The 18th District Commander Mike Barz, Sergeant Chris Schenk, the entire CAPS team, and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation held the annual memorial service on  the anniversary of the murder of Commander Paul Bauer, who was killed in the line of duty on February 13, 2018. Commander Bauer was shot and killed while assisting officers in a foot pursuit of an armed offender near the Thompson Center. He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, and siblings.

We are forever touched by his humble leadership and legacy. Never Forget.

The Renaissance Court Senior Center is offering Free Tax Return Preparation for Seniors from February 5th to April 9th.  Appointments only. This is open to all seniors 55 and above.

Check out the full schedule of February events at the Senior Center below and on the RNRA Event Calendar.

Thank you to everyone that voted for the movies to be shown in our upcoming Summer Movies Series.

Movies are presented by RNRA and the Chicago Park District and supported by local sponsors.

Movies will be shown in June, July and August.

Now we wait!  We have submitted dates and times to the Chicago Park District.  Announcements for movie titles, dates and times will be announced in May once the Park District has confirmed the choices through all of the parks!

2025 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Opens: Monday, January 13

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. This program enables property owners to share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. It will be open for applications on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 6:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Please note: Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311, through the City’s 3-1-1 portal, or through the free CHI311 mobile apps.

If you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2025 if you wish to be considered for the 2025 program.

REMOVAL AND RESTORATION OF STATUE AT FORMER MONTGOMERY WARDS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

Iconic Spirit of Progress statue, beacon of what is now One River Place Condominium Association in River North, to betemporarily removed for repair and restoration

On Saturday, December 14th, One River Place Condo Community successfully removed the statue of the Spirit of Progress from the roof at their building at 758 N. Larrabee Street, the former Montgomery Ward Administration building at Chicago & Larrabee. Diana (who is named and patterned after Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt) has perched over the building and the Chicago skyline since 1929.

The Board and Homeowners are proud to be preserving this icon of the Chicago skyline, and look forward to reinstalling her with much fanfare in 2025.

The 22.5 foot state is pictured above Larrabee Street with Michael Goldwater, who is a Board Member and Treasurer of River North Residents Association in addition to being President of One River Place Condominium Association

See Full Press Release Below

 Chicago, IL December 9, 2024: The Board and Homeowners of One River Place Condominium Association

located at 758 N. Larrabee Street, Chicago Avenue at the east bank of the Chicago River, are performing projects to maintain and restore the building and important elements that contribute to its historic presence in Chicago. As part ofthose projects we are pleased to announce the restoration of the iconic statue crowning our building: Diana The Spirit ofProgress. We are proud to be maintaining this important aspect of the Chicago skyline.

History: The building was originally constructed in 1927, and in 1929 the tower was constructed at the northeast cornerof the building and a statue of Diana, Spirit of Progress (sometimes referred to as the Goddess of the Hunt) was erectedon top of that tower. Standing 22.5 feet tall, this statue is an icon of the Chicago skyline and has been featured in manyart works and images.

The building along with the original Catalog House building across the street were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. We are presently seeking City of Chicago Landmark status. The Statue was installed in its present location by A. Montgomery Ward. It is a replica of the bronze statue at the former Montgomery Wards office at 2 N. Michigan Avenue, which was created and patterned after the statue on top of the Agriculture Building at the1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Details on removal: The statue will be removed via crane on December 14, 2024 and sent to the renownedConservations of Sculpture and Objects Studio for restoration, and repair. The statue will be repaired over the winterand reinstalled in Spring of 2025. Crane placement will begin 8:00 AM Saturday December 14th. While Larrabee Streetand the adjoining sidewalks will be closed for safety reasons, it is expected that viewing of the removal will be possibleon the north side of Chicago Avenue. We invite you to visit and document this historic restoration project. After thestatue’s restoration and repair occurs over the winter, we expect to reinstall Diana at her place of honor in Spring 2025.We will also notify you once this reinstallation is scheduled.

One River Place expects to welcome Diana back with much fanfare.

 Source of history/more information:

Wikipedia article about the Montgomery Ward complex

Chicagology article -good overview Chicagology article with more detail Smithsonian Art Catalog Article

National Register of Historic Places registration