Clark Street Protected Bike Lanes In Progress

Clark Street south of Montrose (Google)

 From Ald. Martin's newsletter:

CDOT’s contractor aims to start work...to construct a protected bike lane on Clark Street from Irving Park to Montrose. This work, which will involve the removal of parking along the cemetery, will create a curb-protected bike lane on the east side of Clark and parking-protected bike lane on the west side of Clark. It will also include several floating bus boarding islands, which will speed up bus speeds.

In related news:

Work will begin late next week on improvements to the intersection of Broadway and Winona, where a constituent was hit and killed by a driver earlier this year. The improvements will include a new refuge island in Broadway on the north leg of the intersection, curb extensions on the west side of the street, and a raised crosswalk across Winona west of Broadway. The bike lane on the west side will be raised up to sidewalk level for a stretch as well. I am thankful to Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth for her office’s collaboration on this safety project that straddles the boundary between our wards.

"Friends of Brennemann" Needs Your Support

If you would like to support one of Uptown's local schools, Brennemann Elementary (4251 N. Clarendon), "Friends of Brennemann" could use your support!

Friends of Brennemann (FOB) recently received their 501C-3 status and have begun actively fundraising for projects like an atrium renovation (see flyer below) which has been greatly supported by local Uptown business Terrace - Chicago at Wilson & Beacon. They are also helping to raise funds for student field trips and a renovation of the teacher's lounge. To get involved, please email FOB at friendsofbrennemann@gmail.com or visit their website.

Miss Catholic School? Our Lady of Lourdes to Become Apartments

4641 N. Ashland (Google)

The Our Lady of Lourdes school building at 4641 N. Ashland has been disused for many years now. Last home to the "Northwestern Institute of Health & Technology," the building was placed on the market by the Chicago Archdiocese for sale in April 2022.

We first learned that the building was under contract in late 2022 and can now reveal that Honore Properties is the new owner.

From what we know, the existing 20,000 sq ft. school building is being completely renovated into 42 new apartment units. Interior demolition has been ongoing since the first permits were issued in August.

4641 N. Ashland (view from Leland)

From what we hear, the existing parking lot (21,000 sq ft.) will be maintained for the time being as parking for the units. Potential expansion plans may follow in the future that could include one or more new buildings on the site. 

We at UU are all happy a vacant building will now be nice apartments overlooking Chase Park. We have also been keeping an eye on the conversion of the former Our Lady of Lourdes Convent at 4637 N. Ashland (below), which is mid-renovation as we write this. We are happy both properties will now be contributing to the tax rolls!

4637 N. Ashland

Uptown's "Coast" Reborn

We told you in August 2022 about the ICA "Coast" programming that led the Chicago Park District to rethink an area of Lincoln Park just north of Wilson and south of Lawrence. 

Ohio Spiderwort (Chicago Park District Uptown Natural Coastal Area Website)

Called the Uptown Coastal Natural Area, the ambitious plan sought to replace a long and underused stretch of grass with native plants more typical of the former coast line of Lake Michigan.

Now the Uptown Coastal Natural Area is open to the public. Go and enjoy, and please heed the request that visitors stay on the paths and be kind to the new seedlings as the plants continue to settle in.

Say Hello To 'Solverre' At 4600 N. Marine

We passed by 4600 N. Marine today and noticed a crane is removing the construction elevator on the southwest corner of the building. There is also advertising on the construction fencing with the building's new name, "Solverre."

This is another building that looks more impressive in person than the renderings. The glass really sets off the building, especially on a sunny day!

The website for the building is live and you can check it out here.  The pool looks really cool overlooking Lincoln Park!

You can also follow their Facebook page here.

We can't wait to welcome the building's 300+ new residents soon. This building is so much better than an underused parking lot and after all the drama leading up to it, well worth the wait!

"An Ode To Uptown" Sneakers Now Available in New Converse Collaboration

Eddie Oppong is a three-decade resident of Uptown and a sneaker designer who loves our amazing community.

He has created a capsule collection, "An Ode To Uptown," in conjunction with Converse, which are now available for purchase. This is Eddie's eleventh sneaker collaboration. (Sweatshirts, t-shirts and hoodies are also available.)

Check out the full collection here and purchase items here.

(Now that it's hoodie weather, we're definitely doing some shopping.)

Double Shooting On Argyle This Morning

Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth sent out a public safety announcement via email this afternoon:

"Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 — At approximately 11:12am, there was a shooting incident at 1055 W Argyle. One victim was shot in the foot and another victim was shot in the leg. 

Both victims self-transported to the hospital and are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Seven shell casings were found on the ground. The suspect fled on foot.

Our office takes Public Safety very seriously and is working closely with the 20th District Police Department. 

CPD will be filling the area with additional police presence for the next few days. If you have information about this incident, please contact Area 3 Detectives Violent Crimes Division at 312-744-8261."

Three Losses Followed By Three Gains in Sheridan Park

4642 N. Magnolia 

There are three developments in Sheridan Park that we have been keeping tabs on. We drove over this week to see how things are progressing.

We went by 4642 N. Magnolia first (above).  

The development looks much better than the rendering that was initially shared and we think it is a great addition to the 4600 block of Magnolia. Readers will recall this building replaces a beautiful lost single family home and an unsightly empty lot, and we are glad that we will finally see new neighbors. Seeing things in person, we are fans of the large windows and the balconies on the front of the building. We suspect the units will be filled with natural light and will rent quickly.

4607 N. Magnolia

Next, we went to 4607 N. Magnolia (above). You might recall the dilapidated home that stood here as the white house with a wraparound front porch that was sagging off the front. There was a proposal to save the old home by adding additional apartments behind the home while renovating the house, but it was turned down by the local Magnolia-Malden Block Club and the home was lost.

A new modern single family home is rising on the lot. We shared a rendering of the home back in May 2022. It looks like the structural construction is approaching the end, and interior construction will follow as the weather gets worse.

4706 N. Malden

After a stop at Elevate Coffee at Wilson and Beacon (really good), we then headed slightly north to 4706 N. Malden.

This was the site of another beautiful Victorian home that was severely neglected and fell into total disrepair. 

With little notice, the buyers demolished the old home and built this new building in its place. The building appears to have 5 to 7 units and is similar in appearance to 4642 N. Magnolia but with grey brick. From the outside, it appears crews are wrapping up exterior work and the building should be welcoming new residents next year. 

To complete our tour of Sheridan Park, we looked at the other remaining projects started under Alderman Cappleman: 4701 N. Clark and the 5 story development to the corner of Wilson and Dover (the "Happy Wash" building). Both are awaiting final permits and little to no progress has been made on either site. 

Since we love our tours to update our readers, we look forward to reporting on all of these buildings soon!