As restaurants closed in the coronavirus outbreak, EVA members met in an April 13 Zoom video conference East Village Association membership meeting April 13, 2020, via Zoom. Presiding: John Gantner, president EVA's first Zoom meeting likely won't be the last. Members logged on in an April 13 video conference to brainstorm ways to support the West Town community in what promises to be a slow transition from lockdown to the new normal. President John Gantner said donations to support local COVID-19 relief drained half the EVA treasury, and solicited feedback on other intitiatives to support. Members noted restaurant closings and delayed openings, and cancellation of the Do Division and West Fest Chicago street festivals. A thread on the Community Page for Ukrainian Village lists restaurants still open for takeout and delivery. In a long lockdown, some temporary closings are likely to become permanent. Openings may come with lower occupancy limits, as in Austria and Den...

Organizations supporting local healthcare professionals, hospitality workers and artists to receive $1,000 each from neighborhood group The iBIO COVID-19 PPE Response Fund donates protective medical products to Illinois healthcare workers and first responders. The East Village Association, an organization of residents in the East Village neighborhood of Chicago, today committed $3,000 to help alleviate the economic impacts of the fight against the COVID-19 virus. The donation is to be split among three charities: Arts for Illinois : The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund provides support for artists and performers impacted by COVID-19; The Lee Initiative : Working in collaboration with the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group Charities, The Lee Initiative is providing food support for Chicago-based restaurant and foodservice workers unable to work during this crisis; and iBIO COVID-19 PPE Response Fund : The iBIO COVID-19 PPE Response Fund coordinates direct purchase of protective medical products to...

A developer withdrew demolition plans for 2047 W. Augusta Blvd. after discussions with the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association East Village Association membership meeting March 2, Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president Worker's Cottage Preservation in Ukrainian Village Kimberly Shannon, treasurer of the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association, discussed efforts to expand the Ukrainian Village landmark district. In discussions with UVNA, a developer agreed not to raze a worker's cottage at 2047 W. Augusta and to place the house back on the market. Other worker's cottages and 3-flats are worth preservation as well. Shannon asks EVA to support preserving such buildings by extending the Ukrainian Village Landmark District along Augusta Boulevard from Leavitt to Damen. A proposal has not been submitted, but the Department of Planning and Preservation Chicago indicate that Chicago may be more willing to consider blocks that mix new...

Ald. Brian Hopkins and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley talk to EVA members Feb. 3 at Homestead, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. East Village Association membership meeting Feb. 3, 2020 at Homestead, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president "A congressional report should sound like an aldermanic report," said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (5th) on his annual East Village Association visit, this year shared with Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd). But Quigley slyly noted the difference: His office handles requests for White House tour reservations, but lately not so many. "You will be angry you will be frustrated," Quigley said Feb. 3, anticipating the failed Senate vote to remove President Trump, "but accountability lingers and it does matter." Oversight from federal prosecutors and House investigators continues over money laundering and other issues, Quigley said. "Little land mines are going to pop up." He noted that Congress had appropriated $420 million f...

Scott Weiner, Dr. George Chiampas and Hanah Jubeh at the Jan. 6 EVA meeting, Members voted not to oppose a cannabis dispensary in East Village. East Village Association membership meeting Jan. 6, 2030 at at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president East Village Association members on Jan. 6 voted unanimously not to oppose a recreational marijuana dispensary in the neighborhood. Scott Weiner, Dr. George Chiampas and Hanah Jubeh discussed their cannabis spa concept, which would need licensing and zoning approvals. The planned location is 1914 W. Chicago Ave., adjoining Weiner's West Town Bakery and Roots Pizza restaurants. Sports physician Dr. George Chiampas would operate the medical component, expanding the building to accommodate salt-water baths and spa facilities. The plan likely would require a change to C1-2 commercial zoning. The Andersonville medical marijuana business Dispensary 33 would manage marijuana sales. Nikki Hayes and Dr....

Scott Weiner and Ameya Pawar present their cannabis dispensary plan at a Nov. 4 EVA meeting at Happy Village. A recreational cannabis dispensary seeks East Village Association members' approval at EVA's 7pm Jan. 6 meeting at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. EVA's planning committee gave a do-not-oppose recommendation last month to a plan for a West Town recreational marijuana dispensary featuring cannabis-infused mineral baths and fine dining. Partners in the " recreational cannabis experience " include Fifty/50 Management Group president Scott Weiner and former Ald. Ameya Pawar. Weiner and Pawar presented preliminary plans at a Nov. 4 membership meeting. The planned West Town location was not disclosed at the meeting. The partners pledged to pursue Type 1 zoning, which requires City Council height and density approvals to limit incompatible or uncontemplated uses. Video monitors and other business restrictions sought by the EVA committee were accept...