Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland: A City Target

Posted on , updated on by Steven Stern

The Patch and DNAInfo are reporting that Target will be building a store on the site of the former LaSalle Bank on the north east corner of Belmont and Ashland:

http://northcenter-roscoevillage.patch.com/articles/confirmed-target-closes-deal-on-ashland

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130208/lakeview/lakeview-target-coming-soon

Before the store can open, Target must present its proposal to West Lakeview Neighbors, the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and the Community Directed Development Council, according to Bennett Lawson, chief of staff for Ald. Tom Tunney (44th). By Serena Dai, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

February Newsletter and Meeting

Posted on , updated on by Steven Stern

The next South Lakeview Neighbors meeting is Tuesday, February 12. As usual, we will gather for coffee and chat at 7:00 PM in the basement of St. Alphonsus church, at 1429 Wellington. The meeting itself begins at 7:30 PM.

On the agenda this month:

  • Lathrop Homes – current Developer Plans
    The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and the appointed developer Lathrop Community Partners (LCP) have responded to Aldermen Waguespack and Moreno and the surrounding community for more input on the master development plan of the Lathrop Homes. The CHA and LCP have compiled results from the surveys taken at the Open House meeting held in November 2012 attended by 366 people resulting in 258 surveys and 54 additional online surveys. The CHA is now focusing on what they feel are two crucial points (1) direct engagement with community groups and (2) movement toward developing one master plan.  Representatives of the development group will present their latest plans to us.
  • 1248 W. George St (La Vida Lounge) – Rezoning
    This property is the former La Vida Lounge across the street from The Elbo Room. The building was most recently run as a night club. That night club was very disruptive to the immediate residential neighborhood and by neighborhood pressure, was forced to close its operations. The building has been vacant for over two years. The potential owner/developer intends to convert the building into his own single family house.  Because this renovation requires a zoning change, Alderman Waguespack has asked for our input on the matter.

Please read the newsletter for a deeper discussion of these topics.  Also in the newsletter,

  • SLN President David Duggan opines on the above topics, as well as the Bears and our nearly snow-free winter
  • There’s a report about the December holiday party, which raised $365 for the Lakeview Pantry
  • Alderman Waguespack, Congressman Quigley, and Representative Williams have updates on their latest activities
  • There is a report on the demise and resurrection of the CAPS program
  • News from Burley, St. Alphonsus, and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce
  • A letter of introduction from Elias Voulgaris,  recently appointed Town Hall (19th) District Commander

Read it all in the newsletter.

Lathrop Update

Posted on , updated on by Steven Stern

The Julia C. Lathrop Homes, viewed from the Chicago River, has neighbors in a quandary over redevelopment plans. (David Wilson/Flickr) via DNAInfoChicago

The developers for the Lathrop Homes site have been  making some news:

  • Lakeview Patch: “Based on the responses, CHA and LCP representatives have agreed to modify the process, according to a notice issued…  Developers now say they expect to create a master plan by the end of March, according to company documents.”
  • DNAInfoChicago: “‘No High-rises!’ Lathrop Homes Developer Releases Summary of Comments”

Next Meeting: December 11, 2012

Posted on , updated on by Steven Stern

We will have our annual Christmas party next Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Will’s Northwoods Inn, at Racine and Nelson.

DATE: Tuesday, December 11
TIME: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
LOCATION: Will’s Northwoods Inn, 3030 N. Racine, back room.

As in the past, we will ask those attending to bring a boxed-or-canned good for, or a check payable to, Lakeview Pantry, although they prefer cash because they can buy in bulk far more economically than we can. We will have the usual raffles for baskets of booze and other party gifts. Maybe even a politician or two will stop by!

During this season of fellowship, generosity and reflection, it is a good time to think about what South Lakeview Neighbors means to all who live, or work, or own property within the 24 blocks bounded by Racine to Ravenswood, Belmont to Diversey. As an organization:

  • We have resisted development that would burden the neighborhood (like a hookah lounge) and encouraged development with offsetting benefits (like the Belmont Medical building).
  • We have reduced the sought–after density of other large-scale residential properties (like Wellington Park) and assisted in the transition of Lincoln from a department-store destination shopping area to a mixed residential and small retail use.
  • We act as a forum for our elected officials so that you can determine whether they are talking straight to us or have thrown us into the spin cycle, and invite candidates so that you can learn more than revealed on a glossy mailer.
  • We inform our members of new businesses, changes in how public services are delivered and other issues that affect their lifestyle and pocketbook.

If you live within the boundaries of SLN, we urge you to have a voice in the community and join South Lakeview Neighbors.

If you missed the November meeting, you didn’t learn about the services offered at the new Northwestern medical building on Belmont, including an immediate care facility and physicians from the Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group. Nor did you learn about a program that offers significant rebates for energy related improvements to your house through Energy Impact Illinois.   You can read more about both in the current SLN Newsletter.

Also in the SLN Newsletter:

  • Get an update about the property under development at 1248 W. George and  big changes in the plans for the Lathrop Homes site (all 3 plans now “feature” 1600 units).
  • There are also updates from Commissioner John Fritchey, Alderman Scott Waguespack,  Representative Mike Quigley.
  • There is news about CAPS, Burley School, the #11 Lincoln Avenue Bus, and much more.

We hope to see you at the party on the 11th.  In the meantime, join in the discussions on Facebook.