Don't worry. It will probaby be a wine bar or a pet boutique before you know in, the kind of place that doesn't generate loiterers. Then everyone will be happy.
What business would want to locate in that area with the bums camped out around the corner at Dearborn Wholesalers and Chicago's newest project being built accross the street?
Those buildings aren't boarded up for no reason. They's been stuff there for as long as I can remember. More than likely some developer has bought the section or the whole block and will parcel it out the highest biggers. I mean, there was an auto parts store there for decades. Then, as the neighborhood changes, all of a sudden they're gone?
There's a plan for this. I suspect you'll all be happy.
6:29: funny...you made me laugh. However, I'll bet these retailers have severely underestimated the purchasing power around here. I am eager to spend my money in the neighborhood in terms of leisure purchases and charitable giving. Unfortunately, I am getting a lot more reason to do the former rather than the latter lately.
I'm sure the developers are rushing in to put in a restaurant with an outdoor garden next to a Methadone Clinic, with patrons hanging outside for the doors to open. And, I'm sure they will look forward to using the back alley that cuts off of Broadway and circles behind these two buildings, the Methadone Clinic, and the Salvation Army men's shelter services building. After all, their restaurant workers will have plenty of company back their with everyone buying, shooting up, and picking up.
Some ideas for businesses Uptown could use just off the top of my head. Chipotle, Noodles, Jamba Juice, a good pornography store, nice sized record store, great clips and a Banana Republic. The addition of these would save me some CTA fares and shorten some of the time I spend running errands.
6:29: funny...you made me laugh. However, I'll bet these retailers have severely underestimated the purchasing power around here.
Cartier and Coach can afford the kind of security needed to prevent shoplifting, I don't know what's so funny about that. If you think the only reason for all the vacant storefronts is Shiller, you're nuttier than a Payday candy bar.
I notice that when I cross the boundaries and get into the 44th Ward or the 47th Ward or the 48th Ward, retail suddenly improves. And then when I cross into the 46th Ward from any of those directions, retail suddenly drops.
Gee, now what's the variable here? Mmmmm, this will take awhile to guess.
Anonymous 5:08, this strip was vacant 2 years ago. It was vacant 1 year ago. It's vacant now. If someone bought the property to make some big improvement, they would have been talking a long time ago.
If you know of a plan, give it. If you're guessing there's a plan, then state you're guessing, but that's being pretty gullible.
Those two buildings are owned by Tony, who owns/operates the gas station at the southwest corner of Foster and Broadway. The blue building houses small congregation that seems to have services only periodically. The yellow brick has tenants on the 2nd and 3rd floors. I'm not sure what, if anything, is in the ground level space. Stop by the station and ask Tony. He's a really nice, neighborly kind of guy.
These two boarded empty buildings are a symptom mentioned by 46 ward resident; NDRIMW, No Decent Retail In My Ward.
What's really interesting is the business owners who have opened in the bordering 48 ward are doing very well.
The demographics say it all. Those of us who live in the 46 ward don't shop and spend our money here. With few exceptions, Uptown's retail areas are non-existent.
When all you focus on is building more and more subsidized housing, that's all you get.
We have, and lost, some great buildings on Broadway. We need to retain the larger, significant structures and replace the small, undistinguished, one-story buildings with two to five story buildings (no parking lots in front, please!). These could have retail, galleries & food on the ground floor with residences or offices (creative types?) above. I always thought the former Tower Records at Clark/Belden was a model for good urban development.
Locally-based, independent retail and entertainment are ideal for Broadway. Big box or national chains (Starbucks, Gap, Banana, etc) don't belong. Social services, self-storage and wholesale operations don't belong. Branch banks are a pox on neighborhoods as they don't contribute foot traffic or vitality.
This is all very basic urban planning. One of the most frustrating things in Uptown is the lack of vision in creating our built environment. We have some great successes, but so much more could be done.
Having "the Yards" die would be great for Uptown. I miss the terra cotta building, but a rubble strewn lot may be better, in the long run, than a hulking concrete box with a Best Buy Target Bed Bath Banana Gap and parking. That beast would be with us forever.
Does the built environment have influence our perceptions and behavior?
somo mike, you are right on with what goes into good urban planning. maybe you should get a job in the City's Department of Planning. Oh, I forgot, they only hire people who do whatever the aldermen want. Not real urban planners.
What you are describing in a new trend called New Urbanism, that's really about creating communities modeled around the small town center approach.
The retail streets at the town center form the core and have pedestrian friendly store front, wide side walks, nice landscaping. Often includes a town square with gardens and beautiful public spaces.
Public transporation is integrated into the plan.
Radiating off the town square is a variety of housing options. Thoughtful design creates safe streets, lots of front porches and small front yards. Parks where families can enjoy a summer day.
Visit www.newurbanism.org or do a Google search and you'll see some amazing ideas on community planning that could completely turn Uptown upright.
A new Wilson Yard plan will happen for the simple reason that this one is choking itself to death.
Isn't that the Tony who is Tony D'Agostino, the owner of the McJunkin building across the street in which Shiller rents office space? And isn't Tony D'Agostino the relative of Frank Milato, with whom he formerly owned the gas stations at Broadway and Irving and Sheridan and Irving before their licenses were removed after a mob hit?
And isn't Frank Miloto the mob man (allegedly along with then and current 23rd District Police Officer Pierre Zonis) whose activities ended the career of former Chicago Police Superintendent Matt Rodriguez (and his boy and my least favorite 23rd District Commander DeLopez) ?
And wasn't this around the time the mob was running the gambling joint above the Goodwill and liquor store next to Truman College and the police arrested the block club leaders who set up a video camera taking pictures of police going in and out and standing next to the cash register as liquor sales were made to minors? Come on, the police remember this. Some of the arresting officers are on the desk now.
Ah, the good ol'days. How soon you forget. And you newbies don't know what you missed.
Right on, "some mike" and "anonymous 11:14." Uptown could be a shining example of new urbanist planning and still hold onto its heritage. Most of Chicago has gotten it wrong but it is (almost) not too late for us. I fear that we are headed down a path of more big box retail and vehicle congestion---exactly the opposite of what we should be doing. If people are wondering what they should be asking for here (and fighting against) do some google searches on "built environment" and "new urbanism" as these two posters suggest. Check me out too!
I was there yesterday getting an oil change and asked if Tony was related to the D'agostinos that used to be at Irving and Broadway. The guy who ran that is Tony's uncle.
Not sure about the mob hit stuff (I always thought Tony was African-American -- shows how much I notice things like that), but ... damn fine mechanic's shop.
Seriously. Open seven days a week for repairs. Bless 'em all.
Seen today in the 4400 block of Broadway. There are two other storefronts to the south of this that look just as horrible.
Don't worry. It will probaby be a wine bar or a pet boutique before you know in, the kind of place that doesn't generate loiterers. Then everyone will be happy.
ReplyDeleteWine bar or pet boutique? I wish, but I'd just be happy to see any business that's not a methadone clinic.
ReplyDeleteWhat business would want to locate in that area with the bums camped out around the corner at Dearborn Wholesalers and Chicago's newest project being built accross the street?
ReplyDeleteI wish that we can attract a Chipotle, Jamba Jucie, Starbucks, or some high end place that would get the traffic that is desired on that block.
ReplyDeleteThose buildings aren't boarded up for no reason. They's been stuff there for as long as I can remember. More than likely some developer has bought the section or the whole block and will parcel it out the highest biggers. I mean, there was an auto parts store there for decades. Then, as the neighborhood changes, all of a sudden they're gone?
ReplyDeleteThere's a plan for this. I suspect you'll all be happy.
Here's hoping 5:08 is correct.
ReplyDeleteI heard that cartier and Coach were looking at the spaces.
ReplyDelete6:29: funny...you made me laugh. However, I'll bet these retailers have severely underestimated the purchasing power around here. I am eager to spend my money in the neighborhood in terms of leisure purchases and charitable giving. Unfortunately, I am getting a lot more reason to do the former rather than the latter lately.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the developers are rushing in to put in a restaurant with an outdoor garden next to a Methadone Clinic, with patrons hanging outside for the doors to open. And, I'm sure they will look forward to using the back alley that cuts off of Broadway and circles behind these two buildings, the Methadone Clinic, and the Salvation Army men's shelter services building. After all, their restaurant workers will have plenty of company back their with everyone buying, shooting up, and picking up.
ReplyDeleteSome ideas for businesses Uptown could use just off the top of my head. Chipotle, Noodles, Jamba Juice, a good pornography store, nice sized record store, great clips and a Banana Republic. The addition of these would save me some CTA fares and shorten some of the time I spend running errands.
ReplyDeleteWhat stores would other like to see?
I agree with all the above ideas for stores but would also like to see a fryes electronics or ABT.
ReplyDelete6:29: funny...you made me laugh. However, I'll bet these retailers have severely underestimated the purchasing power around here.
ReplyDeleteCartier and Coach can afford the kind of security needed to prevent shoplifting, I don't know what's so funny about that. If you think the only reason for all the vacant storefronts is Shiller, you're nuttier than a Payday candy bar.
I notice that when I cross the boundaries and get into the 44th Ward or the 47th Ward or the 48th Ward, retail suddenly improves. And then when I cross into the 46th Ward from any of those directions, retail suddenly drops.
ReplyDeleteGee, now what's the variable here? Mmmmm, this will take awhile to guess.
Anonymous 5:08, this strip was vacant 2 years ago. It was vacant 1 year ago. It's vacant now. If someone bought the property to make some big improvement, they would have been talking a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteIf you know of a plan, give it. If you're guessing there's a plan, then state you're guessing, but that's being pretty gullible.
Those two buildings are owned by Tony, who owns/operates the gas station at the southwest corner of Foster and Broadway. The blue building houses small congregation that seems to have services only periodically. The yellow brick has tenants on the 2nd and 3rd floors. I'm not sure what, if anything, is in the ground level space. Stop by the station and ask Tony. He's a really nice, neighborly kind of guy.
ReplyDeleteThese two boarded empty buildings are a symptom mentioned by 46 ward resident; NDRIMW, No Decent Retail In My Ward.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really interesting is the business owners who have opened in the bordering 48 ward are doing very well.
The demographics say it all. Those of us who live in the 46 ward don't shop and spend our money here. With few exceptions, Uptown's retail areas are non-existent.
When all you focus on is building more and more subsidized housing, that's all you get.
We have, and lost, some great buildings on Broadway. We need to retain the larger, significant structures and replace the small, undistinguished, one-story buildings with two to five story buildings (no parking lots in front, please!). These could have retail, galleries & food on the ground floor with residences or offices (creative types?) above. I always thought the former Tower Records at Clark/Belden was a model for good urban development.
ReplyDeleteLocally-based, independent retail and entertainment are ideal for Broadway. Big box or national chains (Starbucks, Gap, Banana, etc) don't belong. Social services, self-storage and wholesale operations don't belong. Branch banks are a pox on neighborhoods as they don't contribute foot traffic or vitality.
This is all very basic urban planning. One of the most frustrating things in Uptown is the lack of vision in creating our built environment. We have some great successes, but so much more could be done.
Having "the Yards" die would be great for Uptown. I miss the terra cotta building, but a rubble strewn lot may be better, in the long run, than a hulking concrete box with a Best Buy Target Bed Bath Banana Gap and parking. That beast would be with us forever.
Does the built environment have influence our perceptions and behavior?
somo mike, you are right on with what goes into good urban planning. maybe you should get a job in the City's Department of Planning. Oh, I forgot, they only hire people who do whatever the aldermen want. Not real urban planners.
ReplyDeleteWhat you are describing in a new trend called New Urbanism, that's really about creating communities modeled around the small town center approach.
The retail streets at the town center form the core and have pedestrian friendly store front, wide side walks, nice landscaping.
Often includes a town square with gardens and beautiful public spaces.
Public transporation is integrated into the plan.
Radiating off the town square is a variety of housing options. Thoughtful design creates safe streets, lots of front porches and small front yards. Parks where families can enjoy a summer day.
Visit www.newurbanism.org or do a Google search and you'll see some amazing ideas on community planning that could completely turn Uptown upright.
A new Wilson Yard plan will happen for the simple reason that this one is choking itself to death.
Isn't that the Tony who is Tony D'Agostino, the owner of the McJunkin building across the street in which Shiller rents office space? And isn't Tony D'Agostino the relative of Frank Milato, with whom he formerly owned the gas stations at Broadway and Irving and Sheridan and Irving before their licenses were removed after a mob hit?
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't Frank Miloto the mob man (allegedly along with then and current 23rd District Police Officer Pierre Zonis) whose activities ended the career of former Chicago Police Superintendent Matt Rodriguez (and his boy and my least favorite 23rd District Commander DeLopez) ?
And wasn't this around the time the mob was running the gambling joint above the Goodwill and liquor store next to Truman College and the police arrested the block club leaders who set up a video camera taking pictures of police going in and out and standing next to the cash register as liquor sales were made to minors? Come on, the police remember this. Some of the arresting officers are on the desk now.
Ah, the good ol'days. How soon you forget. And you newbies don't know what you missed.
Link to the good old (1990's) mob days of Uptown story:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ipsn.org/milito.html
Right on, "some mike" and "anonymous 11:14." Uptown could be a shining example of new urbanist planning and still hold onto its heritage. Most of Chicago has gotten it wrong but it is (almost) not too late for us. I fear that we are headed down a path of more big box retail and vehicle congestion---exactly the opposite of what we should be doing. If people are wondering what they should be asking for here (and fighting against) do some google searches on "built environment" and "new urbanism" as these two posters suggest. Check me out too!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous May 9, 2008 12:06 PM
ReplyDeleteTony D'Agostino? No idea but you may have explained why he's so friendly ;-)))
The things you learn about your mechanic.... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI was there yesterday getting an oil change and asked if Tony was related to the D'agostinos that used to be at Irving and Broadway. The guy who ran that is Tony's uncle.
Not sure about the mob hit stuff (I always thought Tony was African-American -- shows how much I notice things like that), but ... damn fine mechanic's shop.
Seriously. Open seven days a week for repairs. Bless 'em all.
Totally diffrent family owns the Mcjunkin building.
ReplyDelete