Peculiar (but not surprising) Snowplow Path on Prairie

A reader vents:

I live at 16th and Prairie, and I see the snow trucks clearing the block surrounding big boss Daley's house a COUPLE times an hour as soon as the slightest bit of snow hits the ground. This morning, I was walking my dog, and the plow went north on Prairie from 15th to 14th, then CAME BACK south down Prairie (with the plow down going both ways, and yes, same guy). Meanwhile, 16th (b/w Indiana and Prairie), Prairie (b/w 16th and 18th), and 18th (between Calumet and Indiana) are left to accumulate mountains of snow before a plow will even consider going around this block even once.

Come by sometime today, and you will see the clear streets around Daley's place, and a unplowed 2 block radius just south of that. I guarantee it. During the last big snow storm a few weeks ago, a plow came east on 16th....and TURNED around at Indiana... I couldn't believe it.

I just don't get it. There are three high rise buildings, and a bunch of townhouses in this 2 block radius. I imagine the people that live in these buildings and townhouses contribute a significant amount of taxes to the coffers.

And on the issue of taxes, what exactly is the policy pertaining to developers living in a building's unsold units 3 years after the building is complete. Are they entitled to some sort of huge tax breaks?? Somehow, the developer in my building is able to pay only 1/3 of the taxes in 2009 that I paid, for a unit directly above mine (i can touch their balcony) that he resides in. Meanwhile, his son is collecting unemployment after being "unemployed from daddy's development company", while still trying to peddle over-priced condos on the weekends--until now, because now they have decided to auction off the rest--pretty much all of the ones that have been sitting unsold for 3 years. I'm sick of these people playing the system at honest tax payers' expense!

Can we get a plow please? And some integrity in this system??

(Hat Tip: H!)

Construction Update for Community Center at Indiana & 18th

From PDNA (prairie district neighborhood alliance) February Newsletter:

Park 550 - Park District Community Center and Women's Park

Construction is nearly complete of phase one of the Community Center with plans to open early spring. The Park District is working on final staffing plans.

Watch for news coming soon on the grand opening celebration.

The Advisory Council is collectively working on the vision for phase 2 and phase 3 for the facility. We will be seeking community input with this important development process.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Park 550 Advisory Council Board of Directors is seeking community stake holders to serve on a variety of task forces and committees. If you wold like to get involved, please email park550advisorycouncil@gmail.com

Advisory Council Website: park550advisorycouncil.com
Advisory Council Email: park550advisorycouncil@gmail.com

Flo & Santos to Open in the Spring

First off, we saw an ad for "Flo and Santos" in our monthly coupon book we get in the mail and it sounds like they're planning on opening up in the spring. For those of you who don't remember here is a link to an old post.

However to sum up, this is a new restaurant that is going in next to Gioco at the old Howie's spot (1310 S. Wabash). Although their website is live, there is only a logo. We're not 100% sure, but we've heard and suspect that this spot has some relationship with Zapatista across the street (ie the owner of Zapatista is partially behind this new restaurant).

Regardless, should be a good addition to the hood!

Clarke's Diner Coming to the Sloop?

So don't get your hopes up yet, but the popular near north (aka Lincoln Park and Lakeview) diner "Clarke's" was mentioned within an article on chicagobusiness.com saying they are looking at options to expand and the South Loop is a neighorhood they're considering. The main focus of the article was about the diner leasing space in River North. However:

Mr. Moon (who is helping with the leasing) says he is actively looking for additional spots for Clarke’s in the Loop, South Loop and western suburbs.

Although it's not a definite, it would be nice to have another diner option in the Sloop. We would love to see them within the old Sam's store at the Northeast corner of Wabash and Roosevelt.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the restaurant their website is unfortunately under construction (link here), but here is a menupages write-up on the restaurant on Belmont.

Shots Around the Sloop: The Colorful Houses on State St.

Another Glowing Review for Columbia's Media Production Center

This time from Chicago Tribune architectural critic, Blair Kamin, who seems to be a big fan of the building:

The design (for the media production center) is a serious work of architecture, but it is also playful, even joyful. Already, students have affectionately nicknamed it the “Film Kids Discovery Zone.”

If you're looking for more on the building or specifically the architect, Jeanne Gang, we found a great piece by The New Yorker (Hat tip to Chicago Journal for this one). Although the majority of the New Yorker article talks about Gang's impressive Aqua tower (which is an awesome building if you're not familiar with it), it also talks about Gang's vision for the Media Production Center towards the end of the article:

At Columbia, an arts college housed in a series of old buildings, Gang’s center, the first entirely new structure that the college has built, is an exuberant building of concrete and glass whose interior is laid out so as to emphasize framed views from one area to another: Gang approached the project thinking in terms of how a director might frame shots through a camera. She also tinted some of the glass in the façade to resemble the blocks of color in a television test pattern.

(Image from Chicagotribune.com)

Looks Like Us Sloopers Got This One Wrong

It's not the first time our poll has been wrong (and probably won't be the last time), but if you haven't seen (here is a link to the Chicago Journal article) incumbent Rep. Ken Dunkin (5th district) beat Gwendolyn Drake and David Shroeder:

Comments on Dearborn/Polk Intersection

An anonymous poster left a comment on our Ald. Fioretti Open Thread that we found interesting and worthy of being brought up to the front page:

I saw some signs tonight over in Dearborn Park regarding the stop sign issue at Dearborn/Polk. I wish more of an effort had been made to publicize this effort, as I would have been happy to contact the Alderman's office prior to this meeting...which is tomorrow (which was yesterday).

I always heard they removed the stop signs that used to be there when they were constructing the Clark/Roosevelt viaduct to help with the traffic flow. I think returning the stop signs there would be great. It would make for a more pedestrian friendly area and hopefully slow drivers down...especially those drivers that fly around the corner when turning right from Polk to Dearborn. Of course, this being Chicago, I'm sure the stop signs will just be ignored like all the other ones in the city.

People be driving way too fast...and not just in the sloop.

There are also some other good comments on the topic here.

(Hat Tip to AC and Carl for their contributions as well!)

South Loop School in High Demand, but Changes are Coming

There has been a good amount of coverage about the potential overcrowding at the South Loop school (1212 S. Plymouth Court) which serves Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Today the Chicago Tribune has a good read about the dilemmas and some of the options that have been discussed to address these issues:

Ten years ago, South Loop School was struggling with low test scores and on the verge of probation. But after a staff turnaround and the addition of a gifted program, test scores went up, leaving the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school among the most coveted of Chicago public schools.

Nestled in the Dearborn Park housing development, the school is in an area that has seen explosive growth in the last decade. With some of that growth attributed to the school's success, parents and officials now face crowding because of double-digit enrollment jumps each year for most of the last five years.

It's a good read if you're not familiar with the discussion. Our favorite quote is from a parent:

South Loop parents expect the school to grow even more as families decide that private school is not affordable.

"People are moving into the neighborhood for this school," said parent Megan Madden, whose daughter is a first-grader in the gifted program.

(Hat Tip Jack G!)

CTA Changes Coming on Sunday February 7th

So you've probably read about the cuts to CTA service, but if not the CTA Tattler has a couple good posts about the changes here.

Specifically for the South Loop here are some links to the changes:

• Red Line
• Green Line
• Orange Line
• Blue Line
  

• Express Bus Routes Being Eliminated (Both X3 and X4)

• Bus routes 1-19
• Bus routed 20-39
  
• Bus routes 40-59
• Bus routes 60-79
• Bus routes 80-99
• Bus routes 100-119
• Bus routes 120-139
• Bus routes 140-199
• Bus routes 200-206

Hopefully this isn't too painful...

Columbia Media Production Center Open House - This Friday 2/5

As posted a couple of days ago, Columbia's new Media Production Center (at the Corner of 16th and State) opened recently. For those of you who are interested in the building and want to take a look around, the school is having an open house this Friday (Feb. 5th) from 2-6pm.

If you can't make the open house but are still interested, here is a virtual walk through of the building:


And if that doesn't satisfy for your appetite, here is a link to a pretty informative website about the building.

(Hat Tip: Solo MotorRow!)

The Pigeon Poop Delimma @ Green/Orange Line Roosevelt Stop

This might not be an issue for some peeps, but in our mind it's disgusting. If you've ever exited the Orange or Green line platform that lets you out on the South side of Roosevelt or simply walked under the stop on the South side, you can't help but notice the ridiculous amount of Pigeon crap on the sidewalks and doors. Look up (but be careful) when you exit and there are tons of Pigeons just sitting there, crapping at will. Here is a video we shot. To be honest there usually is more Pigeons, but still, look at the doors and don't tell me this isn't disgusting:


Luckily we've never been hit by Pigeon droppings (knock on wood), but this is frankly disgusting (see old Sloopin post where we mentioned this). Since this isn't getting better, we felt like it was time to contact the CTA and Alderman Fioretti and voice our displeasure. Thankfully we have our faithful Sloopin readers to help in the cause.

If you would like to see this issue fixed (maybe with metal spikes to prevent the pigeons from roosting there) simply reply "amen" in the comments. Or even better send the following letter to the CTA (feedback@transitchicago.com) or Alderman Fioretti (ward02@cityofchicago.org):

Dear CTA and Alderman Fioretti,

Thank you for all you do for our neighborhood (and the city). I am writing in regard to a disgusting problem with the South exit from the Green and Orange line platform at the Roosevelt stop. If you've ever used or walked on the sidewalk by this exit it seems to be infested with Pigeons. Whether it's rotting dead Pigeons on the roof or the feces that litter the doors and sidewalk at this exit, it's absolutely repulsive and is a blemish on our neighborhood.

With that said, we strongly encourage you to look at improving this problem. We know that many stations have metal or plastic spikes that prevent Pigeons from roosting on structural beams and other areas and would love to see something like this implemented at our station.

For more background and pictures of this problem please visit Sloopin here or at the following link:
http://www.sloopin.com/2010/02/pigeon-poop-delimma-greenorange-line.html


Thank you for your consideration and hope you can help solve this problem.

Sincerely,
(Your Name Here)

And just for proof, here are some additional pictures we've snapped at the stop:

Go to the Art Institute...it's Free in February!

We haven't checked out the new modern wing at the Art Institute but after reading this, we will be heading soon! Here is the post from the Chicagoist:

With admission prices creeping toward $20, we understand if you've put off checking out the Art Institute's Modern Wing. But no more excuses: for the entire month of February, the Art Institute is free.

We live close to world class museums...don't miss out, enjoy them!

KoreExtreme Coming to 1921 S. Michigan

What is KoreExtreme? Well we're not sure, but it appears they have something to do with fitness. Is it a gym? Is it a retail shop? Again, not sure, but here is something we found from finderownersearch.com:

Retail sales of exercise, fitness, rehabilitation and therapy products via online wholesale and retail stores and sales force distributorships; clothing, namely, shirts, hats, sweatshirts

It also looks like the owner of the KoreExtreme LLC was also the founder of KoreFit, which appears to be a new type of exercise equipment (see picture on the right). We will have to stay tuned to see what this actually ends up being.

(Hat Tip Solo MotorRow!)
(Image from korefit.com)

Sumbission for Sloopin T-Shirts Over!

The submission date for our Sloopin T-Shirt contest has passed! We will compile the shirts and post them sometime this month.

Thanks to all of the people who submitted!

Stay tuned!

Shots Around the Sloop: Ghost Sign

A ghost sign is a term for old hand painted advertising or signage that has been preserved on a building for an extended period of time, whether by actively keeping it or choosing not to destroy it.

So where in the Sloop is this ghost sign?

Update: FGFM is almost correct! This is on the east side of Wabash (between 13th and 14th) and is the on the south wall of the building next to Utopia. Here is a better picture of the surroundings:

Never been to Tantrum...but Intrigued

Like I said, we've never been to Tantrum (1023 South State Street) but would like to at some point. The name kind of turns me off, but it still would be interesting to check out especially if they spin classic hip-hop at the place like is stated by this little review from a ChicagoNow blogger:

I can admit that long before that alcohol settled in my system, I appreciated the 30-40-aged crowd in the building. The DJ was spinning the best mix of classic R&B music and some of the more tolerable Top 40 music of today. The speakers delivered the music in a mid-range instead of thumping in my ear. I could hear myself think and enjoy my conversations without rupturing someone's eardrum from yelling.

Not the most exciting review, but a good look into a place we've heard little about.


(Image from Tantrum's Website)

Is the Cast at Opera Shrinking?

We recently received an email from a reader asking about Opera (at the southeast corner of Wabash and 13th):

I just found this blog-- it's fantastic. I was wondering about Opera-- I've been there many times and it's fantastic. However, a good friend of mine reports that last week the food was of much lower quality, and that one of the waiters claimed that there had been significant cutbacks. I was wondering if maybe anyone has heard of that? It would be a real tragedy-- that's one of the best places in the South Loop!

We like this place, however we know some people are not the biggest fans of Opera. It might not be the best restaurant in the city, but we still think it's a cool, unique place that brings people into the neighborhood (that typically wouldn't come here).

Anyone have any thoughts on this rumor?

Things to Do this Weekend Around the Sloop

Although it ain't going to be warm this weekend, you should still put a couple pairs of pants on and wander over to "Snow Days Chicago" which starts today at Grant Park (specifically at the corner of Balbo and Michigan). We didn't know much about it last year and randomly stumbled upon it and had a great time. They have some snow boarding competition as well as some very impressive snow sculptures.

If you would rather do something inside, but not in your place, the Spertus Museum has an interesting lecture topic on Sunday:

In Behalf of the Israelites
Abraham Lincoln’s Jewish Controversies

Sunday, January 31 at 2 pm
Spertus, 610 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Finally, although not technically in the Sloop you could go over to UIC to support the Windy City Rollers:

CHEER. The Windy City Rollers open their home season with FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY at UIC Pavilion. This all-female match-up includes Hell's Belles vs. Double Crossers and Manic Attackers vs. The Fury. Jan. 30, 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $21 at the door. 525 S. Racine Ave., www.windycityrollers.com.

Or you can just sit inside, watch a movie and stay warm...I wouldn't blame you.

(Hat Tip Nick D!)

(Image from snowdayschicago.com)

Old St. Marry's to Build New Building for Grade School

We've heard about this, but can't remember reading about it, but today we saw a rendering (below) and release on chicagorealestatedaily.com about a new catholic school being built by Old St. Marry's Church. The first comment on the story is negative (and valid in some capacity), but overall it seems like a good thing for the area:

The Archdiocese of Chicago plans to start work in June on a new school building on a South Loop site purchased from a venture including restaurateur Matthew O’Malley.

The 33,000-square-foot elementary school building is to be completed in 2011 next to Old St. Mary’s, 1500 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago’s oldest parish that has seen its school’s enrollment grow amid the housing boom on the Near South Side. The school is currently located in a 12,000-square-foot former warehouse.