Inquiring minds want to know how long we can expect JAM Productions' Riviera Theatre to be covered in a white tarp? It would be great to see it restored to match the gorgeously rehabbed Riv Building next door.
Just across Lawrence, our friend the Uptown Theatre has once again been tagged by vandals. We hope that the owners, JAM Productions, will get this removed ASAP. We also encourage our readers to call 311 to report this graffiti. The address is 4816 N. Broadway, and yes, the graffiti is over 6 feet high. How are the vandals getting up here
over and over again to do this?
Inquiring minds want to know how long we can expect JAM Productions' Riviera Theatre to be covered in a white tarp? It would be great to see it restored to match the gorgeously rehabbed Riv Building next door.
Just across Lawrence, our friend the Uptown Theatre has once again been tagged by vandals. We hope that the owners, JAM Productions, will get this removed ASAP. We also encourage our readers to call 311 to report this graffiti. The address is 4816 N. Broadway, and yes, the graffiti is over 6 feet high. How are the vandals getting up here over and over again to do this?
Just called 311. The folks at Jam will notice this shortly, if they have not already. Its not their fault that their building was utterly disrespected, but hopefully they do their part to get it cleaned and secured ASAP.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in the area almost 2 years now and am actually surprised this does not happen a lot more often. If I saw someone on that fire escape, I would call 911 and hope other neighbors would as well!
It appears that they are getting up there via the side entrance between Carmella's and the Uptown on the Lawrence Side. The fence there is quite tall, but I'm guessing they hoist one another up there in order to get on the fire escape.
ReplyDeleteMaybe better lighting would deter some of this? How about some Lawrence/Broadway TIF funds for that?
that building is a prime target since it can be seen so well from the red line, and all their hoodlum buddies can see it as they ride past.
ReplyDeleteGraffiti is art that brightens the urban environment in Uptown. Shouldn't we encourage the youth of our community to brighten the rest of this beautiful canvas?
ReplyDeleteAs for the Riviera, who cares what it looks like? Its all about the music.
Candice - The Uptown Theater isn't the right canvas...
ReplyDeleteShouldn't we encourage the youth of our community to brighten the rest of this beautiful canvas?
ReplyDeleteNot really.
No.
The tagger who jumped into the river on the south side and died was apparently a long time Uptown resident.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/03/authorities-attempt-to-rescue-man-in-chicago-river.html
Perhaps they can use Candice's building as a canvas?
ReplyDeleteWhat I would really like to know from Jam Productions is when they plan on resorting and renovating the Uptown Theater.
ReplyDeleteAlso, why can't some TIF money be used to help restore Uptown Theatre?
Well, if graffiti were truly art-worthy, why then did the Art Institute have the "work" on their Modern Wing removed?
ReplyDeleteTIF money is only used if you can renovate or build more section 8 housing it seem like. Not a rennovation of a classic architecture gem.
ReplyDeleteThe Uptown Theater is in Mary Ann would have more of a chance at utilizing TIF money for restoration than it would in Shiller's. I think the problem may be JAM wants more money than the city would be willing to fork out, and Mary Ann doesn't seem to be a fan of JAM's. Kind of a mess.
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember an article some years back stating that Holsten was interested in turning the Uptown into low income housing units. He's nuts.
Someone needs to tell Holsten that we're tapped out, man.
ReplyDeleteCandice, great idea! Bring it up at your next condo board meeting, or to your building's landlord.
ReplyDeleteAnd invite all these budding artists to 'brighten' up your building!
I rent. Ha! Tags on my building are cool. My opinion.
ReplyDeleteCandice, did you know that when there are added expenses to maintaining your building, that the cost gets passed to you with increased rent?
ReplyDeleteIs that cool? Is that cool to your neighbors who rent there as well?
Candice, will you think its "cool" when rival gangs have a shoot out in front of your building because they have each tagged and claimed your building as "their" turf? Will it be wickedly awesome when you get caught in the crossfire?
ReplyDeleteDue to the age of the bricks on the Uptown Theater they cannot be cleaned by Graffiti Blasters. The process they use would be too damaging.
ReplyDeleteThere is another process available but it is very expensive. I would love to see the cost of removing this vandalism passed on to the offenders.
Unfortunately, when any of the retail merchants leave the gangway gate unlocked, it provides an open avenue for trespassing. When the theatre operated or when it operates again, the Dumpsters for the storefronts in the Montemartre Building get parked on Lawrence sidewalk. The eastern facade of the Uptown auditorium has been a spot for grafitti for decades and decades. It is an unsightly and costly unfortunate reality. I would say "of an urban location" but it is really universal.
ReplyDelete