July 18, 2005

Broadway Zoning Tops Neighborhood Agenda

                Is it better to live with lots of auto repair shops or should we stimulate development by allowing some height and density?  These are some of the questions that property owners, community leaders and local residents are discussing as they analyze the Broadway Zoning and Marketing Report.   

            A special community meeting will be held in DAMEN HALL on the LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO campus on Saturday, July 23^rd in rooms 438 and 440.  The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and has been divided up into segments for the benefit of persons with special geographical interests.

Discussion Schedule

                                                       9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.   Thorndale to Devon

                                                Coffee Break                 

                                          10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.  Bryn Mawr to Thorndale

                                                Light Lunch

                                          1:00 p.m. -- 2:30  p.m.     Foster to Bryn Mawr

            Alderman Smith is asking neighbors, fellow property owners and business owners to come and share their initial thoughts and opinions about zoning on Broadway as we examine it block by block.  Although these are discussion sessions and no zoning decisions will be made on Saturday, elected officials and community leaders will be listening. This is the time for the community to be heard.  Notes will be taken and reviewed so that the final zoning plan is a reflection of the community’s aspirations.   

            You can review the Broadway Marketing and Zoning Study by clicking on this link or by going directly to the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce website at www.edgewater.org.  It has been divided into sections because of the size of the pdf files.   Acrobat Reader is required to

read the study and is downloadable from our website if you don’t have the latest verision.    

            For purposes of the Report, the Broadway Study Area comprises the parcels along Broadway, from Foster Ave to Devon Ave, from parcels along Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Hollywood, Thorndale & Granville Avenues, near the intersections with Broadway (the "Study Area").

            This Report is funded by the State of Illinois and is a joint project of State Representative Harry Osterman, State Senator Carol Ronen, City of Chicago Alderman Mary Ann Smith, Loyola University of Chicago, Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Edgewater Community Council, Edgewater Development Corporation, the Organization of the NorthEast, Edgewater Uptown Builders Association, Block Clubs of Edgewater, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Lakeside Motel Closes, Wreckers Move In

            The Lakeside Motel,  5440 N. Sheridan Road, is history.  The owners have held a final furniture sale and the wrecking is scheduled to begin on July 18^th.  Developers Cary Kerbel and Bob Mathews (The Bluewater Group) expect that it will be over a year before construction because of time needed for architectural designs, approval under the Lakefront Protection Ordinance and the permit process.   In the meantime, Kerbel has announced that he has brought the reknowned Booth Hansen Architectural firm onto his team.

            Kerbel is rushing demolition so that the property can be used both as a staging area for the 5430 N. Sheridan building which he is constructing and as auxiliary parking for a large Sheridan Road condo association doing garage reconstruction.

Demolition Marks Start of Granville Project

        Demolition of the remaining two buildings on the NE corner of Granville/Broadway Project is half-way finished and the awning announcing the sales office across the street is up; but the retail tenant list is yet to be announced.   Patrons of Cheetah Gym and the Edgewater Swim and Athletic Club are holding their breath waiting to hear if a 24 hour gym is a part of the package.  Local residents fear that the entry of a behemoth onto the Edgewater scene would put independent businesses in jeopardy.  Depending on the decision of the gym chain to enter the market, the building will be 11 or 12 stories high.  Ten percent of the units will be sold as CPAN – affordable housing units.  The property is in the 49^th Ward.

Chamber Reviews Plans for Foster/Broadway

        Representatives of Garrett Development, purchasers of the Piser property at Broadway and Foster, met with the Board of Directors of the Edgewater Chamber

of Commerce to discuss a development proposal.  The corner building is considered architectural significant and will be preserved as a part of the structure.  One structure will be constructed on the property but it will be designed to look like several buildings close together. Still to be decided are the location of driveways and loading zones. 

Concerts, Movies Come to Local Parks

            Under the leadership of Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell, more FREE outdoor summer activities are coming to the neighborhoods. All movies begin at dusk.  Among the easily accessible concerts and movies in our area are:

Movies: 7/20 - Spiderman 2, Schreiber Park, 1552 W. Schreiber

             7/28 – The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie, Chase Park, 4701 N Ashland

                 8/17 – Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Leavitt

             8/19 – Finding Neverland, Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf

Concerts:  7/23 - Blues  Concert In the Park, Senn Park, 5887 N. Ridge  6:30 p.m.

                 7/24  - Children’s  Sammy Torres with Gian Luca,

Cedar Park, 5311 N. Winthrop  4:00 p.m.

                 7/24 - Latin   Sabu Soul, Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf  5:00 p.m.

                 7/28 - Jazz   Gallery 37 in the Parks, South Shore Cultural Center Youth

                                    Jazz Ensemble, Berger Park,  6205 N. Sheridan 6:30 p,m,

                 8/02 - Blues Concert in the Park, Schreiber Park, 1552 W. Schreiber 6:30 p.m.

                 8/11 - Pop    St. Jams, Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan  6:30 p.m.

                 8/14 - Big Band  Horner Park Jazz Band,  Cedar Park,  5311 N. Winthrop  4:00 p.m.

                 8/20 - Classical  Musicians from the New Millenium Orchestra,  Thorndale

                                     Beach Park,  5934 N. at the Lakefront  3:00 p.m.

                  8/21 – Blues  Diamond Jim Greene,  Broadway  Armory Parking Lot,

                                      5917 N. Broadway  6:30 p.m.

Your New Business Can Be a Success

                A limited number of seats are still available for a special seminar being given by Larry Little, CPA (The A.C.T. Group, Ltd.) and Tom Franklin (Bridgeview Bank).  The Chambers will present a seminar for new business owners and people who are considering starting their own business titled, "Your New Business: ESSENTIALS TO START-UP AND SUCCESS!" on Thursday, July 21 from 6:30 - 8:30pm at Bridgeview Bank 4753 N. Broadway in Chicago. Participants will learn the THREE biggest issues facing small businesses and the SEVEN steps to start-up. Seminar fee is $35 and will be donated to the Andersonville, Edgewater and Uptown chambers of commerce. Space is very limited so please call 773-743-2196 to reserve your seats.

Sheridan Road ReZoning Moves Forward

            Sheridan Road residents led by Alderman Mary Ann Smith, appeared before the City Council Zoning Committee on July 14^th to support a rezoning plan that would make two major changes on Sheridan Road.   ASCO – the Assn. of Sheridan Condo/Co-op Owners has proposed that developers in B zoning be given the option of eliminating retail spaces and constructing an all residential building.  This has been and is the trend on Sheridan Road where buildings with retail space have a hard time attracting tenants. 

The Association has also proposed that height be restricted on developments by rezoning vacant and underused properties.  The traffic and population density are the key reasons for this recommendation.   Alderman Smith asked for deferment of action till the next meeting of the committee to allow for additional meetings with proposed developers.

CAPS Issues Alley Safety Tips

With summer in full swing, more people are in their yards and alleys.  Alleys can provide cover for burglars and other criminals.  CAPS offers you the following suggestions for a safe summer. 

1. Secure your back door and gate. Most home burglaries occur when no one is at home. You can discourage burglars by putting a lock on your back gate, ensuring that your back door has a deadbolt lock and making sure that your back door is visible by your neighbors.

2. Secure your garage.  Install good lighting at the back and over any side entrances.  Secure    stored property    with a strong lock.  Automatic garage door openers make coming home safer and light- or motion-sensitive lighting devices ensure that when you leave or come home you won’t be in the dark.

3. Light your alley and back yard.  Add lights to your back fence, passages and yard.  Make sure all city-installed lights are working and report to 311 if they are not.

4. Place your address in the back of your property.   It’s the Law.  Emergency vehicles need them.  The ability to find the right location quickly can make a difference.  You should have your address permanently marked on the back of your property – on the gate, the fence, or the garage.

5. Don’t use alleys alternatives to streets.  While some alleys might seem more convenient, don’t take the chance of making yourself a victim of crime.  You should not use alleys as shortcuts, especially when alone and at night.

6. Keep your alley clean.   Accumulated trash is not only a health and fire hazard, but can also send the signal to residents and criminals that no-one cares about the neighborhood.

Open House for New Commander at 20^th District

                The 20^th Police District will be holding an Open House on July 26^th.  Tours of this state of the art police station will be offered.  This will be a good opportunity to meet the new commander, Kathleen M. Boehmer and inform her of your concerns as a member of the easternmost community in the district.  The Open House will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Refreshments will be served.  There will be free parking in the parking garage on the second and third floors.  The 20^th District police station is located on 5400 N. Lincoln. 

People Are Talking About….

                Edgewater’s newest destination point by boat that is.  The number of yachts, cruisers and power boats dropping anchor outside of Hollywood Beach.   Highest count spotted from the hi-rises was 14 at one time on Sunday, July 17^th.,.and the beach was pretty crowded, too.

            Metropolis Coffee Co. 1039 W. Granville, getting chosen by Chicago Magazine as the place to go for the Best Latte in Chicago.

            The very long time it is taking to open a police satellite office in the Granville “L” station; the lawyers are holding it up. 

            The campaign “Not on My Watch” being mounted by Emanuel Congregation to save lives in Sudan.  To help stop the genocide visit this website. AJWS and send an email or write directly to President Bush.

            The loss of Jack Bess as editor of the News*Star.  Jack’s exit was a part of the reorgani-zation when Pioneer Press bought the chain.  Bess knew and loved Edgewater and made sure that we got coverage for our many positive developments.

            The exciting décor at the Chicago International Hostel, 6318 N. Winthrop, as seen on ABCChicago 7 special “Asian Influences”.  Owner Arshad “Sony” David has rehabbed the hostel and furnished it with antiques.

            The receipt of the building permit for the Edgewater Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Center!!!!!  Blessed be she who waits and Chris Souve, Dept of Street and Sanitation and Greg Harris, 48th Ward for all their help.   We are on a roll.

Activities of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce are funded in part by grants from the City of Chicago, IL DCEO, SBC and with the support of Broadway Bank, First Commercial Bank and National City Bank.  

This publication was funded in part with funds under the City of Chicago Dept. of Planning & Development TABG Program and does not necessarily represent in whole or in part the viewpoints of the Department of Planning & Development.