CTA Virtual Town Halls About Red/Purple Redevelopment Project

With the prep work nearly finished on the massive reconstruction of CTA tracks and stations between Leland and Bryn Mawr, the CTA will hold two Virtual Town Halls to let us know what to expect when work begins.

You can register to attend either, or both, sessions. The March 2nd meeting will cover the Lawrence and Argyle stations. The March 4th meeting will cover the Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations.

REGISTER HERE.

Feel free to attend any meeting or both! Topics to be discussed include:

• Station and track construction overview and project timeline
• Lawrence and Berwyn station closures
• Newly unveiled Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr station designs
• Public input into new station artwork, station illuminated sign panels and embankment murals
• Community impact and mitigation during construction
• New, temporary rail stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr
• CTA’s Open for Business program
• Where and how to receive the latest information throughout the project

March 2: Lawrence/Argyle

March 4: Berwyn/Bryn Mawr

Demo Begins At Broadway and Wilson

After years of stalled permits and empty storefronts, demolition of the buildings that used to house City Sports, Rainbow Shops, and Family Dollar began today.

For now, it's still business in the front, party in the back. Photo taken from Winthrop and Kenmore, looking west.

Bezazian To Reopen, Prettier Than Ever

After being closed for renovations since the beginning of the year, the Bezazian Branch Library (1226 Ainslie) will reopen on Monday. "Stop by to see the new paint and carpet!"

Bezazian's hours are Monday and Wednesday, noon-7pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 11am-5pm; and Friday and Saturday, 10am-4pm.

And It Begins!

Blue fencing has been erected around the future "Platform 4611" development from John Buck Company

If you are nostalgic for the one-story 1970s era retail building at Broadway and Wilson, now might be the time to pay your respects.

Blue construction fencing has been installed around the former Family Dollar and City Sports building spanning from 4601-4613 N. Broadway. The buildings will be demolished within the next week or so to make way for a new nine story building from John Buck Company. The building will be known as "Platform 4611" paying homage to the Wilson L platform just steps from its future entrance. This development has been years in the making and is sure to transform this corner for generations to come! We suspect that a new development on the SE corner of Broadway and Wilson won't be far behind.

"Platform 4611" by John Buck Company (Pappageorge Haymes)

 

Lake Shore Drive & Waveland Proposal Tweaked Again

Revised proposal for Lake Shore Drive & Waveland (City Club Apartments & BKV Group)

The City Club Apartments proposal at 3636 N. Lake Shore has been tweaked again. If you are keeping track, this is the third version. (See version 1 and version 2)

Most notable, is the removal of the "crown" on top of the high rise and the mid rise to the south has received a reduction in height. 

The proposal will eventually go before the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee. The developer met with local block club East Lake View Neighbors on February 9 via Zoom.

Street level view of smaller building along Lakeshore Drive (BKV Group & City Club Apartments)

Revised Proposal For Immaculata High School At 640 W. Irving Park

Rendering of the 27-story senior housing component of the Immaculata site development
(Perkins Eastman, Level)

Just over a year ago, developers KGiles LLC and CA Ventures proposed a planned development that included rehabilitation of the former Immaculata High School building (1921) and construction of a tower of senior housing/memory care units on the existing parking lot. Buena Park Neighbors gave their feedback as well as the city's Department of Planning and the updated proposal is now available on Ald. Cappleman's development page.

Full details:

"KGiles, LLC and CA Ventures are proposing a Planned Development that includes the rehabilitation of the existing landmark buildings into 265 residential apartments, with all work being in accordance with the buildings landmark status. Additionally, they are proposing a new 27-story, plus penthouse building on the current surface lot with 230 senior units of which 60 units will be assisted living and 32 units will be for memory care. The new construction will also include 118 parking spaces."

Residential Development Proposed At 4447 N. Hazel

Longford's residential proposal for 4447 N. Hazel (SPACE Architects + Planners)

From Ald. Cappleman's development page:

Longford Construction is proposing to redevelop the lot where a current church is located on the southeast corner of Hazel and Sunnyside. The new construction would include a 32-unit, 5-story building with 16 parking spaces. To facilitate this project, the developer is requesting a Type-1 zoning change from the current RM-5 to a B2-3 Transit Served Location.

According to the developer's application, the development would include 10% affordable on-site units in exchange for the zoning change request. If no zoning change is granted, no affordable units would be required. The church that currently stands on the site is in housing court with the city due to code violations for deferred maintenance.

We've been told that the church congregation has grown very small over the last decade and thus couldn't afford the extensive repairs required. We believe the church congregation intends to use the proceeds from the sale to fund ongoing worship activities at a new church location.  

Our Lady of Lourdes Presents "Awakening"

Our Lady of Lourdes, 4640 N. Ashland, is presenting a free online concert to raise money for their soup kitchen entitled, "Awakening." The online concert will take place at 7PM on February 12 on the OLOL YouTube page.

The main event is Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 2 which will be played by Pastor Michael Shanahan.  There will also be a premiere of a new piece by Colombian composer Julian Molina Abad, composed to support the  “Awakening” theme of the program, performed by orchestral members who pre-recorded their respective parts to be mastered together by the conductor. 

There’s even a number performed with the music director of St. Agatha’s (west side) in a little tribute to Sam Cooke and his time spent as a member of The Soul Stirrers in the beginnings of his career.

OLOL felt it was important to continue on with the project despite the pandemic—the soup kitchen team of volunteers continued to safely provide meals for so many every week, even during the lockdown—they are truly some of the heroes among us. 

Again, this is a free concert for a great cause that helps OLOL serve some of the most vulnerable in our community.  They've already very nearly reached their goal of $50,000 and currently have a matching challenge for up to $2,500, which is incredibly exciting!

More details can be found on the Our Lady of Lourdes website.