Thursday, May 7, 2009

Potholes Offer A View Of Uptown Past

If you've ever wanted to glimpse what Uptown looked like when the streets were paved with bricks and the public transportation system included trolley cars on tracks, you can.

Just take a gander at the potholes on Clark, north of Lawrence. This one is at located approximately 4880, and you can clearly see the streetcar tracks and vintage Chicago bricks that used to line the streets of Uptown back in the day.

We wonder if there were pothole problems then? These bricks look like they could withstand anything.

We called 311 to request repairs, but it's getting old. These have been "repaired" twice already in 2009, the last time just a month ago. Seems they empty out as fast as Wilson Yard TIF funds.

7 comments:

  1. Well, I supposed we should thank Daley and his cherry-picking approach to city sevices for this glimpse into our history. Good thing there wasn't an Olympics planned for this area or we'd never have seen this bit of history.

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  2. Pot-holed streets are endemic throughout Chicago and its suburbs--not only Uptown. The wear and tear is caused by extreme winter weather and its thaw/freeze effect, and the fact that people prefer to drive their cars over walking or taking public transit.

    I dont know how reminiscing about the "good ole days" of brick streets solves the problem. We need a massive public works project to repave miles and miles of city streets, but I suspect the inconvenience caused by that would
    result in one more complaining post on UU.

    Im new to Uptown and this Uptown Update, and my initial reaction is that people who run this site seem to revel in complaining all the time. I'll try to stay positive, because I've made a longtime commitment by purchasing property here.

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  3. Well, Kadee, welcome to Uptown! Glad you've made a longtime commitment to living here, just as many readers have.

    I don't see this site as complaining, just as wanting what homeowners and residents everywhere want: nice streets, street corners without hookers or crack dealers, and involved and committed neighbors. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The list of improvements made in the community because of them being pointed out on UU is impressive.

    One thing you learn very quickly about living here is that if you want something done, don't depend on anyone except those same committed and active neighbors, the same ones you think just love to complain. They're the only ones who get things changed.

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  4. Dear Kandee Fogel...Well complain we do. I owned propertey here for over 30 years and I can see my home area get worse by the year. I will continue to complain to all and everyone and specially those like Helen Shiller who does not hear or care about most of them. I welcome you to uptown and we will see how long time it takes before you complain too.....Walk down wilson and what I mean.......

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  5. Pot-holed streets are endemic throughout Chicago and its suburbs--not only Uptown. Yeah, but this site is called "UPTOWN Update", sooooo.....

    I dont know how reminiscing about the "good ole days" of brick streets solves the problem. Yeah, but at least it wasn't complaining, right? It was a POSITIVE take on potholes. That should count for something, right?

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  6. Kadee " We need a massive public works project to repave miles and miles of city streets, but I suspect the inconvenience caused by that would
    result in one more complaining post on UU"
    I believe we pay taxes for that, or do we pay them for Wilson Yard, not sure. And not everyone can take public trans for work, so yes i would complain. but if no one complains than nothing will get done and before you know it all of the city streets will be brick.

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  7. " The wear and tear is caused by extreme winter weather and its thaw/freeze effect..."

    well, duh.

    " and the fact that people prefer to drive their cars over walking or taking public transit."

    so you're blaming motorists for the potholes? everyone should take public transit or walk, eh? that may not be complaining, but the self-righteousness of your statement makes me believe that you'll fit right in with some factions of uptowners.

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