"A saw-resistant deadbolt might cost $60 and take an hour to install. But the vacant, three-story building at 1014 to 1036 W. Leland Ave. has a number of entryways without those locks. And that's a violation of the Chicago municipal code. The broken locks are one of 12 infractions against Chicago municipal code that prompted the city to assume control of the property, according to court documents."
Read the rest of the story here, and find out why it's good - very good - that concerned Uptown residents were the driving force on getting
that building, and the one right across the street from it, into housing court.
It also dawns on us that "concerned citizens" are really doing the alderman's job. Too bad we're not sharing the paycheck as well as the duties.
have no fear, the TIF fairy will build more low end retail and cheapo housing at montrose and clarendon to distract us all!!!! why should we do anything with vacant buildings..oooh, too unsanitary!! we'll help ourselves to the TIF money and tell everyone how much we care about developing uptown, give ourselves a big pat on the back and an even bigger bonus under the table!!!:(
ReplyDeleteIt will be just a matter of time before Shiller uses more TIF money to acquire this building and covert it to much needed low income housing in Uptown.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor and Jody Weis need to get their act together because police flat out refuse to follow the protocols of the vacant building ordinance program.
ReplyDeleteI frequently call related to people inside vacant building property and try to file online reports through 311 and on the Vacant Building website:
http://tinyurl.com/33pppov
When you enter an vacant building complaint regarding homeless on the property you have to fill out this online input item:
Any people using property? (homeless, childen, gangbangers)
If Yes, please call 311 to file a Police Miscellaneous report.
Lot's of luck getting that Police Miscellaneous Report from the police. If you call 311 to file the complaint and then ask to be connected to the police to file that miscellaneous report over the phone, 311 doesn't know what to do with the call or if they do get you to a police unit to file the report, the police won't do it saying that it's stupid and not their job and they've never heard of such a thing. One can read the city''s website instruction to them and they'll say that's now how they do things.
Or, you get directed to file a complaint with your local police, which means a 911 call. The police arrive at the scene and refuse to do anything saying that "It's not their job to take care of private property", "If you aren't the landlord you have no right to make a complaint", "We can't go on private property, so call the landlord, not us.", "We don't issue incident reports for things like this", "Why you picking on the homeless?" "It's not my job", "We don't have complaint forms for anything like that" "Call neighborhood relations on Monday when they open up", "Stop asking me to do this. Unless you show me your driver's license, car registration, and insurance card, we aren't going anywhere with this. Are you refusing to cooperate, because I'll be glad to inspect your vehicle?" "Call tact. it's not a patrol problem." "Call patrol. Why are you wasting our time on this shit?"
Those are actual quotes from 23rd district officers. Clearly they are "not with the program."
Wait ... wait ...
ReplyDeleteVacant buildings - which could be used for both housing and retail - exist within a TIF district (one whihc was recently expanded)?
Question: which renovation would better serve the ward:
- existing building to house fish?
- existing buildings to house retail and people?
Now playing: Jeopardy theme
Note: a certain alderman and a certain collection of people along Leland do not get along.