Lawrence Closed to Vehicular Traffic East of Broadway Until Monday Morning

Welp, the CTA work on the Red/Purple Line Modernization Project has reached Uptown.

Starting late Friday night, and going until 5am on Monday, August 1st, workers will be drilling around the clock to make way for the new track infrastructure.

According to the CTA, this is what to expect:

• West Lawrence Avenue between the CTA tracks and North Winthrop Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic.
• West Lawrence Avenue between Broadway and the CTA tracks will be local traffic only.
• The sidewalk on the north side of West Lawrence Avenue within the work zone will be closed at all times.
• The sidewalk on the south side of West Lawrence Avenue will remain open at all times.
• Residents north of West Lawrence Avenue will need to access the alley via West Ainslie Street.
• Access to businesses on West Lawrence Avenue will be maintained.
• There will be noise while work is being performed, including nighttime noise:
• General construction noise
• Noise and vibration from drilling and hauling material
• Beeping from backup alarms on equipment and vehicles
• Flagging horns

Save The Date (August 6th) For The Sheridan Park Community Yard Sale! (And How To Be A Seller)

Save the date: Saturday, August 6th!

As has happened on the first Saturday or August for many decades, the residents of Sheridan Park will be holding their community yard sale on August 6, with Sunday, August 7th as a rain date.

Buyers: Magnolia Malden Neighbors usually releases a list and/or map of addresses with residents who are selling a day or two before the sale, so we'll post that when we get it. 

Sellers: You must live in the area between Montrose to Lawrence, and Broadway to Clark, and sell in front of your home. You must sign up (name, address, email) by emailing mm.blockclub@gmail.com. There is no need for a Yard Sale Permit -- there is one umbrella permit that covers all sellers who have signed up.

The Facebook Event Page is here.

"Chicago Fire" Will Be Filming In Uptown (Parking Restrictions Begin Friday, July 22nd)

De-Clutter Your Books (and CDs and DVDs, Too)

Friends of Bezazian branch library is collecting all types of books, plus CDs and DVDs, for our big autumn book sale. Collection days are:

• Saturday, July 30, 10:00 - noon
• Saturday, August 27, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

at Bezazian library, 1226 W. Ainslie (at Magnolia).

Books your kids have outgrown? Cookbooks you'll never use? Old textbooks? Whodunits that you've already solved? We accept all of them.

Help keep books out of landfills and support the public library at the same time!

Friends of Bezazian is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports programs and services at the Bezazian Branch of the Chicago Public Library

Veterans Now Can Get City Stickers At No Cost

If you're a veteran with a veteran's designation on your driver's license or state ID, you may now get a City Sticker at no cost, City Clerk Anna Valencia announced Wednesday. This includes eligible small trucks and making this a permanent city sticker option.

While veterans will not have to pay for a city sticker, they will still have to pay $25 for any zone parking they want to add.

Residents can purchase a No Fee Veterans City Sticker by visiting one of the three City Clerk office locations or at any Mobile City Hall.*

* There will be a Mobile City Halls will be at Welles Park (2333 W Sunnyside) on Wednesday, July 27th, 4pm-7pm.

City Council Okays Funding For "Sarah's On Lakeside" Supportive Housing

Wednesday was a big day for Sarah's Circle (and other affordable housing developments around the city):

"City Council passed a measure today paving the way for 28 permanent affordable studio apartments for very low and extremely low-income individuals who are homeless or chronically homeless in the Uptown community. 

Sarah’s on Lakeside will be the third supporting housing development from Sarah’s Circle. Rents will be subsidized through a combination of project rental assistance provided by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and HUD’s Continuum of Care subsidies.

Fifty percent (14) of the units will be targeted to residents earning no more than 30% of the area median income (AMI), and 50% (14) will be targeted to residents earning no more than 60% of AMI. All residents will have access to supportive services at Sarah’s Circle Support Center. In addition to meals, the Center will provide case management services, educational programming, and clinical services. Residents will have access to shared laundry facilities, multipurpose rooms, a shared computer lab, group dining, and social services.

Total development costs are approximately $15.4 million, and the City will provide up to $3.5 million in Multi-Family Loan Funds, $3.1 million in Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO) “In lieu of” funds ,and $1.5 million in Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit proceeds (Donation Tax Credits). 

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will provide $6 million in Supportive Housing Funds, and Sarah’s Circle will provide a capital contribution of $1.9 million. The ARO “in lieu of” funds will be derived from a market-rate development to be erected at 4600 North Marine Drive. In lieu of providing 25% affordable units in their market-rate development, developer Lincoln Properties will donate $3.1 million, which will go to Sarah’s Circle to assist with the costs of erecting the 28 affordable housing units at Sarah’s on Lakeside.

Sarah’s Circle was founded in the late 1970s, and its mission is to provide a refuge for women who are homeless or in need of a safe space by providing housing assistance, case management, referral services, and life necessities. Since opening its doors, Sarah’s Circle has helped to place over 700 women in permanent housing, and on a day-to-day basis, serves 100s of individuals with their comprehensive supportive service programs such as meals, case management, clinical services, general education, and referral services."

The new building at Sheridan/Lakeside will be Sarah's Circle third building in a three-block area. It also owns buildings that provide low-income housing to women in need at Sheridan/Leland and Sheridan/Gunnison, as well as renting space for shelter beds in the ICA Greenrise Building (Sheridan/Lawrence).

In other housing news, the City Council also approved these projects:

• Austin: New construction of a 76-unit mixed income building (53 affordable, 23 market rate)
• Near West Side: Funding was approved for the next phase of the redevelopment of the ABLA Homes, which will eventually create 2,441 units of mixed-income housing
• Auburn Gresham: Funding was approved for the creation of 58 new affordable rental units
• Little Village: Approval of funding to rehabilitate 272 units of housing, 251 of which are deemed affordable.

Busy Week At Buttercup Park!

Summer is in full swing at beautiful Buttercup Park, located at 4901 North Sheridan.

This week's activities include:

• Wednesday, July 20:
  CAPS Night Out 5-7pm
  Presented by 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman
• Thursday, July 21:
  Concert in the Park featuring Windy City Winds, 7pm
• Sunday, July 24:
  Martinis That Matter 2-5pm
  Marty’s Martini Bar (1511 W Balmoral)
  Fundraiser to support the all volunteer driven programming at Buttercup Park

Wilco Founder Jeff Tweedy Appearing With Musicians From The People's Music School In Millennium Park

So what are you doing Thursday night?

You could go home. 

OR... you could stop downtown at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park and enjoy a free concert by Wilco founder Jeff Tweedy and performers from Uptown's own People's Music School.

Per a statement from TPMS:

"Students from The People’s Music School will join Tweedy for a performance of one of his hit songs, specially arranged by Felipe Tobar, Professional Development Coordinator at TPMS.  The concert will open with a short set from The People’s Music School, showcasing a guitar trio and a woodwind quintet, each composed of students from People’s advanced music program, Service, Leadership, Artistry, and Mentorship (SLAM). A jazz ensemble made up of professionally trained faculty from The People’s Music School will round out the opening set. 

The People’s Music School students will be in the company of many talented Chicago musicians during the concert. Making up Tweedy’s band is: James Elkington on guitar, Sima Cunningham on backing vocals, Macie Stewart on violin and backing vocals, and Liam Kazar on bass. Also in the band are Tweedy’s sons, Spencer on drums and Sammy on backing vocals."

The People's Music School has been in Uptown since 1976, and provides tuition-free music education to underserved students, not only in our area, but also in Albany Park, Back of the Yards, and Greater South Side communities.

Uptown Scores Big In Latest Round of Community Development Grants Awarded by City

On Monday, Mayor Lightfoot announced the awarding of nearly $50million in Community Development Grants to 79 businesses, intended to "enhance the vitality and livability of local neighborhoods."

While the vast majority went to businesses on the South and West Side, Uptown was very well represented this round, and we'll be seeing the difference the grants made right at the corner of Wilson and Broadway, and elsewhere.

The grants went to (in alphabetical order):

• Chicago Market, 4620 North Broadway: $5,200,000. In a mailing and on its website, Chicago Market explains the steps that will come next, first securing a bank loan using the grant as collateral. And then it answers the question on all our minds:
  
  "And when will our store be open? Once we close on the bank loan, we expect to begin store construction by the end of the year. Our permitting and construction timeline is about 9+ months, so we expect to be open by mid-late 2023.
  
  Speaking of 2023, it turns out that is the 100 year anniversary of our beautiful home, the Gerber building! So together we'll celebrate Gerber's 100th as our Co-op celebrates Day One.
  
  A few thank you's are in order. First, we have to thank each and every one of you - the Chicago Market Owners! Without you, this project would never have seen the light of day. This is, and will always be, your Market.
  
  Beyond that, we Owners all owe a great debt of gratitude to Alderman James Cappleman for his tireless support of our business for so many years — as an Owner, as an investor, and as a City advocate. Always at our side too has been the Uptown Chamber of Commerce — the whole team there now, including executive director Sarah Wilson, but also special thanks to past director Martin Sorge who advocated for us so much in the early years. We're also pleased to have the ongoing support of Alderman Harry Osterman — though we're not in his Ward, he does love good food in Uptown!
  
  And lastly, thanks to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for welcoming us into their building and encouraging and supporting us through the process."

• CircEsteem, 4730 North Sheridan: $3,697,925. According to CircEsteem's Facebook page, the money will go to customize its building, the former Lakeside Theater, which it recently acquired ownership of from Alternatives.
  
  "We’ve engaged the wonderful support of Juan Moreno and his team at JGMA Architects to design a building that will put our best foot forward and enable us to better serve thousands of youth for years to come. We will officially become owners of the building in mid-August, and plan to begin renovations in the beginning of 2023. Stay tuned for opportunities to contribute to the design development and for updates on where our programs will be temporarily hosted as we prepare for a new chapter of home ownership at CircEsteem.
  
  As the Executive Director of CircEsteem, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to the City of Chicago – Government, Chicago Mayor's Office, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman, the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development, and all the other public officials who have deemed our project worthy of such an incredible award. And on behalf of CircEsteem’s youth, staff, board of directors and greater community throughout Chicago, thank you for your continued support.
  
  We can’t wait to welcome you into our new home next year!"
• Marina's Cafe and Rum Bar, 4554 North Magnolia: $135,525. Marina's is due to open in September, and will offer a fusion of Puerto Rican and Latin American cuisine. It's currently open as a catering operation.
• People's Music School, 931 West Eastwood: $90,750. The school has provided tuition-free musical instruction to young people since 1976, and has recently opened satellite programs in other areas aside from Uptown.
  
  On its Twitter page, it says: "The People’s Music School is a proud @chicagodpd Chicago Recovery Plan finalist! We’re honored to have been chosen from among 600 applicants and are excited to be at today’s press conference. The grant will fund the restoration of the Rita Simó Roof Deck at Uptown Academy!"

A complete list of the grants awarded is here. We are so grateful that our little part of the city has been so enriched!

The deadline to apply for a third and final round of grants in 2022 is August 19. For more information, click here.

Mark Your Calendars For the 40th Annual Graceland West Garden Walk

Those irrepressible gardeners in Graceland West are at it again! They will be presenting their 40th annual self-guided Garden Walk on Sunday, August 7th, 2pm to 6pm.

If you'd like to volunteer to help, or have your garden join the tour, email info@gracelandwest.org.

Check closer to the date for a map of the tour, available at Graceland West's website and at 1460 West Belle Plaine.

Filming, Parking Restrictions Around Lawrence/Broadway Area Monday and Tuesday

The FX limited series Justified: City Primeval, starring Timothy Olyphant and featuring Ravi Patel, will be filming Monday in the area of Lawrence and Broadway starting Monday morning. It's a sequel to Justified, which ended seven seasons ago.

Due to filming, there will be no parking from 9am Monday until 2am Tuesday:

• The north side of Lawrence between Clark and 1118 Lawrence (the Red Line tracks)
• The south side of Lawrence between Broadway and Magnolia
• The west side of Broadway between Gunnison and 4718 Broadway (Huntington Bank)

Vehicles will be towed if they are still in place when filming begins, so move them -- the earlier the better.

Location managers are working closely with the Chicago Film Office (312-744-6415) and the Chicago Police Department to ensure a safe and positive filming experience. If you have any questions, concerns or special needs regarding parking during filming, please contact location managers Stefan Nikolov at 773-616-0007 or Amanda Nye at 312-343-1874.

Mobile City Hall At Welles Park On The Evening of July 27

From Ald. Martin's newsletter:

"We're partnering with the City Clerk's office, city departments and sister agencies to bring City Hall's services to you. 

Join us from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 at Welles Park, 2333 W Sunnyside, for Mobile City Hall!  

At Mobile City Hall events, residents can purchase city vehicle stickers and residential parking permits, apply for a a CityKey ID, purchase dog licenses and more. In addition, the Cook County Assessor's office will be on hand to help residents identify if they're missing property tax exemptions."

Ald. Osterman: I'm Not Running For A Fourth Term In 2023

From Ald. Harry Osterman's Friday newsletter:

"Dear Neighbors,

Today, I would like to share some news with you. 

For the last 22 years, I have had the distinct honor and privilege to serve our diverse and phenomenal communities of Edgewater, Andersonville and Uptown in public office, first as State Representative of the 14th District, and for over the last 11 years, as Alderman of the 48th Ward. I have decided that I will not be seeking a fourth term as Alderman of the 48th Ward in next year’s municipal election. As someone who deeply loves this community this was not an easy decision. However, I feel that the time is right to make this transition. I will continue to serve and work on behalf of our community as Alderman for the remainder of my term, which will end next May.

Thank you for the support you have shown me throughout the years. I want to thank you for your input, ideas, feedback, participation, engagement, hello’s and questions on the street, and deep commitment to our community that has guided me in the work that I have done and decisions I have made as your Alderman.

I make this announcement with confidence of the path we are on as a community. Over the last decade, we have moved our community forward in positive and transformative ways. Together, we have improved safety in our community, invested in our local schools - including our four incredible public elementary schools and Senn High School - expanded park programs and options for our youth, supported our local businesses and added many new businesses throughout the neighborhood, transformed our infrastructure to serve future generations, expanded the arts and theater community, and cared for and supported each other as neighbors, helping us navigate a pandemic. 

The new Metra station and the CTA RPM project when completed will give our community vastly improved public transportation options. This important work was done in collaboration with you, fellow neighbors, block clubs, chambers of commerce, community organizations, and my local elected colleagues.

I will use the remainder of this term to continue the critical work we have started, including bringing pedestrian and safety improvements along Broadway, moving forward with the development of the Bickerdike 100% affordable building on Broadway, and bringing new businesses and increased safety along Bryn Mawr. On the citywide level, this will include ensuring the establishment of the urgently needed Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability.

I make this announcement at this time to enable those who want to step forward and lead our community the time to prepare to seek your support. You will decide who our next Alderperson will be and that person will have my full support for a seamless transition. The success I have had as Alderman was built on the foundation of three amazing women who preceded me: Marion Volini, my mother Kathy Osterman and Mary Ann Smith. For 44 years, the 48th Ward has had community minded, result-oriented, independent leaders serving as Alderman, which has served our community well. I am proud to have done my part to serve our community and move it forward. Now is the time for others to step forward and take on the responsibility to lead our community.

I want to thank the many volunteers, interns and staff who have worked with me throughout the years, including my staff: PC Gooden-Smiley, Ginger Williams, Jerry Goodman, Emily Volini, Adam Glueckert, Olivia Simon, and Alan Oviedo. I have been very fortunate to have Dan Luna as my Chief of Staff and Conrad Suerth as our Ward Superintendent. They are the best in the City at what they do and each day they go above and beyond to serve you and our community.

I want to thank my wife Peggy and kids Jack, Harry and Katie for their love and support, which allow me to do the job I love.

As a lifelong resident of Edgewater who grew up on Rosedale, lived in Andersonville, and raised a family in Edgewater Glen, I want to thank you again for giving me the opportunity to serve our community as your Alderman. My lifelong pride for and service to this community and the City of Chicago will remain strong and steadfast.

Sincerely,

Harry Osterman
Alderman, 48th Ward"

UU Note: Coming on the heels of Ald. Cappleman's announcement that he is retiring, this is starting to remind us of the election of 2011, which took place all three long-established Uptown aldermen had announced their retirements: Helen Shiller (46th), Gene Schulter (47th), and Mary Ann Smith (48th). Gonna be an exciting election season! Petitions for candidates to get on the ballot begin circulating in September.

'Movies in the Park' at Buttercup Park Kicks Off July 16

For more info on events planned this summer, visit the Buttercup Park Advisory Council Facebook page here.

Summer Events For Seniors In 19th District

 

Ald. Cappleman: I'm Not Running For A Fourth Term In 2023

From Ald. Cappleman's newsletter, sent out this morning:

"Dear Neighbor,

It is with mixed feelings that I am announcing I will retire after the end of my term in May 2023. Being the 46th Ward Alderman has been an incredible experience for me and it’s something I will always treasure. I ran for Alderman to interrupt the trajectory of the ward because our community demanded more. 

From my work with many of you, we surpassed many people’s dreams for this ward’s improvement. I feel fortunate to be doing work that I enjoy every day, but I also know it feels right for me to move on to another adventure with the assurance that our community is now in a good place to keep moving forward to accomplish more.

From the very beginning, my goal was to help make this ward become a place where any mother with a young child would feel comfortable walking down any street in the ward. When I was elected in 2011, the 46th Ward was plagued with gang conflicts and early on in my first term, 10 people were shot within a span of 6 weeks. 

It was then that I started a safety task force made up of CPD, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, local businesses, the chamber, and dedicated residents. It was our work together that helped violent crime begin its descent to today’s dramatic lows. A few years ago, I heard from a young mom who told me for the first time ever, she finally felt safe walking her kids to school. It was a major milestone!

In those early days, people were frustrated about the horrible condition of the Wilson CTA Station and there were discussions about the need to demolish the historic Gerber Building on the 4600 block of N. Broadway given the extensive costs to repair it. Through my work with others, the CTA station is one of the best in Chicago, and the historic Gerber building is now utilized as Chicago Market's Community Co-op, a prime example of our reinvigorated business community and diversified commercial storefronts and entertainment district. 

While other wards have struggled to keep affordable housing, the 46th Ward gained, with two more 100% affordable residential buildings starting construction this year. Dilapidated buildings have become restored historic structures and vacant lots have new residential developments that offer a wide range of rents, including affordable housing. Our Entertainment District has blossomed in ways we never imagined, and more is coming our way. 

Residents are now able to access the best of housing, entertainment, dining, and shopping throughout the ward. Others outside the 46th Ward have also recognized the incredible turn around, including TimeOut Magazine when they named Uptown as the 24th coolest community on the planet back in October 2020. While teaming up with many of you, we have accomplished more in the last decade than I ever thought possible. For that, I am truly thankful!

Please know that my staff and I are still here to support you until my last day in office. Later this summer, there will be some exciting announcements about more plans for the 46th Ward. This means I will have to work double time to get these final commitments done, but again, it’s the help that I get from so many of you that will make it possible. 

As for the future, my husband Richard and I have no plans to leave this community when I retire. We will do what we’ve always done since we met one another over 30 years ago; we will keep giving our time to endeavors that will make our planet better for everyone.

The work isn't done: let's continue to work together for all our neighbors in the 46th Ward and beyond! 

My best to all of you!

James"

* For those wondering about the graphic, it's a companion piece to the graphic in our 2010 post about former alderman Helen Shiller telling the Sun-Times -- not her constituents -- that she'd be hanging it up after her term ended. Grease is the word, y'all.

Chase Park Pool Opens Today, But Other Park District Pools Are Slim Pickin's

Beginning today, you can get a break from the heat at the Chase Park outdoor pool (located on Ashland between Lawrence and Leland). The schedule for July 5 to August 13 is here, along with the pool rules.

But the Park District says that, due to a lack of qualified lifeguards, many of the city pools won't be open this summer. Uptown's other options -- Gill Park, Uplift HS, Amundsen HS, and Welles Park -- are closed. A map of all the pools is here.

If you'd like to apply for a lifeguard position, there's a $600 incentive bonus. Apply here.

And there's always Lake Michigan!

Grande, Venti.... Vamoose

Sad news for those of us who are addicted to our morning triple venti, half sweet, non-fat Caramel Macchiatos.

As of a few days ago, the Starbucks at Lawrence and Broadway closed, and the sign on the door says it's permanent.

We've reached out to Cedar Street to get more information, and will update as soon as we hear.

In the meantime, you can go to the Starbucks at Target (Broadway/Sunnyside) or at 5244 Broadway (at Berwyn).

Or, give a nearby local provider your patronage. We suggest:

• Heritage Outpost (in Lawrence House, a block and a half east of Lawrence and Broadway)
• Queen Sheba Ethiopian Coffee, 4851 N Broadway, a block north, in Sun Plaza Mall

Development Update - Small Projects Edition

Sometimes we here at UU get caught up in covering the big projects, and smaller ones get short shrift. Our northernmost editor insisted we cover these two projects in the northern half of Uptown.

The first is the new condo building at 1462 W. Winnemac. Developed by Star Properties Corporation, this good looking new building replaces a little cottage style home:

Google Streetview

While we are very much in favor of preservation, there is no doubt that the additional density at this prime location makes perfect sense. Here's a look at the building today:

Uptown Update

The second is a gut rehab of 1218-1222 W. Winnemac. Sold for $1,625,000 in 2021, this vintage apartment building is undergoing a needed full rehab. While painting over brick is a bit questionable, it certainly looks more modern and makes the building stand out in a block of similar buildings. The rehab is by a private owner.

Uptown Update

Finally, a bit south on Winthrop, a perpetually empty lot is finally rising. 4725 N. Winthrop, which looked like this for over 30 years:

Google Streetview

was bought in 2021 and now looks like this:

Uptown Update

All good things, and we welcome all the new neighbors to come!