A Post Office Progress Report At Six Months

By Scott A. Rappe, encouraged postal customer

After decades of abysmal service, things at the Wicker Park Post Office came to a head earlier this year. At the April EVA meeting, Mr. Carlos Johnson, newly appointed Wicker Park Branch Customer Service Manager, faced an angry mob brandishing pitchforks and torches. We were told that improvements were in the works, but might not be noticeable for six months. Well, Mr. Johnson has moved on, and six months have passed, but have things improved? My guarded answer is: Yes.

I have tracked postal service accuracy since May, grading delivery on eleven different aspects, such as whether someone received my mail, or I received someone else’s, and recurring problems like multiple advertising circulars jammed into my
mailbox or left on the stairs creating a tripping hazard.

Given the weak excuses for the poor service (high carrier turnover and routes without permanently assigned carriers were the usual explanations) we endured for so long, the improvement is fairly dramatic: The mail we received for May, June and July was delivered with 93% accuracy; for August and September the level rose to 96% and during October it was 98%. This appears to indicate a consistent and sustained trend toward better service.

We get an average of 320 pieces of mail per month, so even at the highest level of performance that means we receive about a dozen incorrectly delivered letters. And curiously the post office seems to have an uncanny ability to mangle and misdirect the most important pieces of mail. Two examples: A contract mailed from a post office that took fifteen days to reach me, and the remains of an envelope containing a very large check, delivered in a plastic bag with a preprinted apology.

I’m certain the post office is monitoring these improvements as well and is probably handing out raises and promotions for a job well done. I am guardedly encouraged, but still cynical. After twenty years of crummy service, what can you expect?

Scott Rappe will be giving a short (6 minutes and forty seconds!) talk about preservation and sustainable design at Pecha Kuch Volume #3, a series of presentations each featuring 20 slides for 20 seconds. The event is next Tuesday evening at Martyrs; tickets are $10.

There will be pizza at this month’s General Membership Meeting

The EVA Holiday Party will be held at this month’s meeting. EVA will supply the
pizza and members are encouraged to bring a side dish to share.

Bring a neighbor / friend to this months meeting. Spread the holiday spirit with
your neighbors and fellow EVA members!

Planning, Preservation and Development Committee Report

by Scott Rappe


Pizza Hut/Walgreens

We sent a package to Commissioner Randall of the Department of Planning & Development and copied Mayor Daley and his Chief Environmental Officer, Sadhu Johnston. The package included copies of letters of support from several community groups, both chambers of commerce and numerous businesses and individuals as well as the many newspaper articles that have covered the issue. The Chicago Journal published an editorial supporting our position too.

And there is a positive sign: Following Walgreens’ presentation at the November EVA meeting, the company approached Alderman Flores with a modified plan. Although no details have been released, the company is apparently looking at including additional tenant retail space in the building. Although this still falls far short of what we are looking for, it does show that the company is taking our concerns seriously.

Bear Stewart

While much attention has been focused on the southwest corner of Ashland and Division recently, this site is by no means the only one where potential development is a concern. The northeast corner of Damen and Augusta, a large commercial property owned by Bear Stewart, may be developed soon. It is currently zoned B3-2, like most of Division, Ashland and Chicago, meaning that it can be developed as-of-right into a four story residential complex, with ground floor retail. The PP&D committee will begin looking at the impact of such a development, and whether it is compatible with the generally residential character of that stretch of Damen. We welcome input from all EVA members on this subject and will make a recommendation to Alderman Flores once our analysis is done.


First American Bank

The Chicago Journal recently reported that a Bank of America branch will open where the Rainbow Shop at 1239 N. Milwaukee is currently located. According to a bank spokesperson, the façade will be renovated to fit “the traditional look of the community, which is brick”. My recollection of the building before it was desecrated with Dryvit was that it has an Art-Deco limestone façade. If salvageable, its original appearance is much more appropriate to the Polish Triangle, where limestone, not brick is the predominant material. It would be very helpful if anyone can locate photographs of the facade before it was covered.

EVA Membership Committee Update

by Brian Thompson

The membership committee is composed of Brian Thompson, John Scheer, Guy Rudolph and Scott Van Den Plas. With a listing of new property owners in hand, Brian Thompson and John Scheer have focused on recruiting new East Village Association members by visiting new East Village residents and delivering a copy of the latest EVA newsletter. We would like to thank Greg Nagel of Cedar Realty for providing the listing of new East Village property owners.

Also, joining EVA or paying your EVA membership dues just got easier! Both new and current members can now pay dues online via PayPay or credit card. Simply go to the EVA website (www.eastvillagechicago.org) and click on "Join EVA/Pay EVA Dues" in the lower left corner, then follow the prompts. It is that easy!

Finally, please bring a buddy to the Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 7 p.m. East Village Association pizza party at Happy Village Tavern (corner of Wolcott and Thomas Streets). We hope to see you there.

Do Division Holiday

Saturday, December 1st
Division Street between Ashland & Leavitt—11 AM

Guests will be treated to free live theatre, deep discounts from local boutiques, delectable dining specials, complimentary spirits, an illuminating tree lighting and more!

The streets and shops of the Division Street Corridor will act as a winter wonderland jaunt full of wonderful surprises and merriment during the Division Street Merchants Association's annual family-friendly Do-Division Holiday Walk festival on Saturday, December 1, 2007. Shopping and strolling begins at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the evening, with a grand Holiday Tree Lighting at Anderson Elementary School at 7 p.m.

East Village Association General Membership Meeting Minutes

7 PM November 4 , 2007, Happy Village Tavern

1. Former Pizza Hut – representatives from developer Inter-vision made a presentation for their schematic design for a Walgreens building on the site. See article this newsletter.



2. Former Andy’s Deli space – 1721 West Division- representative from developer made a presentation for their schematic design for a two-story Mexican restaurant at that site. See article this newsletter.



3. No treasurer’s report.



4. No head count was taken.

East Village Association Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

6:30 PM November 12th, 2007, Happy Village Tavern
Submitted by John Sekowski

Board Members in attendance:8
Non-board members:2

1. Walgreens Division and Ashland – The first Ward Alderman is seeking to extend the “Pedestrian Street” designation from its current border at the Post )ffice to Ashland. This designation includes restrictions such as storefront windows and no curb cuts.



2. East Village Association Board of Directors Meeting MinutesScott Rappe sent a letter to the Planning and Development of the Chicago Building Department summarizing the Walgreen’s presentation and the concerns of the neighborhood residents. Perhaps the most impacting issue that will get their attention is that this development is not in accordance with the Near NW Side Master Plan that the Planning and Development of the Chicago issued in 2002.



3. John Sekowski will attempt to prepare a history of the former Pizza Hut site from city directories and building
   permit records.



4. Rich Anselmo will try to get quotes from the Planning and Development Committee in lieu of contacting Blair Kamin.



5. SW corner of Chicago and Ashland, permit is posted for an ATM vestibule.



6. Holiday Party is Dec. 4th. Mary Szpur and Grace Rappe will be responsible for getting the food. EVA has enough funds to pay for the main course, such as pizza. There is adequate funds in the account to cover the
   costs. Members will be asked to bring a side dish.



7. This is a newsletter hardcopy month. John will print the labels and get a print count for Brian Roman. Julie will pick up, fold, and mail.
   
   
8. We have a new member – Jeff Ellis.



9. In January, the speaker will be a representative from the Cook County Commissioners Office. It may be Earlean Collins representing Mr. Stroger.



10. Elections of Officers will be in March 2008. The president intends to fill the ballot for officers beforehand.



11. New Board Member – Rich Anselmo. We are looking forward to his participation this year, and hopefully will be an officer (P, VP, T, or S) next year.



12. Meeting Adjourned approximately 7:30.

Ashland and Division: A Brief Recap of the Issues!

by Scott A. Rappe, AIA

Since March, when Pizza Hut closed, we have advocated for a better use for this prominent site. The fact that there is no single argument for our stance, but rather several distinct ones, strengthens the validity of our position. Here is a brief overview of why we need a multi-use, multi-story, transit-oriented development on this site:

• Increased community density provides a greater customer base to attract and retain the types of local businesses we all want.



• Focusing this density on the perimeter of the neighborhood, near public transit options, reduces the number of cars and the intensity of traffic in the community.



• Satisfying some of the local housing demand with a large multi-use building, rather than through continued demolition and construction of multiple small structures uses less material and energy for construction and results
  in lower longterm operating costs.



• A large building at this corner, mirroring the MB Bank, will create a gateway to the Division Street restaurant and retail district, as well as the West Town neighborhoods beyond.



• Development of pedestrian-focused storefronts, rather than freestanding chain stores in parking lots, will reconnect Division Street to the Polish Triangle and integrate this important public space back into the community.



• A public space, like the Polish Triangle, belongs to the community and should not be exploited by national chains to establish corporate identity.
  -Proper development of land adjacent to a Blue Line station, like this property, should be a prime focus of Chicago’s attempts to "green" itself in response to global climate change.

1st Ward Aldermanic Liaison Report: Why Ald. Flores voted against city budget

by Greg Nagel

I met with Alderman Flores on 11/19/07 to discuss EVA business. Despite the Alderman’s lobbying for the Wood station lockup to be re-opened, this was not included in the city budget. Consequently, he did not vote to support the budget. However, he did do a ride along with the police last week and his takeaway was that the neighborhood was fairly quiet and things were improving.

I also spoke with the alderman regarding the proposed Walgreens at the Ashland Division corner as well. He indicated that Walgreens had floated a new proposal to him that did include an additional floor of retail with parking on the roof. This proposal is still short of what we as a community organization have been lobbying for, but it does show some movement by Walgreens.

The alderman and I also discussed the proposed zoning change at 1916-1924 West Chicago Avenue. The issue here is this property sits on in two different zoning classes so the developer, Ranquist wants a zoning change. However, the EVA has opposed this change as we are not in favor of the demolition of the two buildings for environmental conservation reasons. The Alderman shared with me that he is going to call for a compromise agreement where the smaller of the two buildings would be demolished, however, the larger building would be maintained and the developer would incorporate the remaining structure into the new design meshing old with new.

Furthermore, in exchange for this agreement to not demolish the larger building, which the developer Ranquist as a matter of right can do, they would get an up zoning to a dash 3, which would allow them to build a 5 story structure. As a community organization we need to have a dialogue as to whether we support this compromise.
Lastly, we discussed the enforcement of the Handbill ordinance. The alderman indicated that the Ward Superintendent is the person who has the authority to issue tickets. He indicated that his office has maintained a file of warning letters where each business gets one warning, and then the Ward Superintendent has issued tickets. I asked for a listing and the amount of tickets that had been issued, but that information was not have available. He stated that he is exploring setting up a task force to support the Ward Superintendent in issuing tickets on a much greater scale using our ward the a test case.

HANCOCK HOLIDAY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD!

Preparation for the 14th Annual Hancock Holiday Mountain Railroad is on track! The elaborate miniature railroad, which will run daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through January 2nd, will delight visitors of all ages as it winds its way through the holiday scenery. Free to the public, this display will be located in the lower concourse level near the entrance of The Hancock Observatory.

Over three million Chicagoans and visitors have enjoyed this wonderful holiday scene over the past twelve years. This year’s 1,400-square-foot model train exhibit features 12 trains nestled in a glen of snow-covered trees with attractions along the rails, including an animated tree farm, a cable car to Rudolph’s Island of Misfit Toys, a Snowman family, a ski slope, a working Christmas carnival, the North Pole, a Cows on Parade section, a skating rink, a reindeer barn, and a Christmas Village with dramatic waterfall and special Christmas train geared toward young children.

In addition to the Hancock Holiday Railroad, the Hancock Observatory is open for views of the city buzzing with holiday excitement. The Hancock Observatory is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and admission is $10.25 for adults*, $8.00 for seniors ages 62 and up*, $6.50 for children ages 5 to 12*, and free for children 4 and under. For information call 1-888-875-VIEW (8439) or visit The Hancock Observatory
Web site at www.hancockobservatory.com.

Neighborhood leave stamp on mail carriers

For the East Village mail carrier, attempting “the swift completion of his appointed rounds” sometimes leads to striking out for another neighborhood.

Station managers for the 60618, 60622 and 60647 ZIP codes told the post office's 1st Ward Customer Advisory Council that rapid change in the mail-carrier ranks contribute to late, missed and inaccurate delivery.

Letter carriers here get the itch to move on not from the travels of Herodotus, who inspired the postman's motto, but from the rigors of routes packed with apartments and condos and rife with address changes.

Senior carriers are more likely to bid for easier routes covering downtown high-rises, according to a report from the council on its Nov. 13 meeting. That means here the mail must go through their less-experienced replacements. Sick-day replacements need even more time to learn a route's quirks.

Because post offices have so little dock space, the managers asked neighbors to bear with trucks lining up to load in the morning.

The volunteer council is a creation of Ald. Manny Flores and Chicago Postmaster Gloria Tyson. It next meets at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Flores' ward service office, 2058 N. Western Ave. The group also takes comments and complaints by e-mail at advisorycouncil@msn.com.

Ashland and Division: An Environmental Perspective

by Scott A. Rappe

For ten years EVA’s Planning, Preservation & Development Committee has battled developers bent on overbuilding in areas where such density would strain City services, create traffic congestion and make the neighborhood less livable. We were not always successful, and the results are all around us.

Now, for the first time, the East Village Association has actively called for a site to be developed beyond what its current zoning would allow. This is an unusual position for a community organization, yet, ironically we are still met with opposition by an ignorant and stubborn developer.

A gateway to a transit-oriented development (view west from Polish Triangle)

In this era of growing environmental awareness, dense urban communities like West Town are the most promising models for sustainable living. Just living in renovated buildings in the center of the City puts all of us at the cutting edge of sustainability, in a way that driving a hybrid vehicle to a solar powered house built
out of recycled materials in suburbia never could. To paraphrase a common sentiment among architects, the most sustainable building is the one you don’t build.

Continued occupancy of vintage buildings conserves construction materials and embodied energy. The density of these multifamily buildings preserves land and provides the critical mass of people necessary to create a sense of community. As in East Village, this density, concentrated in an area of ½ mile by ½ mile (Chicago to Division, Ashland to Division) provides enough patrons within walking distance to sustain many vibrant businesses. City lots are modest in size, small enough to be maintained with minimal effort, while large enough to provide light and air to the dwelling, a small garden and perhaps even a rain barrel and a compost bin.

Although Chicago’s public transit system in woefully inadequate, East Village is a good example of a community that relies on it. Its perimeter is served by five major bus lines and the Blue line passes right by it northeast corner (where Walgreens is proposing its new building). It is amazing to see the pedestrian traffic to and from the subway station during morning and evening rush hour.

These transit options are easily walkable and concentrate huge numbers of people on the community’s perimeter creating a synergy between residents and businesses. Prominent properties like those occupied by Wendy’s and Pizza Hut have civic value; they need to be utilized in a way that gives back to the community, rather than just taking away.

Unfortunately, automobile focused uses like the proposed Walgreens, Wendy’s, and several large parking lots on the north side of Division create a retail "dead zone" that strangles what could be a vibrant termination of Division Street on the Polish Triangle. Here, multiple parking lot curb cuts displace lively retail storefronts and disrupt the pedestrian character of the street. This retail "dead zone" is certainly a contributing factor to the sorry state of the Polish Triangle.

Recently, in a meeting with the alderman, representatives of EVA were shown a site plan and elevations for a new freestanding Walgreens proposed for the Pizza Hut site. It was exceedingly disappointing to realize the opportunity this developer is intent on throwing away. The drawings show a modest variation to the typical Walgreens prototype.

The design deviates from the norm only in its use of precast concrete rather than brick (let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and assume its a naïve attempt to pay homage to the natural stone of the MB Bank) and its small footprint (8,000 SF), made possible by a stockroom mezzanine above the sales floor. As would be expected, the building sits in a sea of asphalt and has a gaping two-story-high entrance foyer showcasing Walgreen’s trademark mortar & pestle in neon.

This building is about establishing brand-recognition for Walgreens rather than mending the urban fabric at a historic corner. Contrast this approach with the landmarked MB Bank on the opposite side of the street:

Here the bank takes its identity from the building, not vice- versa. The time for fast food franchises and national chains at this prominent corner of our community has passed.

In selling its property, Pizza Hut has acknowledged this; Wendy’s and now Walgreens
need to do the same. Paying an obscene $4.85 million dollars for this real estate and
then keeping it from serving its highest and best use is like an art patron purchasing the Mona Lisa for their own personal enjoyment.

Interra-Vision, Walgreens’ developer, can build what they are proposing ‘as-of-right’
but that doesn’t mean they should. Prominent locations like this come with the moral
obligation to act with civic responsibility. This site, and West Town, deserves a developer who will build accordingly.

Watch This Space: Walgreens' Designs for Division and Ashland

by Stephen Rynkiewicz

Plans for a Walgreens drugstore at the southwest corner of Division and Ashland have grown, but not enough for residents seeking a building on the scale of the MB Bank across the street.

Interra-Vision Development at the Nov. 6 EVA meeting displayed designs for a 12,000-square-foot, cast concrete building with second-floor storage. Proposals started with a single-story building.

Keeping plans modest for the former Pizza Hut lot, according to the developer, were the common space required for multiple tenants, the uncertainty of selling condo space and the need for approval from the neighboring Wendy's restaurant.

Further west on Division, a Southwest-theme restaurant would open in the former Andy's Deli space in February at 1721 W. Division.

Owner Bobby Burrelson, owner of Kincade's, Twisted Lizard and 10 other Chicago bars and restaurants, said Angels & Mariachis would be a two-story restaurant with sidewalk cafe and 10 big-screen TVs to appeal to a sports crowd.

President's Message: EVA Holiday Party

by Mary Szpur

We have two important presentations coming up at our November meeting (please see announcements in this newsletter). One involves the proposed development of the former Pizza Hut property at the corner of Division and Ashland. As this is a prominent location and important commercial corner, any development at this location will affect our community and Division Street specifically for many years. Now is the opportunity for community input, so please attend the November meeting.


EVA December Holiday Pot-Luck Party

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 4, as the date for East Village Association’s holiday party at Happy Village. This year, EVA will provide the main food course, and we are asking you to help out by bringing an appetizer or a dessert, if you can. If your last name begins with A-L, we ask you to bring an appetizer, and if it begins with M-Z, we ask you to bring a dessert. We encourage you to buy beverages from Happy Village, who has been supporting EVA for many years by agreeing to host our monthly meetings. Please come and bring friends and neighbors!

Attack From Above!

by Scott A. Rappe

While I was preparing breakfast earlier this week, my six year old, Nicholas, ran in from our third floor deck. “Daddy! Daddy! Come out here and get rid of the pigeon head before mommy sees it!”

He had stumbled across the grizzly evidence of an avian murder. It was a mystery: we had never seen a cat on our deck, and felt certain we could rule out a fox, coyote and cougar, though all of these creatures have been seen in the City in recent years. Later that day I relayed the story to my brother Doug, who replied: “What you’ve got is a Peregrine falcon!” The pieces all fit together.

In 1970, Peregrine falcons were put on the endangered species list. None lived east of the Rocky Mountains and populations were declining in the west. Their rapid decline was the result of the pesticide DDT, which weakened eggshells and decimated the reproduction cycle of the birds. Biologists bred peregrine falcons in captivity and reintroduced them, both into the wild and into urban environments.

It turns out that, just as for humans, cities are great places for peregrines to live and raise families. Skyscrapers with ledges offer protected perches similar to the cliffs the birds would normally inhabit. And cities offer another benefit: ample prey in the form of pigeons. In researching the birds I found many similar descriptions of the aftermath of peregrine falcon attacks: “…leaving the less tasty parts like heads and feet…”

Peregrine falcon nests are now established in many parts of the city beyond the Loop, including Edgewater, Uptown, Lakeview, Lawndale and Pilsen. Perhaps we are lucky enough to have a nesting pair in the East Village area? With the increasing domination of the Polish Triangle by pigeons, we can only hope!

Aldermanic Liaison Report

By Greg Nagel

I met with Alderman Flores on 10/23/07 to discuss EVA business. The Alderman indicated to me that he had a meeting the other day where he is lobbying to bring back the lockup at the Wood St. police station. Furthermore, he indicated he is also lobbying to ensure that our patrol and gang officers are never pulled out of our district which has been periodically happening during busy weekend hours.

We discussed the handbill ordinance and I relayed to him the group’s concern regarding what appears to us as a lack of enforcement. I expressed to him that we are looking for a process where there is regular enforcement.

Alderman Flores indicated that he is going to follow up with the Department of Streets & Sanitation, Manny Gonzales, and will get back to me.

Planning, Preservation and Development Committee Report

by Scott Rappe

1916-24 West Chicago Avenue

Ranquist Development’s presented its case for a zoning change at the October general meeting. The property in question is unusual in that it is zoned both RT-4 and B3-2. Ranquist Development’s intention was to tear the existing buildings down. In the questions and discussion that followed, it was clear that most members did not want to see the buildings demolished, though at least one member did voice the opinion that a new building might spur development on Chicago Avenue.

The Board directed the PD&D committee to write a letter to Alderman Flores opposing the zoning change. In a follow-up conversation, Alderman Flores stated that he wholeheartedly agreed that the building at the corner of Winchester and Chicago cannot be torn down. He denied Ranquist Development’s request.

Ashland & Division (Pizza Hut) Property

The East Village Association’s advocacy for a mixed-use, multi-story transit oriented development continues.

Representatives of Interra-Vision Development are scheduled to present a scheme for a freestanding Walgreens proposed for the site at the November 6 general membership meeting.

Boundary Tree Pits

The tree pits, altered in contradiction to the moratorium instituted to protect them, still have not been restored.

The EVA Board will ask that the Alderman to deny the restaurant a sidewalk café permit until they are.

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

Commission on Chicago Landmarks Fall Workshop

By Greg Nagel

I enjoyed the opportunity to attend this fall workshop held in Old
Town on 10/20/07 and wanted to pass on some interesting takeaways.

Landmark Tax Incentives

Mike Ward, IL Office of Preservation Services in Springfield, addressed
the group and discussed the different tax incentives available
to contributing landmark buildings. Anyone living in such a building that is considering doing a significant renovation should look into the available programs.

As you learn about these programs it is easy to have literally dozens of questions.
However, here is a very short summary that will perhaps give you enough information
to determine if this is something you want to investigate further.

1. Property Tax Assessment Freeze – Residential program administered by the
   State (IL Historic Preservation Agency – IHPA). The assessed valuation is frozen for
   8 years and then brought back to market over a 4 year buildup. To qualify it must be
   a contributing landmark building, a residential building, owner occupied, and where a
   renovation will be or has been completed where the renovation cost is at least 25%
   of the Assessor’s market value.



2. Historic Preservation Tax Credit – Residential and commercial program covering
   all income producing properties. The benefit is a 20% tax credit. To qualify you must
   renovate a contributing building spending an amount greater than the adjusted basis
   (property cost less depreciation taken) on an approved rehab project.



3. Façade Donation Program – This program is under flux right now and does not appear to be a viable option.

For more info about these programs check out www.state.il.us/hpa or feel free
contact me at gnagel01@comcast.net.