tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post8396124264373651152..comments2024-03-23T09:42:36.833-05:00Comments on Uptown Update: CTA- Our Wilson Station Needs Some Of That $22.5 MillionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-82965080031554545842009-04-07T18:10:00.000-05:002009-04-07T18:10:00.000-05:00I would like to see updates at Sheridan. the stati...I would like to see updates at Sheridan. the station is so small and getting janky as well. during the morning/PM rush its tight quarters. i dont know if they could widen it or not but they need more in and out turnstyles. maybe an alternate entrance/exit somehow i donno but it could stand an update.sportshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537265904108027227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-53090994993804502302009-04-07T17:46:00.000-05:002009-04-07T17:46:00.000-05:00Helen can see it daily as she almost looks right a...Helen can see it daily as she almost looks right at it from her office. Maybe she hopes it stays that way to make it look like what the units in Wilson Yard will look soon after they open...........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-33805758644078420632009-04-07T16:17:00.000-05:002009-04-07T16:17:00.000-05:00I think there is little doubt Helen has overseen a...I think there is little doubt Helen has overseen a relatively ineffective "revitalization" of Uptown when one investigates the progress the neighborhoods that surround Uptown have made in the last 20 years.Treyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02696919908240343987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-23632952388882486442009-04-07T15:48:00.000-05:002009-04-07T15:48:00.000-05:00Ald. Shiller may not have created the blight, but ...Ald. Shiller may not have created the blight, but she sure as hell hasn't done much to get rid of it.<BR/><BR/>When I first moved back to Chicago 25 years ago, Wrigleyville was dicey. Southport was dark and deserted. Andersonville was a little Swedish enclave. Lincoln Square had been a nice neighborhood, but was getting a decidedly shady reputation.<BR/><BR/>All those communities are now thriving with major retail, nice homes, mom-n-pops, festivals, and foot traffic. The hole in the donut remains Uptown. You can't tell me it's just coincidence that the communities surrounding Uptown are all destination spots, and Uptown remains the red-haired stepchild of the North Side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-38354122454685136812009-04-07T13:10:00.000-05:002009-04-07T13:10:00.000-05:00I also agree, but I do blame her for contributing ...I also agree, but I do blame her for contributing to the mess around here that continues to chase good retail away.holy moleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006600794546900502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-8041068529817368462009-04-07T09:39:00.000-05:002009-04-07T09:39:00.000-05:00Have to agree with Sassy. Uptown was much worse wh...Have to agree with Sassy. Uptown was much worse when I was re-introduced to it in the early-mid 80s when I was a reporter and came up to cover a community meeting led by Slim Coleman. It was pretty dismal here. My first introduction was when one of my friend's father drove us up here to show us "skid row" as a sort of "scared straight" thing. Not saying there isn't definite room for improvement or who's responsible for it, but yeah, it was much worse.Man On The Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08811060909895247381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-20252484555500649702009-04-07T09:01:00.000-05:002009-04-07T09:01:00.000-05:00She is one of the biggest reasons Uptown went from...<I>She is one of the biggest reasons Uptown went from being the premier upscale community in Chicago to being a crime, gang, homeless, drug selling blight in Chicago.</I><BR/><BR/>I understand your frustration, hopeless, but things didn't happen here quite like that. Helen arrived long after Uptown had slid into decline. She met "Slim" Coleman when she was up in Racine, Wisconsin trying to organize poor whites. He encouraged her to come on down to Chicago and organize in Uptown after Students for a Democratic Society had splintered/flamed out. <BR/><BR/>While it is true that she fought against "urban renewal" (especially the building of Truman College), she also worked to build a health center and fight for higher quality affordable housing for the very poor people who lived in Uptown. It was a different time. All the dynamics were so different. I think even what people thought was possible was different. <BR/><BR/>People can judge her as they may, but Uptown's economic decline happened long before Helen Shiller arrived and even longer still before she became Alderman. <BR/><BR/>I'll post it later but I heard a fantastic discussion about gentrification on "The Story" on WBEZ. It brought to light a lot of the issues and contradictions that are involved when neighborhoods change from being very, very poor. I was in the car at the time when I was listening and ended up being a few minutes late for a meeting because I didn't want to get out of the car and miss the end! I'll try to post a link later today.Sassyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07023321034518238290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-8688283788490418552009-04-07T00:13:00.000-05:002009-04-07T00:13:00.000-05:00Now why would Hellen or the Mayor want to see the ...Now why would Hellen or the Mayor want to see the Uptown El Stations improved? They want Uptown to be the haven for the drug sellers, gang members, homeless, etc. If they all come here then the other wards wont have to deal with them. How is it that our alderman has not been put under investigation for corruption? She is one of the biggest reasons Uptown went from being the premier upscale community in Chicago to being a crime, gang, homeless, drug selling blight in Chicago. She fights positive change in our community at every turn. I don't think we will see the Wilson, Lawrence, or Argyle stops rehabbed until she is ousted from office!HopelessInUptownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00013838945664751927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-44185257699228804962009-04-06T22:34:00.000-05:002009-04-06T22:34:00.000-05:00Let's remove the signs for Wilson Mall. Better yet...Let's remove the signs for Wilson Mall. Better yet, let's remove the Wilson Mall, that place is horrific.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174571757044912150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-29871907195989431942009-04-06T20:22:00.000-05:002009-04-06T20:22:00.000-05:00Helen should be ashamed.Helen should be ashamed.Treyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02696919908240343987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-33107604530424469522009-04-06T19:30:00.000-05:002009-04-06T19:30:00.000-05:00It doesn't matter how many signatures you have, yo...It doesn't matter how many signatures you have, you have clout! Give it up!!! ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-50555609538675263042009-04-06T19:06:00.000-05:002009-04-06T19:06:00.000-05:00What would a petition look like and how many signa...What would a petition look like and how many signatures do you think we'd need to make it stand out?David Wengerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16207632219765606158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-62647873936837190052009-04-06T18:44:00.000-05:002009-04-06T18:44:00.000-05:00Oh come on, just be happy you have an el stop. Th...Oh come on, just be happy you have an el stop. There is nothing wrong with it. Starving people in Africa don't even have an el. No big deal, the money can be spent on more SRO's in Uptown. That is what we really need!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-15351184415107038692009-04-06T15:56:00.000-05:002009-04-06T15:56:00.000-05:00I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me that the Wils...I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me that the Wilson stop is obligated to accommodate people with disabilities. How has this stop been able to get away without an elevator or escalator for so long?<BR/><BR/>Maybe we can help this effort along? Here's the web site for Americans with Disabilities Act:<BR/><BR/>http://www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/ada/civil_rights_4058.htmlI'mWatchingToohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05560548840164594719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-11652323539396015672009-04-06T15:52:00.000-05:002009-04-06T15:52:00.000-05:00Why would they want to fix up the L Station? That ...Why would they want to fix up the L Station? That would create..whats the word I am looking for...oh, PRIDE. Why would the city want the locals to feel any pride what so ever for the community? Do you think Helen amassed all her voting base here for community pride? <BR/><BR/>If we had a nice L Stop then some of Helen and Richards Nanny Staters might feel guilty about trashing it. They might actually think twice or even feel bad about Littering, Pissing, Loitering, Harassing, Drug Using, Drug Dealing, Drinking, Cussing, & Painting Graffiti.chipdouglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00827669478369792692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-27076782111792120732009-04-06T14:40:00.000-05:002009-04-06T14:40:00.000-05:00Besides the road money, Chicago area mass transit ...<I>Besides the road money, Chicago area mass transit is slated to receive $900 million from the state.</I><BR/><BR/>From where did this money come?<BR/><BR/>Isn't the State running a budget deficit?Brennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571006818155115377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-24682342465537743092009-04-06T14:36:00.000-05:002009-04-06T14:36:00.000-05:00Great ideas, but they're too late. This money is ...Great ideas, but they're too late. This money is probably already spent.<BR/><BR/>I know the Belmont, Fullerton, and Howard stations were all partially funded with Federal money in order to bring these stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Addison was already compliant as was 35th, but they both have well known ballparks with huge numbers of potential complaints.<BR/><BR/>I guess the formula is strength in numbers. You need a lot of riders to complain about the lack of compliance in order to obtain it.<BR/><BR/>Here is how WLS-TV described the opening of the Howard stop.<BR/><BR/><I>The overall renovation project included rehabbing the stationhouse and platform areas, plus <B>installing elevators and escalators to meet the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act.</B></I><BR/><BR/>I suppose if some concerned local resident with an interest in leadership today with plans to apply for potential leadership opportunities that may open up, oh some time around February 2011, is staring at a golden opportunity.<BR/><BR/>Beware of Machine pot holes. They're all around the Wilson stop.Brennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571006818155115377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-17309729322911853992009-04-06T14:15:00.000-05:002009-04-06T14:15:00.000-05:00I'm so afraid to use this el stop because of overa...I'm so afraid to use this el stop because of overall security and cleanliness. Plus I have a baby so carrying a stroller up those stairs by myself is a big task. The station is a shame and probably one of the worst in the city. I really hope we can see some improvements with that $22.5million!! Pretty PLEASE CTA!!!!UptownMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06002572867594139670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-36283212259772912292009-04-06T12:42:00.000-05:002009-04-06T12:42:00.000-05:00Besides Lawrence and Wilson, Argyle's train stop i...Besides Lawrence and Wilson, Argyle's train stop is DISGUSTING.... it smells of urine in the best of times and you can the steel bars that hold it because the concrete is literally falling off of it. I hate walking underneath it because shady characters appreciate that there are very few lights underneath it and there are about 15 empty newspaper boxes (being use for god knows what purposes possible drug shuffling?) underneath it as well.Who?What?https://www.blogger.com/profile/01306417236222139968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-18810735983661568702009-04-06T11:05:00.000-05:002009-04-06T11:05:00.000-05:00Perhaps it's not a coincidence that all the surrou...Perhaps it's not a coincidence that all the surrounding wards have gotten major L renovations. Ditto with sidewalk repair and sidewalk lighting.<BR/><BR/>Has anyone used FOIA to see how Helen uses the ward's menu money? I heard rumors that some of it is paying $ to the WY housing.holy moleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006600794546900502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-85473131966334583432009-04-06T11:00:00.000-05:002009-04-06T11:00:00.000-05:00Very good suggestions, especially about removing s...Very good suggestions, especially about removing some of the garish signage. While I like my city "funkyness", those signs are butt ugly. Why does Popeye's need to shout that they are there. It's right on the corner. A simple awning or one-color sign would help.Man On The Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08811060909895247381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-41157337460809732172009-04-06T09:50:00.000-05:002009-04-06T09:50:00.000-05:00We need to have "somebody who somebody sent" to ad...We need to have "somebody who somebody sent" to advocate for improvements in Uptown's el stations, I guess. If we don't get some advocacy here, other parts of the CTA system will take the money. Afterall, the high tourist areas are "neighborhoods" too. One would think that having the former CTA president living here or having an alderman who is an advocate for the poor would have helped things along. Boo hoo is right. It is deplorable that we have such a high % of disabled and seniors in this area and awful el stations.<BR/>I'm still waiting for that "big announcement" Ron Huberman promised us would be coming last summer. <BR/><BR/>Can't there be just <I>one issue</I> on which all of Uptown can agree? It would be great if we could work together to get what we need rather than being passed over once again because "there isn't enough money." Isn't <I>everyone</I> in Uptown sick of hearing that sentence and being forced to wait their turn that never comes?Sassyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07023321034518238290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-71171706915252681442009-04-06T07:41:00.000-05:002009-04-06T07:41:00.000-05:00Put a requirement that all tenants are not allowed...Put a requirement that all tenants are not allowed to have scissor gates on their windows and doors. <BR/><BR/>Require that store windows of occupied spaces are to have an unobstructed view so that people can see in and out the windows. This makes the store more inviting and provides another element of safety because those causing problems will know that there are eyes on them. <BR/><BR/>There's a protective film that can be placed on the glass that prevents damage from etching and spray paint won't stick to it.<BR/><BR/>Install some lighting on the outside of the building to give more light and it will also highlight the beautiful architecture already there.<BR/><BR/>Place cameras on the outside of buildings that have high rates of 911 calls.James Capplemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14344512821272018828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-77989555698722170882009-04-06T07:21:00.000-05:002009-04-06T07:21:00.000-05:00While bringing the station into the 20th century (...While bringing the station into the 20th century (forget about the 21st), let's see what the CTA can do about making it handicapped accessible, too! I'm disabled and have to go from Uptown, by bus, all the way to the Addison Red Line station to get a train, because I can't make it up the stairs at Lawrence or Wilson. Addison has an elevator AND escalators, whereas Wilson and Lawrence have neither. <B>It's incredibly bad planning to have a large population of seniors and disabled folks in Uptown and make the el stations impossible for them to use.</B><BR/><BR/>By the way, UU, I clicked on the top photo of this post and saw the larger version of what the Wilson station would look like with lights. Good for you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com