EVA backs St. Maria Addolorata church preservation
'A winning solution will be found'
The East Village Association voted April 9 to support preservation of the closed St. Maria Addolorata church, 528 N. Ada, and opposing its demolition.
"St. Maria Addolorata Catholic parish and school were a vibrant part of our community for almost a century," EVA's letter of support says. "Santa Maria parish served countless thousands of neighborhood immigrants and families, many of whom still live in its shadow. Even after its closure, the structure remains an anchor within the community and a landmark clearly visible from outside it."
Arcitect Joseph Bagnuolo used stained glass windows throughout his Midcentury Modern design. Preservation Chicago named the building threatened after the Archdiocese of Chicago listed the property for sale. Zoning
Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago executive director, told EVA members the church is not protected against demolition. Built in 1960, the church was considered too recent for inclusion in the 1995 Chicago Historic Resources Survey and its list of properties that get a 90-day hold on being razed. Alderment so far have not been interested in updating the survey, he said.
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) is working directly with the archdiocese on ways to preserve the building, Nicholas Zettel, La Spata's chief of staff, told EVA.
EVA continues history of preservation advocacy
Miller said buildings may fit the criteria for being named a protected city landmark if they have significant architects and cultural aspects. Landmark status takes three months to one year of city research and hearings. "Chicago has protection power," Miller said, describing Preservation Chicago's role. "We can only provide proof," which can be challenged.
EVA has advocated successfully for preservation of the St. Boniface church as condominiums and Goldblatt's building as the West Town Public Library. Its St. Boniface preservation campaign started in the 1990s and included attempts to develop senior housing. EVA also helped establish the East Village landmark district, which limits facade changes in designated areas. Miller said districts preserve many building features that otherwise would not rate landmark status.
"We are confident that with the right combination of vision, financing and people, a winning solution will be found," EVA's St. Maria Addolorata support letter says. "We will succeed, and when we do, we will not only have saved a local landmark but perhaps we will have created a model that can be replicated in many other areas where vacant churches wait to contribute once again to the communities that surround them."
St. Maria Addolorata congregants were combined in 2021 with two other parishes, Holy Innocents parish and St. Malachy + Precious Blood parish. The archdiocese closed St. Maria Addolorata the next year, and the two churches remain open as Blessed Maria Gabriella parish.
Surge Billiards plans Chicago Avenue location
Surge Coffee Bar & Billiards plans a new location at 1734 W. Chicago Ave. in the former Hub Theater, most recently a Catholic Charities grocery store. Owner Wahib Merchant of Surge, which also operates in Albany Park and Logan Square, presented plans for the site. Plans would expose the building's barrel ceiling and install seven golf simulators in the annex.
Work on the site began in February and Merchant hopes to open in August. Surge needs a Public Place of Amusement license, and Merchant pledges to work with Ald. La Spata on a plan of operation setting hours and other limits.
Emerald ash borer vanquished—for now
A fundraising campaign backed by EVA paid to treat 162 ash trees infested by the emerald ash bore. Marjorie Isaacson, one of the effort's leaders, said East Village's entire stock of ash trees was infected, and untreated trees eventually die.
City foresters had stopped their treatment for several years, Isaacson said, and many were in advanced states of decay. EVA's survey of the infestation helped the city identify and treat ashes that were in earlier stages of infestation, she said. However, Chicago has not committed to future treatment, and some of the private funding is being held for the future.
