Just a reminder that the court time for the Wilson Club Hotel's case in Housing Court is on Thursday, August 14 at 9:30 am, Room 1111 of the Daley Center. This will be the second court date for the hotel, and Jay Bomberg (the new owner) is expected to be there to detail what he's done to clean up the previous code violations and make the hotel better.
If you would like to go observe the proceedings as a court advocate, please know that your silent presence speaks volumes to the court about the community's level of concern.
We've been encouraged by Bomberg Properties' appearances in other court cases, and we hope that Mr. Bomberg will be able to show significant progress in improving the conditions that got the hotel into Housing Court in the first place.
I have to be in court tomorrow so I will attend. Anybody that was there last time, when did this case get called? Early or late?
ReplyDeleteHi! Just wanted to let you know I was in housing court last week for the building at 820 W. Cuyler as a concerned citizen. I got there at 9:15, court starts at 9:30 and I was out before 10am. The WMC start is 9:30 as well. I think they have a 10:30 start time for the next round of cases, so you should definitely be done by then. Re. 820 W. Cuyler-I don't live on the block, so I didn't have specific information about that building, but wanted to be there because of the increased gang grafitti in the 900 Block of Cuyler-which was tagged by one gang and later tagged over by the gang that had been insulted. I met the city attorney, who is also working on the Wilson Men's Club case. She really needs someone to speak specifically to what goes on there during the day and at night, I had no actual information to give her. If someone who lives on that block could stop by next time they're in court (I think Sept. 11th or 18th at 9:30) I think it would help the people on the block if there are still problems there. That being said, I spoke with the city atty, the building's atty and the property manager. The building's atty told me that the building has installed cameras. The city atty said she'd like to see signage that the building is being surveilled and also to have the interior courtyard cleaned up. She also wants them to get the front gate locked with a buzzer system. Lastly, I asked about whether or not they were screening tenants and the atty for the city asked that the building atty get her some sort of evidence of this, and to make sure they screened all residents-not just mom, whose name is on the lease, but not her adult children that live there. There was something about drywall being put up and needing an inspection before they continued their work, too. The property manager said they were working on making the building better and thought things were improving. I'll go tomorrow as well, to hear about the Wilson Mens Hotel. I think that as many people as can be there should be, hopefully we can fill the courtroom and we'll hear good news about positive changes.
ReplyDeleteHad the fun experience today of being solicited for money on the train. The individual's pitch: that he was just released from prison, was homeless, and that he'd rather beg for money than steal from people. (And that's supposed to make me feel benevolent? I should give him money or else he might turn to crime?) And the kicker: he wanted 20 bucks so he could get a room at the Wilson Club Hotel.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, I declined.
I'm sorry, but I think the Wilson Hotel, should
ReplyDeletego the way of the ill-fated 'Wooden Nickel' bar.
It clearly is a hub of trouble.
Jack, this isn't the guy around the Addison or Sheridan stop that announces on the train that he is just out of prison, looking for a job (with a crumpled resume in hand), and then asks for money? If so, he has been doing that for months...
ReplyDeleteAs for the Club, I do not think that it should go away. It definitely needs some drastic improvements to at least be considered humane, though. I remember being in disbelief upon hearing about the chicken wire cubicles for the residents, but the other night I was walking by on a rare occasion that the lights were on in the front rooms. Sure enough, I could see the chicken wire and thought to myself "holy crap..."
I was in court this morning. The owner of the hotel is working on making the required improvements to the building. His manager is keeping people from loitering outside the hotel and Mr. Bloomberg (the owner) also sent a rep to court for a graffiti charge when his building was tagged. He seems interested in working to improve the hotel. To address what happens beyond the doors of the hotel and on Wilson, it was my understanding that there will also be discussions with other city departments to work on the larger issues the residents of the hotel and the rest of the neighborhood, in general are facing. The next court date is December 11th-mark your calendars!
ReplyDeletebp, thanks for going to court and providing a report. it is very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am still appalled that such a housing facility exists, personally I would rather live in a chicken wire room like a dog in a pet shop than live in a park or under a bridge. It's a sad state either way. Nobody should have to live that way given the wealth of the nation. We should quit tossing good money to other countries given we have so many issues of our own that get swept under the carpet.
ReplyDelete