Across the street at 4628-34 North Winthrop Avenue , is the soon-to-be-developed UpCorp Park, the Taxpayer funded Open Space that really isn’t a park. (See November “Taxpayer Park” posts).

PUBLIC NOTICE:
File No. A-7369 Zoning Amendment
4649 N. Winthrop
On 03-12-2008 an application was filed by the … Alderman…to
Change B3-3 Community Shopping District to RT-4 Residential Two-Flat, Townhome and Multi-Unit District.
Contact: … the alderman…

That's Not Healthy!

Another overflowing dumpster in Uptown! Where’s it at this time?

This non-compliant mess is located where it is overlooked by 3 government-funded, low income housing complexes:

The CHA scattered-site townhomes, (850 W. Windsor) ; the Uptown Preservation Apartments (Wilson TIF funded at 900 West Windsor), and the Wilson Care Nursing Home (4544 N. Hazel).

Question: Who could be so thoughtless and uncaring as to make these poor people look at their refuse?

Answer: The Chicago Department of Public Health. This unshielded and overflowing dumpster is located behind its Uptown Neighborhood Health Center Clinic at 845 West Wilson.

If this makes you mad, just tell Commissioner Terry Mason, by calling 312-747-9872. or by email him at Mason_Terry@CDPH.org.

Montrose Full Closure On March 30th

There will be a Full Closure of Montrose Avenue from 1118 to 1038 W. Montrose Ave. from 6am-12pm on Sunday, March 30, 2008, for CTA El track repairs. No through traffic will be allowed during this time. Full access will be restored at noon on Sunday, March 30th.

Thai Grocery Closing

A reader sent in the following sad news about an Uptown business:

"Our beloved Thai Grocery at 5014 N. Broadway is closing for retirement on April 29, 2008. This favorite of hungry locals, Thai immigrants, foodies, yelp, and local and national food columnists has been a staple on Argyle in Uptown’s New Chinatown area for 34 years. For authentic Thai food, this was the place to go for authentic ingredients and cooked carry-outs from the back counter. We’ll miss you little one."

Name The Location

Can The CTA Spare A 'Lil Change For The Wilson L?

By Mary Wisniewski
Chicago Sun-Times

The dingy and dimly lit L station at Grand and State is getting a $67 million face-lift, which will include new tiles, new lighting and a 2,000-square-foot expansion of the mezzanine.

The renovation is the first major update since the station was built in 1943. The design will be similar to previous Red Line subway station renovations at Chicago, Lake and Jackson.

The Chicago Department of Transportation wants to complete the work by early 2010. Federal money will cover about 80 percent of the cost, with about $1.4 million from the city and state funds making up the rest.

The Grand station is the Red Line’s ninth busiest, with more than 8,000 passengers a day. The upgrades will include new granite floors and stairs, three new elevators and a new escalator.
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Wonder Which Alderman She Works For?

An astute reader alerted us to this "Chicagoist" poster who calls herself "This is Awkward" and says that she lives in Andersonville and works for "one of your local Aldermen/women."
Read her thoughts on graffiti below:

"This thread is obviously spinning on way too long, but I'd like to say something in defense, if I may. Its interesting that you, among other people assume that Artillery606 and the other graffiti defenders here are:

Not property owners
Young people
Do not have steady jobs
Do not have respect for the city/property/law

Just because someone doesn't fit into your narrow model of a citizen doesn't mean ANY of the above are true. For example, I can tell you that Artillery606 has a great and respectable job, is an old fart, and is not on part with rapists and other felony offenders.

Many graffiti artists have lucrative (read respectable) gallery careers among other things. They do way more art than you can imagine. Maybe they do stuff just as great as your precious Banksy you saw in your Urban Outfitters graf book. You're all so quick to assume a tag is just a scribble from a 14 year old lame brain.

People think that their "property rights" are so holy. Well for all of us who feel their neighborhoods, cities, blocks, universe has been taken over by 35 year old white property owners, some of us are trying to take it back.

So much of graffiti is about reclaiming space. Ever considered why some people REALLY might do it?"

A New Uptown Gateway

Courtesy News-Star:
Christie Hahn, the new executive director for Business Partners, The Chamber of Uptown, featured in this week's "Five Minutes With," revealed plans for a new digital gateway that will be launched on the organization's Web site in early summer at www.uptownbusinesspartners.com.

"It will be the digital front door for Uptown, with lots of information for business and restaurants," the effervescent Hahn said.

This is good news for Uptown, considering that the neighborhood chamber's digital gateway probably won't smell of urine like Uptown's other gateway, the Wilson Avenue CTA El Station.

When Do Residents Take Priority?

Courtesy News-Star:
Truman College is to be commended for pulling together two community meetings to discuss its plans for a new parking structure and student services center. Truman has demonstrated a forthrightness that is sorely lacking in the 46th Ward.

All of the college's intentions in staging these meetings are admirable and the college should be thanked for sharing information with the community. Unfortunately, 46th Ward Ald.Helen Shiller and other city officials, particularly those from the city's Department of Planning and Development, still don't get it.

The only problem with Monday evening's meeting at Truman College was the pent-up frustration that many Uptown residents feel over the lack of community input into the planning process.

Planning for Truman's new parking garage and student services center should have taken place in a smaller setting. Instead of two large community meetings, there should have been several smaller meetings. The block clubs closest to the college should have been included early on in the planning process.

Residents could have asked their questions then about garage security, interruption from construction, access and new traffic patterns, not when plans for the project are almost completed. Perhaps then, Monday's meeting would have been a slam-dunk for Truman.

The residents attending Monday night's meeting had a right to ask why $10 million in TIF money has been proposed to foot part of the costs for a tax-exempt city college. After all, it's their money.

These residents deserve better than an alderman who chooses to put in a rare community appearance, and then pretends to not understand why her constituents are angry and frustrated.

While we recognize the need for a new building at Truman College so it can continue growing as a city college of choice, we believe that some of the proposed $10 million in TIF funding could have gone to refurbishing the existing Wilson El Station or toward construction of two new stations as CTA President Ron Huberman proposed Monday evening.

As one resident put it during the meeting, when do residents who have already given up so much take priority?

We urge Truman to come up with a plan for neighbors to benefit from its new parking garage during off-school hours. Nearby residents can use the garage on snowy winter days, for overnight guests, or on afternoons when Cubs fans invade neighborhood streets looking for free street parking so they can ride the El to Wrigley Field.

We understand Truman's dilemma in trying to solve its parking issues and urge the school to look for incentives in inducing more staff, faculty and students to not use the garage by taking mass transit or finding alternative modes of transportation.

While we believe college officials when they say they want to be good neighbors, we hope that whatever plan Truman comes up with for its parking garage also considers those who are helping to foot the bill-the residents who live within the Wilson Yard TIF District.

Development Plugs Along In Uptown

By Lorraine Swanson, Editor, News-Star

More than 100 information-starved Uptown residents crammed into the Kinetic Playground at 1113 W. Lawrence Ave. to hear updates on various developments happening around the neighborhood.

The March 19 community meeting was sponsored by the Uptown Neighborhood Council, a grassroots organization formed in 2003 to give residents and business owners a greater voice in development in their neighborhood.

"This is a community meeting to talk about all the good changes happening in Uptown," UNC president Katharine Boyda said. "All too often we focus on the things that aren't happening."

The "W" word-Wilson Yard-the stalled development on the site of a former CTA maintenance barn that burned down in 1996 and has remained empty ever since despite a $43 million injection of public TIF money, was off limits.

Only when Chicago Department of Transportation project manager Lynn Hollenberg mentioned that "Target was coming" did the audience burst into laughter. The retail giant has yet to make a formal announcement about whether it still plans to anchor the 200,000plus-square-foot development.

Asked where she had heard that Target was coming, Hollenberg said, "around the office."
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Truman Meeting Gets Testy

By Lorraine Swanson, Editor, News-Star

A community meeting hosted by Truman College to unveil its revised plans for a new parking garage and student services center ended in a bare-knuckled battle of the wits between residents and Ald. Helen Shiller, 46th Ward.

More than 100 residents packed Truman's cafeteria at the community meeting on Monday night, which featured an all-star lineup that included CTA President Ron Huberman; Lynn Walker, Truman's acting president, and other officials from the City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, and the Chicago Department of Transportation.

The revised plans culminated from a community meeting held last summer. The college is planning to add a building on its campus at 1145 W. Wilson Ave. that will include a nine-level parking garage for students and faculty, along with a student services center that will house the college's administrative departments, financial aid office and tutoring services.

Seven levels of the complex will be located toward the back of the structure underneath the CTA train tracks to buffer it from the campus and surrounding neighborhood. The top portion of the structure will extend toward the college's existing buildings, with two additional levels of parking and the student services center. The structure will provide 1,136 parking spaces.

Walker said that Truman has the most students of the city's seven community colleges, serving 15,000 students annually in its college credit and continuing education programs.
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Gang Member Bites Police Officer, Drive-by Shooting

23rd District Police Beat
courtesy Inside Online:

Drive-by shooting in Uptown
A victim, 24, standing on 800 block of W. Sunnyside Avenue with several others March 13 was approached by a green or turquoise minivan at 8 p.m.
The driver-side rear passenger door opened and a gunner opened fire shooting off five rounds with a handgun.
The victim then realized he was shot and flagged down a car. He entered this car along with a man, 21, a woman, 24, and another male, 16, who were with him.
That car was then pulled over by police. The shooting victim was then taken to hospital.

Officer bit
A reputed member of the Insane Mafia Vice Lord street gang, 25, was arrested for biting a police officer on the 900 block of W. Montrose Avenue March 3.
The offender, of the 1400 block of N. Larrabee Street, was observed leaving “a known drug house” after walking in and out for only one minute. He was approached by two officers for an interview and they saw his right hand clenched tightly and then placed into his pocket. The officers asked him to remove his hand from his pocket and he refused. The officers then grabbed his hand, pulled it out of his pocket, a small bag of marijuana was observed and he was placed into custody. As one of the officers unzipped the man’s coat, he bit him on the hand and the officer elbowed him in the face. He was charged with aggravated battery and possession of cannabis.

Stabbing
A stabbing occurred March 7 at 8:35 p.m. on the 4400 block of W. Sheridan Road. A woman, 32, entered a building with a key through the rear entrance. The victim, 42, has told her not to come there in the past. He confronted the woman and told her to leave while standing near the elevator with family members. She tried to walk around him and get in the elevator. He blocked the way. She then became irate, started screaming obscenities, pulled out a key, cell phone and a knife and stabbed the man in the hand causing redness and swelling.
The woman then ran out the door, threw the key to the ground and fled down Sheridan. Officers chased her down and she resisted arrest flailing her arms. She continued screaming at police and then said she was pregnant and wanted medical attention, was taken to Thorek Hospital and then refused treatment. The woman later apologized.

Pick-pocket hits train
A pick-pocket struck on a CTA train March 10 on the 1100 block of W. Lawrence. Money was taken from a victim’s pocket.

Cars stolen
Several cars were stolen recently. One motor vehicle parked on the street was stolen March 16 on the 3600 block of N. Wilton Avenue. A 2002 Red Ford focus was stolen on the 900 block of W. Lawrence March 13. Another vehicle was stolen on the 1000 block of W. Buena Avenue March 13 and a 2000 Z3 was stolen March 13 on the 900 block of Roscoe St.
Also, a 1999 White QX4 parked on the street was stolen March 14 on the 500 block of W. Wellington Avenue. A silver S40 parked on the street was taken March 13 on the 2900 block of Lake Shore Drive.

Hospital theft
A woman was arrested for theft under $300 at a hospital on the 800 block of Irving Park Road March 5 at 3 p.m.

'Bear Force One' Now Playing At Annoyance Theatre

If you haven't had a chance to check out Annoyance Theatre at 4830 N. Broadway, we highly recommend it. Here is a synopsis of their latest feature, "Bear Force One." Clever indeed.

The Annoyance pays gay homage to the classic Harrison Ford thriller “Air Force One” with “Bear Force One.”

After a series of unexpected assassinations, Buck Marshall, Secretary of Agriculture, and ninth in line for the Presidency, finds himself the first gay “bear” President of the United States. Like his chest, the world he steps into is quite hairy. The Pope has just been taken prisoner after his crack terrorist organization, the CCD, assassinated the last 8 Presidents in order to bring a message of decency back to the world.

All Buck wants to do is escape to Key West with his “First Cub,” daughter India-China, and his newly assembled queer cabinet. But as he boards “Air Force One” for some R & R, the CCD have plans of their own!

“Bear Force One” is directed by veteran director of Boston’s Improv Assylum, Leah Gotcsik. The show was written by the cast. The cast includes veteran performers from the The Annoyance, iO, GayCo, and The Second City.

Friday | 8:00PM | $15, call 773-561-HONK to order tickets.

'Chicago Uptown Crime Blotter' Surfaces

Another Uptown resident is entering the blogosphere with the "Chicago Uptown Crime Blotter" blog. According to the blog, "This is not a comprehensive listing of all criminal activity in the Uptown area. It is a diary of what I hear when I am home and listening to my police scanner."
Bravo to you. We will add a link off on the right so you can track crime according to his police scanner.

Useful Map To Know Your Police Beat, Recent Crime

A reader just alerted us to this handy google map they created, showing all the police beats in Uptown, and the recent shootings. Sadly, we fear this map will have to be updated even more in the coming weeks. Check it out here.

Got An Opinion? Park District Has Rules For You

By Greg Hinz/ Crain's Chicago Business

So, your little community group wants to put its two cents in at the local park?

You and each of your buddies will have to submit to a criminal background check — and fill out a detailed application that includes work and evening phone numbers for three non-family personal references.

Any money you raise for that new swing set must be approved in advance by the Chicago Park District, which retains the right to spend the money on something besides swings.

And forget about publicity. All interviews with TV, newspaper or radio reporters are strictly prohibited.
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Margate Neighborhood Warning

Just wanted to give you a heads up and hope that you can share it with the community for their safety.
At approximately 3:00 p.m. this afternoon a resident of 4920 N. Marine Drive was approached by 5 young African-American men with stockings covering the lower half of their face. One of them was carrying a gun and demanded money from the resident. When she refused and told them to leave her alone, another one yelled at her "give him the money lady!" She proceeded into her building and closed the door behind her. She then called 911 and filed a police report and notified the management office of Shoreline Park. The resident is shaken but was unharmed.

It seems as though spring has sprung and the youth are out and about and creating trouble.

Please use caution in the area and if you see something, say something!

Thanks,
William Schendel
President, Shoreline Park Condominium Association

State Senator Visits Uptown

Uptown Updaters noticed this grey Jaguar sporting Illinois Senate District 17 plates parked on Marine at Montrose today at 10:30.

First, we wonder what we pay our State Senators these days.

Second, we hope the esteemed South Side Senator did not step into the plops left by the two persons who’ve camped adjacent to the park in the white van and black Buick for the past five months (which police and shelter services ignore)

Third, we pray for appropriations for new Wilson and Lawrence Avenue bridges.

11 Years After Valderrama Murder, Has Much Changed?

A reader sent in this information:
Raphael Valderrama, a prostitute, performed sex acts on the 11-acre Disney Magnet School Campus, immediately outside the school’s windows and in full view of students, for over 9 months, while the 23rd Police District refused to act. To protect students, teachers were forced to hold coats and blankets to cover windows as children passed through the school’s glass-walled halls. Despite pleas from CAP’s Beat Facilitator, School Council Representatives, the school principle, and Buena Park Neighbors, the police refused to act. In community meetings, Alderwoman, Helen Shiller, demanded that the police respect transsexuals and sex industry workers rights and leave him alone. School representatives maintained that Valderrama’s behavior suggested that he was a threat to children and installed electric door locks and a “front-only” entrance policy at the school.

As anticipated, Mr.Valderrama found a child to assault. The child was a stepbrother, from his estranged mother’s recent marriage. Mr.Valderrama visited his mother and asked that he be allowed to take his new step brother for the day to get to know him. Mr. Valderrama took his step-brother to his 4035 N. Sheridan home, a building known to house prostitution. At that location he sodomized, mutilated and murdered the child; wrapped the body in black garbage sacks; and tossed it down an air shaft.

Over seventy persons appeared at the next CAPS meeting demanding accountability. Clarence Woods, a Department of Human Relations mediator chosen by the Alderman, formed a CAPS committee by public election. The Open Meetings Act was violated when the elected community representatives were forcibly ejected from the first committee meeting by Police Commander De Lopez and 4 officers. Community members were told to leave the premises because they were being replaced by other residents who lived closer to the crime scene. Ejected community member, Pam Merema, recognized the replacements as members of Alderman Shiller’s staff.

CAPS beat facilitators, Pam Merema and Katherine Nathan, filed complaints with the CAPS program alleging the Community had been eliminated from Community Policing. Ted O’Keefe, Chicago’s CAPS project manager, directed 23rd District Commander De Lopez to apologize to Ms. Merema and Ms. Nathan. The committee meetings were never re-instituted and police accountability ever occurred.

It's Like Blowing Plastic In The Wind

Has an artist like "Christo," who famously wraps buildings in plastic started an exhibit in Uptown near Sheridan and Wilson? We aren't sure, but we are sure of one thing, it looks awful. Call 311 folks.

That's Impossible!

The impossible was seen today in the near western suburb of Hillside. A sign on an undeveloped lot announcing a Target (SuperTarget, to be exact) that will be opening next year.

Sierra Realty Advisors, the developer, even has a web page created for this development. This is a PDF of the developer's brochure.

Maybe Sierra would consider speaking to Holsten Management about how to get Target to announce a future store opening. Maybe Sierra knows how to build developments that attract retailers since that is their expertise. Target apparently doesn't always behave bizarrely.

Check out Holsten's website for a comparison of the Wilson Yard project.

Maybe someday Uptown will see the impossible. For now, we have an empty lot.

Sidewalks Are For Vans, Too

A reader sent in this photo near 927 West Wilson, our trouble building that has a history of blocking the sidewalk with dumpsters and trash. Apparently, this van with attached trailer was parked along the sidewalk for "quite awhile" this evening, blocking the sidewalk.

"The van then proceeded to drive on the sidewalk until the end of the block," the reader commented. It's a good thing the dumpster recently moved from the sidewalk to allow this vehicle to use the entire sidewalk as their personal driveway.

Update: Another reader sent in pictures of the same scene, taken at 4:30 this afternoon. How long was that van there today? Let's see, we've got construction trash on the sidewalk, a dumpster in a spot marked "reserved for the handicapped," graffiti on the dumpster, and - oh yeah - a van and trailer parked on the sidewalk in a retail corridor. Way to go!

Shots Fired At Sheridan And Lawrence, Man Hit

A reader writes in:
At 7:50pm I went to get some soda at JJ Peppers with my father.
While he was standing outside, 5 shots were fired at Sheridan and Lawrence. They hit a man.
There were a ton of gang bangers and all the "know" drug dealers were there!

The Fleecing Of Uptown?

A reader writes in:
"Thought you might like to take a look at why we are wasting over $50 million in taxpayer money on a parking facility for a school with declining enrollment and limited success as a college.

Look at the number of full time credit (college ) and the number of AA (Degrees ) in 2006 , 191 out of 5,526 . The ABE/GED/ESL numbers are equally disturbing, 225 out of 5526. I think we are getting fleeced by the administrators who claimed last night that Truman was the largest City College in the city and needs more free parking for the students who attend and don't graduate or move on to higher education."
(click image above to view document)

Fight At Wilson And Broadway Injures Officer

From Today's
Chicago Sun-Times:

A teenager was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly pushing a Chicago Police officer to the ground as the officer was trying to break up a fight involving several teenagers at a North Side fast-food restaurant Monday afternoon.

The male teen was charged with aggravated battery, according to a Town Hall police District captain early Tuesday. The teen charged is apparently a senior at a South Side high school.

A Town Hall police officer was injured while responding to a fight involving some kids about 4:15 p.m., according to a Town Hall District lieutenant. The incident started at Uplift Community High School, located at 900 West Wilson Avenue, and moved down the street to the Popeyes restaurant located at the 4600 block of North Broadway.

A group of students from the school got into an altercation and one teen sprayed pepper spray at another teen. An officer who was responding to the large fight at a restaurant was breaking it up when a male teen grabbed the officer’s vest and pushed him to the ground, the lieutenant said.

Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said the officer was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center from the incident with a possible broken hand. The lieutenant said "he [the officer] is OK, it is just a sprain."

Paramedics also responded to reports of someone suffering an asthma attack at the time of the incident, but Langford did not know if the asthma victim was involved in the fight.

Another fight broke out involving some kids on Noth Broadway at the CTA station, according to the lieutenant. Police are investigating if the two fights are related.

CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said about 4:15 p.m. power was shut off to all the tracks between Wilson Avenue and Addison Street for an unauthorized person on the tracks at the request of Chicago Police. The power was restored after about 9 minutes.

Updated: More info from the Chi-Town Daily News:

A melee at the Wilson CTA Red Line in Uptown this afternoon ended with at least two people injured and one person arrested, police said.

Officers responded to a report at 4:20 p.m. of a disturbance outside the Popeye's Chicken at the corner of Wilson and Broadway.

At least 50 teenagers were fighting, according to Lt. Michael O' Brien.

After police dispersed the teenagers, a group proceeded to the El platform at 4620 N. Broadway, where they resumed fighting.

At that point, at least 20 back-up units arrived to subdue the crowd.

One police officer and one girl were transported to hospitals. There is no word on their condition.
One 18-year-old was arrested as a result of the disturbance, said O' Brien.

A northbound El train was delayed due to the incident.

Three's Company

"Uptown Update" was named one of the top 5 neighborhood blogs by the Chicago Tribune. We are in good company, along with "The Broken Heart of Rogers Park" and "The Bench."

Uptown Business Partners' Banners Debut Next To Vacant Storefronts

Seen today on Wilson, and also near one of many vacant storefronts (Wilson and Magnolia).

Shots Fired At Agatite And Hazel

A resident alerted us to the fact that shots were fired tonight around 6:30pm at Agatite and Hazel.
It seems no one was hurt, but a stray bullet flew into the first floor apartment on the NE corner of the intersection. The corner is currently closed off with police tape.

Lively Discussion At Truman College Meeting

We are still hearing from residents who attended tonight's Truman College meeting regarding the planned parking garage using $10 million dollars of TIF funding. The meeting started out as a show-and-tell of sorts with Truman faculty and architects giving their take on the parking garage and why it is desperately needed.





CTA president Ron Huberman was even on hand to blow residents' minds with a plan for more retail and perhaps even a new L station at Montrose. We won't hold our breath on that one. We do ask for clarification on that from residents who were at the meeting.



One vocal resident who had the crowd nodding in agreement brought up the fact that this use of TIF dollars does not even fall into the category of what it was designed to be used for. No clear clarification on this point was given. Other residents questioned why non-Truman students whose tax dollars will pay for this lot have to pay themselves to park.

Overall, more questions were raised than answered, and the meeting did draw to an abrupt close when the questions became more heated. We invite others to share their perspective of tonight's meeting.

If anyone is interested in seeing the specs, as shown in a PowerPoint presentation, you can see them by clicking on these links: Site Map, Landscape Plan, Project Design 1, Project Design 2, and Project Design 3.

Update: A meeting attendee just sent in this video showing Alderman Shiller responding to a tough question from a resident. It's short, but it gives you an idea of the type of "answers" attendees heard the entire evening. If any other residents have videos, upload them to You-Tube and send us the link.

Update: Check out the FAQs handed out the Truman Meeting yesterday.

• Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Breaking News - Melee At The Wilson L

We hear....

Today a huge group fight broke out at the Wilson CTA EL stop, 4620 North Broadway, and also on the Wilson Platform at 4:25 PM. Police were called in, plus backup was called to the location by on-scene police. This may disrupt the evening commute.

Call To Action! Call To 311

A reader asks Uptown Update readers to make a quick call to 311 to remedy an overflowing dumpster situation.

I found a number of dumpsters overflowing from trash, some of it with food. The address is 4750 N. Sheridan; the Institute of Cultural Affairs Building.

If it was the first time, I wouldn’t make a big deal about it, but it’s not. We’ve called 311 several times before and my thought is that a fine might help them to remember to be a good neighbor to the rest of the community.

Truman College Meeting Reminder

The community meeting to present plans for the Truman College parking garage and student center is tomorrow, Monday, March 24th at 6 p.m. at Truman College (1145 W Wilson), presumably in the main lobby area.

The event may have a rare community appearance by Alderman Helen Shiller. Uptown Update encourages it readers to attend, and if you have a video camera or audio recording device, we highly encourage you to use it to record the meeting. Please send us any video or audio files you record at the meeting. Since Alderman Shiller has a way of changing the meaning of her words, we think it's important to capture her exact words.

Update: Anyone is legally permitted to record this meeting according to the Illinois Open Meetings Act:

"Sec. 2.05. Recording meetings. Subject to the provisions of Section 8‑701 of the Code of Civil Procedure, any person may record the proceedings at meetings required to be open by this Act by tape, film or other means. The authority holding the meeting shall prescribe reasonable rules to govern the right to make such recordings."

Broadway And Wilson, Mid 1910's

Here's another rare view of Broadway and Wilson in the mid 1910's. The building on the right is the lower-level Wilson station. The tracks you see (where the current day McJunkin now stands) are heading north a bit then curved around and headed back to the south. On the top left, you can see the upper-level Wilson station house that was also later demolished. You can also see the Frank Lloyd Wright designed "Stohr Arcade" in the middle of the photo. It was later demolished to build the present day Wilson L station. The lovely 4 story building on the corner that stood where "City Sports" now stands is also visible on the top right.
(photo from: Krambles-Peterson Archive)

Jazz Benefit For Boys & Girls Club, April 2

Click the invite to enlarge for more info or call 773-271-8400

Subway On Sheridan?

According to business licenses granted on "EveryBlock," residents near Sheridan and Winona (5062 N Sheridan) can look forward to a "Subway" opening in the small strip mall there. Get ready to eat fresh!

'Beeper' Music Video Shot In Uptown

"Beeper" - The Count & Sinden ft Kid Sister
Check out this music video for "Beeper" that was shot in "Shake, Rattle, And Read" at Lawrence and Broadway recently.
Rapper Melissa Young (aka "Kid Sister") won the blessing of none other than Kanye West when he made a cameo on her single "Pro Nails," and she's been signed to the label started by West's DJ, A-Trak. The buzz is that she's one of the strongest female voices in hip-hop since the glory days of Yo-Yo and Salt-N-Pepa, and fans are eagerly anticipating her debut album, tentatively titled "Koko B. Ware."

Farm-Fresh Produce Coming Our Way?

According to their web site, the Neighbors Project "is a growing movement of a generation of people living in cities who want to connect with their diverse neighbors to improve the neighborhood for everyone."

To this end, they're getting started on a pilot project to bring fresh food and farm produce to the mom-n-pop corner grocery stores in Uptown. Sounds great to us, particularly since the Uptown farmers' markets haven't been all that in summers past.

Interested? Read the web site and get involved.