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-North Branch Industrial Corridor Public Comment Period-
-18th District Community Alert-
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Dear Neighbor,
Last month, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) released its full framework plan for the transformational redevelopment of the North Branch Industrial Corridor at UI Labs. 43rd Ward residents oppose the lack of required recreational space for sports and I share that
deep disappointment.
There is also concern about the impact of density if the proposed base zoning of 3.0 Floor Area Ratio (which is typical of our business areas) is allowed to climb to 6.5 Floor Area ratio (which are high rises) without meaningful park space to serve the burgeoning population in and around the former industrial corridor.
We know this sentiment is widespread from the feedback to the city and our office. Here is a sample:
"The redevelopment of the 47-acre Finkl Steel site should include a neighborhood park of approximately 10 acres . . . . Oz Park, 13 acres is the only neighborhood-sized park in the 43rd Ward. . . . Large sections of the 2nd, 32nd and 43rd Wards do not have a park within a half-mile walking area required by the city's development guidelines."
"Currently there are four playground lots within RANCH . . . each is designed for children under the age of 12. . . . The decision expressed by DPD, without explanation, that any public open space is to be 'developer-driven' contributes to the concern that open space needs of the community will never be addressed."
"We are greatly underserved with respect for open space . . . . parents often must take their children elsewhere to participate in activities such as soccer, baseball, basketball and the like . . . . SNA would like to see in addition to pathways along the river . . . an area or two designated for new parks of at least 15 acres in size"
I cannot stress enough how important these comments are.
Since posting the plan online, DPD has received only five comments. To encourage additional input, your online comments will be accepted until Monday, May 1st in advance of the Plan Commission vote on the Development framework on Thursday, May 18th.
In person feedback will be taken Friday, April 7th from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St, Room 1003-A. Two additional informal open houses will be held prior to the May Plan Commission, dates and times to be announced.
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18th District Community Alert - Burglaries
The 18th District has put out a
Community Alert regarding recent burglaries in Beats 1813 and 1814. In each incident, the victims left their garage doors open or unlocked in which bicycles and a motor vehicle were stolen. Information about the offenders is unknown at this time. The burglaries took place at the following locations:
- 300 block of West Concord Pl, Thursday, March 16th and 23rd in the early evening hours.
- 1900 block of North Cleveland Ave, Saturday, March 25th in the late evening hours to early morning hours.
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1600 block of North Bissell St, Tuesday, March 28th during the late evening to early morning hours.
- 1800 block of North Orleans St, Friday, March 31st in the early afternoon hours.
If you have any information or security footage, contact the Bureau of Detectives - Area Central at (312) 747-8382.
What you can do to protect your home/garages from burglaries:
- Remember to lock your house, garage and car doors, and close accessible windows when you are not home.
- Install an effective deadbolt on your garage door or your back porch.
- These simple measures can cut the burglary rate in half, according to police.
- If you are a victim, do not touch anything and contact the police immediately.
- Keep a record of property serial numbers.
- Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of any suspicious people including any vehicle description and license plate information.
Visit the 43rd Ward
website for CAPS Beat locations and meeting dates for 2017. The next 1814 Beat meeting will be held on
Tuesday, May 2nd at 6:00 PM at Latin Upper School, 59 W North Ave. Beat 1813 will meet
Thursday, May 11th at 6:00 PM at St. James Lutheran Church & School, 2101 N Fremont.
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Upcoming 19th District CAPS Meeting
On
Monday, April 10th at 6:30 PM the Chicago Police Department's 19th District Beats 1934 & 1935 CAPS meeting will be held at the 2nd Unitarian Church, 656 W Barry St.
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Street Sweeping Schedule
Street sweeping began on Saturday, April 1st. Sweeping locations are assigned on a five to six week rotation.
Click
here
to view the 2017 schedule.
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Money Matters for Young Adults
Come to the Lincoln Park Branch Library, 1150 W Fullerton Ave on
today, April 6th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
for an
introduction to personal finances
geared toward college students and young adults. The event will include an informal 30-minute "mingling" period, a lecture and a Q&A period.
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Range Community Night for Care For Friends
Enjoy great food at Range Restaurant, 1119 W Webster Ave on
tonight, April 6th from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and 20% of all sales during the Range Community Night will go to support Care For Friends, which provides food and wellness assistance to some of
Chicago's most vulnerable and under-served residents. Click
here
for more information on Care For Friends.
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Wrightwood Neighbors Association Easter Activities
Come out on
Saturday, April 8th from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM at the New Life Church, 1110 W Lill St for a visit with the Easter Bunny for photos, snacks and crafts. Weather permitting, join the Wrightwood Neighbors Association for an
Easter Egg Hunt at Jonquil Park, 1001 W Wrightwood Ave from
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM.
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Non-Violent Communication Workshop
Join the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church Compassion Project, 600 W Fullerton Pkwy on
Saturday, April 8th between 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM for a non-violent communication workshop. Check-in is at
8:30 AM. The event costs $30 and lunch is included. RSVP by
Wednesday, April 5th to:
office@lppchurch.org or 773-248-8288. Learn to practice: greater authenticity in communication, increased understanding, deepening connection, and conflict resolution.
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Chicago Art and Design Show at Navy Pier
Enjoy a weekend of art at Navy Pier for the Chicago Art and Design Show on
Saturday, April 8th and Sunday, April 9th from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The show features 100 juried artists in the huge Expo Hall at Navy Pier. Artists will be displaying and selling their work: paintings, sculpture, photographs, jewelry, wearables and more. Admission is free. Visit
here for more info. about the festival.
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Oz Park Advisory Council Tennis Court Fundraising Effort
The Oz Park Advisory Council (OPAC)needs help to refurbish the tennis courts in Oz Park.
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Current Oz Park Tennis Courts before refurbishing
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I've contributed $30,000 of funding from my Alderman Menu, and many members of the community have generously contributed additional funding to help
ensure this project is a success!
Help the OPAC reach their goal of $120,00 to resurface the courts and provide for badly needed ongoing
maintenance. I encourage you to go to
www.ozparkadvisorycouncil.org to support this important neighborhood improvement.
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18th District Infant Clothing Drive
During the month of April the 18th District Chicago Police Department,
1160 N Larrabee St. will be collecting diapers, diaper wipes, new socks, new underwear and new pajamas in the Police Department Lobby. The collection will benefit The Maryville Crisis Nursery and Cradles to Crayons.
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Remembering Donnie Kruse
On Tuesday, March 28th Donnie Kruse, co-owner of Stanley's Kitchen and Tap passed away. The Lincoln Park neighborhood will miss him dearly. Click here to read the Chicago Tribune's article on how Donnie turned Stanley's into a hot-spot for celebrities and residents all across the city.
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Chicago's citywide
Clean & Green Day of Service
is
Saturday, April 22nd
. Join your neighbors and community organizations in beautifying the 43rd Ward.
Call 3-1-1 or visit the
city's website to register your community group or locate a community group to join. Tools and cleaning supplies are provided by the City, and
groups must register their Clean and Green event by noon on
Wednesday, April 19th.
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See you in the neighborhood,
Michele Smith
Alderman, 43rd Ward
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43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T-F 9 AM - 6 PM
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