36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas meets East Vlllage Association members Sept. 12, 2022 at Roots Pizza. East Village Association membership meeting Sept. 12, 2022, at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Dan Johnson, director East Village again is split in Chicago's City Council redistricting. Ald. Gilbert Villegas introduced himself to East Village Association members Sept. 12. In turn, members sounded him out on how he works with community groups on neighborhood issues. The remap pushes Villegas' 36th Ward boundaries east along Grand Avenue from Belmont Cragin into East Village. A West Town satellite office at 2246 W. Chicago Ave. is staffed Tuesday through Thursday. "I ran in 2019 under an acronym that I still use today, which is PEACE—Public Safety, Education Accountability, City Services and Economic Development," Villegas told EVA members before taking questions. "I'm not an alderman that's about defunding the police. I'm an alderma...

A 1st Ward proposal would make Wood Street northbound from Grand Avenue to Ellen Street for protected bike lanes. East Village Association membership meeting Feb. 7, 2022, on Zoom. Presiding: Dan Johnson, director A proposal to change the traffic flow on Wood Street drew a crowd to EVA's monthly meeting. Many neighbors wondered why they hadn't heard about the plan earlier. East Village is likely to remain in multiple wards, 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins told East Village Association members Feb. 7. The online meeting highlighted the problems with a divided territory when attendees aired concerns about 1st Ward plans for bike lane improvements. "If it were up to me, and I say this with some sense of irony, I like my ward, I really do," Hopkins told the 50 attendees, addressing dueling City Council redistricting proposals . "I like representing your neighborhood and I lose it under both versions and I'm sorry that it's happening. ... It's part of ...

Marland Hobbs speaks to EVA members at Happy Village. East Village Association membership meeting July 9, 2018, Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president East Village Association members on July 9 backed landlord Marland Hobbs’ plan to convert retail space on Hermitage and add transit-oriented apartments. Welcome (Michael VanDam) Shakespeare in the Park preview (Elizabeth Nungaray) Presentation and vote on 1115 N. Hermitage (Marland Hobbs): The owner made a case to build apartments over a garage to "domesticate" the alley south of Division Street. Rezoning for 7 units still would not conform to the surrounding 3-flats. The Planning, Preservation and Development committee had recommended only to convert first-floor commercial space. Members voted 14-10 not to oppose Hobbs' request.

1115 N. Hermitage Ave. EVA members will vote July 9 on a zoning change for the building that houses the Tropikava Kafe juice bar. Rezoning would allow conversion to 7 apartments with limited parking. The owner of 1115 N. Hermitage Ave. plans to convert the 4-story building from a storefront and 3 apartments. Plans submitted for EVA review would renovate the storefront as a new apartment and build 3 apartments over the existing garage. The vote would advise Ald. Proco Joe Moreno on whether to support a zoning change in the City Council. The EVA meeting starts at 7pm in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. The meeting also features presentations from Delia Ramirez , Democratic candidate for 4th District state representative, and Elizabeth Nungaray of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

East Village Association membership meeting Feb. 5, 2018 Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Chicago Avenue would be trimmed to three motor-vehicle lanes in a "road diet" proposed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce. Program manager Kace Wakem told East Village Association members Feb. 5 that the Chicago Department of Transportation and Chicago Transit Authority are studying the proposal, part of the West Town Master Plan produced in 2017. CDOT has identified Chicago Avenue east of Paulina Street as a "high-crash corridor" in its Vision Zero safety plan, while the CTA is tracking performance of the #66 bus route. The plan would reduce the two center lanes to a single left-turn lane. Bike lanes would be added in either direction. Chicago Avenue was identified in the city's 2012 plan to create crosstown bike routes . Grants for tree planting, considered in meeting a sustainability goal, would require volunteers to plant and care for trees. Other maste...

Jay Keller of Space Architects + Planners presents plans for 1038 N. Ashland Ave. East Village Association minutes for Jan. 9, 2017, by Stephen Rynkiewicz East Village Association members unanimously backed plans to convert offices to apartments at 1038 N. Ashland Ave. Honore Holdings founder Michael Schenouda plans to convert the MIS Computer Corp. office building to 18 apartments and a property management office. Architect Jay Keller of Space Architects + Planners says renovations will keep the red-brick exterior intact. Architectural renderings call for 2 studio, 12 1-bedroom and 4 2-bedroom apartments, ranging from 424 to 915 square feet. Large windows would be restored along Ashland Avenue, with additional windows replacing the spray-painted mural along Cortez Street.

EVA has championed redevelopment of St. Boniface Church since it closed in 1990. East Village is a magnet for young professionals and the developers who follows them. EVA's most popular posts of 2016 follow the progress of St. Boniface, Pure Dairy, Ace on Ashland and other developments. Neighbors fight new St. Boniface apartment plan March 31: Neighbors of St. Boniface organized to save St. Boniface Church at 1358 W. Chestnut St. A threat to raze the church drew new interest in preserving the site, an EVA goal since the church closed in 1990. Stas Development finally stalled demolition in a last-minute deal to buy the site. An open house this coming Tuesday will preview the construction timeline for condos and a music hall . Planning, Preservation & Development Ongoing: Expansion of Chicago's Transit Oriented Development rules, which waives parking space requirements near rail lines, drew contractors to EVA's development guidelines, which discourage one-off...

East Village Association minutes for Dec. 5, 2016, by Daniel Navarro 1701 W. Division presentation and vote Brian: Have met with owners and wanted to bring it to the general meeting. Proposed development to add on to rear of building . Seeking a zone change and asking for us to approve. Developers: Existing building currently zoned B3-2 seeking to up zone to a B3-3. Fully renovate existing apartment units and add a 1-story-taller building behind it and a parking base. Respecting the neighborhood by using existing structure and materials. This will be high end. Existing is a mix of 3 the new will be 2, elevator access to all floors. Parking will have bike storage and trash alcove.

Monday's East Village Association meeting will include a presentation on proposed changes to the Starbucks coffee shop at 1701 W. Division to accommodate transit-oriented housing. EVA members will vote on whether to accede to zoning changes. The meeting starts at 7pm in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Plans submitted to EVA show a new 5-story building with a roof deck. FitzGerald Associates Architects says the Starbucks will stay as-is but the current 6 units will be renovated. The new building will have eight 2- and 3-bedroom housing units over one floor of parking. EVA's vote would be a non-binding recommendation requested by Ald. Proco Joe Moreno. The project requires a zoning change to B3-3 from the current B3-2. Developers plan to use city Transit Oriented Development incentives that reduce parking requirements. Representing building owner John Kelly at the meeting will be Sara K. Barnes, a partner with the Samuel V.P. Banks law offices, along with the...

Tenants parking would be reduced for more apartments at 1701 W. Division St. East Village Association board minutes for Nov. 14, 2016, by Daniel Navarro West Town Bakery is now closing some days at 7pm for winter hours, so board meetings need new location. Planning, Preservation & Development 855 N. Wolcott: Demolition permit, sold last month as a teardown. The caveat is that the neighbor's fire escape prevents a "regular" build, would have to work around the landing. Has to go through the landmark commission, will ask the developer to submit plans to EVA first. 1038 N. Ashland: In meeting at the Winchester, owner was trying to sell the building; seems to think incorrectly that developers believe EVA would be opposed to any development. Looking for a zoning change from a B1-2 to a B1-3. 1701 W. Division: Date not yet set for presentation to members on expansion of Starbucks building. Still waiting for drawings. Initially seemed OK, but parking and access are ...

Wicker Park Connection will add commuter apartments and condos at 1650-54 W. Division. East Village Association board minutes for March 14, 2016, by Daniel Navarro Board transition Peter Gariepy and KK Goh will work on a transition for the treasury. EVA has just over 100 active, paying members. Business Minute Local artists are invited to give presentations at general meetings. Dollop Bake Shop, 1000 N. Damen Ave., will be scheduled for a future meeting. Planning, Preservation and Development A March 16 meeting with Ald. Proco Joe Moreno will discuss two buildings. EVA wants to explore saving the façade at 1108-10 N Ashland Ave. The former Rothschild Liquor store at 1542 W. Chicago Ave. will have eight units above rehabbed retail space.

Delays in CTA Blue Line renovations are giving community members a second chance to influence design of a new Division station entrance. The CTA expects work to begin at yearend, community liaison Jeff Wilson tells local architect Scott Rappe, who represented community groups in late 2014 talks with the city. "The project will still be awarded to a design-build team," Rappe tells members of the Polish Triangle Coalition , "but there appears to be time to influence the process, and a willingness on the part of the CTA to make sure this happens." The East Village Association, Wicker Park Committee, Near North Montessori and other community representatives formed the coalition to support public-space improvement and maintenance at the Division-Milwaukee-Ashland intersection. The group produces summer performances at the Polish Triangle. A contractor will plan and execute updates. The Grand, Chicago and Division stations would get new entrances with granite st...

Architect John Hanna presents the Ace on Ashland condominium plan. East Village Association minutes for Feb. 1, 2016, by Michael VanDam Ace Hardware Building Brian Foote introduced the team behind the proposed new transit-oriented development replacing the Ace Hardware at 1013 N. Ashland Ave. The group had previously met with the EVA board and has integrated most suggestions into the revised plans. The building will include 2,500 square feet of commercial space and 33 units on three floors above: six 1-bedroom units, 21 2-bedroom units and six 3-bedroom units. Parking will be limited to 25 cars, and the building will include storage for at least 25 bikes. Parking will be accessed off the alley behind the development. EVA members voted to approve the upzoning to B1-3, which will ensure that the ground floor retains commercial use.

The construction fence shows a building design for the former Ace Hardware site. Developers of a condominium building will ask East Village Association members Monday to support a zoning change at the former Ace Hardware site, 1023 N. Ashland Ave. Owner Ross Babel plans a new four-story building with first-floor commercial-retail tenants and 33 condo units. The floor plan requires B2-3 zoning; the lot's now B1-2. Attorney Sara K. Barnes calls the upzone "more compatible" with buildings to the east and west. After reviewing early plans, members of EVA's development committee suggested adding 3-bedroom units for a more diverse mix. Here's how the units now stack up in size: 6 – 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath (720 square feet). 9 – 2 bedroom, 1 bath (850 square feet). 6 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath (920 square feet). 6 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath (950 square feet). 6 – 3 bedroom, 2 bath (1,280 square feet). The plan earmarks two 2-bedrooms units as affordable to median-income...

Plans to revive the Club Foot bar have fallen apart, but 1st Ward Ald. Proco Joe Moreno said he would support lifting a tavern license moratorium at the Augusta Boulevard site. "I am very seriously considering lifting all moratoriums in East Village because they are old ways of dealing with protections in our city," he told EVA members Sept. 14. Moreno also said he'd support a $500 million property tax increase to balance the Chicago budget. He noted that his proposal for a city tax on smokeless tobacco would need a new state law, and claimed that tax increment financing has been abused, although he'd keep the 1st Ward's TIF district. Ed Marszewski, Club Foot's prospective new owner, did not attend the meeting. But Moreno said Marszewski couldn't get a lease at 1824 W. Augusta Blvd.

Milbury Architects' revised plan for 1062 N. Ashland Ave. East Village Association board minutes for Aug. 10, 2015, by Michael VanDam Planning, Preservation and Development 1062 N. Ashland Ave.: Developer Mark Sutherland presented revised plans to build apartments behind the Ashland Church of God's existing façade. A smaller building would have 4 studios, 16 1-bedrooms and 13 2-bedroom apartments. The developer agreed to provide the city-required 10% ratio of affordable housing, and will not buy out of the requirement. They may move one or two of the units offsite, but will keep them within the West Town community. The proposal should go to the general EVA membership at the next meeting on Sept. 14. 1612 W. Chicago Ave.: The Shapiro Ballroom has announced plans to renovate the old Alvin Theater for a ballroom dance school and event space. Neal McKnight will reach out to see if we can help with any necessary permits or zoning changes. 1824 W. Augusta Blvd.: EVA ...

EVA members voted in 2014 to oppose the CTA's Ashland Bus Rapid Transit plan. East Village Association board minutes for July 13, 2015, by Michael VanDam Ashland BRT A representative from the advocacy group Active Transportation Alliance would like to speak to the group to “get the temperature” of our views on the Ashland Bus Rapid Transit project. Considering that no new information has been released and no plans announced, Brian Foote and Catherine Garypie will reach out to try and get a better sense of the request. Club Foot proposal The person interested in opening a new venture at the Club Foot location, 1824 W. Augusta Blvd., sent responses to the developer questionnaire EVA requires for development requests. Dan Johnson will forward to the board for review.

The former Club Foot space, 1824 W. Augusta Blvd. East Village Association board minutes for June 8, 2015, submitted by Michael VanDam Ashland Avenue Development The proposal for a transit-oriented development at 1062 N. Ashland Ave. does not seem to be moving forward. Club Foot proposal An inquiry was received regarding the former Club Foot space, 1824 W. Augusta Blvd. Given the residential setting, EVA does not support commercial development at that location, consistent with longstanding guidelines regarding appropriate zoning. Instead, we would prefer to work with the developer to identify a more appropriate space. The inquiry raised the possibility of adding guidelines for developers thinking about locating in the neighborhood to facilitate more productive discussions on proposed new developments. Bus Rapid Transit A representative from the Active Transportation Alliance has asked to “take the temperature” of the group regarding the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (...

Ashland Church of God, 1062 N. Ashland East Village Association board minutes for May 11, 2015, submitted by Michael VanDam Planning, Preservation & Development 1062 N. Ashland: PP&D heard prospective owner Mark Sutherland 's proposal for new apartment construction around the Ashland Church of God's existing façade. Such a plan would require the city to change its zoning map, expand its new transit-oriented development zones and further loosen parking requirements. The PP&D committee and board felt the proposal was too preliminary to weigh in. Concerns revolved around added height and lack of interior preservation. 1838 W. Chicago (Fifield Cos. development): Fifield has obtained building permits and has begun marketing the development as Luxe on Chicago. Construction should start soon. Upcoming General Meetings A representative from the city forestry service is scheduled as speaker for EVA's June 1 meeting. A representative from the Active Transp...

Membership meeting minutes, April 7, 2014 Submitted by Catherine Garypie Ashland BRT The CTA's Ashland Bus Rapid Transit proposal would cut Ashland Avenue traffic lanes from four to two, to dedicate the interior two lanes to express buses. The plan keeps two parking lanes, and eliminate left turns from Ashland except at highway access points. Details are at transitchicago.com/ashlandbrt . Primary benefits of Ashland BRT are: Decreasing travel time (decrease of about 8 minutes from 35th to Irving Park) and increasing reliability for the large number of public transit users on Ashland. Supporting businesses along Ashland Avenue. Connecting rail and other bus lines. EVA has not taken a position to date, although it has provided information regarding process in prior meetings. EVA has heard presentations from the CTA, the Active Transportation Alliance and the Ashland-Western Coalition. Nearby neighborhood groups have taken positions. The Environmental Assessment for the A...