Upcoming Events

Sledding in the Park: waiting for snow!

Date/time to be confirmed...

More...

Coming soon, Yoga in the Park, Movies in the Park, Resident Mixers, Condo Board Forums, and the 2010 Taste of River North!  Stay tuned...

Recent Events

Thanks to our hosts at Sullivan's Steakhouse, our guest presenters and all of the attendees who made the Jan 5 Reception & Community Meeting a big success.  For reference purposes, and for the benefit of those who were unable to join us, click here to access a PDF copy of the presentation. We will post minutes online soon.

Calendar

The CDC Recommends Flu Shots for Many

"In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu can get a seasonal influenza vaccine. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious seasonal flu-related complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious seasonal flu-related complications..."  More on Flu Shots

H1N1 Flu

Where to get Vaccinated in Chicago

A Medicine for Melancholy: click here

Proposed River North Landmark Protection District on Indefinate Hold

January 30, 2009:(Crain’s) — An Illinois appellate court has struck down the city of Chicago’s landmarks ordinance, saying it is unconstitutionally vague, putting in jeopardy the city’s protection of more than 250 buildings and 50 historic districts.

More on this issue...

Scoop the Poop!

The RNDOA and the RNRA respectfully ask all who walk dogs in River North to clean up after them and please, encourage others to do the same. Thanks!

Chicago Dog Policies

Help fight global warming by bringing fuel efficient, low-emission vehicles to Illinois

Illinois and other Midwest states are moving to adopt tough new standards to reduce pollution, benefiting the region’s health and reducing global warming pollution-while also improving the area’s economy. Illinois has the opportunity to lead the Midwest in ensuring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks will emit lower levels of global warming and other air pollutants while improving public health, and saving Illinois consumers money at the pump.Click here.

Save Cleanslate! 

Help to reinstate our beloved weekend street cleaning program by encouraging local hospitality businesses to sign on and provide financial support support.

Earth Hour 2009 made history! On Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 - 9:30 PM CST, millions around the world turned off lights and other extraneous devices for 60 minutes to raise awareness about energy conservation. Visit www.earthhourus.org to learn more!

After-School Resource Chicago Program
Through this website, young Chicagoans and their families can easily learn about and choose from thousands of different afternoon, evening and weekend after-school programs throughout the City.

Users simply input their address or zip code and choose from a variety of program interest areas, including: academic, career, creative, health, life skills, religious, community and sports. Search results are plotted on an interactive map, complete with descriptions of each matching program. The web address is www.afterschoolchicago.org

M&R Development, which last year, acquired the property located at 469 West Huron from Lennar Communities, will develop the lot as approved under previous ownership and supported by the RNRA.  The Parc Huron will consist of a 21-story rental apartment building with 241 units and approximately 14,000 square feet of park space that will be open to the public.  4 town homes may be constructed on Hudson at a later date. M&R is seeking the coveted Leed Certification as an environmentally friendly project. Construction is now underway and the project is expected to be completed in May 2010.  Click here for info.

Proposed Post Office Site Redevelopment

In light of the significant impact of this project on the River North community, we have created a special page of our site dedicated to the Fort Dearborn redevelopment initiative.

Click here to access the page and check back often for updates.

Local Development News

Please visit our Development Page for updates on:

• Kinzie, Canal and

• Lake and Canal

• Clark, Grand and Illinois

• LaSalle, Illinois and Hubbard

• Franklin and Illinois

• State and Illinois

• Kingsbury and Huron

• Orleans and Chicago

• Wolf Point

• Kingsbury and Huron

• Erie, Franklin and Huron

• Fort Dearborn Station USPS Redevelopment (see above)

• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

As well as information on RNRA's real estate development perspective.

Check out our downloadable Development Matrix and map!

Developers: access our new  Project Review Form

Sledding in the Park
Saturday, February 6th: Watch for Snow

Get ready for the next snowy Saturday by dusting off your sled and pulling out your waterproof boots and snow pants! The RNRA in conjunction with Caribou Coffee will be hosting an afternoon of sledding at Erie Park (Park 511). Complimentary Hot chocolate will be provided by Caribou Coffee and wipeouts are free as well. Grab your kids, your spouse and/or some friends and come and join us for a fun-filled afternoon in our beautiful neighborhood park.
 
Watch your email for confirmed dates and times all of course contingent on Old Man Winter and the amount of snow he can produce.

RNRA needs your input to select films for our 2010 season of Movies in the Park. Click here to take our breief survey!

Playground Construction is Complete!

The long awaited "Erie Park" playground is here! Construction on the 6,900 square foot state-of-the-art facility began in early september and was completed in late November. Stay tuned for information about the dedication ceremony. More...

Geese Nuisance in Erie Park

This past year there were numerous complaints about the amount of geese droppings in Park #511 (Erie Park). Residents complained of it being nearly impossible to find any place on the grass that was free of droppings to sit or lie out and enjoy the park. And parents were concerned their child may ingest the droppings. Because of the number of complaints, and because the presence of geese droppings attracts rats, the River North Park Advisory Council felt this was an important issue to address. We have done extensive research around non-toxic, animal friendly ways to discourage the geese from congregating at Park #511 and pooping all over the grass and have shared this with the Chicago Park District.  We will continue to work with the Chicago Park District to find a solution that is both safe and long lasting. Please check back often for updates on this issue.

New Dog Friendly Area (DFA)

Unlike the majority of Chicago's 77 neighborhoods, River North is fortunate to have an abundance of "dog-centric", including two separate designated off-leash areas. A permanent, city-owned facility called Ohio Place Park between Kingsbury and Orleans on Ohio, and a temporary facility in the north section of Park 511.  More...

Our hood is featured in a national TV ad! Note: this does not constitute an RNRA product endorsement.

WBEZ's "Eight Forty Eight" program recently featured an excellent panel discussion about the gaps in condo law and what changes are needed to help condo owners.

Panel:
Evan McKenzie—Political science professor at UIC
State Rep. Harry Osterman—Served on the General Assembly’s condo advisory council
Mark Pearlstein—An attorney who specializes in condo law

Click here to listen...

Your Neighborhood Needs You!

Special Offer! Taste Souvenir T-Sirts!

 Click here for a great new gallery

Historic Structures Ordinance

Introduced by 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, the ordinance was passed by the City Council in August. The purpose of the ordinance is to broaden the possibilities for redevelopment and reuse of structures with historic significance or landmark status. With this amendment, owners seeking to redevelop their property can seek relief from zoning restrictions while providing for public process and community input as these changes to the urban landscape occur. More...

Chicago Central Area Action Plan (CAAP)

On April 2 at Erie Cafe', Alderman Reilly and representatives from the Department of Community Development reviewed a range of significant transportation, urban design, open space and waterfront projects that comprise the implementation phase of the city's sweeping Central Area Plan. Attendees from River North and the Fulton River District were invited to ask questions and provide feedback.

In August, the CAAP was endorsed by the Chicago Plan Commission.  We encourage residents to review the complete plan documents at the Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning's website by clicking here.

Other City of Chicago News

New Nightclub at 308 W Erie

Jim Pohl of Downtown Entertainment, LLC Has opened a new nightspot at 308 W Erie called "Cuvee". 

Due to problems involving the establishment that formerly occupied this space, Mr. Pohl met with the Police, the Alderman's office, the DBACP, and the RNRA, as well as attending local Beat meetings to present his plans.  He is an owner of Enclave, a club that has operated for years at 222 W Chicago Ave with very few complaints.  It has a good reputation with the DBA and the Police for being safely and professionally managed and for causing minimal disruption to it's residential and business neighbors.

Click here to access a copy of the Hospitality Business Plan that Mr. Pohl submitted at our request. RNRA supported the plans for this new establishment based on Mr. Pohl's past performance and pledge to minimize external negative impacts.

ATM Card Theft

The 18th District Community Policing office advises that enterprising thieves are stealing ATM cards by installing an unobtrusive "card trap" in ATM machines and then conning unsuspecting users out of their PINs.  Click here to learn how the scheme works and avoid being victimized.

Call the Community Policing Office at 312-742-5778 for more info.

Emergency Notification Service

The Office of EmergencyManagement and Communication's new system automatically alertscitizens in case of emergency via phone, pager, fax or email.

Simplyclick hereand select Notify Chicago to register for this free service.

Latest 18th District CPD Newsletter

Click here for information on significant recent arrests.