All The Answers About Wilson Yard

The Graceland West Community Association had some questions about Wilson Yard (don't we all?), so they had a dialogue with Don Hohenadel from Planning and Development. Let's just say that our eyebrows shot into our hairline several times while reading Don's answers.

Besides the fact that the people who are paying for this "project" are forced to go to the city for information about it, rather than hearing about it from the developer or the person who supposedly represents our concerns, we are appalled to hear that a nail salon and a Subway are being touted as answers to Uptown's retail blight.

And that, supposedly, Peter Holsten's name was forged on the infamous "Section 8 housing" document and no one really has any answers about why or how the forgery came to exist (in fact, no one seems to care, not even a little bit).

And that despite the fact that a legal commitment - on Holsten company stationery! - was signed (or not signed) by Peter Holsten, Don seems to think no such commitment exists.

Read it all for yourself:

7-Eleven On Wilson Gets A Sign

Seen at Wilson and Clifton.

Seen Outside Aldi

A reader sends us these pics showing the "display cases" at Aldi on Broadway now displaying a rendering of the development and an ambitious timeline for completion. Curiously enough, still no official "Target Coming Soon" sign at the site. We love how the low-income housing is referred to as simply an "apartment building."

Up(town) In The Sky

A reader sends us this photo taken this past week of Uptown before landing at O'Hare Airport. Can you spot Wilson Yard and the site of the future Truman College Parking Structure?

The Plot Thickens

Contributions made to Citizens for Gregory Harris

Holsten Mngt as Agent for Bryn Mawr-Belle Shore
1333 N. Kingsbury
Chicago, IL 60622 $1,000.00
6/6/2007 Individual Contribution

Wilson Yard Development LLC
1333 N Kingsbury Street
Suite 305
Chicago, IL 606427039 $1,000.00
7/26/2008 Individual Contribution

YoChicago Tours 'Water Color Condos' In Buena Park

YoChicago recently toured the "Water Color Condos" at 4150 N. Kenmore, just next to Buena Circle Play Lot. Check out the tour above.

Creepy Vandalism At Wilson Yard

Seen today on the concrete barricade at Montrose and Kenmore surrounding Wilson Yard.

Aldermanic Staff Gets 5% Pay Raise

Next time you call the Alderman's office, make sure you congratulate her assistants on their 5% pay raise, at at time when everyone else is cutting back to make ends meet. Our thanks to Hugh at the "Broken Heart." Read the entire post here.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers!

Nick's On Wilson & Nick's Uptown Give Back

From Chicagoist:

"Nick's On Wilson and Nick's Uptown are sponsoring a fund drive called "Holiday Inspiration,” where monetary gifts or donations of clothing, canned goods, educational toys, school supplies, books, tools, etc., will be rewarded with a complementary "holiday spirit" of the donor’s choice. Proceeds from the drive will go towards The Inspiration Cafe and Community Building Tutors, non-profit organizations also part of the Uptown community."

Updated: Water Main Break At Kenmore & Winthrop

We have heard from several readers that there has been a sewer collapse at Kenmore and Winthrop (near Kenmore and Wilson). We have also heard that Winthrop will become TWO LANES (instead of one way) starting Monday. We would appreciate any pics or info readers in the area have to offer. Our Uptown infrastructure is crumbling all around us, but it's great to know that the TIF is being used in such wise ways in our neighborhood.

Update: Someone "in the know" tells us that this was a water main break and not a "sewer collapse" as reported by someone in Ald. Shiller's office.

Something To Be Thankful For

Seen today at Dearborn Grocer, 918 W. Montrose.

Caught In The Crossfire

By Dimitrios Kalantzis, photo by Frank Pinc
Contributing Reporter, News-Star

The room is uncomfortably warm, almost humid, and two bunk beds and a mattress on the floor take up most of it. As they talk about losing their apartment and becoming homeless, Anthony Hernandez, 25, and his wife, Judy Espinosa, 27, walk around their temporary home in Uptown, a 10-by-13-foot room in the Sylvia Center, picking up their four children's errant toys and clothing.

On the dresser, overflowing with the things Hernandez couldn't afford to put into storage, a television plays on mute for 3-year-old Anthony Gabriel, who occasionally wanders out of the room and into the hallway, only to be hauled back in by his mom.

Two blocks away, on Broadway Street and Sunnyside Avenue, a major housing development is underway, which will offer more than 80 rental units below market rates for families like the Hernandez'. Holsten Development Corporation broke ground last month on the Wilson Yard site, although criticism of the years-old project continues, with one local group threatening litigation against the city in an effort to stop the project altogether. Continue Reading

Wilson Yard Construction Update

Passing by the Wilson Yard site this afternoon we noticed way more activity on the housing side (above) versus the Target side (below).

It's Time To Deck The Halls!

A friendly reminder from the folks at WAMA:
If you have been down Wilson lately, you have surely noticed the Christmas decorations hanging in the trees. There are still several businesses that have not hung their decorations. It is imperative that those businesses do so as soon as possible as the WAMA folks are going to be decorating the trees that do not have businesses nearby. We here at Uptown Update look forward to seeing Wilson once it is fully decorated. A big thank you to WAMA for stepping up the plate and organizing this.

Kahawa House 'Espressions Nite,' Dec. 4

KAHAWA HOUSE
838 W. Montrose
(between Clarendon & Hazel)

ESPRESSIONS NITE

December 4th 2008
6:30 pm -8:30 pm

Featuring the best young wordsmiths
Chicago has to offer.
Come, kick back, and enjoy the coffee
as you watch the best wordsmiths in town
show off their trade…or…show your own skills…

It’s BYOB, so add some kick to your cocoa!
Bring your friends and your bottles!
**ALSO IF YOU SPEND $5 BUCKS OR MORE
YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN GREAT PRIZES**
Your host of the evening: Ra

Questions? Call (773) 275-3700. Free Admission. Come one, come all…

Lawrence & Broadway Rated 'Walker's Paradise'

A reader writes in to tell us about "Walk Score," a site that helps homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find homes in great neighborhoods. The area around Broadway and Lawrence scored a 98 out of 100! Check out the map here.

Gas Line Ruptured On Leland

From Truman Square Neighbors:

"While performing construction today on the curbs along Leland Avenue (Kenmore through Winthrop), a gas line was ruptured. Peoples Gas is repairing the break.

If you live in this area you may need to relight the pilot lights on your stove. If you do not have an auto-igniter on your water heater and furnace you will also need to light those pilot lights.

People's Gas has advised this is not an emergency if you address the issue soon, but If you do not relight your pilot lights, your unit/house will slowly fill with toxic carbon monoxide gas.

Additionally, if you have a neighbor you feel would not get this note, please pass this important safety information onto them -or- if a neighbor has already left for Thanksgiving, try to contact them to see if they have someone who can address the pilot light(s) in their unit/house for them while they are away."

New Police Unit To Target Gang Activity

Tribune Staff Report

Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis on Saturday unveiled a citywide gang-enforcement strategy to root out crime in gang-infested neighborhoods and reduce the city's soaring homicide rate.

Leo Schmitz, the Police Department's acting commander of gang investigations, will lead a gang enforcement unit of about 400 officers who will target violent neighborhoods where gang activity occurs. Putting the gang-response units under a central command is a critical part of the restructuring because warfare often crosses jurisdictional lines, Weis said.

The new organization will allow for a quicker exchange of information and resources and enable officers to better target neighborhoods where gangs are prevalent, Weis said.

"All city gang teams will fall under one leader, creating a leaner, more agile operation," he said, calling gang activity the most serious threat in Chicago.

Weis estimated there are 75,000 gang members in Chicago, a group responsible for more than 50 percent of all killings. There have been about 474 homicides in Chicago this year, a nearly 20 percent spike from 2007.

UU Note: The graphic above comes from www.chicagogangs.org which is an excellent resource to educate yourself about the gangs that infest Chicago and Uptown. Check out a detailed map of northside gangs here.

Before McJunkin, 1914

If you haven't checked out www.chicago-l.org, you're missing out on a lot of great CTA related history. Did you know that where the McJunkin Building now stands, train tracks once ran in a big loop? Check out the photo above from 1914. Just about where Ald. Shiller's office now stands, there was a small train station (see more detailed photo below). Street cars also used to zip up and down Broadway (as seen in the photo) when it was known as Evanston Avenue. Back in the top left section you can see the Wilson Yard shops that burned in 1996. Way back in the left corner you can see the St. Mary of the Lake's belltower which is still here today.

Graffiti Triggers Crime & Littering, Study Shows

By Jeanna Bryner, Live Science.com/ MSNBC
The mere presence of graffiti doubles the number of people littering and stealing in a neighborhood, new research suggests.

The results, which are detailed in the Nov. 21 issue of the journal Science, support and expand on the so-called broken windows theory, which forms the backbone of many crime prevention programs in major cities such as New York.

The theory suggests that signs of disorder, such as broken windows, graffiti and litter, can open the door to individuals breaking other social norms and rules. In New York's "Quality of Life Campaign," adopted in the mid-1990s, city filth, including graffiti, street litter and signs of vandalism, were removed. And petty crime rates did drop. Continue Reading

Truman Pool Could Open Up For More Swimmers

By Peter Sachs
Chi-Town Daily News

As soon as this summer, residents living near Truman College in Uptown could have a chance to take classes at the school’s swimming pool.

Every few years, waves of interest ripple through parts of Uptown about opening up the swimming pool at Truman.

Truman spokesman Clifton Daniel says several people have asked him about the pool in the last week.

“Interest in the community percolates up every once in a while,” Daniel says. Continue Reading

Black Cat Found At Leland & Malden

A reader writes in:
"Well, I’m not sure if you can do this, but tonight I found a really cool black cat out in front of our place on Malden and Leland. He or she has these huge paws with six toes and is super friendly. We heard him meowing out in front, and when I went out to investigate he came right to me. He/she isn’t afraid of us at all, but is really sweet and friendly. He’s a bit on the thin side. We’re loath to send such friendly cat to the shelter since it may be someone’s pet. If you can post a quick blurb, that would be great. I also put up a posting on craigslist." (note: the photo shown is not the cat in question)

Broadway & Wilson, Christmas 1955

Check out how they decked the streets (and halls) back in 1955 in Uptown. Thanks to WAMA and the donations from residents like you, our streets should have similar spirit this year. We hope that the SSA#34 has sufficient funds for decorations next holiday season. (photo: CTA)

Where Am I Located?

Can you figure out the location of this newly restored vintage doorway?

Land Records... Hmmm....

EveryBlock recently noted some "interesting" property transfers on the west side of Broadway between Montrose and Sunnyside (Wilson Yard):

• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. sold for $989,000
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. sold for $6,675,000
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.

Can anyone make heads or tails of why property is just now being transferred? And in excess of $7,500,000?

A Reminder Regarding Car Break-Ins

A reader writes in with a reminder for everyone:
"Wanted to let you know that our neighbors car had the window smashed out and items were stolen from inside their car on 11/18/08. It was during the night while people were sleeping. The car was not on the street and in their parking spot next to the building.

Please advise Uptown residents to beware and not keep items in cars.

Specifically this occurred in the 800 block of Ainslie. I am not sure if there were multiple incidents or just this one car. A police report was filed."

No Hurry Here

Almost a year after a fire tore through several units in the Gill-Park Co-operative at Broadway and Grace, we thought we would stop by to see if the units had been repaired. Nope. Plywood and charred markings are still easily visible on the outside of the building after almost a YEAR. Any guesses as to why this hasn't been repaired? Does anyone know if people are living in the boarded-up units now?

Final Labor Ready Legal Documents

We heard from the Stop Labor Ready plaintiffs: "I hope you can post these agreements documenting the community's victory in preventing a day labor service from opening in Uptown. Here are the fully executed Standdown Agreement and Agreed Order of Dismissal without Prejudice. Sweet! Thanks to all; the team did a GREAT job!"

Wilson Yard Construction Violating City Laws?

A reader writes: It's come to our attention that the construction at Wilson Yard is in violation of the following City ordinance. Would you please alert the community to notify the City if they see construction outside the hours of 8am and 8pm? People have been instructed to call 911.

11-4-2835 Construction, repair or demolition equipment.
(a) No person shall use or cause the use of any mechanical equipment or tool operated by fuel or electric power in building, construction, repair or demolition operations between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. within 600 feet of any residential building or hospital.
(b) The limitation of this section does not apply to any construction, demolition or repair work of an emergency nature or to work on public improvements authorized by a governmental body or agency.
(c) This section may be enforced by designated employees of the departments of buildings, consumer services, fire, public health, revenue, streets and sanitation, transportation and zoning, who are authorized to issue citations for violations. (Added Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81473, § 1)

FixWilsonYard's Big Party, Big News

Suzanne Elder On NBC Nightly News

A reader tipped us off that Uptown's own Suzanne Elder (and daughter Sophie) appeared on an NBC Nightly News report this week about a possible cure for Type 1 diabetes. Check it out here.

Pet Christmas Cards At Soggy Paws Nov. 23

Have you ever considered turning your pet's picture into a Christmas Card?

Nadine Williams of www.Pet-Portraiture.com is well-known for her multicolor prints, reminiscent of Andy Warhol. A Soggy Paws Santa Photo session includes one sitting with Santa and Nadine and a photo printout of 1 of the digital pictures. Nadine will then follow up with you to provide multiple options for cards, postcards, and more. Her prices are affordable and her work is impeccable!

Suggested Donation: $10 for Soggy Paws Santa Sitting.

All proceeds from Santa Sitting will benefit Chicago Canine Rescue and Lakeshore Animal Shelter.

Soggy Paws Uptown
1148 W Leland Avenue
Sunday, NOVEMBER 23, 12pm-3pm

Better Late Than Never

Well over a year after we first noticed the lack of artwork in the Aldi display cases, it has finally made its debut. We are sure the students at Uplift School worked hard on these 3 panels that are now displayed on the Broadway side of Aldi.
There is also a panel that explains how the artwork came to be through a collaboration with 7th grade students from Arai (Uplift) and "Changing Worlds," a nonprofit educational arts program.
There is also more good news. The three northern-most display cases on Broadway are now filled with Aldi advertising. These cases had been sitting empty for a year and a half and had been covered in graffiti. Why they did contain advertising till now is a mystery, but as we said, "better late than never."

TIF'd Off?

A reader sends in this notice of a meeting on TIF abuse and reform:

The Independent Illinois Voters Association is hosting a community meeting on TIF Reform this coming Monday, November 24.

If you're not TIF-ed off, you should be. In the middle of this economic crisis, Cook County TIFs are quietly sucking $900 million out of the general revenue funds and putting them into the Mayor's and Aldermen's private slush funds.

Citizens are finally waking up and demanding TIF Reform. Jump on the TIF bandwagon and learn more.

Just What Are They Teaching At Uplift?

We know Uplift School likes to think it's "unconventional" and was born when some of Ald. Shiller's Couraj buddies took over Joan Arai School. So this is what readers get when they click on the link to "Uplift" on the alderman's web site.

Kind of gives all sorts of new meaning to the name of the school.(Pssst! Maggie! Time to show you read this site. Change the link, 'kay?!)

Update: The "Home -> Issues -> Education" page has been updated since this morning and the link has been changed to the more proper, yet so much more boring, Uplift page from Chicago Public Schools. However, the "Home -> Resources -> Education" page still links to Uplift's Girls Gone Wild in See-Through Lingerie page.

Maggie, you might want to take a look at the source code for that page as well. No need to thank us; as you know, that's our job, to point out the problems that can be changed here in Uptown. Thanks for paying attention.

Now, about that goofy Wilson Yard housing plan.....

Update #2: While you're in update mode, you might want to reconsider the link to the Prologue School. Folks we know at Lycee Francais tell us Prologue is no longer at the Irving Park address and possibly no longer in Uptown at all.

Construction On Failed Housing Model Begins

All the new construction in Wilson Yard isn't only for the new Target that's allegedly coming our way. Ald. Shiller recently announced that the Target would open in 2010, and the housing before that. You can see the construction cranes working on the foundations of the 100% low-income housing right now, at Montrose and Broadway. FixWilsonYard has said that the lawsuit will be filed in November, and it can't come a moment too soon. If you haven't donated yet, please consider doing it now. (Tax deduction for 2008, too.)

Name The Corporate Sponsor

Today the Tribune tells us that "The Chicago Transit Authority is negotiating with potential corporate sponsors for naming rights at some rail stations as a way to bring in new revenue."

So, who should sponsor Uptown's rail stations? The "Helen Shiller Done Deal" Lawrence stop? The Febreeze "Not the Smelliest In Chicago Anymore" Wilson stop?

Tasty Chicken On The Way

Hooray, an empty Uptown storefront bites the dust. Looks like broasted chicken is coming to Rayan Plaza (the strip mall at Clark and Montrose).

SSA Commissioner Nominees Sought

From the SSA's latest mailing: The Nominating Committee of the SSA #34 Advisory Commission continually seeks interested, capable people to serve on the Commission. The Commission's role as defined by Ordinance is to recommend the scope of services, budget, tax levy, and service provider to manage the SSA. To be eligible, an individual must be a property owner or a lessee (residential renter or business tenant) within the SSA boundaries. An application can be found on the Uptown United website.

Click here for Duties and Application Form. For more information, contact SSA #34 Administrator Wally Rozak at 773-878-1064 or ssa@uptownunited.org or Gina Caruso, Assistant Commissioner in the Chicago Department of Planning & Development at 312-744-8280 or gina.caruso@cityofchicago.org.

Another Body Found At Montrose Harbor

Update: Sadly, the body was ID'd Monday as that of the Northwestern student, Trevor Boehm, who'd been missing for a week. Read about it here.

----

Too, too sad. On the morning of Zhya Jacobs's funeral (information on services here), another body was found in Lake Michigan.

From the Tribune: "A body was pulled from Lake Michigan this morning on the North Side. The body of a man was spotted in the lake just before 7:30 a.m. in the 4500 block of North Simonds Drive near Montrose Harbor, police said. The man was removed from the water and was being taken to the Stein Institute. He has not been unidentified and it was not known how he ended up in the water."

The 411 From The SSA

Well, it's official. In its most recent mailing, the SSA Commissioners explained their decision not to decorate Uptown for the holidays this year:

"At its October meeting, the SSA #34 Advisory Commission voted to forego holiday decorations this year. In the past two holiday seasons, the SSA funded the installation of live balsam wrap, bows, and/or wreaths on a selection of streetlight poles in Uptown. The Commissioners felt that, given the unknown effect of the economic downturn on the property taxes collected to fund the SSA coupled with concerns of inadequate coverage throughout the area, it was prudent to not spend the upwards of $20,000 tax dollars and instead revisit the possibility of holiday decorations in 2009. Also, the Commissioners have been approached by the community to consider reallocating more of its 2009 budget and any of its 2008 carryover to activities related to public safety [note from UU: those are blue light cameras they're referring to]."

There Can Still Be Holiday Decorations

UPDATE: The folks at WAMA tell us that donations will be accepted through NOVEMBER 23. Simply stop by Unique So Chique at Wilson and Magnolia and leave your donation for holiday decorations.

From Wilson Area Merchants Association:

"WAMA needs the Uptown Community to help decorate for the holiday. Since SSA is not going to provide the funding, WAMA is going to decorate for the Uptown community and merchants. We do, however, need assistance to fund this venture. Please bring a check with any amount of donation you can give to Unique So Chique next to Starbucks by Thursday, November 20th. Even $5 per household will help make Wilson Avenue beautiful for the Holidays.

"Checks can be made out to WAMA (Wilson Area Merchants Association). Unique So Chique is open the following hours to drop off donations: Tuesday – Friday 12-6, Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 10-5."

"Thank you in advance for your help. If we work together, we can make Uptown an inviting place to visit for the holidays. This benefits everyone who lives here. Donations need to be received by Thursday, November 20th, so that decorations can be up by Thanksgiving."

Are Wilson Yard Amendments Legal?

Seems when Chicago TIFs make amendments to their original plans, the Department of Planning and Development publishes the changes in the "Legal Notices" section of the paper. (Click on the image to see a larger version of the First Amendment to the Kostner Avenue TIF.)

Did anyone see any legal notices published for the many, many amendments made to the original Wilson Yard plan? (You know, the one with theatres, mixed-income housing and community input.)

Enquiring minds want to know.

Wild Pug Is Open

From the owners who brought Crew to Uptown: "We Have our License! After a long, long labor, we have finally "delivered" our newest baby, Wild Pug. She is 3100 sq. feet long and her weight is impossible to determine. Just like a newborn, the Pug has a lot of growing to do. Wild Pug will begin with a soft opening tonight, Saturday, at 5pm. DJ Steve Henderson will be providing the music, and our staff will be ready to serve you. Sunday we will open at 3pm, so you can stop by after the Bears vs. Packers game at Crew."

RTA / CTA Public Hearing At Truman

Got transit gripes? The Lakeview Booster says "The Regional Transit Authority, the funding well for all area public transit agencies, including the CTA, is continuing an unprecedented outreach effort this month. The second round of public hearings will be held from Nov. 10 through 19, and everyone and anyone is invited to weigh in. The hearings will cover the transit system's 2009 budget and address long-awaited capital investment needs. The North side hearing will take place Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at Truman College (room 1176), 1145 W. Wilson."