April 2009

Networking With Neighbors
by Helen Kaplow

It was no ordinary meet-and-greet. It was amazing. It was entertaining. It was inspirational. Who knew that a South Loop Neighbors bi-monthly meeting at Grace Place could be so exciting?

The March 11th SLN meeting program was titled "Networking & Referral Night." Attendees were given one minute each to stand in front of the group and introduce themselves and their businesses and/or one minute to make a recommendation of another business or contact they wanted to share with their neighbors. After the formal presentations, there was time for informal mixing and networking.

I expected it to be an informative evening - a chance to learn about the resources available in my neighborhood. But it turned out to be much more. For starters, 60 people showed up. (!) Then 46 stood up to make presentations.

Maybe it was the shaky economy that prompted neighbors to turn to each other for support. Maybe it was that so many people were so delighted to see that so many other people showed up - delighted to discover that their community organization had not collapsed and was in fact alive and well. Whatever the reasons, forces coalesced and a rich community experience was formed.

Partly like kids at Show & Tell, neighbors told their stories and passed around samples. There were samples of a specialty raw food product and samples of faux finishes for your walls. Partly like preachers at church, neighbors testified about miracle solutions to our shared problems. There were financial gurus and real estate seers and lifestyle evangelists of all sorts. Partly like pitchmen in an infomercial, neighbors offered each other bargains and special deals.

There was even an "Our Town" moment, when Roy Svenson of Chicago Community Bank at Dearborn Station stood up and spoke about his affection for the neighborhood. He talked about walking along South Dearborn Street and seeing all the store-front businesses and how "you look up and one story above the street, you find so many good people living upstairs, so many people both living and working in the neighborhood, so many people doing interesting things in the neighborhood... Before you look outside the neighborhood, look inside the neighborhood." To complete the Grovers Corners theme, Roy went on to promote a local play being performed by the students at Jones College Prep High School and invite the neighbors to all attend on the same night, together.

Gail Merritt stood up and spoke about the Alliance for a Greener South Loop. She explained that this was not just one organization but a group of organizations working in collaboration. Simply put, "when people work together, they can accomplish a lot more," she said.

Janice Koerber, of Many Hats Homeworks, was a popular favorite. When Janice stood up to talk about her home repair business, one woman interrupted by raising her hand and declaring, "I offer a referral for Janice! I've used her many times and she's excellent!" In the next moment, five more hands spontaneously shot up and voices from around the room exclaimed, "Me too!"

One young woman stood up who had no business to promote or recommendation to make. She only wanted to introduce herself and say "I love the South Loop! I feel so lucky to live here!" Yup. We do too.

So, if you're in need of a massage therapist or a lawyer or an orthodontist or an interior designer or pet grooming or custom framing or computer repair or a bottle of wine or combined French cooking and language classes, or just about anything else you can think of, check out the list of presenters and referrals from this meeting. (See the bottom of this article, posted in the Neighborhood section in this website.)

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An Evening at Jazz Showcase
by Bonnie McGrath

The good times continued for members of South Loop Neighbors on Tuesday, March 24th with a fabulous free visit to the historic Jazz Showcase, which now resides at Dearborn Station. Toe tapping and finger snapping were in order as nearly 40 of us sat tight for the swinging sounds of the Grammy-nominated jazz sextet, the Mike Frost Project.

We ate pretzels and drank while the music wafted over us and made us feel great. Before the show, several of us shared a Nepalese/Indian meal at the new Curry House across the street. And we truly appreciated the generous discount the restaurant afforded our SLN group.

For several SLNers, this was their first visit to Jazz Showcase in the South Loop. But everyone agreed that we're all looking forward to more visits in the future. The hip and tasteful décor complements the music and the refreshments.

It's so nice that Jazz Showcase has resettled in the heart of the South Loop. (Its home for years was the Blackstone Hotel, before a move to River North.) Welcome home.

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Business Profile: Raise a Glass to New Neighbors
by Greg Borzo

Here's a new concept: BYOF, as in Bring Your Own Food. It's one of the creative, community-oriented ideas uncorked by the team of four women who work at WineStyles at 1240 S. Michigan Ave.

"We are more than a wine club or wine bar," said Sara Kay Snider, manager and sommelier of the store. "We like to think of ourselves as a community center, where people gather to meet friends ... and to make new ones."

The BYOF policy encourages patrons to bring their own snacks or even bring in leftovers for reheating in the store's toaster oven or microwave. Most patrons bring in cheese to nibble with their wine, but some have brought in fancy three-course meals.

"If you want to go out for dinner, we offer the cheapest seat in town because you can bring your own food," Snider said.

Other features designed to build community are: free wine tastings Thursday evenings; live music Thursday and Friday evenings; deliveries; free wi-fi; and a wine club, which makes WineStyles the only wine club in town with an actual clubhouse, according to Snider.

WineStyles also offers four classes on select Wednesday evenings titled: All About Whites; All About Reds; Food and Wine Pairing; and For the Love of Cheese and Chocolate. The cost ranges from $25- $45 per class.

Although locally owned and operated, this store is one of WineStyles' 150 wine boutiques around the country. Like the others, it is designed like an old-world wine cellar.

"Although we are a franchise, each WineStyles has its own character," said Tracye D. Hinton, owner of the South Loop store. "In our case, we are committed to the South Loop, and all four of us who work here live between Polk and 16th Street."

A unique WineStyles feature is that instead of being organized by varietal, region or country, the wines are organized by eight different styles: Crisp, Silky, Rich and Bubbly for whites; and Fruity, Mellow, Bold and Nectar for reds. Each bottle, which ranges from $10 and $25, is accompanied by a description of the wine and suggested food pairings.

Although the economy took a turn for the worse shortly after this store opened last February, the business is doing well, Snider said. "Wine is a great way to bring people together, and people still want to do that - despite the sorry state of the economy." WineStyles is also an SLN Business Partner, so when SLN members show their membership cards, they get a 10% discount on all wine purchases.

WineStyles: 1240 S. Michigan Ave., www.winestyles.net/southloop

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Development Update
by Dennis McClendon

The city's Department of Zoning & Land Use Planning is circulating a draft of a capital improvements plan called the Chicago Central Area Action Plan. Officially, it's an update to the 2003 Central Area Plan, noting changes since then, such as the boom in South Loop residential development.

For the South Loop, the plan suggests that, as the area becomes more fully built-up, it may be necessary to use city redevelopment assistance to aid institutional expansion. It also states that current regulatory policies are not creating sufficient parking for visitors and business customers.

Projects discussed include the already-planned streetscaping of Congress Parkway, a bike lane on Wabash north of Roosevelt, modernization of the Harrison subway station, and new L stations at 18th & Clark for the Orange Line and at either 18th or Cermak on the Green Line.

To serve West Loop office development, a new Clinton Street Subway is proposed, which would curve east across the river and rejoin the Red Line near 18th Street. Roadway improvements include the long-planned Wells-Wentworth connector past the west side of the Roosevelt Collection and recommendations for a new bridge at Taylor Street by 2016, and another at Polk or 16th by 2020.

Near Buckingham Fountain, the plan suggests that for only $500,000, the simple pedestrian crosswalk across Lake Shore Drive that was removed in 2005 could be put back in place-by 2012.

A continuous riverwalk through the central area is another goal (pictured to the right), and the plan proposes a dock-level riverwalk from Van Buren to Harrison, with later extension south of Harrison to 19th, though there are no details of how a walkway would traverse the marina at River City. The plan proposes some sort of "green screen" over the Metra Electric tracks in Grant Park and the Central Station Area.

A section called "Conceptual Principles for Building Height"
indicates that "very tall buildings are appropriate in the Downtown Core . . . and surrounding Grant Park." The accompanying diagram shows the "Downtown Core Density" district north of Congress and east of State, transitioning in the Central Station area to a zone with "restrictions on placement and density." For the rest of the South Loop, the notation is "Transition Zone, Tall and Mid-rise Buildings." It is unclear how this plan correlates with the 2004 Near South Community Plan and its very specific limits on building heights.

In Chicago, plans such as this are mostly important for the way they crystallize the city planning staff's thinking about issues. They don't determine capital spending, and have no authority to guide the city's sometimes-inscrutable decision-making process, which is dominated by private developer proposals and by the mayor and his staff. Unlike most states, Illinois does not require zoning to adhere to an adopted comprehensive plan, and few large downtown projects are limited by Chicago zoning in any case. Many of the costly projects listed in the document will require federal or state funding that may never materialize.

A rush to have Plan Commission adopt the plan has been interrupted by 42nd Ward Ald. Reilly's insistence that there be at least some public discussion. Ald. Fioretti has announced a Central Area Action Plan meeting, in which city staff will present the plan, on Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m., at the Robert Morris College auditorium, 401 S. State St., Room 803. The draft of the plan can be downloaded, in chapters, from the city's website. Search for "Central Area Action Plan."

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After pondering a residential tower until the market disappeared, D2 Realty Services is mulling a two-story retail building at 1000 S. Clark, between Target and Amli900. No tenants have been announced, though the Chicago Sun-Times quoted a D2 principal's suggestion that a toy store or grocer were possibilities. Parking would be on the roof, with some grade-level parking as well. When the market recovers, D2 could eventually develop a residential highrise behind the retail building.

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For years, city officials have discussed an intermodal transfer center at Financial Place and Congress, next to LaSalle Street Station. The idea was to provide a better transfer for Metra Rock Island riders to CTA buses. A recent announcement from Ald. Fioretti says the project will begin construction in August, and it will include sheltered bus waiting-areas along Financial, a small plaza, and new escalators up to Metra trains.

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Chieftain Group has backed out of a purchase agreement and abandoned plans for development at the southwest corner of Harrison and Wells. The Irish developer had planned two 25-story towers there, including apartments, condos, and a hotel. Previous owner D2 Realty Services will put the two-acre parcel back on the market. The remainder of the vacant land north of River City is owned by Russland Capital Group, which is "just sitting on it" for now. Among other ideas, Russland has floated the concept of an indoor athletic facility on part of the site if Chicago is awarded the Olympics.

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The conversion of the Old Colony Building at Van Buren and Dearborn to residential has been rumored for years, but the Sun-Times reports that new owner Joseph Cacciatore & Co. is pondering a conversion to student housing. Student housing is the market being chased by several South Loop developers in the current downturn. Significantly for a historic building such as the Old Colony, students don't demand parking spaces or balconies.

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Early Childhood in the South Loop
by Helen Kaplow

The South Loop Elementary School's Early Childhood Center at 1915 S. Federal Street has spaces available for immediate enrollment. This tuition-based program of the Chicago Public Schools currently offers a full-day educational program for three and four-year-old children who live in the school's neighborhood and throughout the city. There is supervised learning and play daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

School Principal Tara Shelton says the pre-school has a fine arts emphasis, which is ideal for the South Loop location. "I love that we're here in the South Loop - so close to museums, parks, and an abundance of resources." Shelton says she values the relationship the school has established with neighborhood residents over the years. "Our community partnerships continue to strengthen and develop the school's instructional programs." In fact, the school's ballet program and chess program were both created by recommendations made by community members.

Shelton is also proud of the school's "Go Get Your Smock" art program, which integrates art into literacy learning. And these students are not only literate in English. They take classes in both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese each week. Yes, even the pre-school kids. Shelton says that this is the first year they have offered foreign language classes in the Early Childhood Center and the program has been a great success. "At that age, the children are like sponges. They learn so quickly. And we make it fun. The parents have been thrilled."

The small class sizes (with 20:3 student-adult ratio) must certainly contribute to the school's success. Plus, there are computers in every classroom. Children are served a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack daily. And the school helps learning continue at home with Virtual PreK, a resource for parents that connects the classroom, home, and community through hands-on activities.

Starting mid-June, there is also an eight-week Summer Program available. For more information, or to schedule a tour,
call 773-534-9066.

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Introducing: SLN Business Partners

March saw the launch of the new South Loop Neighbors Business Partner Program, which is designed to support local businesses while also adding value to SLN membership. Now, in addition to providing free and discounted access to SLN social and cultural events, your membership card can be used to get discounts and special perks at local businesses.

The start-up group of participating businesses was featured in a detailed announcement email. And an online list of SLN Business Partners - at the SLN website - will be updated regularly as new partners are added. Also look for bright orange SLN Business Partner signs, which will be displayed at participating stores and restaurants.

So, if you're a South Loop Neighbors member, please take advantage of the special deals being offered. The results will be a win-win for you and your neighborhood businesses. If you're not a current member, now is the time to join.