CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lincoln Park, Loop, Old Town, Oak Park, Norwood Park

LINCOLN PARK

Alderman Brian Hopkins is looking out for you and your family as flu season approaches by sponsoring the 2nd Ward Family Health and Resource Fair in the Loggia Room of Latin School of Chicago at 59 W. North Blvd. this Saturday, 10/1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Nothing says caring like FREE flu shots and health screenings. City and state agencies will also be on hand to provide health and resource information.

LOOP

The $240 million purchase of the Tribune Tower has been finalized and the landmark now belongs to CIM Group®, the real estate investors who also owns Block 37 on State Street and several other investments in California and around the country. The gorgeous neo-Gothic facade will be preserved but only time will reveal what CIM Group has in store for the future of its interior. Will they create a retail mall similar to Block 37 and Water Tower Place, or will it be converted into a hotel, or condominiums with office spaces, or all of the above? With 36 stories and 737,000 square feet to work with, their plan for “mixed-use redevelopment” will be nothing short of impressive. Also on our collective mind is will the iconic building keep its iconic name or will it go the way of the Willis/Sears Tower? This is just the beginning of the newest chapter in the legacy which is the Tribune Tower.

OLD TOWN

Chicago is constantly expanding and we can be sure that developers are looking to squeeze in as much work as possible before the frosty months of winter are upon us. ChicagoArchitecture.org is a great resource for keeping up-to-date with construction projects and now they’re reporting the progress made by Sedgwick Development that is raising a mid-rise residential building in what once was a surface parking lot at 301 W. North Ave. Construction began in May and the foundations to the elevator core are now visible with concrete support columns in place for this 69-unit building which is on track to be completed by fall of 2017. 

OAK PARK

The Village of Oak Park is cool in my book because they use innovative ways of engaging its villagers. OakPark.com Staff Reporter, Timothy Inklebarger, has noticed signs around the village encouraging drivers to weigh in on the discussion of overnight on-street parking. He reports that recent real estate development has taken away village-owned and privately held surface lots, making parking more difficult. So the Village Parking and Mobility Services wish to circulate this On-Street Parking Rules Survey to give residents a voice in ongoing discussions with Oak Park’s Transportation Commission.

I’m a big fan of the use of surveys to gather and analyze information from residents, such as the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Fly Quiet Survey that is continuing to gauge the efficacy to reduce nighttime jet noise by use of O’Hare’s Runway Rotation Tests through January 2017. Just a little reminder that your opinion matters!

NORWOOD PARK

Attention, artists, young and old! Sprout Pediatric Dentistry wants to get everyone into the creative spirit of the season by holding a Halloween Window Painting event next Saturday, 10/8, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 6036 N. Northwest Hwy. Painters under the age of 18 are welcome to sign up but must have adult supervision with them throughout the hours of painting. Paints and brushes will be provided but painters will need to provide their own tarp for covering the sidewalk, a roll of paper towels and an empty box for holding paint supplies during the event. Sign up HERE to be assigned window space to share your fall and Halloween-inspired renderings with the neighborhood. Note: all entrants will be required to return on November 3rd to clean their artwork from windows. The event is not only fun but a well-rounded work experience.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO