Bezazian Library Presents Local Author Lowell Thompson This Saturday

AUTHOR & BUENA PARK RESIDENT LOWELL “RACEMAN” THOMPSON TO SPEAK AT THE BEZAZIAN BRANCH

On Saturday, February 14th at 2:00 p.m., Lowell “RaceMan” Thompson discusses and answers questions about his latest book, RaceMan Answers: America's Toughest Questions on Race, Inequality & More. The book addresses racism in America—past and present—in an accessible and engaging manner, explores how we got where we are today, answers “questions everyone thinks but few ask,” and offers solutions for change.

A lifelong Chicagoan who spent part of his childhood in the Robert Taylor Homes, Lowell Thompson was one of the first African-Americans in advertising, creating ads for some of the nation’s leading ad agencies. His other books include African Americans in Chicago, part of the Images of America series, and WHITEFOLKS: Seeing America through Black Eyes.

The Bezazian Branch of the Chicago Public Library is located at 1226 W. Ainslie St. near Broadway. The event is free and registration is not required. For additional information, please call the Bezazian Branch at (312) 744-0019.

New Uptown-centric Exhibit At Uptown Arts Center This Month

The Uptown Arts Center, located in the historic Preston Bradley Center, presents Down in Uptown, an exhibit by artist Lowell Thompson.

The opening reception will take place this Saturday, July 11th, between 2pm and 7pm.  There will be a "Living Room Talk" with the artist at 4pm.

"Lowell is an artist/writer/recovering adman who uses his talent and experience to create a better world, starting here in the U.S.A. Although he spent most of his adult life creating ads and commercials for some of America's biggest companies, around 2000, he began building a new career as an artist/writer/recovering adman.

'I think of myself as a Creative Catalyst. I instigate new ways of looking at (and solving) old problems, spending most of my time on race relations and other social causes.'"

The Uptown Arts Center is located at 941 West Lawrence, on the 4th floor.  The show will run through July 31st.

To see more of Lowell's work, much of which focuses on his views of Uptown, visit http://downinuptown.blogspot.com.

If Lowell's name sounds familiar, you may have heard of him from his work on and unveiling of Portrait of Buena Park last year, and his talk at the Bezazian Library this past February.

Breakthrough On 'Broken Windows'

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Boston Globe Staff
photo by Brenda Bond

LOWELL - The year was 2005 and Lowell was being turned into a real life crime-fighting laboratory.

Researchers, working with police, identified 34 crime hot spots. In half of them, authorities set to work - clearing trash from the sidewalks, fixing street lights, and sending loiterers scurrying. Abandoned buildings were secured, businesses forced to meet code, and more arrests made for misdemeanors. Mental health services and homeless aid referrals expanded.

In the remaining hot spots, normal policing and services continued.

Then researchers from Harvard and Suffolk University sat back and watched, meticulously recording criminal incidents in each of the hot spots.

The results, just now circulating in law enforcement circles, are striking: A 20 percent plunge in calls to police from the parts of town that received extra attention. It is seen as strong scientific evidence that the long-debated "broken windows" theory really works - that disorderly conditions breed bad behavior, and that fixing them can help prevent crime. Continue Reading

Lowell's Last Call On Friday

A note from Lowell Thompson, whose Down In Uptown exhibit is currently at the Uptown Arts Center (941 West Lawrence, 4th Floor):

"My Down In Uptown exhibition comes down this Friday, July 31, 2015.

If you missed the opening, you may want to come by and get an eyeful....and maybe even a celebratory glass of box wine.

4pm - 7pm, Uptown Arts Center

Btw: Those of you who had the great taste (and good sense) to actually buy something can pick up their piece(s)."

Pop-Up Art Gallery and Program Next Monday: "Some Of My Best Friends Are Colored"

On Monday, May 15th, Emerald City Coffee on Wilson will be the spot for a pop-up art show and performances, part of the On The Table citywide discussion groups sponsored by The Chicago Community Trust. It will be a night of discourse, coloring, and live music.

Your hosts will be Uptown's Lowell Thompson (who will give away some of his self-created coloring books), along with Fabiola Ramirez and Cassaundra Sampson.   The focus of the eventing is to allow people to see past black and white -- Lowell says, "Why wish for a colorblind world when rainbows are so beautiful?"

The Facebook event page is here, with more information. Emerald City Coffee is located at 1224 W Wilson.

Andersonville Sidewalk Sale Friday Through Sunday

Today might not be the best day for outdoor shopping, but this weekend looks to be excellent!  Not too hot, no rain predicted, a perfect day to stroll and shop.

It's perfect timing for the Andersonville Sidewalk Sale, Friday through Sunday.  It goes from approximately the 5000 block to the 5800 block of Clark, with a few shops off the beaten path.

You can see the entire list of participating vendors here, including hyperlinks to their websites.

On the "Uptown" side, 

• FOURSIDED CUSTOM FRAMING CARDS + GIFTS | 5061 N. CLARK
• GEORGE LOWELL | 5123 N. CLARK
• GREEN GENES | 5111 N. CLARK
• MILK HANDMADE | 5137 N CLARK
• MODA BOUTIQUE | 5140 N. CLARK
• NOTICE | 5028 N. CLARK
• URBAN MISCHIEF | 5135 N. CLARK
• THE WOODEN SPOON | 5047 N. Clark

That's Gonna Leave A Mark

Thank you to reader Lowell Thompson, who documented the aftermath of an accident this afternoon at National Car Wash (Ainslie and Broadway). Luckily, no one appears to have been injured, although there are damages to the car wash's north fence, and to the black SUV, which ended up lying on its side until a tow truck righted it. Glad everyone was able to walk away unharmed.

Broadway Streetscape Comes (Nearly) Full Circle

We've got color! Work on the sculpture at the Racine/Broadway Plaza is nearly complete, as color was added to the color wheel this week. The sculpture is based on a design by Uptown artist Lowell Thompson.

After a year and a half of work that has included resurfacing the streets, improving the lighting, adding new curbs, adding safer pedestrian walkways, adding new trees and planters, and the addition of the plaza, the streetscaping project is nearly complete.

Here's to a new and improved Entertainment District, right in the heart of vintage Uptown.

The United Colors of Uptown

Ald. Cappleman tweeted today:

"This gives everyone an idea of what the 17’ sculpture in front of the Riv will look like. The sculpture can be lit at night (and also turned off) and will be a great addition to highlighting our Entertainment District. Installation will be after the July 4th weekend."

Later he expanded in comments:

"What surfaced over and over again was highlighting the diversity found in the ward, so the different colors signify the many cultures that exist in Uptown. People also wanted something circular to highlight unity among all the different cultural groups. The size was determined by the desire to have southbound traffic on Broadway see it from their perspective as a gateway into the Entertainment District."

and

"The colors represent all the many different cultures in Uptown (the most diverse in Chicago) and the circle represents the strength of all the cultures when we stand united together. We are not a melting pot, but rather a mosaic of people celebrating our uniqueness."

We like that it's bright and light-hearted, and based on a design by one of our favorite Uptown artists, Lowell Thompson. We think it will look great across the street from Hebru Brantley's Flyboy mural.

4700 North Racine To Get Interior Rehab, According to Building Permit

Painting of Darlington Hotel
by Lowell Thompson

The new owner of the Darlington Hotel, a subsidiary of Elmdale Partners, has been granted a building permit to remodel and modernize the interior of the building, creating 48 new units from 64 existing units. The estimated cost of rehab is $800,000.

The description on the permit reads, "De-conversion from existing 64 unit Class A-2 residential multiple dwellings - single room occupancy to a 48 unit Class A-2 residential multiple dwellings - apartment building.interior alterations, new electrical service & distribution, new plumbing service & distribution, new a/c units."

The building was sold by long-time owners, the Dolins family, in March of 2019 for $2,750,000.

According to property records, it was built in 1911. We're not sure if it was originally called the Darlington Hotel, but Polk's Street Directory from 1928 shows that the name was in use by that time.

Building A Better Wheel (Updated)

The long-awaited art fixture at the new plaza in front of the Riviera is finally happening. Based on a design by Uptown artist Lowell Thompson, the wheel of colors will represent the great diversity present in our community. It will stand 17 feet tall and light up at night.

The sculpture was in the process of being installed last year when the base cracked, and it had to be reconfigured. Looks like one of the final pieces of the streetscaping project is about to happen!

We really love how Uptown will have sculptures by talented local artists AND internationally known artists, like  Arpeggio by Cecil Balmond a couple blocks south of this, at the Wilson L station. The whimsical nature of the color wheel will play off the Flyboy mural across the street by Hebru Brantley.

Update: Matt from Ald. Cappleman's office says, "Hopefully the third time's the charm on installing this thing, as crews are scheduled to return this Friday to finish the heavy work."

46th Ward Year In Review For 2019 From Ald. Cappleman

HAPPY NEW YEAR! GONG XI FA CAI! CHUC MUNG NAM MOI!   As we look forward to the Year of The Rat, it is good to stop for a moment and think about all we have accomplished in the past year. 2019 was a big year with the exciting election of our new mayor, Lori Lightfoot, and impressive projects that we initiated or completed in the 46th Ward. We saw new entertainment venues, groundbreaking for 38 new affordable housing units, stunning streetscape improvements, and planned upgrades to schools and parks. With all of this happening here in our ward, it's understandable why we are seeing people coming from all over the Chicagoland to enjoy our wonderful neighborhoods. ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT UPDATE After obtaining the necessary state and city funding, the Uptown Theatre is now in the process of raising the remaining funds through a not-for-profit that was established last September. It is anticipated that the funding will be in place by late spring. The owner, Jerry Mikkelson, tells me that he expects construction to begin soon afterwards. The theater will boost economic development and create more job opportunities. Click hee to view a video that highlights some of the wonderful features of the theater.  Le Nocturne (4810 N. Broadway), a dance and night club, opened up August 2019 at 4810 N. Broadway. Featuring a strong French influence (owner Francois Crokaert grew up in France), this boutique club is located in the heart of Uptown's Entertainment District. The Baton (4713 N. Broadway) relocated to their new location in March 2019. The Baton, opened 50 years ago by owner Jim Flint, is known across the country for their drag shows. Special guests in the past have included Joan Crawford, Sammy Davis, Jr, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner, Shirley McLaine, Joan Rivers, Madonna, Janet Jackson, RuPaul, and Chris Farley. The Double Door (1050 W. Wilson) The owner of this famous Chicago venue is working out some necessary changes and is still planning to open in the near future. Chicago Market, (4620 N. Broadway) which will be located within the Entertainment District at the Gerber Building on the NW corner of Broadway and Wilson, has some water infiltration issues in the basement of the building that need to be worked out with CTA. The Chicago Market is a member-owned cooperative and you can become a member of this exciting opportunity here. Currently in the Gerber Building windows, you can enjoy the mesmerizing, glowing art display called Chameleon Blind by artist Mara Baker. Club Della Robbia (4804 N. Broadway) has had some common small business delays, but work continues at this location that will open next door to the famous Green Mill. HOUSING DEMAND IN THE 46TH WARD Due to more entertainment venues, a noticeable reduction in violent crime and an increase in infrastructure improvements such as the Wilson Red and Purple CTA Station, it's no surprise that more people are moving into the area.To help stabilize rental costs due to the high demand for housing, more rental units will likely be created. We are fortunate that the 46th Ward continues to have the largest number of government subsidized affordable housing units in the City of Chicago. Unfortunately, the cost to build government subsidized housing is double the amount that it takes to build market-rate housing. However, over the past year, I have been working with a number of developers to build more government subsidized affordable units within the 46th Ward and we broke ground on Sarah's Circle's new building at the corner of Sheridan and Leland, which will include 38 new government subsidized apartments. NEW CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED IN 2019 4555 N. Sheridan, known as the Upshore Chapter, is a 138-unit building that was completed earlier this year. They are currently in negotiations for a lease of their retail space. OTHER COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDE Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School (3751 N. Broadway). This 5-story addition was done to address the needs of the current student enrollment.  839 W. Agatite, is a development by Lewke Partners Real Estate Specialists, featuring 20 units of one and two-bedroom units. It is located next door to the newly completed town homes that are part of the 811 Uptown project. 845 W. Agatite, a large courtyard apartment building, went through a total gut rehab. No zoning change was requested. 4430 N. Sheridan, a 4-story mixed-use building, was completed earlier this year by Quest Realty Group. A zoning variance was later granted to allow for the first floor to provide combined rental housing and retail space.  BUILDINGS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION  3817- 45 N. Broadway is a 93-unit apartment building with retail on the first floor and beautifully restored terracotta eagles above the second floor at the W. Sheridan and N. Broadway intersection. An expanded version of the former Starbucks reopened October, 2019 in its former location. The developer, Dave Gassman, is currently leasing a number of completed residential units and expects all construction to be completed in the summer of 2019. 4654 N. Sheridan Road will be the site of Sarah's Circle's 100% affordable housing development featuring 38 studio apartments. In addition, their 50-bed interim housing program will also move to this site. The first floor will be supportive services space accessible to both Interim Housing and Permanent Housing residents with reception, staff offices, private consultation rooms, a group room, a computer lab, dining and kitchen space. I was on-site to celebrate the groundbreaking of this amazing facility with Sarah's Circle Executive Director, Kathy Ragnar, City of Chicago's Department of Housing Commissioner, Marisa Novara and Illinois Housing Development Authority Managing Director, Christine Moran. OTHER BUILDINGS CURRENTLY IN CONSTRUCTION PHASE INCLUDE: 927 W. Irving Park is a 28-unit new construction rental building that is expected to be completed by early summer. No zoning change was requested for this site. 4720 N. Sheridan, a new construction development by Quest Realty Group, is a 6-story, 30 unit building that should be completed by February. 1124 W. Wilson, the former Wilson Men's Hotel's renovation is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The building owner is following the guidelines set out by the SRO Ordinance. No zoning change requested.  The Darlington (4700 N. Racine) is now going through extensive renovations. The developer, Elmdale Partners, will be restoring the historic marquee on this building. The building owner is following the guidelines set out by the SRO Ordinance. No zoning change requested. 4740 N. Winthrop, a development by Cedar Street, will be a new construction, 4-story, 84-unit residential building. Expected completion date is the first quarter of 2021. The Lorali (1039 W. Lawrence) went through a zoning change to allow for a full remodel of this SRO building. The upzone was needed by the Building Group because the zoning at this site did not match the existing building, which was required for renovations. The building owner is following the guidelines set out by the SRO Ordinance. 4707 N. Malden is an SRO associated with Mercy Housing. This full remodel is expected to be completed in late spring. The guidelines of the SRO Ordinance were followed for this rehab. Residents were relocated to another site so that the construction could occur. 4858 N. Kenmore is a 7-unit condominium building that is almost completed. No zoning change requested. BUILDINGS THAT ARE PLANNED BUT NOT YET STARTED 4502-04 N. Beacon went through a zoning change to build a 4-story, 9-unit condominium building with 10 indoor parking spaces. The site is currently an asphalt surface lot for cars. The developer Steve Sgouras expects construction to begin in the spring.  OTHER BUILDINGS THAT ARE PLANNED BUT NOT YET STARTED INCLUDE: 4601 N. Broadway, a planned development located on the northeast corner of Broadway and Wilson is expected to begin construction in 2021. The former Bridgeview Bank Building (4753 N. Broadway) was purchased by Cedar Street in 2019.  Plans for this location are being finalized.  4626-30 N. Malden, the owner of this parcel, which is made up of two double city lots, is expected to begin a new construction, residential project on one half of the property later in 2020. No zoning change has been requested for the current plan.  3726-28 N. Lake Shore Drive, a new construction, 36-unit building with 1:1 parking is expected to begin construction later in 2020. 3921 N. Sheridan will be a new construction, transit oriented development located on the southeast corner of Sheridan and Dakin. It will be a 7-story mixed use development with 120 rental apartments. Work is set to begin before summer. There are a number of other development proposals that will be listed once they have gone through the 46th Ward approval process if there's an upzone, zoning variance, or planned development request. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED STREETSCAPING After more than six years, the Uptown artist Lowell Thompson's long awaited circular sculpture at the new plaza now graces the front of the Riviera Theatre! Thompson describes the wheel of colors as representing our community's great diversity.This site has become the #1 selfie spot for concert-goers and passersby. "Uptown's Colored Wheel" is part of the $6M streetscaping project to improve Broadway, Gunnison to Wilson. The project features new sidewalks, freshly-resurfaced streets, improved pedestrian safety features, and new trees. It was done to attract more entertainment venues into the area, and it's a safe bet to say it worked. RAINBOW CROSSWALKS You may have noticed the new rainbow crosswalks along Halsted. This project is a partnership between the 46th Ward, 44th Ward, and Northalsted Business Alliance. This area has become one of the largest business districts of LGBTQ-owned business and a destination for people all over the country, which has created a huge economic boon to local businesses. The work on 14 crosswalks were completed in time for the 50th Annual Pride Parade last June. **NORTH HALSTED RAINBOW CROSSWALKS SAFETY SURVEY The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), in collaboration with the Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA), Alderman Cappleman's and Alderman Tunney's office, is seeking the public's input on the Halsted Street Rainbow Pride Crosswalks installed by the Northalsted Business Alliance on Halsted Street between Melrose Street and Bradley Place. The installation was permitted through CDOT's Make Way for People Program, a placemaking initiative that support public-private partnerships to transform the public way through creative temporary tactical improvements. Through this pilot project, CDOT is seeking to gain a better understanding of the transportation and community impacts of creative crosswalk installations in the public way. The survey provided in the link below will help the City and its community partners gain gather valuable information on the impacts of the Halsted Street Rainbow Pride Crosswalks in the Lakeview community. We greatly appreciate your support in filling out this brief survey and look forward to learning more about the installation. TAKE THE SURVEY OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES: Menu Program: Each of the 50 Wards in the City of Chicago is allocated equal funding for discretionary infrastructure improvements in the community. Some of the ways the 46th Ward spent those funds include: Repaving 11 blocks of residential streets ($444,720.48) Repaving 4 residential alleys ($162,922.80) Sidewalk and curb/gutter replacements throughout the 46th Ward ($104,899.80) Fencing protection and bus stop improvements along Lake Shore Drive ($74,304.09) Residential street lighting upgrades on 3700 N Wilton, and 3800 N Kenmore *Not all of these projects were completed or installed in 2019, but have been paid for in 2019 and are scheduled for completion in the 2020 construction season* Smart street lighting: CDOT has installed new LED Smart Lighting on nearly every street and alley in the ward. This new technology provides a better, safer illumination, while also electronically notifying the city when an individual light is out of order. Additionally, new street lighting was completed (after a 2nd attempt) on the 3600-3700 blocks of Broadway in Lakeview.   Redefine the Drive: Last October, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Chicago Department of Transportation presented their final renderings for the entrances and exits off Lake Shore Drive at Montrose, Wilson, and Lawrence. As expected, the plans allow access to all three streets from Lake Shore Drive. Click here to view the final plans.  46th Ward Art - CLIFTON AVENUE STREET ART GALLERY 2019 brought a number of new murals, including Uptown United's mural gallery on the 4600 block of N. Clifton at Broadway. OUR PARKS GILL PARK PLAYLOT (825 W. Sheridan Rd.) Completed in 2019 after more than 10 years of planning and fundraising from multiple sources including private individuals, the Cubs, East Lake View Neighbors, local developers and 46th Ward infrastructure funds, this playlot has become one of the most popular playgrounds for kids throughout the ward. CLARENDON PARK COMMUNITY CENTER (4501 N. Clarendon Ave.) With the passage of the Clarendon/Montrose Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District 811 Uptown project in 2016, $4.6M was contributed to the Chicago Park District for the Clarendon Park Community Center renovation. Without this TIF, it would not have been possible for us to get rehab dollars to finance this project, and due to the grave condition of the building, waiting for funds to later accrue would not have come in time to save this beautiful building. The rehab will occur in two stages: the first stage will be using funds from the TIF and Chicago Park District to shore up infrastructure issues that cannot wait any longer. The second stage of this extensive renovation will complete the full project when additional funds are raised. The rehab will include draining work to prevent further flooding, a new gym, redesigned meetings rooms, and a new dance space for Kuumba Lynx. Click here to view a video that provides a walk through of what the completed rehab will look like. HELPING OUR SCHOOLS McCutcheon Elementary: This school is one of only six schools in the entire Chicago Public Schools system without its own gym.  I knew how important it was for the health and wellness of students at this particular school—one quarter of whom experience homelessness and a program for children with cognitive disabilities—to have its own facility. Due to my and former Principal Gwyn Kram's successful advocacy, the school received $10 million for a new gymnasium from CPS. A recent lawsuit by a neighborhood community group has delayed this project. Courtenay Child Parent Center property (4425 N. Magnolia): On behalf of neighbors, my office advocated with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education and CPS senior leadership for the district to make changes at the vacant, flood-damaged Courtenay Child Parent Center preschool building. After some delays, CPS has told my office that the property is now expected to be listed on the market during the 1st quarter of 2020.   CTA CONSTRUCTION The highly anticipated next phase of the Chicago Transit Authority's Red and Purple Modernization Project is now underway. The Lawrence L Stop is scheduled to close completely at the end of 2020 for 30 months of construction. Once completed, the stop will be ADA compliant. Click here for more information. If you have any questions about this construction process, visit www.transitchicago.com/rpm or call 331-3-3-2499. Sign up for alerts at www.transitchicago.com/rpmalerts. PUBLIC SAFETY  19th District Police welcomed Commander Chris Papaioannou, who joined the district in April. He previously served as the Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Section of the Education and Training Division. The Community Policing Office, led by new CAPS Sergeant Tracey Edwards, is joined by the 19th District's Mental Health liaison officer, Officer Megan Woods as the LGBTQ+ liaison (the only LGBTQ+ liaison in the City), and Officer Anastasia Patterson as the Troubled Buildings officer. 20th District Police greeted Commander Brendan McCrudden in October. He has a diverse background where he served as a lieutenant in the 009th District, sergeant for the Area North Detective Division and a Mobile Strike Force Sergeant. He was also assigned to SWAT and the Special Operations section.  New crime fighting strategy: Last year the 19th and 20th districts upgraded their stations with Strategic Decision Support Centers. The SDSCs are specialized control rooms where police cameras are monitored by officers 24/7. The SDSC has been instrumental in making a number of drug arrests in the area. When illegal activity is observed on the camera, a police officer in the area is then immediately contacted to make an arrest. The camera footage is used as evidence in court. 2020 - THE YEAR OF THE RAT AND BEYOND The 46th Ward is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse wards in the city, with over 92 languages spoken and the highest number of affordable housing units in the city. With the growth we're experiencing, my goal is to ensure that the unique diversity we all cherish is both protected and celebrated.    Best wishes for a wonderful and prosperous year,