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Angela Clay (right) seen here at her campaign kick off event (Facebook) |
Monday, March 20, 2023
Crain's: Angela Clay Has An Outstanding $18,450 IRS Lien Against Her
Permits Pulled For 19 Story Development At 619 W. Waveland
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City Club Apartments at 3636 N. Lake Shore Drive |
A development that passed through city council in the summer of 2021 is finally ready to break ground.
Permits were just pulled on the 3636 N. Lake Shore Drive project from City Club Apartments. The project lists the 619 W. Waveland address. You might recall the project includes one 19 story building with 183 units. The 6 story building south of the midrise has not been permitted and that area will likely be used for staging during construction.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
46th Ward Aldermanic Run-Off Candidates Walz and Clay To Meet In Forum In Uptown On March 29th
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Kimberly Walz (left) and Angela Clay (right) |
From East Lake View Neighbors:
"East Lake View Neighbors 46th Ward Runoff Candidate Forum
East Lake View Neighbors will host a forum for the 46th Ward Alderperson Runoff Candidates on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 7:30pm to 9pm. in the lobby of Thorek Hospital, 850 West Irving Park Road.
This forum will be in-person. Please bring any questions that you wish to pose to the candidates. We look forward to seeing you then!"
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Crain's: Candidate Angela Clay Faces Questions Over PPP Loans Of Nearly $42,000
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"A candidate in the 46th Ward aldermanic runoff has filed a revised statement of economic interest with the Chicago Board of Ethics after Crain's asked why she apparently failed to disclose nearly $42,000 in federal Payroll Protection Program loans to a hair-products firm she owned.
In a letter yesterday to Ethics Board Chairman Steve Berlin, candidate Angela Clay said she inadvertently disclosed financials on one newly formed company that she said paid her $9,000 as president, Saij, when she should have listed another that was formed earlier in 2014, Pink Ribbon Hair...
Clay's campaign website makes no mention of the companies she ran or what income she derived from them, terming her a "community leader" who was the youngest president ever of nonprofit Voice of the People in Uptown."
"Bear" With Us -- "Sheldrake" Will Be Filming In Uptown On Wednesday
There will be filming taking place in the heart of Uptown tomorrow.
On Wednesday, March 15th, between 6am and 2pm, there will be no street parking allowed:
- On BOTH SIDES of Wilson between Sheridan and Broadway, and
- On the WEST SIDE of Sheridan between Wilson and Sunnyside
You may have never heard of Sheldrake, the TV show, and there's a good reason for that: it doesn't exist. It's the code name for another series you may be more familiar with: The Bear.
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Spring Forward On Sunday!

One less hour of sleep, always a lot of fun if you have a kid or pet who's firmly tied to a 24-hour schedule.
(photo from the JJ Sedelmaier Productions Collection, used with much appreciation)
Friday, March 10, 2023
Eight-Story Residential Set To Rise at 5035 N Sheridan
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5035 N. Sheridan from DLG Management (48th Ward Office) |
We told you back in August about the one story retail buildings spanning 5033-5045 N Sheridan selling for $2.6M, and now we know what to expect for the site.
Ald. Osterman's office just released a rendering showing the residential building with retail space that will rise eight stories on the NE corner of Sheridan and Carmen. A total of 77 residential units with 40 parking spaces is planned for the site, with demolition/construction slated to begin the week of March 13. The site is being developed "as-of-right" with no zoning change requested. There will be no affordable units.
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The current retail buildings at 5033-45 Sheridan (UU) |
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Run-Off Elections on April 4th Will Decide Chicago's Next Mayor, 46th & 48th Ward Aldermen
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Kim Walz will face Angela Clay |
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Joe Dunne will face Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth |
With so many candidates running, it's not a surprise that no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in many contests around the city, including the mayoral contest. Uptowners will go to the polls again on Tuesday, April 4th, to decide the winners of the 46th and 48th aldermanic races, as well as join the rest of the city in deciding on a new mayor.
Proposal To Convert 4655 N. Broadway To Residential Released
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4655 N. Broadway proposal, viewed from Leland side (Yu & Associates Collaborative) |
A proposal to convert a retail building to residential on the SE corner of Broadway and Leland has just been revealed on Ald. Cappleman's development page.
The current retail-only building at 4655 N. Broadway (home to Dalia Food Mart and the former 'Style House') has been on the market for a while now. Developer Wemi Properties LLC proposes adding a 3 story addition to the existing 2 story retail building.
In total, 24 units of housing would be created featuring a mix of two bedroom, one bedroom and studio units. The ground floor retail would be renovated and become 2 retail units. Similar to what we saw at Hack Haus to the south, the glass block windows on the second floor would also become actual windows. (Hooray!)
Because a zoning change from B3-2 to B2-5 is being requested as part of the proposed renovations, the city's affordable requirement ordinance kicks in, requiring 5 units designated as affordable. The site currently provides no market-rate or affordable housing, so this is a net gain.
Local block club Truman Square Neighbors as well as Uptown United will provide feedback to Ald. Cappleman. The project is under the $10 million dollar threshold, so it would not require consideration by the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee.
Uptown United is planning to work with the current retail owners on relocation during construction.
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The current view of 4655 N. Broadway (Google) |
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Clark Street Gem "Max's Place" to Continue Under New Ownership
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Max's Place at 4621 N. Clark (provided by Micah Hilgendorf) |
A classic Clark Street dive bar, Max's Place, is getting a second shot at life under new ownership.
It wasn't so long ago that Ed Warm bought Carol's Pub and invested even more in the interior and exterior of the bar, still keeping most of the "charm" neighbors had grown to love over the years. It has turned into a very popular spot for folks from all over.
Now, another often unnoticed bar on the same block of Clark is ready to do the same.
Micah Hilgendorf and his partner purchased Max's Place at 4621 N. Clark along with the building housing it. If you haven't been, Max's is a true Chicago dive bar, named for previous bar owner Maxine and featuring a group of "regulars," great drink deals, and dive bar ambiance for miles.
Mr. Hilgendorf plans an interior renovation that stays true to Max's dive bar roots while making the bar more welcoming from the exterior. Plumbing and electrical in the vintage building are being upgraded and the roof will be replaced once the weather cooperates. Expect facade repairs to begin soon.
If you are worried that the nostalgic Old Style sign will be removed, fear not! It has already been refurbished with more energy efficient LED bulbs and will be staying as a Fully Krausened beacon for all.
They plan to apply for a back patio license with lighting, landscaping and seating.
Finally, those of us who have enjoyed the Max's experience over the years will be happy to know that longtime bartender and soon to be great-grandmother Teresa is still bartending.
Hilgendorf recounts the first time he entered Max's:
"A bartender from The North End suggested I check out Max’s back in August. I’d driven past it hundreds of times and never noticed it. I stopped by that afternoon and instantly fell in love with the place. There was this gorgeous mahogany and stained glass art deco bar tucked inside, and a colorful collection of regulars. It was my 50th birthday, so I bought a beer and the customers and staff eagerly told me the history of the bar and neighborhood with all its ups and downs. I knew the building was in rough shape, worn and neglected, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities. We decided to buy the building and closed mid-December. I haven’t met Maxine, but after hearing the tales of her storied life at the bar I couldn’t change the name.
It’s going to stay Max’s Place, a neighborhood dive bar. It does need some updates and repairs but we’ve already made good headway with the sound, tv’s, and lighting."
Hilgendorf is no stranger to the Chicago bar scene. He, along with business partner Brett Swinson, own Atmosphere (5355 N. Clark) as well as The North End and The Lucky Horseshoe, both on Halsted.
Lots of changes on Clark, for sure, and this is a good one!
Sunday, February 12, 2023
We've Seen Enough - Uptown Update Endorses Kim Walz
Since filing date passed, we have watched every available forum, read the campaign literature, studied the candidates in detail. We have been impressed by several of the candidates, including Ms. Walz, Mr. Nagle, and Ms. Williams. We think that any of the three will make a good alderperson for the 46th Ward. But the one candidate that stood above the others (and garnered the most votes in our internal poll) was Ms. Walz.
Ms. Walz has received an impressive slate of endorsements from Governor Pritzker, Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Mike Quigley, Senator Sara Feigenholtz and State Representative Ann Williams, Alderman Tom Tunney, and others in local government. She is connected with the folks who make things happen, and as we have seen, that is important and often necessary in getting the 46th Ward (Uptown's largest) the funding and services needed. However, she also has an impressive interest in governmental reform, with a history of real world accomplishments in the ethics and budgetary realm..
Beyond her experience in government and connections, our editors believe that it is important to have a socially responsible and forward thinking candidate. It is clear Ms. Walz has the social and personal bona fides, espousing a bevy of good ideas coupled with a long history of real world work on social issues that affect the 46th Ward.
Of particular relevance to the 46th Ward, Ms. Walz knows the challenges of substance abuse and mental illness firsthand, with a close family member struggling with those challenges, and she knows the ins and outs of the system well. She has worked on extending health insurance to low-income working families and the uninsured as part of her work (in a high level position) in a non-profit health insurance co-op. She has been an active volunteer with the House of Good Shepherd (supporting mothers and children living at the shelter), serves on the board of Kids Above All, a non-profit helping children and families who have survived trauma, and is a member of the leadership council of the Haymarket Center, a group that helps individuals and families suffering from the effects of substance abuse and mental illness. And in her professional life, where she serves as a liason between Walgreens Corporation and local governments, she has a real life track record of work that helps advance public health, equity for people of color, non-English speakers, and the undocumented population.
What about the others? Patrick Nagle got one vote in our internal poll. We think that Mr. Nagle has good potential, a long track record of civic service, and would make a good alderman. Ms. Walz ultimately got more votes because our editors believe it is time for a female voice to lead the Ward.
Like Mr. Nagle, Ms. Williams received a single vote in our internal poll. She is an impressive candidate with an interesting background and some important endorsements. We expect that she would do well as Alderwoman even if we didn't end up voting for her.
Neither Marianne Lalonde nor Angela Clay garnered a vote in our internal poll. We still remain gobsmacked about how Ms. Lalonde conducted herself in the last campaign, including refusing to concede the election to James Cappleman. We expect that from candidates in the Republican party, but it was a petty move and provided a good window into Ms. Lalonde's psyche.
For her part, Ms. Clay has little track record and has bound herself closely to former Alderman Helen Shiller, who was on hand when Ms. Clay announced her candidacy. Ald. Shiller is effectively looking for someone to pass the baton. In our view, a vote for Ms. Clay is effectively a vote for Helen Shiller and her favorite organizations to regain power in the 46th Ward.
We have witnessed a neighborhood that has made tremendous strides in public safety and livability over the past 12 years under Alderman Cappleman. If you asked us what we expected to see in 2011 when he was sworn in for the first time, we were most hopeful for a change from a status quo that was willing to accept regular gang shootings and street crime as part of the "fabric" of the neighborhood. That change has happened, in large part, due to the work of police, the Alderman and his office, neighborhood groups, and Uptown's citizens, who have worked together to make Uptown a safe, clean and desirable location.
We started this blog in 2007 because we were sick of the way Uptown was in the thrall of special interests who had no interest in the neighborhood ever improving. The status quo (and worse) were acceptable, as was the loss of life and subhuman living conditions that accompanied it. We don't want to return to the way things were under Helen Shiller, which is what a vote for Ms. Clay (or Ms. Lalonde) would bring.
In 2007, we would have never envisioned an Uptown that now makes worldwide best neighborhood lists, and we want the neighborhood to continue to progress, rather than regress, over the next 4 years. Our editors think Kim Walz is the best choice to move the 46th ward forward, while ensuring no one gets left behind.
We encourage you to read more about her impressive resume at her website or in the Tribune's interview before you vote in the upcoming election.
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
After Years Of Neglect, 4745 N Beacon Purchased And Rehab Set To Begin
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4745 N. Beacon (NXT Realty) |
According to a post on its Instagram, NXT Realty announced they were thrilled to begin a complete renovation on this building. Building permits for the property mention removing non-load bearing walls, so expect a fresh and modern rehab.
We are thankful this building didn't meet the wrecking ball and look forward to welcoming new neighbors to Sheridan Park.
Maybe former 4745 Beacon resident Andy Thayer will move back into the rehabbed units?
"Happy Wash" Development To Be Built Without Zoning Change
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4555 N. Dover proposal for SE corner of Wilson & Dover (46th Ward Office) |
Third time's the charm for the former Happy Wash building at Wilson & Dover?
After two proposals were rejected by Dover Street Neighbors, the developer has chosen to build under the current zoning with only variances and a special use requested. You might recall that the first proposal was rejected by Dover Street Neighbors at 4 stories. A second proposal at 5 stories was also rejected. The developer has now reconfigured the proposal fitting it into the current B3-3 zoning and bypassing the sometimes tedious process of dealing with local block clubs.
The current proposal from developers Ayman Khalil and Kareem Musawwir calls for a 5 story building with 28 units and 25 parking spaces
Because the first and second proposals that required a zoning change were rejected and now the developer is building "as of right" the city's affordable requirement ordinance will not apply to this development.
According to "Unknown" (signed as Dover Street Neighbors President Scott Adams) there is already affordable housing on Dover. He commented on the second proposal on the Uptown Update blog.
"Many Dover homeowners also own rental property here and rent at rates far below what developers charge for newly built units. There’s emergency housing on Dover Street, and the “California Buildings”—comprising 96 units on Dover within a stone’s throw of the proposed development—also offer affordable workforce housing. Not every affordable apartment is government mandated, government supervised, or government subsidized."
That's good to know since Mr. Adams' decision to reject the two previous proposals means no additional affordable units will be provided by this new development.
Snarkiness aside, we are happy to finally see housing replace this parking lot and mostly abandoned building.
Check out the full proposal on Ald. Cappleman's development page.
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Current view looking SE at 4555 N. Dover (Google) |