Gladstone Park

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.

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!

A big change to the way our city funds some infrastructure projects is coming, and I want to give you a run-down of how this might affect my efforts to bring you more accountability in our local government. On Tuesday, City Council voted 41-7 to approve Mayor Emanuel’s proposal for the Chicago Infrastructure Trust. I was among the seven aldermen who voted against the proposal.

Here's how it works: The trust will partner with private investment groups to pool money to fund projects for the city, as well as the with Chicago Public Schools, Transit Authority, Park District, and other agencies. The mayor will appoint an Infrastructure Trust Board, with the approval of the City Council, to oversee projects. One alderman will sit on the board. Projects that involve the assets of CPS, the CTA, the Park District and other agencies will not come before the City Council for oversight or approval.

I understand the need for infrastructure improvements in our communities, and I commend the mayor for seeking creative solutions to our challenges. However, I voted against the trust because I believe it needed more and better provisions to provide transparency and accountability, prevent waste and corruption, and protect every dime of taxpayers’ money.

I worked with other aldermen and the Better Government Association to craft revisions and amendments that would have put such provisions into place. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in implementing these important changes.

As projects that have City Council oversight come before me, I will continue to closely scrutinize each deal to ensure that we are getting the best value for your dollar. And I will continue to work with my colleagues to try to bring you the effective and efficient government you deserve.

Monday, March 26, 7 p.m. at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. and learn what you can do to save the Portage!

The Six Corners, Portage Park Neighborhood and Old Irving Park associations invite you to attend a community meeting in order to learn what you can do to support preserving this iconic theater.

WHAT IS AT STAKE?
Chicago Tabernacle would like to convert the theater into their worship space, remove the marquee, alter the auditorium, and eliminate the storefronts and half the apartments for offices and classrooms. You can find the recent Chicago Tribune story on the proposal here.

CHURCH RECONSIDERS PARTICIPATION IN ZONING REVIEW PROCESS
I have encouraged the Chicago Tabernacle to follow my zoning and special use permit process since last September. After I brought it up with them again last week, our office received a phone call this week from the Chicago Tabernacle indicating that they now intend to follow this more community-oriented development plan.

As the first step in that process, the church must submit documents indicating the extent of their plans to my office. Following that, I will meet with the church, and their plans will be reviewed by our community zoning advisory council. I will also ask the church to present their plans to the community at large.

The church has not yet submitted the required documents. The only indication we have that they will engage in this process is their word. Once they submit the documents, we will schedule the required meeting. I’ll let you know when that meeting is scheduled through this newsletter and our website.

OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE PORTAGE
There is significant support for preserving the historic Portage Theater from throughout the city and around the region.

Share your thoughts by emailing ward45@cityofchicago.org.