Higher Chicago taxes? Tell Alderman Flores

Higher taxes and fees are up for discussion at Ald. Manny Flores' two open meetings on the city's 2008 budget:

Thursday, November 1, 2007
Goldblatt's Building, 1615 W. Chicago Ave.
6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Bucktown-Wicker Park Library, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave.
6:30 p.m.

Christopher Johnson, the alderman's community affairs director, also invites residents to send comments to Ald. Flores.

The city's 2008 budget is posted on the Office of Budget and Management website.

November East Village Association meeting

Plans for a one-story (with mezzanine) Walgreens drugstore design for the corner of Division and Ashland are to be presented at the November 6 EVA meeting.

Justin Schultz, from Interra-Vision Development, requested an opportunity to speak to the group. EVA has proposed a development of the size and quality of the MB bank building across the street.

Bobby Burrelson, who is opening a Southwest-theme at the old Andy's Deli location, also is scheduled to make a presentation.

Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado has canceled a scheduled appearance, indicating a need to join a budget hearing in Maywood. The 8th District commissioner had planned to present some of the recent activities that he has been successful in initiating in the 8th District as well as countywide.

Zoning Change Request

Bob Ranquist & Jack Guthman will attend the October meeting to discuss Ranquist Development's request to change the zoning at 1916-24 2West Chicago Avenue

The following is an excerpt, edited for brevity, from Ranquist Development’s submittal to the Planning, Preservation & Development Committee:

Ranquist Development is requesting a technical amendment to the zoning boundary that currently divides the properties into two separate zoning classifications, the North section of the properties (approximately 20%), is situated in the RT-4 zoning district, the remaining South section (80%) is situated in the B3-2 zoning district. To remedy this highly unusual circumstance, we request that the zoning line be moved north to the existing alley, thereby placing the property entirely within the B3-2 zoning district, consistent with the existing zoning along Chicago Avenue to the west.

Ranquist Development has a contract to purchase the property from the current owner. The project proposed for 1916-24 West Chicago Avenue consists of the demolition of the existing antiquated structures on the site and construction of a new mixed-use building. Although the design concept is pictured in these materials, the final design is not yet available.

The building at Chicago & Winchester is being designed to enhance the streetscape and social interaction within the community. The Miller Hull Partnership, of Seattle, Washington, has created a unique building to fit that role. Expressed steel structure and glass allows the building to float above the harsh, solid street level of surrounding buildings and allows for softened landscaping.
Masonry elements to the North and East create a buffer between the Chicago Avenue thoroughfare and neighborhood.


PP&D Committee Commentary

While the request at hand is a straightforward technical zoning matter, it should be noted that it will result in the demolition of two fine buildings that contribute greatly to the character of Chicago Avenue.

The proposed building appears to be well-designed and of high quality, however nothing about it would require that it be built on this particular site. Under the proper ownership, the existing structures could be economically rehabilitated and remain a reflection of this classic shopping district’s history, while continuing to serve the needs of retail business and residents.

Ranquist Development has built some of the best new structures in the neighborhood in recent years, and many are better than the buildings they replaced. It should be commended for pursuing forward-looking contemporary design, rather than the tired historic pastiche typically condescended upon us by other developers.

However, the purchase of a property brings with it stewardship responsibilities. If the existing buildings do not meet the needs of the buyer, then perhaps the buyer should look elsewhere.
It is time we move beyond the attitude that these old structures are ours to destroy. The embodied energy, the vintage materials, the reflection of a moment in architectural history,and the place held in a community’s collective memory are too valuable to sacrifice without good reason.

Property ownership has an undeniable and revered legal status, but we live in a time when responsibilities to our environment and to our communities must transcend mere property rights.

Special Service Area #33

by Scott A. Rappe

Special Service Area #33 includes the commercial properties on Division, North, Western, Damen, and Ashland in the area roughly bounded by those streets and the Kennedy Expressway on the North. The property taxes paid by these buildings include an additional assessment which funds targeted community improvement projects within the area. Recently I met with SSA #33 Commissioner Claudia Skylar to discuss several issues where EVA and SSA interests overlap.

The SSA has commissioned Philadelphia urban planning firm Interface Studio to prepare a commercial master plan. When completed next spring, this plan will serve as a roadmap to guide the SSA’s capital improvements. The importance of such an effort cannot be understated; for all its world-class recognition, Chicago has suffered greatly for the lack of comprehensive planning. This is demonstrated repeatedly by frequent zoning changes, major development battles and minor scuffles like the tree pit fiasco on Division Street.

The SSA has also commissioned a comprehensive inventory of trees on its commercial streets. The survey collected data on the location, species, size, and existing condition of each tree and tree pit/grate/planter and will include a botanist’s findings and recommendations. The inventory will be delivered to the SSA in the form of a searchable database accessible by a GIS (Graphical Information System) viewing interface. The survey was prepared in parallel with an effort by the SSA to get the tree-pit fences on Division Street repaired and painted. Reportedly, the Chicago Department of Transportation is in the process of soliciting bids for this work.

We also discussed the continuing problems at the Polish Triangle. Many exciting ideas for improvements to the fountain and the subway entrances are being discussed within the SSA and by others outside the organization advocating the display of local artist’s work. However, decisions regarding these improvements will await delivery of the master plan. This will ensure that they fit within an overarching concept for improvements in the area and are prioritized properly among the many other things that need to be accomplished.

West Town Library Update

by Aaron Bilton

For the last two years the East Village Association has been working with community groups, park advisory councils, schools, and the chamber of commerce from the area in order to bring a much needed new branch library to the West Town neighborhood. These groups have formed the Coalition for a West Town Library. The Coalition has met on a regular basis with the four aldermen in the area in order to bring our concerns to City Hall. All of the aldermen (Ald. Flores, Ald. Burnett, Ald. Ocasio former Ald. Matlak and new 32nd Ward Ald. Waguespack) recognized the need for a new library and voiced their support for the library. Some time ago the aldermen met with the Commissioner of the Chicago Public Library, Mary Dempsey, to ask her to bring a new library to the neighborhood. They also brought this concern to Mayor Daley last winter, and the Mayor has expressed his support.

The current plan is to consolidate the existing storefront branches at Eckhart Park and the 2300 block of Chicago into a newly constructed building to be located at the site of the existing AAA building on the 1800 block of Chicago Ave. This site is the preferred site of Commissioner Dempsey as well as the Coalition. The site is centrally located in the West Town neighborhood. It is accessible by public transportation with two blue line stops within one mile and nearby stops on the Ashland and Chicago bus routes. It may also provide the basis for an expansion of Commercial Park.

Commissioner Dempsey has indicated that they are currently in negotiations with the owners of the AAA building to purchase the property. There is the possibility that the City could take the property through its eminent domain powers, but it would prefer to acquire it through a negotiated purchase. Many people have noticed the “For Lease” sign posted on the building. That sign was placed there only after the CPL was notified of the current owner’s intent to offset some of its current holding costs while the negotiations are ongoing. According to Commissioner Dempsey, the process of acquiring the land may take some time. This is not an attempt to keep the City from acquiring the property.

As of today, we are currently on the list of libraries to be built, but none of the libraries on that list will be built without the money to fund the purchase of land and the construction. Many of the most recently constructed libraries, including the new Bucktown branch, were built using the proceeds from the sale of municipal bonds. Now is the time that we need our elected officials to back up their verbal support with action. The cost to acquire the land is not going to get any cheaper, nor will the cost of construction. I have no doubt that if Commissioner Dempsey were provided with the necessary funds that this library would be built. Alderman Flores has stated that he is currently discussing the possibility of floating a new bond for this purpose with the city’s head of finance as well as the Mayor. Both Alderman Flores as well and Alderman Waguespack have indicated their desire to meet with each other as well as Aldermen Burnett and Ocasio in order to make this library a reality.

Boundary Tree Pit Update

by Scott Rappe

As reported in last month’s newsletter, Boundary, a new Division Street bar, has removed two tree pit fences and paved over the planting area. The tree pits contribute to a unified streetscape giving Division Street a cohesive identity and were installed during Division Street's low point as a shopping district in the hope that it would one day be revitalized.It is ironic that now that the area has become a 'hot'destination individual merchants, would erode this unity and consistency.

In the ensuing uproar, I contacted Janet Attarian, project manager with the Chicago Department of Transportation. In order to prevent streetscape improvements being decimated by subsequent construction, CDOT has instituted moratoria in areas where such improvements have been made.Ms. Attarian confirmed that our stretch of tree pits on Division Street is one of the protected streetscapes.

In cases where work is necessary, CDOT requires that the property owner sign a 'release' and restore the public way improvements. When the work is complete, CDOT sends an inspector out to check that the streetscape elements have been restored.

During the normal building permit process, the Department of Zoning reviews all projects. It regulates the Landscape Ordinance and has jurisdiction over things like the installation ofand tree grates in the parkway.is supposed to check whether there is a CDOT moratorium in place before approving any work in the parkway; apparently this procedure was not followed in the case of Boundary.

Alderman Flores quickly responded, requiring that Boundary restore the tree pits to their original condition. Unfortunately, despite the community outcry, Boundary didn’t quite get the point. They began installing miniature versions of the original tree pit fences without removing the concrete that was poured. Thus the size of the planting area has been reduced from 10’x10’ to 5’x5’. The Alderman’s office stopped the work, and suggested getting a permit before resuming. Presumably, the permit process will ensure that the tree pits are properly restored this time.

Several years ago, the East Village Association did a sidewalk café survey and amassed a photographic record of tree pits, some of which have subsequently been removed. Alderman Flores’ has committed to getting the tree pits on either side of Boundary, which were also removed illegally, restored.

Aldermanic Liaison Report

By Greg Nagel

I met with the 1st ward Alderman, Manny Flores, at his Ward night on 9/10/07.

First off, the Alderman indicated how impressed he was with the huge EVA attendance at the September CAPS meeting of Beat 1322.At that meeting there was a house that was mentioned where it was suspected drug activity.The Alderman reported back to me that he actually met with the owner of the home and relayed the community concerns.

I also followed up with the Alderman regarding the issue with Jun Bar in that it was reported by EVA members that they were abusing their sidewalk privileges.Alderman Flores indicated that people from his office have spoken to the owner and have received a promise to follow the sidewalk café use regulations.Can anyone provide any feedback on whether we have seen an improvement?

Lastly, we discussed the Division Street restaurant Boundary and the issue of the tree pits. agreed to request the owners of Boundary attend our next EVA meeting as guests to discuss their business plan.

East Village Association General Membership Meeting Minutes

This post contains corrected material.

7 PM September 4, 2007, Happy Village Tavern

Wynona Redmond, Pubic Affairs Director for Dominick’s, was the guest speaker. She discussed what the store has to offer as well as some of the challenges they faced opening the store. Senior discount days are Wednesdays. She also took questions from the floor. East Village Members are invited to a grand opening reception on September 27th before they open to the public on September 28th.

There is approximately $1700 in the general fund. There are currently 55 memberships (22 Individual, 23 Family, 3 Businesses, 7 Seniors).

Pizza Hut/Wendy’s at Division and Ashland: The Scott Rappe and Greg Nagel are gathering information on the development. A Walgreens is proposed there. The planning and development committee plans to meet with the developer and the Ward 1Alderman to discuss its layout & density.

Scott Rappe also reported that the building at 1916-24 West Chicago Avenue is scheduled for demolition and redeveloped into a new condo building by a local developer. (This address is corrected.)

Approximately 45 newsletters went out to prospective members who came to the August Barbeque who are not currently members.

A new tenant on Division Street “Boundaries” who has not yet opened, had paved over existing tree pits. Greg Nagel will discuss with the Ward 1 Alderman.

Recent shootings in the area were discussed. There was a general consensus that East Village Association members are encouraged to attend CAPS meetings to make a stronger presence of our group there. At CAPS meetings we can voice our rising concern and make other suggestions.

Joe Honeywinkle, along with Heather Greenman and Jerome Voelske, volunteered to start a “Green” committee.

It was announced that after 25 years, Andy’s Deli has closed their Division Street Store on 1721 West Division.

East Village Association Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

6:30 PM September 10th, 2007, Happy Village Tavern

Pulaski Park neighbors voiced their concern to us about the loitering in Polish Triangle Plaza, asking what we thought about removing the benches temporarily as a deterrent. The board agreed that that was not the best solution; however we will write a letter showing our concern.

Mary Spur will write a letter to the Mayor’s office showing our concern for the recent shootings in the area. It was discussed that EVA will be a “conduit” to encourage people to attend CAPS meetings.

Greg Nagel reported his discussion with the Alderman of the issue of the recent paved over tree pit on Division Street. It was discussed that even though the new tenant had met the landscape requirements, paving over the pit was not respectful to the nature of the streetscape. The owners of the restaurant will possibly come to the next general membership meeting to share their intents with the space.

Mary will write a thank you note to Happy Village Tavern for the use of their garden for the BBQ.

A new restaurant is proposed at 1721 West Division. More news to follow.
No update on the Social Committee (Guy Bragg was not present).

The next printed newsletter (to be mailed to all members) will be December 2007, then March 2008, then June 2008, then September 2008.

Update on the Southwest Corner of Division Street and Ashland Avenue—Pizza Hut Site

by Mary Szpur

As Scott Rappe, chairman of EVA’s Planning, Preservation, and Development committee, has reported, development plans for the former Pizza Hut site on Division Street and Ashland Avenue so far most likely continue to be a freestanding Walgreens. EVA’s Board, however, supports development with a denser, multi-story development on this site, more consistent with the MB bank building directly north across Division Street, to form a coherent “gateway” to the neighborhood. Walgreens could of course be part of that development.

A mixed-use development, including residential, close to the concentration of mass transit available at this site, would be consistent with the city of Chicago’s planning goals for prominent corner sites.

If development of this site interests you, please come to the October EVA meeting on Tuesday, October 2, to discuss the issue.

EVA Starts East Village Chicago Discussion Group

by Stephen Rynkiewicz

Talk amongst yourselves. We'll give you a topic.

East Village Association has started a discussion group on Yahoo!People who join can post comments or ask questions on items of local interest, at groups.yahoo.com/group/evachicago.

You can receive notes from members as they're posted or in a daily email, or read them on the Web. This control over how much email you receive could be an important feature. Nearby in Logan Square, people post 600 messages a month in a similar Yahoo! group (groups.yahoo.com/group/LoganSquare). The back-and-forth comments recently have dealt with taxes, development and the burning of the Mega Mall building on Milwaukee Avenue.

Members of the Logan Square group posted notices on activities and events, compared local shops and tradesmen, swapped job-hunting tips and in one case gave away a Pottery Barn desk. During the Mexican independence festivities, they asked each other why helicopters were hovering over Fullerton Avenue.

As in Logan Square, the East Village forum is open to all. Marjorie Isaacson and I will be moderators, which means we canor delete items if things get out of hand.! is host to thousands of these groups, on topics from dog training to sports teams to (as the Web site delicately phrases it) "romance."

News from EVA will be posted to the group but since anyone can leave messages, the discussion will not necessarily reflect formal EVA positions.more EVA and East Village news at the East Village Association website, eastvillagechicago.org.

EVA President’s Message

by Mary Szpur

The shootings that occurred over the last summer in our community spurred some East Village residents to come to EVA meetings looking for more information, for answers on how the neighborhood would respond, for an opportunity to publicly voice frustration and concerns, or for assurances from local authorities that these incidents were not being ignored.

One outcome was that the EVA Board requested that EVA members attend the Beat 1322 September CAPS meeting to discuss these incidents—and indeed, many EVA members attended that meeting as a "show of force," to quote one EVA Board member. Both 1st Ward Alderman Flores and 32nd Ward Alderman Waguespack attended the CAPS meeting as well. Several neighborhood residents at the CAPS meeting offered suggestions for dealing with these problems on a grassroots level.

Of note, Alderman Flores stated that our neighborhood is essentially safe, and that the events of this summer were an anomaly. Whether or not you agree with the Alderman (I do in fact agree with him), constant vigilance is important no matter where you live. Things change when you don’t pay attention.

Another outcome was a discussion of how residents can deal with crime on a block-by-block level: meeting your neighbors so you recognize faces and know each other, exchanging telephone numbers with people on your block, removing graffiti immediately (call 311 and ask for services of the Graffiti Blasters program), trying to work with absentee landlords to better manage properties and tenants, and creating a paper trail by filing verbal and written complaints against problem properties with the city’s Building Department, the alderman’s office, 311, 911, the police, and so on.

EVA has a written tool available for helping residents to organize themselves to deal with neighborhood problems. This tool, called EVA Problem Resolution Guide, was recently posted on EVA’s website www.eastvillagechicago.org. Please read this concise guide for practical and useful ways to begin the problem-solving process on the community level.

My own experience with crime on my block showed me that the most effective ways to deal with local problems is to work with concerned neighbors. We have in the past written letters to landlords, met in person with problem landlords, painted out graffiti, discussed problems at EVA meetings, met with the alderman, met with the 13th District police commander, and dealt with the city’s building department regarding problem buildings. Doing this can require tenacity and patience.

When bad things happen, that’s a good time to reflect on why it’s important to know your neighbors and be involved in your community. Get out on your street, introduce yourself, be friendly, look your neighbors in the eye and get to know them, show an interest in the people who live around you, whether they are renters or owners. That way, working together on a problem can seem less daunting a task.


Update on the Southwest Corner of Division Street and Ashland Avenue—Pizza Hut Site

Planning, Preservation & Development Committee

by Scott Rappe

Pizza Hut Property

We have continued our advocacy for an appropriately scaled mixed-use development on the property formerly occupied by Pizza Hut. This month, the Committee learned that the property was sold for $4,850,000. Apparently the deal also included a portion of the Wendy’s parcel to the west, though the extent is not known at this time.

Alderman Flores has seen one round of drawings for the proposed development, a free-standing Walgreens which, we are told, he rejected. In a meeting with the Alderman, committee and board members observed that the present developer does not ‘get it’ and requested that the Alderman spread the word to other developers that this site holds potential for a denser, mixed-use, transit oriented development.

1916-24 West Winchester

Ranquist Development, Inc. has submitted an information package to the Planning, Preservation & Development Committee regarding its proposed new development on Chicago Avenue, at Winchester. (Bob Ranquist & Jack Guthman will attend the October 2, meeting to discuss Ranquist Development's request to change the zoning at 1916-24 West Chicago Avenue) See article in this newsletter.

Polish Triangle

EVA received was contacted by the Pulaski Park Neighbors Association regarding the fountain in the Polish Triangle. They have requested that the alderman temporarily remove the park benches from the fountain Triangle to discourage vagrants from loitering and asked for EVA’s support.The EVA Board discussed this at the September 10 board meeting and decided against this request. While sympathetic to the poor condition of the area and the concerns of the PPNA, board members were unified in the opinion that removing the benches would not be the best solution, even temporarily.

The general feeling was that removal of the benches was a severe action that would diminish the value of the Triangle further and make the park even less welcoming than it currently is.There was also some concern that removing the benches might not solve the problem and that more vigilance on the part of the police might be a better strategy. Finally, many people felt that once the benches are gone, they would never be returned.

As always, East Village Association members should feel free to offer other issues for consideration by the committee.

Scott A. Rappe, Chairperson
srappe@kplusr.com