Thursday, April 14, 2011

Free At Last, Free At Last

Bad news for the drug dealers who've set up shop under the scaffolding at Lawrence House for the past few months -- the scaffolding that protected them has been taken down as of this afternoon.  Hooray for lighter, clearer, and safer sidewalks.

10 comments:

  1. SO happy to see this! [or i guess NOT see the scaffolding!]

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  2. I drove by just last week and two cops were sitting in their SUV a half a block away talking on cell phones while 3 people did a deal. And two of them were drinking out of bags.
    Nothing will change until the police get more proactive. I think they have become numb to all the crime in this area.

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  3. Now next they need a wizard to wave his wand and magically restore the building to its former glory!

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  4. The Lawrence House really is a beautiful, shapely old building. I admire the Art Deco architecture and fine stonework every time I walk past it.

    I'd love to see this place restored, but there are so many magnificent old Chicago buildings in this city that is graced with more good architecture than any other place in the world, that there's enough to do to keep restorers busy for the next century.

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  5. One odd thing I've learned, as a long term Uptown resident....is to 'watch out' for the folks that haphazardly cross the street here (and at Wilson) without looking at oncoming cars.
    A) They're possibly on drugs
    B) They just don't care if they get hit.
    C) They are fleeing something.

    Beyond that, I'm still sad that the affordable (and high quality El Pollo Loco) couldn't make it at Wilson and Sheridan.

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  6. if that closes then it will be free at last..

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  7. Ameya - I would not encourage closing the LH. There are plenty of good folks - and friends - who live there. The problem is that the owners of the building need to be held accountable, enforce higher standards for new residents, and actually keep the building in good repair. I believe it is in housing court?

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  8. One of James' goals was to hold these buildings and services accountable. It won't be an easy task. We need to give him time, but remind him of his words.

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  9. One of those things that organically happen when the people responsible realize there is a new sherriff in town.

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  10. Well, you guys can have your own opinions but I lived in that place for a year and a half. It made me want to kill myself, and I very nearly did.

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