Anthony Davis, star of NCAA Tournament, Hails from Perspectives Charter School in the Sloop

It's the NCAA men's basketball Final Four weekend and needless to say there is a lot of media attention on the teams, coaches and players. With that said, it came as a surprise to us when we read that the player of the year, Kentucky's Anthony Davis, actually went to school at Perspectives Charter School (1930 S. Archer) in the South Loop (via IndyStar):

As a high school freshman, Anthony Davis fell a few inches shy of being the tallest player on his basketball team. He was 6-2 but shot up eight inches by his senior year.

That made him a hot commodity in basketball hotbed Chicago, but in an unlikely place: Perspectives Charter School. It is a contradiction to urban public schools that produce high-caliber players and have a reputation for being crowded or run-down. Perspectives is modern, down to the architecture of its Joslin campus building, shaped like an isosceles triangle, in the Downtown South Loop area.

Perspectives, with a high school enrollment of about 200, has no gymnasium and plays in the off-the-radar Blue Division of the Chicago Public League, a place for startups and foundering programs that are no match for teams from the powerful Red Division.

From this little-known school, Davis made it to Kentucky, the Final Four and NBA draft charts as the projected No. 1 pick if he chooses to declare. He is just a freshman, but his immediate impact reverberated across the country. On Friday, he was named Associated Press Player of the Year. Earlier, he won the Oscar Robertson Trophy and will lead NCAA tournament favorite Kentucky in its national semifinal today against rival Louisville.

We've never read much about this school so it was surprising to see the neighborhood and this school mentioned in this context. With that said, we wanted to arm you with this random fact so you can impress your friends when you're watching the final four this weekend.

Educational Institutions Lead Way for Construction in the Sloop

In the height of the housing boom it was common to see cranes every direction you looked. Fast forward to recent times and the opposite is true.

Although apartments and condos aren't being built like they were a couple years ago, that doesn't mean the neighborhood isn't growing.

Thanks to some educational institutions, the landscape of the Sloop will look different in the months to come. We've chronicled some of the proposed projects individually, but recently noticed that they appear to be picking up steam. With that said, we snapped some pictures of these new developments.

Probably the highest profile project is the new Jones College Prep high school being built on the Northwest corner of State and Polk (picture to the right). It's tough to miss the gigantic crane that has been put into place and will help build the structure that will no doubt change the look and feel of State street in the Sloop.

Other less high-profile, but still important structures are also beginning constructed. Roosevelt University is building an athletic complex at the Southeast corner of Congress and Wabash. While it might not be as sexy as its "Vertical Campus" building, it will no doubt bring more density to the neighborhood (which we think is good - especially in this part of the neighborhood). Below is a picture of construction workers laying the foundation (among other things) at the site:

Finally, East West University broke ground at 819 S. Wabash for what will soon be there own building to house students:

Good to see that the neighborhood is growing even if the housing market isn't in great shape.

(Hat tip: TP!)

Brasserie by LM Opens at 800 S. Michigan!

It was just a couple weeks ago when we heard Brasserie by LM, a new French restaurant, was coming to the space at Essex Inn (800 S. Michigan). Of course we didn't expect them to open for sometime, but apparently we were wrong. Numerous readers have informed us that they opened yesterday:

Brasserie by LM is opening Today (Wednesday, 3/28) and I thought it might be nice to remind readers so they can go check it out.

Here is a link to their menu that was included in an e-mail from Thrillist. Looks good and the price points are not too bad.

Hope they do well!

The menu looks pretty reasonable if you ask us. We also did some more searching on the interwebs and found a blog with photos of the food (see picture above or other pictures here). We love some steak frites and can't wait to try this out.

(Hat tip: TB and AA!)

(Image from: RL Photography)

Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair at the Hilton this Morning

Just wanted to put out a quick post about a good thing happening at the Hilton in the South Loop:

More than 1,000 job seekers and 130 employers are expected to participate in the “Hiring Our Heroes – Chicago” job fair Wednesday for veterans and military spouses.

The NBC 5 Morning Show will be live at the fair before it kicks off at 9 a.m. at The Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

Hiring Our Heroes was launched last March, aiming to host 100 job fairs in local communities across the country in its first year. After meeting the goal, the number of fairs was expanded to 400 in the second year.

(Hat tip: N!)

Spanglish to Open Cinco de Mayo?

It's been awhile since we've heard anything about the "coming soon" signs for Spanglish, the Mexican Kitchen on State street between Congress and Harrison.

Last night an anonymous source within the restaurant community tipped a Sloopin confidant that Spanglish was planning on opening on May 5th (Cinco de Mayo).

While we can't confirm or deny this opening date, it appears that a lot of work still needs to be done inside the space. We've walked by a couple times to what appears to be nothing going on inside the restaurant. We will see... hopefully this is true!

(Hat tip: DMF!)

Mariano's Planning on Late Summer Groundbreaking

A reader writes:

Hey Sloopy,
I attended the presentation last night from the Roundy's people concerning the new store at 16 & Clark. The renderings posted on your blog were pretty spot on as far as the layout but there are some new developments. Here are a few of the highlights:

• The store will have one entrance, north facing, very close to Clark.
• There will only be two drive-in entrances, one at what is now Federal and 16th, one mid block between 16th and 17th on Clark, with a new traffic light (paid for by Roundy's)
• Loading will take place at 17th and Dearborn, with fully enclosed docks
• No plan for any greenery on the roof (there was in the original renderings)
• The self storage place will stay, as the owner does not wish to sell at this time (they tried)
• Double deck parking with and interior elevator
• Lots of windows to see in and out, not fake display windows
• July-August groundbreaking, one year construction timeline.

For those looking for the old post that we did on the topic (with renderings) click here.

Good to hear they're planning on breaking ground this summer. We've heard a lot of good stuff about Mariano's and can't wait to try out ours.

(Hat tip: AB!)

Get Out of Town - NATO is Coming!

Since we started this poll, things have changed on this subject. As most of you know, the G8 summit (which was expected to draw the largest amount of protesters) has been moved to Camp David in Maryland. While this might mean slightly less craziness, it will still be a zoo during the NATO summit which is scheduled for Sunday, May 20th and Monday, May 21st.

Cafe/Pastry Shop Aiming for Early April Soft Opening?

A reader writes:

Hello. I was walking past the old Wine Styles space today and someone was in there and nice enough to give me the scoop. It's gong to be a cafe with pastries (from Greece), ice cream/froyo, and drinks. Soft opening goal is early April.
Do you know any more?

We heard it was going to have pastries, but didn't know much more. We also know that is affiliated with Pita Heaven next door.

Also good to hear that they're aiming for an early April soft opening.

Anyone else have any scoop?

(Hat tip: SM!)

Election for Women's Park and Gardens Advisory Council on March 27th

A reader writes:

Attached (link here) is information on the annual election of Chicago Women's Park and Gardens Advisory Council. The election is March 27, 2012. This is another opportunity for folks in Chicago and the South Loop to volunteer in service to their community. There are 11 council positions up for election including president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Also attached is an image of the Chicago Women's Park and Gardens field house.

(Hat tip: SR!)

(Image from SR!)

A Nice Way to Travel

A reader writes from Friday (3/16):

This morning I went out for a run and noticed a number of unmarked police car’s by the 18th street bridge and CPD boats in the harbor, and a Coast Guard boat at the harbor mouth.

This afternoon while looking out the balcony window I noticed a Chinook in the parking lot at McCormick place and started wondering if they were doing a practice drill for the NATO summit. Shortly after, I realized Obama was in town when is motorcade went down LSD heading to the helicopters. As it turns out there were five helicopters in total, three Chinooks and two identical “Marine One” helicopters (can’t remember what kind of helicopters those actually are).

Unfortunately we’re going to have to delay putting the boat in the water this year b/c Burnham Harbor is going to be closed until May 24th b/c of the NATO summit. Most likely it is because they’re going to be using this parking lot as a landing pad. Anyway, it certainly must be convenient to travel like this…quite the production to move the president from place to place! I know my Monday - Thursday commute to my client site would be a heck of a lot more relaxing if I was able to fly like Obama!

…and yes I realize I’m a big nerd for taking all these pics.

(Hat tip: JG!)

Community Meeting on Thursday to Discuss Cermak Green Line Stop

The new Green Line stop at Cermak has been a hot topic here at Sloopin, so we know everyone would like to know about a meeting notice on the subject on Thursday, March 22nd at 7pm.

Ald. Dowell, the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development will be hosting a community meeting to discuss the proposed CTA Green Line Station at Cermak.

Date: Thursday, March 22
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Columbia College, 623 S. Wabash in Room 203

We're going to try to make it, but regardless if anyone goes, please let us know your thoughts.

House of Sole Closes Up Shop

A reader recently sent us an email from Tiffany, the owner of House of Sole (the shoe and accessory store at 1237 S. Michigan Avenue). Unfortunately the store plans to close up shop this month as Tiffany "explores new dreams".

This is unfortunate news. While we've documented many of the positive developments on South Michigan, it seems like we always take one step forward and then one step back.

House of Sole is the second shop to close their doors on this block as Marble Slab Ice Creamery recently did as well.

Best of luck to Tiffany in her future endeavors and hopefully we can get some new businesses to fill in some of these vacant spaces on the East side of Michigan Avenue.

(Hat Tip: TP!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Pot O'Gold?

A reader writes:

Early evening thunderstorm on March 16, 2012. With St Patrick's Day tomorrow, maybe there is a Pot O'Gold at the end of the rainbow.

Photo taken from 1530 S State.

(Hat tip: BJ!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Wabash

(Hat tip: JH!)