Larrabee/Erie Dog Park Temporarily Closed for Power Wash on Monday 10-30 from 9:00 am. to Noon

RNRA Family Halloween Festival this Saturday 10-28 in Ward Park from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Neighborhood Notice: Parking Restrictions on Thursday 10-26

Source:  Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Alderman
Open 4 Business Productions will be filming for NBC’s “Chicago Fire” in the neighborhood on Thursday, October 26th. In order to park necessary vehicles and equipment for filming, streets will be posted with NO PARKING/TOW ZONE signs at the following times:

Thursday, October 26th from 3am to 8pm

  • East side of LaSalle between Chicago and Chestnut
  • West side of LaSalle between Chicago to 826 N LaSalle
  • Both sides of Chicago between LaSalle and Clark
  • Both sides of Clark between Delaware and Superior
  • Both sides of Chestnut between Clark and LaSalle
  • East side of Clark between Chicago and Superior

Intermittent Traffic Control will take place from 9:30am to 10:30am on LaSalle between Superior and Chestnut, and from 9:30am to 10:30am on Chicago between Wells and Clark.

The crews will be working with the Chicago Film Office and the Chicago Police Department to ensure a safe and positive filming experience.

If you have any additional question please email  Ward02@cityofchicago.org, or call the 2nd Ward Service Office at (312) 643-2299.

Alderman Reilly Wins City Council Approval of River North Tavern License Moratorium

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 10/13/17

This week, Alderman Reilly secured City Council approval for a series of ordinances that create a “Tavern License Moratorium” across the vast majority of the River North neighborhood.  The Moratorium only applies to tavern licenses (bars and nightclubs) but does not prohibit the issuance of “incidental licenses” required to open new restaurants.

Alderman Reilly sponsored the ordinances after discussions with the Chicago Police Department and local neighborhood leaders regarding a significant increase in quality-of-life complaints related to a number of liquor establishments operating as taverns or nightclubs in River North.

The Tavern License Moratorium was carefully crafted by placing each moratorium on only two blocks of frontage at a time.  As such, there are dozens of these two-block moratorium zones that, together, blanket River North.  The Alderman took this approach because, if a moratorium is lifted in the future, it cannot be re-imposed for one full calendar year.

Using the two-block moratorium approach, the Alderman could lift the moratorium on two blocks to accommodate a potential new proposal, without lifting the moratorium for the entire neighborhood.

Many people assume aldermen determine who does, or does not, get liquor licenses.  This is not the case.  In fact, it is the City’s Liquor Commissioner who makes those decisions.  Aldermen and police commanders have the ability to object to new liquor licenses, but ultimately the Commissioner determines whether or not to issue them.

In most cases, prospective liquor applicants take the time to visit with the local police commander and alderman to review their proposal and discuss potential issues or concerns regarding their operations.  That said, there is a growing trend of applicants circumventing the Police Commander and Alderman and simply filing applications with the city.

By creating this Tavern License Moratorium in River North, those interested in opening a new tavern or nightclub in the neighborhood can no longer circumvent the Police Commander and Alderman’s Office.

Alderman Reilly is a strong supporter of the Hospitality Industry in downtown Chicago, but believes this initiative is a helpful and necessary safeguard for residents in River North.  The Moratorium ensures greater transparency  and allows the Police Department and Alderman to thoroughly review tavern proposals before an application can be filed.

Community Meeting Notice – Planned Development Proposal – One Chicago Square

Source:  Brian Hopkins 2nd Ward Alderman

New Near West Loop Development at 315 South Jefferson

Source:  Alderman Reilly Report 10/17/17

New Near West Loop Development at 315 South Jefferson

JAB Real Estate is developing a new as-of-right residential project, The Gladys Apartments, located at 315 S. Jefferson Street.  This 10-story building will consist of 69 dwelling units with approximately 1,200 square feet of ground floor retail fronting Jefferson Street.  The building will be about 115 feet tall, constructed with a glass façade and metal panel rainscreen system.

Please note this development conforms to the underlying DX-7, Downtown Mixed-Use District, which would permit up to 94 residential dwelling units, however only 69 are proposed.
The applicant is requesting relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to reduce the minimum off-street parking requirement to 5 spaces in light of this development being a Transit Oriented Development in very close proximity to local and regional public transit. The developer has also agreed to waive any rights to residential parking permit (RPP) zone #738.
Further relief is being requested to reduce the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 15 feet (a rear yard setback is required at the first floor of residential units; in this case, the second floor).  Many of the area buildings are built to the lot line.  The developer is also seeking to waive the requirement of a loading berth for the building. This building is designed such that the ground floor is set back 15 feet from the property line, creating room for loading and unloading.  The developer will also schedule move-ins so as to minimize conflicts.
For more information on this project, please click here to download the project packet, which includes site and floor plans.
This project is being built using existing zoning rights and only requires a Special Use that is approved by the independent Zoning Board of Appeals.  As such, this project does not require action by the Alderman’s Office, the City Council Committee on Zoning or the full City Council.
The Special Use for 315 S. Jefferson will be heard at the next ZBA meeting to be held Friday, October 20 in City Council Chambers. To view the meeting agenda, visit the ZBwebsite.

Neighborhood Notice: Dearborn Street Infrastructure Improvements

Source:  Alderman Brian Hopkins –  2nd Ward

Please be aware of an upcoming resurfacing project on Dearborn Street between Chicago Avenue and the Chicago River Bridge.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this week (week of 10-16-17)  and will include ADA sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removal and replacement, milling, paving, and striping. This work is part of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Arterial Street Resurfacing Central Area Project.

During construction, temporary “No Parking” signs will be periodically installed as required. These temporary signs will restrict parking during working hours, while adhering to rush hour restrictions, for the completion of the work.  All work on this corridor is scheduled to be completed by December 31st.

If you have any additional question please email  Ward02@cityofchicago.org, or call the 2nd Ward Service Office at (312) 643-2299.

Community Meeting Summary for Proposed Development at 365 W. Huron

Source:  Alderman Reilly Reports 10-6-17

On October 2, Alderman Reilly and the River North Residents Association (RNRA) hosted a public presentation for a development proposal at 365 West Huron Street. The Alderman would like to thank everyone who participated in this open and transparent community review process.

Representatives of Morningside Huron LLC presented their proposal for a 10-story, 138-foot tall building with 45 residential condominium units. The average unit size is 2,500 square feet, and building amenities include a private roof-top deck with grilling stations, seating, a dog run, and landscaping.  The building will provide 51 parking spaces with a majority of the spaces below grade.  The site is currently a surface parking lot.

If you were unable to attend the Monday, October 2 meeting, please click on the following link to download a copy of the slideshow presentation.

 

18th District CPD Community Relations Office needs your help!

See the flyer from the 18th District CPD Community Relations Office Below

Neighborhood Notice: Street Closures for the Chicago Marathon

The 40th Bank of America Chicago Marathon
On Sunday, October 8th, more than 40,000 runners will be racing through the streets of Chicago, as they make their way to the finish line of one of the premier running events in the world.

Parking and Street Closures
No Parking Zones along the course will be enforced beginning at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 8. Please look for no parking signs in your area for full details. Vehicles will be ticketed and towed to the nearest auto-pound. For inquiries about towed vehicles, call 312.744.4444.

Street Closures along the route will occur between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
City streets will re-open promptly as the final runners pass through (at a 15-minute mile pace). The Chicago Police Department will be responsible for closing and re-opening streets, they will do so in a manner ensuring runner and spectator safety. Please follow their instructions when approaching streets on the course. Do NOT attempt to block the race course at any time. For more information, click here.

Race Start Times
7:20 a.m. – Wheelchair Start
7:21 a.m. – Handcycle Start
7:23 a.m. – Athletes with Disabilities Start
7:30 a.m. – Wave 1 Start
8:00 a.m. – Wave 2 Start
8:35 a.m. – Wave 3 Start

The start and finish line areas are both located in Grant Park on Columbus Drive. The 26.2-mile course runs through 29 Chicago neighborhoods. The route extends north to Addison St., west to Damen Ave. and south to 35th St.

NEW THIS YEAR
North and south-bound Michigan Avenue will be closed for a limited time on Sunday, October 8. Additional details are listed below.

  • Michigan Ave from Jackson Blvd. to 9th St. will be closed  from 5:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
  • Michigan Ave from 9th St. to Roosevelt Rd. will be closed  from 5:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.