Shots Around the Sloop: Fish Eye

(Hat tip: JN!)

South Loop Businesses Work Locally to Impact International Change in Education

We love it when people in our community chip in and make a difference.  We like it better when it's a broader coordinated effort.  We recently heard about some local businesses that are teaming up for a great cause:

Gaurang Patel, the Principal of South Loop CPA, has joined together with local South Loop businesses to support Chicago non-profit, Link Community Development USA (Link USA). Link works with governments and communities to transform education systems in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on serving the most poor and marginalized children in rural areas. Currently reaching over 4,000 schools in Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda, Link is making great strides to improve the quality of education for all. 

Gaurang’s passion for promoting education was spurred by his upbringing in Zimbabwe. Political and economic instability in his home country taught Gaurang first-hand the importance of education: basic skills acquired in the classroom – skills that we take for granted every day – can create opportunities to transform lives and escape poverty. While his commitment spans continents, Gaurang became involved locally through the London School of Economics alumni group. He is now a member of the Link USA Board of Directors, headquartered in downtown Chicago. 

Gaurang partnered South Loop CPA with Link USA to show his support for quality education and encourages other business owners to follow his lead. He supports Link USA because it “creates the hope for an underprivileged child to move forward” by leveraging innovative US- based education initiatives and resources in support of Link’s international programs. 

Sixpax core and Pilates studio (1329 S. Michiagn Ave) in the South Loop is also promoting Link USA for the month of November in conjunction with Link USA’s Annual Appeal (Nov 1st through Dec 31st). Along with providing Pilates to the South Loop neighborhood, Sixpax believes in the importance of giving back to the community. Through their “Reach Out. Give Back.” program, Sixpax chooses a local organization to feature each month. This November, Sixpax will reward customers for getting involved and donating to Link USA – even giving free classes and private Pilates sessions for donations of $15 and $45 respectively. 

Local resident and Stella & Dot Independent Stylist, Tracey Harkins, is eager to contribute to Link USA’s mission and is hosting a jewelry trunk show, donating her commission from all sales to Link USA. The event takes place in the South Loop neighborhood on Tuesday evening, November 8th and will help kick-off the Link USA Annual Appeal. If you’re interested in attending, or want to shop online for a great cause, email Link USA at info@lcd-usa.org. 

Inspired by their commitment, these other local businesses have also joined in promoting and supporting Link USA: Well Future Pharmacy, Sloop Dental, The Silver Room in Wicker Park and Holland & Knight Law Firm. 

Add your name to the list by partnering your business with Link USA, or donate now to invest in education today: http://www.lcdinternational.org/donate-link-usa 

Any business or individual to donate $100 or more will be recognized in the Link USA December newsletter.

Roosevelt Collection Update and the Roosevelt Road Viaduct

A couple days ago we got an email inviting us to join Dan McCaffery, the head of McCaffery interests and owner of Roosevelt Collection, for a private event on November 28th to announce the future of the development as well as retail tenants.  Needless to say, we're excited to hear what is in store.

We've posted about the topic many many many times and it will be good to squash rumors and hear some news straight from the horses mouth.  Stay tuned.

Image from Architecture Chicago Plus

On a different note, but along the same lines, we wanted to post a quick link to a fascinating post by Architecture Chicago Plus about Roosevelt Collection and "The Roosevelt Road Viaduct":

The Roosevelt Road viaduct is another example of Chicago's man-made levels. It goes on for blocks, towering above Dearborn Park, over once endless strands of railroad tracks now mostly gone, and on to the approach to the bridge over the Chicago River.

In the middle of that viaduct is The Roosevelt Collection, a mixed use development with 342 residential units and nearly 400,000 square feet of retail space, A. Epstein, RTKL and Hirsch Associates, architects. While it has a new Target to the east, the complex, whose site plan looks like an oversized clothespin, otherwise lies within a moat of some of Chicago's largest tracts of undeveloped land.

The post goes on to walk you through the history of the road and leaves us with a critical jab at its current state:

Right now, the Roosevelt viaduct is an anti-urban disconnect from the fabric of the city, just as the retail to the west of the river veers towards an anti-urban, shopping-within-a-sea-of-parking vibe. Assuming all those vacant tracts around the Roosevelt viaduct eventually begin to fill up, the city needs something more than a development-by-development improvisation, lest the district become just a series of insular, self-contained mega-projects, existing in near-perfect isolation one to another. That's the profile of a second-rate suburb, not a great city. All the parcels will be developed separately, but continuity counts. Chicago needs a plan and a set of guidelines to stitch this tabula rasa together if the Roosevelt Viaduct District is to realize its potential as one the city's great neighborhoods.

We understand what the writer is saying, but don't think it's that bad.  Yes, it could be better and more "urban" but personally we appreciate the convenience that comes with a commercial corridor like Roosevelt Road could become.

While most urbanophiles love local, small stores with character (as do we), the reality is that most people still flee their area for the convenience of big box stores.  The challenge in our opinion is to build up Roosevelt Road, but keep the North/South streets more "local" and "urban".  If you walk down State, Wabash, Dearborn and Michigan Avenue you get this.  It could be better, but it's slowly getting their.

Hopefully Roosevelt Road corridor continues to develop and becomes a shopping destination, bringing people around the city to our neighborhood.  If the people come all the businesses in the area will benefit.

What do you think?  Disagree?  Agree?  Tough to tell?

City Tavern & Opart Thai Receive 2013 Bib Gourmand

It's restaurant rating season and one of the most coveted awards, the 2013 Michelin Guide, is set to be announced next week (November 14th).  However, before this happens (via Chicago Tribune):

A week in advance of the release of the 2013 Michelin Guide, the highly respected restaurant rating group announced the recipients of its Bib Gourmand designations. given to inspectors’ favorites that deliver good value. 

The star designations, which will be announced Nov. 14, are the gold standard for restaurants. But the Bib Gourmand designations are nevertheless significant, as they indicate quality restaurants that are affordable (less than $40 for two courses plus dessert).

Image from City Tavern Facebook Page

We're proud to post that the Sloop has added a new restaurant to the list, City Tavern (1416 S. Michigan).  This is a huge honor for the restaurant.  We've been pretty impressed with their fare and hope the good work continues.

Besides this new restaurant another South Loop restaurant, Opart Thai (1906 S. State), has received the designation again.  They also received it in 2011 and 2012 editions.

Beyond that, two close-to-the-Sloop Chinatown restaurants have also been awarded the Bib Gourmand designation -- Lao Sze Chuan (2171 S. Archer) and newcomer to the list Lao Hunan (2230 S. Wentworth).

The big anticipation is for the Michelin Guide stars next week.  Everest (440 S. Franklin), which is just North of what we consider the Sloop, has received a star in the past.  Besides that our neighborhood has been void of this recognition.

Some people thought Mercat a la Planxa (638 S. Michigan) was worthy of a star...but has not received one.

This years biggest hope -- Acadia (1639 S. Wabash) -- the new dining gem of the South Loop.

We shall find out soon!

Judge Gives Developer Additional Time to Make Case for McCormick Place Development/Hotel

Image from Crain's Chicago

A couple of weeks ago we posted about revised plans for a development by McCormick place.  Well the judge came back and said the developers can have a little longer to present their case (from the Chicago Tribune):

A federal bankruptcy judge on Tuesday gave the owner of prime property just north of McCormick Place four more weeks to show that their plans for a convention hotel, a smaller boutique hotel and a data center are financially plausible. 

Judge Jack Schmetterer gave Olde Prairie Block Owner LLC, led by developers Pam Gleichman, Karl Norbert and Gunnar Falk, until Dec. 4 to provide further evidence that their most recent plan to repay lenders in full and start development has credible financial underpinnings. 

The owners "are now presenting a plan with stronger prospects, though it is very incomplete at this stage," said the judge, who has rejected earlier reorganization proposals.

The saga continues...

Mysterious Brown Paper on the Windows of Old Grant Park Cleaners (State & Roosevelt)

The mysterious brown paper has now gone up on the windows at the little retail building at the corner of State and Roosevelt (3 E. State).  This was the old space of Grant Park Cleaners, which closed last year.

It's some primo real estate and seems perfect for a coffee shop or some sort of convenient food joint.  We're not sure if this means that something is coming or if the owners simply put this up so peepers don't creep on the space.  

Anyone have insight?

This seems like a big opportunity for this intersection.  If they could get a good tenant, it would really be a boon for this intersection.  In our opinion this stretch of State street is really lacking compared to Wabash which seems to continually get better. 

Your Vote is Needed...for Acadia to be Eater Chicago's Restaurant of the Year

The blog, Eater Chicago, is conducting their annual restaurant of the year awards and the Sloop's fine dinning gem, Acadia (1639 S. Wabash) is one of five being considered.

Right now, they're in last place.  We call upon you, our loyal Sloopers to help a brother out.

Voting is only open for 24 hours, so no time to procrastinate!

UPDATE - Good work Sloopsters!  When we posted yesterday, Acadia was at roughly 14% and in last place.  Fast forward to the end of the poll and Acadia was at 20% and in the third place.  What does this mean?  They are one of the three finalists and in contention for the editors of Eater Chicago to decide "restaurant of the year".  Solid performance!

Shots Around the Sloop: Lining Up for America

New South Entrance to Orange/Green CTA Stop Now Open

CTA Orange and Green line riders who live South of Roosevelt are probably a little happier now (me included).  The new South Roosevelt entrance to the Orange and Green line is now open.

It looks pretty good to us.  Nothing fancy, but it's all we need.

While it probably won't stop everyone from jaywalking across Roosevelt, it's gotta help.  I must admit, I was a jaywalker...thanks to this new entrance now I'm not.

Progress at Spanglish...Opening in November?

Spanglish, the rumored restaurant at 555. S State, has been a topic we've covered on Sloopin since July of 2011.  Last year we thought they might open up in September 2011 (via metromix).  That didn't happen.

Then this year another restaurateur told us that Spanglish was going to open on Cinco de Mayo.  That didn't happen.

A perceptive reader posted a picture on our message board (see picture to the left) and we also saw lights on as well.  So judging by the progress and build-out inside the restaurant finally looks like it might open.  The reader also noted a post on Metromix saying that they were going to open in November.

While it's possible, we're still not optimistic.  Hopefully we're wrong because damn I love tacos.

(Hat tip:  Bingo!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Towering

(Hat tip:  VM!)

This Week on the Sloopin Message Board (w/o 10/22 & 10/29)

It's been two weeks since we did a "this week" post and there has been some good discussion lately.

Our favorite thread goes to a potential new neighbor who is contemplating the Sloop vs. the West Loop:

• South Loop vs West Loop by Naya

Here are some other solid topics from the past two weeks:

• SOLDIER FIELD PARKING PERMIT TICKETS!! by Pat
• EEOC Sues South Loop Club for Sex Harassment and Retaliation by Chalfie
• Apartments for Rent in the South Loop by Sternlie88
• South Loop Babysitters? by Elizabeth
• Custom House Closing 10/31 by Jim in the Sloop
• Hurican Sandy by Little Tommy Skillin...
• Robbers Targeting Strollers by Scared New Mom
• Yellow Corvette by 1300BlockR
• Library/Museum Passes by cmc
• Old courthouse to be condos/retail? by blarger
• Loud Bang around 1am by Curious
• Zone Change.....WHY? by mcd45

More Talk About Building Up Area Around McCormick Place

Talk continue to swirl about building up the area around McCormick Place, this time from McPier CEO Jim Reilly (via Chicago Tribune):

Image from Chicago Tribune

McCormick Place officials are aiming to vastly expand the amenities surrounding the convention complex to include more hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and an arena that could host large-scale corporate assemblies and potentially such collegiate sports as DePaul Blue Demons basketball, its top executive told the business community on Tuesday. 

"What Las Vegas has that we don't have is a mega-hotel complex where 3,000 people can meet, eat, be entertained and sleep without ever going outside," Jim Reilly, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the state-city agency that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier, said at a City Club luncheon. Orlando now offers similar amenities, he added.

While this is encouraging, talk is cheap.  We've been hearing about this for years now and as far as we can tell little action is really happening (here, here, here, here and ok we're bored with posting links).

We're probably being impatient, but there are only so many stories like this that we can read (well i guess not since it feels like this is pretty much all we read in regard to the topic).

To be a little more rational about this topic, this type of stuff obviously takes a long time to materialize.  To the credit of the city, the new Green line CTA stop at State and Cermak is progress.

We will continue to follow this story as it obviously is important to the continued evolution of our neighborhood.

Old Courthouse at 1340 S. Michigan to Finally be Renovated?

Could one of the more prominent, large and empty buildings on South Michigan be getting some rennovation activity?  According to city records (via Everyblock) it looks like it could:

Wow, this is surprising!

Last we heard this piece of land was being auctioned off.  That was just over two years ago!

The building has become more and more dilapidated since then and we were starting to think it would simply have to be torn down -- whenever someone cared enough about the land.

Judging from this permit, it seems like it will become a multi-use office, residential and retail space.

Hopefully this actually happens.  It's a good looking building on a pretty ugly stretch of Michigan Avenue right now.  Rennovating this building would go a long way to improving the streetscape.

Anyone have any other details on this?

(Hat tip:  Blarger!)