Edgebrook

Recently, I filed an ordinance authorizing the City to exercise its powers of eminent domain to buy the building. This is not a step that I take lightly. I have consulted with the Mayor’s administration, and we remain hopeful that we can preserve this critical economic engine without implementing this solution.

It is not my intent that the City enter into the theater business, nor is it my desire that the theater be turned over to a non-profit. Both options would remove this substantial property from the tax rolls, severely impacting the Portage Park Tax Increment Financing District and the Six Corners Special Service Area. Instead, if necessary, the City would buy the building and sell it to a private business ready to preserve and enhance the current use of the theater. State law allows for this type of purchase and resale within TIF districts.

I wouldn’t contemplate taking this extraordinary step if the historic Portage Theater weren’t critical to the redevelopment of Six Corners. Several restaurants and potential cultural attractions are waiting for the resolution of this issue before they come to our community. The church’s proposed use for the Portage would make it impossible for anyone to get a liquor license within 100 feet of the building. It would make it impossible for anyone to get a public place of amusement license within 250 feet without the church’s permission. Because the Portage Theater building is so large, these zones would extend to the south side of Irving Park Road, in addition to Milwaukee Avenue near the theater.
The proposed use would gouge a huge hole in Six Corners where there would be no new restaurants, and where any proposed theater or entertainment venue would require the church’s permission. It would stifle development at a time when Six Corners is ready to take off.

I continue to remain ready to help Chicago Tabernacle with alternative sites.

We live in Edgebrook and this evening at about 7pm someone claiming to be an 'ADT salesman' came to our door offering free ADT security equipment and free installation if we were willing to put a small ADT advertisement in our front window. The conversation was a bit strange. He claimed that 1.) he was concerned about the visibility in the area and the need for security 2.) wasn't trying to sell anything but since he was with another guy who was working on an installation in the area, he decided to go around and talk to some of the houses. We politely declined the 'free' ADT equipment and installation. The whole thing seemed a bit off. Maybe he was an honest guy, but it seemed very strange for someone to walk door to door to try to make a deal like that.......at night. Did anyone else have a similar experience? Has anyone ever heard of this type of thing before?

Please be on the watch for a maroon car 4-door small, lots of chrome.

On 5/12/12, a friend's daughter was walking the dog and saw this car parked in the neighborhood (Sauganash Woods). There were 2 men in the car, around 50 years old, one with long dark hair (at the shoulders), possibly Hispanic or Native American. They were looking at her as she walked by.

About 2 hours later, a friend's son was walking the dog and this car pulled up, the driver motioned him to come to the car. The passenger GOT OUT OF THE CAR, started walking toward him and started asking him for directions. My son said nothing to him and immediately ran away from him and ran home. A police report was made.

About 2 months ago, the same described car was in this area and approached another girl. In that incident, there was a man and woman in the car. Male with same long haired description. A police report was made.

What You Can Do

. Be aware of this situation and alert neighbors in the area about the crime.

. If possible, don't walk alone and stay in well lit areas.

. Call 911 to report any suspicious person(s), vehicle(s) or activity in your neighborhood.

. Call 911 and provide a detailed description of the offender(s) including the vehicle description and license plate information.

Talk with your children. We need to keep alert and our eyes open. If anyone sees this car, PLEASE GET LICENSE PLATE AND CALL 911.

Alderman John Arena’s office proudly announces another win for the Portage Park community. Filament Theatre Ensemble signed a lease Wednesday for the ground floor space at 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the Six Corners Business District.

In August, 2011, Filament worked with Ald. Arena’s office and Arts Alive 45 to find a space for its experimentally staged "Naked City Glow". After performing "Four Actors in Search of a Holiday Memory: A Living Diorama” in a vacant Six Corners storefront window in December, 2011, they began the search for a permanent space in the community.

Filament Theatre members were bowled over by the support of the local community and businesses. “It’s the first time we felt like we had come home,” said artistic director Julie Ritchie.

Ald. Arena’s initiative to showcase the landmark theaters and assets of the 45th ward to artists aims to build on the reputation of the nearby Portage Theater for films and of The Gift Theatre for plays and improv comedy. “We know we’ve got a great location. We know we have the space and the talent. Now we can demonstrate we are committed to growth.” said Ald. Arena. Filament Theatre Ensemble will take part in Arts Alive 45 events during this summer’s Jeff Fest in Jefferson Park and Six Corners BBQ Fest at Irving Park/Cicero/Milwaukee.

The Jeff nominated Filament is opening "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" on Friday, June 8th at the Anthenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport, its last production before coming home to its new Portage Park location.

www.filamenttheatre.org

This just in from the 16th District, this afternoon:

Alert
Wanted Parole Violator

Earlier this afternoon, 016th District Officers received a call of a suspicious person. Further investigation revealed the subject was a parolee who had fled when his Parole Officers were conducting a check of his vehicle. His vehicle contained a handgun which is currently being inventoried by 16th District Officers. In addition, the Officers are impounding the subject's vehicle. Officers, along with canine dogs, conducted a thorough search of the area. As of this e-mail, the subject is still wanted for the parole violation.

The subject is a male/white Hispanic. He is 5'5"/160 lbs. He has a pony tail. He is wearing a black sleeveless shirt, black jogging pants and is barefoot. His name is Noel Colon. His last known address and the address he fled from is 6253 W. Holbrook.

If you have any information regarding this subject, please call 911 immediately.

Thank you,

John Eischen
CAPS Community Organizer
CAPS Office
5151 N Milwaukee
Chicago, Il. 60630
(312) 742-4521

Repost from Alderman Arena:

One of my top priorities as your alderman is to bring new businesses to the 45th Ward. As part of this ongoing effort, I'm constantly meeting with business owners to tout the benefits and amenities of our many local business districts. And we do more than just sit down; I've taken several of them on tours of these areas to show them the true potential of our community.

A critical part of this process is demonstrating the needs and desires of our community. We all want entrepreneurs and employers to settle in our ward, but we also want to encourage a greater variety of retail options here. That's where I need your help. Please take a few moments to fill out this survey about your vision for business growth in the 45th Ward. Help me show business owners exactly what our neighborhood needs and will support. When you're finished, forward this e-mail on to your neighbors, so we can get the most representative sample possible.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/45thWardRetailNeeds

Sunday, May 13th 9:00am

Join us on our inaugural ride of the season! Alice will lead a group of riders on a short 5 mile ride to an undisclosed location where we’ll meet up with some folks from The Chicago Cycling Club. Here, we’ll learn tips and tricks for riding in city traffic from Alice’s friend, Jim Kreps. The workshop is expected to end around noon.

After our workshop, I hope you will join us for a bite to eat at one of my local favorites. Due to the workshop nature of this ride, we have to limit the number of riders. To reserve your spot and to learn the ride start location, you must RSVP to Bike45thward@gmail.com. When you RSVP, please indicate that you are with Bike 45.

This ride is sponsored by Alderman John Arena and The Chicago Cycling Club.

I hope to see you all there!

pt 1-Primary Agenda- Dog Park Relocation
pt 2- Alderman’s recent votes
Start 6:30pm- concluded 6:50 pm

This is my take on the meeting and I’ve paraphrased.
If any of the info I’m posting is incorrect, corrections are welcome.

Meeting started with a few introductions, I didn’t get some names/titles.
Alderman, Mary O’Conner
State Rep. McAuliffe
Gent 1- Regional Park Manager, I believe.
Gent 2- Park management/operations type person
Res 1-
Res 2-
I would guess there were about 75 people present.

Dog Park
The dog park will be relocated to the northeast section of the park and be enlarged to about 10,500 sq ft.
Work to start in June taking about 6 wks to complete.
There will also be other improvements made to the parks plumbing, etc. and other minor improvements made to other community parks as part of this effort.
Existing dog park will remain open during transition.
The existing location can be returned back to its prior use for ice-skating.
Several residents asked some general questions about the design, hours, drainage issues etc. The alderman, gent 1 and gent 2 answered.
State Rep. spoke very briefly, comments not substantial, other than implying he had something to do with obtaining funding.

Res 1: Was a park usage survey done before decisions made regarding the dog park?
As she believes it’s required residents within a 5-block radius be surveyed prior to usage changes.

Alderman O’Conner: No it hadn’t (not sounding sure) and the dog park was put in motion prior to me taking office.

Res 1 pursued the issue and the Alderman stated that it wasn’t an issue for a public forum, they could discuss privately.

Overall the audience favored dog park relocation and improvements.