News
March 23, 2008
New Park at Wabansia and Leavitt
The security fencing has been taken away and the park is open to the public. There are continued concerns regarding security, grafitti and vandalism. Residents with property that borders the park have asked the Park District for assistance with repairs to the common wall. There was also a brief discussion related to making the park "Dog Friendly" and the process residents could use to accomplish this. There is a procedure for this process set up by the Park District that was passed out at the meeting. The park is located in the 32nd Ward, and residents will need to work with the 32nd Ward, 1st Ward and the Chicago Park District to make any changes or improvements. There is currently no name for the park.
Smithfield / MCM Development (Milwaukee, Leavitt and Winnebago Ave.)
The BTA still has continued concerns with the changes to the Planned Development (PD) that was originally submitted. What the community approved 3 years ago is vastly different from what is now proposed on both the commercial side and the residential side of the PD. Smithfield's changes on the commercial side would move the main commercial building to the back of the lot, effectively creating a strip mall environment that we were trying to avoid with the original PD. A representative from Smithfield was not present at the 3/13 meeting. The BTA and Alderman Flores are not in support of these changes to the PD.MCM's changes on the residential portion of the PD have brought up questions as well. We have not been provided with any information from the CDOT or Chicago Fire Department asking for changes to be made to the parking, driveway and curb cuts related to the residential portion of this project. If that information can be provided, we will support the changes to the parking and driveway access and curb cuts. The facade plans that were originally approved differ significantly from what was presented on 3/13. The PD version showed a modern steel and glass design that is absent from the latest MCM proposal. The BTA and Alderman Flores are not in support of these facade changes to the PD.Both the BTA and Alderman Flores feel that the Planned Development originally approved and supported by the community is the appropriate plan. Smithfield and MCM will be meeting with Alderman Flores on April 3rd to work through these issues. We will give the community an update after that meeting happens.
Traffic Light / One-Way on Wabansia / CDOT Traffic Study
The traffic light at Western and Wabansia has been funded and approved. The community residents voted (almost unanimously) at this meeting to let Wabansia remain a two-way street. The CDOT recommended that it remain two-way as well. There were many concerns relating to making the stop signs more visible along Wabansia, and possibly adding more speed humps. You should be seeing petitions circulating shortly.
Mansfield Development (Wabansia and Claremont)
The city and the developer have made a legal settlement to allow construction to resume after permits are complete. The development would mirror the previous parcel (site directly west) developed by Mansfield. The developer should begin construction again sometime this spring. They will be closely monitoring the construction site for security.
Starbucks Coffee on Western Ave.
The Starbucks coffee drive-thru project on the 1600 block of N. Western has been put on hold by Starbucks due to economic issues. They have all approvals and special use permits necessary to begin construction. Alderman Flores' office is working with Starbucks to help resume this project.