EVA Monday: Trader Joe's, festivals, Collaboraction, Congressman Quigley


Collaboaraction Theatre's Sketchbook festival runs till June 15.

Monday's East Village Association meeting will have updates on Trader Joe's, street festivals and other issues, a presentation from Collaboraction Theatre, and possibly a visit from U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley. You're invited to attend at 7 pm in Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave.

Trader Joe's

Developer Smithfield Properties has met with the EVA board and LaSalle II school council about plans for a Trader Joe's grocery at 1815 W. Division St., the former Miller Lumber site.

Both groups reviewed a draft traffic plan from consultant Kenig Lindgren O’Hara Aboona. It would change the direction of two streets, Honore to the south and Marion to the north.

The consultant told EVA that the plan would not improve Division Street traffic, and that Augusta Boulevard would have to be removed from the boulevard system to allow trucks.

The location across Honore from LaSalle II also makes liquor sales against both state law and local ordinance. The developer's pursuing changes in both, because Trader Joe's will not consider a site that does not allow liquor sales.

Meeting with the school council May 19, Smithfield proposed a $10,000 a year contribution over the 10 years, and said it had discussed changes to the school's lunchroom.

Festival planning

EVA and other community groups have drafted guidelines for festival promoters. They include financial details, logistic and police plans, and fundraising signs and proceeds. Well-managed festivals will introduce more people to the neighborhood, make it more vibrant and support community groups.

Festivals are just one issue in which EVA is working together with the Bucktown Community Organization, Chicago Grand Neighbors Association, Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association and Wicker Park Committee.

Library fundraising

EVA's working with the Chicago Public Library Foundation to support West Town branch programs. Fundraising for EVA's 30th anniversary raised $6,000 over two years.

Collaboraction Theatre

Community partnership director Ron Wachholtz will talk about upcoming Collaboraction productions. Its current Sketchbook festival includes 18 premiere performance pieces on social issues,. The curator, playwright Ike Holter, recently was interviewed in RedEye. Performances end June 15 in the troupe's location in the Flat Iron Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Congressman Quigley

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley or one of his 5th Congressional District staff plans to give an update on issues in Congress.

Quigley co-sponsored one of the rare gun-related issues to pass the House, an measure on background checks. On the Appropriations committee, he's offered amendments on housing vouchers and public transportation. Recently he visited Ukraine in a delegation that met with acting President Oleksandr Turchynov and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

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