Valentine's Day Massacre 10 Rap Battle Returns at the Uptown Taproom

Get your tickets now!

On Saturday, March 9th, NoCoastRaps is back with the tenth edition of its premier event series, Valentine's Day Massacre 10, featuring a cappella rap battles at Uptown Taproom in Chicago.

The headlining rap battle will feature Carter Deems from VH1's Wild n Out series.

Tickets are $15 and are available here.

You can read more about it at the Facebook page here.

The Uptown Taproom is located at 1265 West Wilson.

936-940 West Leland, Dormant Lots For Years, Now Has a Proposal

We've been watching the empty lots at 936-940 West Leland (just east of Sheridan) for many years now, hoping for a residential building to replace a weed- and garbage-strewn eyesore.

A developer bought the three adjoining city lots in late 2017 for $850,000. After a few false starts behind the scenes, the owner has finally put forth a proposal to redevelop the land into market-rate housing.

The lots are currently zoned RT-4, which allows a 38-foot maximum height. The developer has applied for a zoning change to B2-3 to allow the construction of a five-story, 30-unit residential building comprised of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. 

With the zoning change, affordable units would be required and the developer is proposing three on-site to satisfy the statute's requirements. A roof deck is included in the proposal.

Alderwoman Clay's zoning and development page reports proposed rental prices would range from $1,750 to $4,000. The proposal calls for six parking spaces and 35 bicycle spots.

Here at UU HQ, we think it's a pretty good-looking building, and most importantly it fills in a couple of long-dormant lots. We hope Alderwoman Clay grants the zoning change. If the change is not granted, the developer could build "by right" and would not be required to provide affordable units. With the zoning change requested, Ald. Clay can request the developer change things like the color of facade in addition to being required to provide the very important affordable on-site units.

Uptown Church Raises Issues With Proposed Shelter Opening In Its Building

photo courtesy Uptown Church Facebook page

We've been hearing a lot of questions lately asking what's up with the CCO proposal to open its fourth homeless shelter at Clifton and Wilson.

Ald. Clay has said she's still in the information-gathering stage about whether or not to approve the necessary special use permit, and will announce her decision before the February 13th purchase deadline. The seller is Cedar St./FLATS.

Uptown Church, an existing tenant of the building (other retail tenants include 2 Bears Tavern and  Downstate Donuts), has put out a carefully reasoned statement asking for clarification about several aspects of the plan.

While repeatedly stressing that the church is in favor of providing housing for vulnerable individuals, Uptown Church brings to light several issues with the plan as proposed that would make it very difficult for it to continue to operate. It expresses particular concerns that the alterations to its leased space might even put Uptown Church in violation of its own special use permit:

• ADA Accessibility. "We would need concrete guarantees and detailed plans that ensure our ADA accessibility is never compromised ... To remove ADA accessibility from Uptown Church could make it illegal for us to use our leased space as a church."
• Special Use Permit. "We have concerns that our special use permit might come into question. To put this concern to rest, we would need absolute assurance from the city of Chicago and the Zoning Board of Appeals (in writing) that any/all of the construction or proposed and actual changes to the building will not violate or compromise our current special use permit in any way."
• Shelter Elevator Would Take Space Away From Church Sanctuary. "Locating the elevator in our sanctuary compromises the layout and use of the space far too negatively for us. Based upon the layout of the room, the size of the space, and the proposed location of the elevator, the end result is too intrusive and alters the overall use and functionality of the auditorium to far too great an extent."
  
• Elevator Would Reduce Capacity Of Church. "We have concerns it is going to noticeably reduce our square footage, thereby considerably affecting the number of people that can gather for worship in our space. ... The proposed plan takes away too much vital and central square footage from our sanctuary."
• Additional Noise Issues. "We have concerns as we anticipate the amount of increased sound and noise disruption that will result from an elevator operating directly in our leased space or right next to it. To put this concern to rest, we would need to see detailed plans/solutions that can guarantee a level of sound mitigation that would allow our church to continue to engage in sacred, spiritual practices without increasing the level of noise and sound disruptions we are already accommodating in a mixed-use building."

The church's full prepared statement can be read here.

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If you'd like to give feedback to Ald. Clay, you still can. In her newsletter, she says:

"Thank you to all who attended the community meeting about Cornerstone’s proposal for a non-congregate men’s shelter at 1140 W. Wilson. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here. As our office is still in the decision-making process for this proposal we have updated the FAQ to reflect additional questions that were raised by attendees. The FAQ can be viewed here.

If you have additional questions about the proposal, please reach out to our office at 773-848-4646 or info@46thward.com. If you were not able to fill out the survey or join the community meeting, and you would like to share your comments or position on the proposal, please reach out to our office. 

Alderwoman Clay will make a decision based on the community feedback we received via the survey, the community meeting held on 1/8, and other outreach including meetings with local businesses, block clubs, and stakeholders groups."

Double Door's $7.5M Building Permit Finally Issued

Barker Nestor

After sharing on their Facebook page last month that "it happens when it happens" regarding the city issuing their building permit, the Double Door's wish has finally been granted!

Double Door just received their building permit for a $7,500,000 renovation to the former Wilson Avenue Theater building at 1050 W. Wilson. You might recall we broke this story back in December 2018 so this has been a long time coming! We are so thankful the owners hung in there to navigate all of the twists and turns in dealing with the city's Landmark Department and now most recently, the department of buildings.

For more details on what to expect with exterior changes, check out this Urbanize Chicago post.

Congratulations!

Yet Another Fire In The Tents Under The Viaducts

We've said it many times before: Unless someone from the city steps up to enforce the law prohibiting fires and incendiary devices in the tents under the viaducts, there is going to be a tragedy involving loss of life that no one wants to see happen.

And yet ... we see wannabe do-gooders providing flame heaters to those living there in highly flammable tents. We see open-flame cooking going on in the viaducts on a weekly basis.

We're not alone. So does the city. Make no mistake, the people who can stop this see what's going on and have chosen to turn a blind eye.

No one wants to be the bad guy who "persecutes" the unhoused population living there.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, there was a fire there. This time, it was under the Wilson viaduct, on the south side. Tents and belongings are charred and strewn all over the sidewalk and bike paths. At least this time it looks like just a couple tents full of people's belongings were incinerated.

With the arrival of cold weather and more tents crowded next to each other under the viaducts, the risk of a fire rapidly spreading from one tent to another becomes more likely. And so does the risk of loss of life.

We've posted many times about the risks that are present when fires are allowed in a place full of flammable tents filled with vulnerable people. But somehow, no one who could stop it has done so.

Alderwomen Clay and Manaa-Hoppenworth, how many lives lost will it take for you to urge the city to enforce the laws in your wards?

Ignoring the situation is not compassionate. It is setting the scene for a tragedy.

"It's A Major Award!" - Uptown United Receives Grant To Host a Weekly Indoor Market On Wilson Avenue

Uptown United has been selected as one of 15 recipients of grants from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) as part of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program.

According to a statement put out by the city:

"The selected organizations, known as “grantees,” will work with small business owners and landlords to provide rapid relief to small businesses by activating vacant storefronts into burgeoning business spaces. The grantees will work to transform commercial corridors citywide, from the renowned Michigan Avenue to corridors in Pilsen, Humboldt Park, Uptown, and Chatham.  Full program details can be found by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan."

Sarah Wilson, the executive director of Uptown United, says:

"The 2023 Storefront Activation Program will enable Uptown United to lease a long-vacant storefront on Wilson Avenue and host a weekly indoor market in 2024. Many vendors will come from the Chicago Market’s Uptown Farmers Market during the winter months and makers and additional vendors in the summer and fall months. 

"The 2023 Storefront Activation Program will allow us to educate and incubate local food producers and new ideas. Cross-promotion with the Uptown Farmers Market will encourage foot traffic along the Wilson Avenue Commercial corridor, supporting both the pop-up vendors and existing bars, restaurants, and other businesses."

Congratulations, and well done, Uptown United!