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April 2019   Newsletter 
Upcoming
SLN Events

Quarterly Meeting  

May 1

 

Presidents Roundtable 

May 9 

 

Jazz Showcase 

May 15

 

Yard Sale 

June 8

 

 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Clean and Green 
Sat. April 27 9:00 am 
Printer's Row Park 

In honor of Earth Day, help beautify Printer's Row Park.

Quarterly Members Meeting 
Wed. May 1 7:00 pm 
Grace Place: 637 S. Dearborn St.  

There have been dramatic decreases in crime rates in the South Loop over the last year - much of this believed to be due to increased police resources and re-focused attention.  Where are the remaining "hot spots"?  What non-police resources can be utilized to increase the safety and quality of life for folks in the South Loop?  And just as important, what can we residents do to build and maintain our South Loop community?  Join with your neighbors for information sharing and discussion.

Condo Presidents Roundtable 
Thurs. May 9, 6:30 pm 
899 S. Plymouth Ct. Party Room

Are you a condo board president? If so, join us (or send a representative) to meet other area board members, exchange ideas, discuss happenings in the neighborhood, and foster a sense of community. 

Jazz Showcase
Wed. May 15 7:30 pm 
806 S. Plymouth Ct. 
Appetizers and Conversation - 7:30 pm Music at 8 pm  
$10 - Members (in advance) 
$15 - Non-Members (in advance)
$15 Members/$20 Non-Members at the door 
 
Includes cover charge & appetizers; cash bar. 

Click here to purchase tickets.  

Yard Sale
June 8 9:00 am 
Dearborn Park: Plymouth and 9th 
Members: Free
Non-members: $5

Buy, sell, or browse. To reserve your spot, email: [email protected].

DEVELOPMENT


(Crain's Chicago Business- click title for article) The future of a huge research center in the South Loop once again is in grave doubt after Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration added what appears to be onerous new conditions to state funding for the University of Illinois' Discovery Partners Institute.  Pritzker not only wants the university to match the $500 million in state cash dollar-for-dollar, but wants the entire $500 million in private funding in hand before any state money is released. That means that a public school with lots of financial challenges will have to raise $500 million on its own first, a huge and perhaps insurmountable challenge.


(Crain's Chicago Business- click title for article) A Wisconsin developer has unveiled conceptual plans for a massive South Loop mixed-use project anchored by a transit center and entertainment complex across from Soldier Field, a development that could reshape the neighborhood and its connection with the Museum Campus and lakefront.  Landmark Development envisions several towers rising from a deck it would build over Metra Electric rail tracks running from McCormick Place to McFetridge Drive. Developed over 20 years, the project, called One Central, could include residential units, offices, stores, hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment venues, said Robert Dunn, president of Madison, Wis.-based Landmark.


(Curbed Chicago- click title for article) The South Loop apartment boom is adding another project to the mix as developer Draper and Kramer officially breaks ground on a 24-story rental building at northeast corner of Wabash Avenue and Cermak Road.  Known by its address of 2111 S. Wabash, the 275-unit development includes ground floor retail and 88-car parking podium topped by a glassy tower with an angular "sawtooth" facade. The design creates great views in all directions as well as a "prismatic effect in which the light will constantly change the appearance of the building depending on the time of day," said architect John Lahey of firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz in a statement.



2300 S. Indiana - Motor Row Hotel
Naganat Guru of Financial Guru International LLC has proposed redeveloping the vacant building at 2300 S. Indiana Avenue in Motor Row into a 200-key hotel. This $36 million renovation would be home to a new Studio 6 branded extended stay hotel, the first urban Studio 6 in Chicago. Building designs and construction schedules have not yet been established. 

IN BRIEF

Live Local - Shop Local
 
      The South Loop is a vibrant neighborhood and as it continues to grow, it becomes increasingly more important  for residents to support local small businesses. The benefits of shopping local are documented through a number of  studies. 
       South Loop Neighbors especially urge residents to shop at local businesses that have partnered with the South Loop Neighbors as Community Builders. Community Builders are businesses that are members of the SLN and who  recognize that a partnerships between SLN and local businesses creates an optimal environment for our neighborhood  to maintain and increase the vibrancy of the South Loop! 
      Please visit our website to learn more about our Community Builders.  
   
Openings:
  • Kids Wonderland: 2028 S. Michigan Ave.
  • Urban Hair Chicago: 2132 S. Michigan Ave. 
Opening Soon: 
  • Il Culaccio: 2138 S. Indiana plans to open Spring 2019
  • Sumi: 1303 S. Michigan Ave.
  • Habor: 1312 S. Wabash Ave.
Moving:
  • Overflow Coffee Bar: new location TBD
South Loop Elementary New Building Opened  - 
SLE is growing from a capacity of 690 students to a new capacity 1770 students. The new building features state-of-the-art science & computer labs, as well as modern art & music rooms. The new building houses graded 4-8. Grades 1-3 will remain at the building on Plymouth Ct. 

The Near South Planning Board, the original founders of the Printers Row Lit Fest, will once again own and manage the event. The Tribune will remain a sponsor while Wintrust will be the principal sponsor for programming. This year's Printers Row Lit Fest will be held on June 8 and 9 along Dearborn Street and Ida B. Wells to Polk Street. The event will feature local and international booksellers, presses and publishers.

DMK Restaurants plans a huge food hall in the former headquarters of CNA Financial. The venture is a partnership with Chicago developer John Buck Co. The real estate firm is in the process of redeveloping the office tower at 333 S. Wabash Ave., formerly the CNA headquarters.

Grant Park Advisory Council 

On April 10, 2019, the Chicago Park District coordinated elections for the Grant Park Advisory Council Board. The new officers are: President - Leslie Recht; Jim Wales -Vice-President; Treasurer - Richard Ward; Secretary - John Talbot. The new board will be seeking to enhance transparency and increase citizen input and involvement on issues and programs related to Grant Park.  Any SLN Member with questions, comments or wanting to get involved with the GPAC, please contact Jim Wales at [email protected]
    
 
Considers moving back to soldier field. The team is negotiating a buyout of the remaining years on the SeatGeek Stadium lease.

Wintrust Arena and Soldier Field events
 www.WintrustArena.com for a full list of events


Other Neighborhood Events

CAPS meetings
Beats 121,122,123 & 124 
Meetings will be  held the 2nd Wednesday of every  month  at 6:30 pm, with two exceptions: Jul. 9 & Oct. 8.  The meetings are held at 525 S. State Street. 
The next meeting is May 8 .

Beat 131 & 132 
Meetings will held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The meetings are held at the 1st District Station, 1718 S. State Street.  The next meeting is April 16, 2019.

Beat 133
Meetings will be held the 3rd Wednesday of every minty at 6:30 pm. The meeting are held at Prairie Shore, 2901 S. Martin Luther King Drive.  The next meeting is April 17, 2019. 
 

Click here for more info on the egg hunt
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Chicago Park District invites you to j oin them for a one of kind Egg Hunt experience with Medieval Times! Please  click here!  to register today!



Women's Park
Activities - Click here  
 
Northerly Island 
Family Fishing
May 4, 11 8:00 am - 10:30 am 

Glessner House 

Museum Free Days 
Field Museum: May 2

VIVID 2019: A Celebration of Jazz
Tuesday,  April 16 - 7:30 p.m.
Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University
50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Free Performance
For more information, click here.
 
VIVID is a free event, but tickets are required. Tickets available to reserve through the Auditorium Theatre Box Office. 

  
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED

Annual Members Dinner:   April 7