JASC Announces Move To West Ridge In 2023 After Selling Its Clark Street Building/Parking Lot

image courtesy of LoopNet

As Uptown Update posted in October, the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) has sold its very large building at 4427 North Clark Street to the people who run Black Ensemble Theater, right across the street.

We said at the time, "JASC is going to stay on site as a tenant until mid-to-late 2023 as the board of directors searches for a new home."

Today in its holiday email, JASC made it official: It has found a more modern building to be its new home, where it will continue to do all the good things it does now.

"We are very grateful for the support the community has provided this year and excited about JASC's future new home at 5700 N. Lincoln Avenue. You will be hearing details about our plans for this new space and the timing of our move over the coming year.

In the meantime, 

• We remain committed to providing the outstanding care that our Adult Day Services and Home Support Services programs have consistently delivered. 
• We will continue to expand our cultural and community programming. 
• Our Legacy Center will continue collecting oral histories, maintaining a publicly available archive, and offering educational opportunities and tools.

We hope you share your enthusiasm for what lies ahead for the JASC for the coming year and if you haven't already made a year end gift we hope you will consider providing one now."

JASC's eventual new home is in the West Ridge neighborhood, near Hollywood and California. It's known as the US Bank Building, and was built in 1982 and rehabbed in 2010.

JASC was founded in 1946 to serve the 20,000 Japanese Americans who made their way to Chicago after losing everything -- property, homes, even family connections -- in the West Coast internment camps into which they were forced during WWII. It helped resettle them and provide them with a new normal. 

In the 76 years since, JASC has focused on social services and education, including its Legacy Center, "an archival collection of national importance that paints a powerful and complex portrait of the Japanese American community in Chicago."

The move won't be a quick one. As JASC says, stay tuned for more information in 2023.

46th Ward Year in Review - Many Highlights from 2022

Alderman Cappleman released his end of year recap of 46th Ward news this morning. Although it's worth reading the whole thing in detail, we thought we would summarize some of the highlights here:

Alderman Cappleman's introduction:

When I first entered office back in 2011, my goal was to make the 46th Ward a place where a young parent with their child would feel at ease walking on any street in their community. It was a big dream given that some parts of the Ward were in the 95th percentile for violent crime. Today, we're experiencing the lowest rate of violent crime in our Ward's history.

I know better than to take all the credit. It really goes to all of us working together. Crime goes down when the police, Cook County State's Attorney's Office, our local chambers, our area businesses, and most importantly, our residents are all working together.

When word got out that the 46th Ward was a great place to live, it became a sought after community. Two weeks ago, the headline from Block Club Chicago stated, "A Wave Of Construction Is Changing Uptown's Wilson Avenue. Here Are the 4 Projects Adding 650 Apartments" and no one, not even me, would have ever imagined such a thing just 10 years ago. 

Now, we're going full steam ahead with all types of projects and we are still experiencing very low vacancy rates. It certainly didn't come overnight, but nothing worthwhile happens that way. It was hard work. This newsletter includes a summary of all we accomplished this year.

Highlights: 

• The 46th Ward was the first ward in the City to partner with CDPH to provide Narcan to residents to combat the rise of Fentanyl in recreational drugs.

• With respect to homelessness, the 46th Ward was the only Ward (of 50) that used City of Chicago menu grants exclusively on addressing chronic homelessness, funding existing service providers. 

• Alderman Cappleman worked with City Council to expand funding for shelters and housing, increasing rapid rehousing units by 1200 in 2023 (an increase from 400 units in 2022) and ensuring official commitment to use the 7 principles outlined by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

• Courtenay School opened their new play space, enabled by TIF funds.

• Clarendon Park Community Center renovations began, using TIF funds and a contribution from the developer of 811 Uptown. The remaining half of the TIF went to homelessness programs.

• The Clarendon Park tennis courts on Montrose were scheduled for rehabilitation and repaving 

• The Uptown Coastal Natural Area project began this year at Wilson and  Marine

• The Winthrop Family Historical Garden was reconstructed and rededicated, honoring the legacy of the Winthrop ‘Family,’ a community of Black residents who fought racist segregation to make Uptown their home along the 4600 Block of Winthrop.

• The existing protected bike lanes along Broadway from Montrose to Wilson will transition to pre-cast concrete curb barriers to more effectively block vehicles and other obstructions.

• Nearly $10 million in Chicago Recovery Grant funds went to 46th Ward programs, including Chicago Market, CircEsteem, the People’s Music School, Marina’s Cafe and the Chicago Center for Photojournalism

With respect to development, Alderman Cappleman noted that ongoing and completed projects are bringing 2,093 new units to 21 different sites. 1,895 of those units are being built on property where no housing previously existed. 9 developments qualified for the Affordable Requirements Ordinance,  adding 120 onsite affordable units and in-lieu fees totaling $4.6M.

• Developments were completed at 4502-04 N. Beacon (former parking lot), 4533 N. Clark (former warehouse) and 4526 N. Sheridan (rehabilitated vintage building)

• Development projects are ongoing at 4611 N. Broadway (former 1 story retail), 4753 N. Broadway (former bank and offices), 4511 N. Clark (former 1 story retail), 4537 N. Clark (former 1 and 2 story retail), 4645 N. Clark (former 2 story retail), 3501 N. Halsted (Howard Brown Medical Center, replacing former 1 story retail), 4447 N. Hazel (replacing an abandoned church), 4600 N. Kenmore (former parking lot), 920 W. Lawrence (gut renovation of existing senior housing), 1039 W. Lawrence (gut renovation of a SRO property), 4600 N. Marine Drive (former parking lot), 4840 N. Marine (renovation of an existing hospital), and 4501 N. Sheridan (former 1 story strip mall and parking lot)

• Approved or in process projects at 640 W. Irving Park (renovating a disused school), 3636 N. Lake Shore Drive (empty lot), 4612-30 N. Malden (empty lots), 4102 N. Sheridan (former 1 story strip mall and parking lot) and 4701 N. Clark (former 1 story bank and parking lot) are expected to begin in 2023

• Fully affordable projects are underway at 835 W. Wilson (former empty lot, senior affordable) and scheduled at 4745 N. Sheridan (former parking lot, Sarah's Circle 3rd Building for residents <30% AMI) 

With respect to the entertainment district, financing is still in process for the Uptown Theatre, but the plan is to start rehab work before the TIF expires at the end of 2025. Additionally, 

• The Riviera is undergoing a total restoration, including new air conditioning 

• The Double Door renovation is beginning with plans to open up toward the end of 2023 

• The Aragon is undergoing a full exterior rehabilitation  

• The Preston Bradley Center is undergoing a privately funded full rehabilitation

Another very successful year for the 46th Ward and Uptown, and we thankful for all that Alderman Cappleman and his team do. 

We are also hopeful that the new 46th Ward alderman will continue to focus on continued growth of the Ward in 2023 and beyond.

UU

 

"East Wilson Avenue" Joins The Construction Boom

There's been a lot of new construction and new businesses on Wilson Avenue in the Sheridan Park and Wilson L areas, but it's getting really busy further east on Wilson, on the first couple blocks where housing is allowed to be established.

There were two large cranes in action on Tuesday afternoon, at 835 Wilson and Wilson/Clarendon.

What a change from just a couple weeks ago!

Stephens Commons, the all-affordable senior building at 835 Wilson, continues its very quick rise, with pre-cast concrete slabs being brought to the site and assembled there. It's starting to look a lot like the architectural rendering already! This building site has been vacant for decades, and is being partially financed with the help of Lake View Towers, the "Twin Towers" co-op immediately east of it.

Half a block east, 4600 Marine Drive is beginning to look a lot like a building site instead of a parking lot it was. A very large crane is on-site, and the first walls are beginning to go up.

The first of many, many walls to come.

On December 3rd, Weiss was acquired by Resilience Healthcare, which is owned by Manoj Prasad, who has a track record of turning around community hospitals and improving their financial and clinical operations. According to Crain's Chicago Business, Mr. Prasad "wants to expand services offered at the two hospitals and stabilize them after challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic."

We look forward to seeing these two underutilized lots become homes to more neighbors!

Uptown Taproom Opens Friday, December 16

Interior of Uptown Taproom, 1265 W. Wilson (provided by Uptown Taproom)

Since we first broke news that Uptown Taproom was coming to Uptown in April 2021, we have been watching the notorious former Godfather's Pizza space at 1265 W Wilson (at Malden), eagerly awaiting its rebirth.

The time has come! Uptown Taproom, a third neighborhood taproom from Uptowner Andrew Pillman, is set to open this Friday, December 16 at 1pm. This taproom will join two sibling taprooms, the well-established Lakeview Taproom and Lincoln Square Taproom.

Patrons can expect "hyper-local beers, appetizers, salads, tacos, and sandwiches" with a "neighborhood vibe." 

Be sure to join Uptown Taproom's first "Mug Club" and get one of 50 limited edition, handcrafted mugs to enjoy your delicious brew.

Follow Uptown Taproom's website and main Facebook page here to stay up to date on all of the specials and neighborhood happenings.

Welcome to Sheridan Park, Uptown Taproom!

Got Ideas to Replace One of Uptown's Ugliest Corners? Attend Uptown United's December 14th eTOD Meeting.

Wednesday, December 14, Uptown United and the 46th Ward office will host an open session to discuss site development in Uptown under the City's new eTOD ordinance.

The session will be by Zoom and takes place from 6pm to 8pm. 

Attendance is open to all and can be accessed at this link.

In particular, there is interest in the sites around the new Wilson CTA Station, including the, um, uninspired strip mall shown in the graphic above. 

Per their flyer, the Ward office and Uptown United want to hear from the community in shaping a vision for these sites, and the results of the study will be used to help with future development in Uptown.

If you are committed to continuing to improve Uptown for all, please plan to attend!

Entrepreneur, or Know One? Excellent Opportunity Available At 4437 N. Broadway

4437 N. Broadway (@properties listing)

One of Uptown's most interesting (and beautiful) buildings at 4437 N. Broadway is on the market for just under $750,000.

The building, which is just a block and a half south of the upcoming Double Door and a short walk from The Baton, Green Mill, the Riviera and the Aragon, comes complete with an existing restaurant / bar build-out. 

Old-timers might recall this space as several different restaurants and bars, most notably "The Spot," which was a real loss when it closed. It was later known as Decibel Bar (the current sign) and a few other names, all of which closed. 

The building was built in 1919 and was originally home to Skeeles Biddle & Rockefeller, undertakers, and J. Weinstein & Son, undertakers.  The faint outline of the word "CHAPEL" is still visible above the entrance.

This was on the market several years ago for a short time, but nothing came of the sale. The building was recently foreclosed on after multiple months of trying to locate the owners, leading to the current sale. 

According to the listing, the space has a full commercial kitchen with 2000 square feet on the first floor with an additional 2,000 square feet on the second floor. The Spot used the upstairs space for comedy and music shows. The basement features an additional 1350 square feet of storage space (or other, you decide!).

You can view the listing here. 

Be sure to pass this along to any entrepreneur you know! This is a beautiful building and a space we would love to see filled with a restaurant or bar!

 

Help Local Students Get Holiday Gifts This Year

The teachers and staff of Courtenay Language Arts Center, Sheridan Park's K-8 school, are trying to make sure that each of their students gets a gift this holiday season, and are asking for your help!

• You can take a look at the school's Amazon wishlist (here) and order from it, OR
• You can show up at My Buddy's (4416 N Clark) this Saturday between 2pm and 6pm and read through the students' requests, take a letter, and "adopt a student" for the holidays.

Sadly, the majority of students at Courtenay come from low-income families, and about a fifth are homeless. There's absolutely no guarantee that there will be gifts for them during the holiday season. If you would like to help the faculty and staff make a difference for their students, please reach out and help if you are able.

Thank you!