Development Proposals; Back to School

Hi neighbors,

Welcome back to the thousands of students and educators who returned to school this week! The first day of school has long been one of my favorite days of the year – I get to walk my kids Isaac and Ameena to school as we talk about their hopes and expectations for the new year. Seeing them greet their classmates as they stand in line brings me a sense of gratitude unlike any other. 

Staying on the topic of schools, this week I had the pleasure of dropping in on our 47th ward Youth Council’s back-to-school meeting at Chase Park. We were joined by members of the Chase Park Teen Club and had a great conversation about Participatory Budgeting and scooter safety. I was particularly pleased to see our young people engaging with one another and thinking creatively about how to make our ward a safer and more enjoyable place for all. There is still time to join the Youth Council. If you are in 8-12th grade and interested in getting involved, please reach out to our office to learn more. 

My thanks to the Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association for hosting me, 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez, and leaders from the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce for their annual State of the Neighborhood event. It’s been a true pleasure to work with these and other leaders to build more housing, welcome new businesses, and craft new dynamic public spaces across our Lincoln Square neighborhood.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by The Getaway, which recently reopened following a closure tied to a fire. It’s been a long road back and they’d be thrilled to have you stop in to say hello and welcome back!

Finally, I’d like to bid a very fond farewell to Gabe Perez, a truly phenomenal intern my team and I have had the pleasure of working with for over a year. As Gabe embarks on the next phase of his career in music, I’m immensely grateful for his many contributions to our office — especially our social media communications.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Shredding Day

Saturday, September 19th

Join us at the Jewel Osco parking lot (4250 N Lincoln) for a free paper shredding and recycling event.

In partnership with Midway Recycling, we'll offer both Document Destruction and Electronics Recycling services. For paper, we ask that you remove staples beforehand and bring no more than 2 boxes per household. All types of electronics will be accepted.

Learn more

Approved: 3642 N Ashland

Ald. Martin has decided to support a zoning change that will allow the applicant to build a 4-story residential building containing 3 family-sized homes on a lot that currently contains a vacant single-story commercial building. Two of the homes will contain 4 bedrooms, and the third home will contain 3 bedrooms.

The applicants have agreed to provide multiple sustainable features on-site including electric vehicle chargers, bird protection features, bike parking, and dark sky compliant lighting.

This proposal is supported by the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

Oktoberfest

September 11th-13th

Try authentic German food and traditional drinks. Dance to the music of German bands and spend the evening with friends and enjoy a fabulous festival. Traditional singing and dancing groups from Chicago will perform on Saturday after the parade and on Sunday at 2pm.

Learn more

Ravenswood Art Walk

September 12th-13th

The Ravenswood ArtWalk is a weekend-long celebration of our local creative community, featuring open studios and galleries, pop-up performances and activations, and an outdoor arts market featuring 80+ local makers, two stages of live music, a pop-up beer garden, kids activities, food trucks, and more.

Learn more

Twilight Canoe and Kayak

Sunday, September 13th

Come out for an evening of paddling during the magic of twilight followed by dinner and a silent auction at the Boathouse. This is the annual fundraiser for the Clark Park Advisory Council.

Learn more

Submit Feedback: Development Proposals

Our office received the following development proposals and will be considered by our Zoning Advisory Council in September.

1410-12 W Warner

A proposal to build a 6-unit condo building on a lot that currently contains a vacant 2-flat and side yard. 

3636 N Ashland

A proposal to build a 4-story mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial and three 3-bedroom homes above. 

Submit feedback

Hamilton Bike Bus

Every Wednesday until November

Join the Hamilton Bike Bus every Wednesday until November. The route starts at Wolcott and Belmont at 7:10 AM with pick ups along the route.

Learn more

Ravenswood Neighborhood Block Party

Saturday, August 29th

The Ravenswood Neighbors Association is excited to announce of first-ever Neighborhood Block Party! Join us Saturday, August 29 from 2pm-9pm in the 4700 block of N. Winchester for live music, bounce houses, water play, yard games, food and drink, and lots more!

Learn more

Submit Your Story: Green Machine Closure

Over the past 13 years, Green Machine has made a name for itself as a neighborhood institution and haven for cyclists across Chicago. Owner Ezra Hozinsky's dedication to quality care and sustainable community living has left a lasting impact on the thousands who have stepped into Green Machine over the years. 

As Green Machine prepares to close its doors, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is collecting community members' favorite stories and memories from the shop.

Learn more

Careers in Manufacturing Mixer

Wednesday, September 23rd

Interested in a new career? Join us the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce at Begyle Brewing (1800 W Cuyler Ave) for their third annual Careers in Manufacturing Mixer! This event is designed to connect local industrial business leaders with community members and students interested in manufacturing careers.

Learn more

RSVP: Data Center Town Hall

Tuesday, September 22nd

Data centers are everywhere these days: in the news, on social media, maybe even being proposed in your neighborhood, bringing a host of concerns, from water and energy impacts, to environmental concerns, to the cost of your utility bills. Attend this town hall with a panel presentation and a Q&A portion with State Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams, sponsors of the POWER Act.

Learn more

Welles Park Bird Walk

Sunday, August 30th

Bring your own binoculars, mask and comfy shoes. Walks are extremely casual, so if you are running late or need to leave early, that’s fine. Please dress for the weather. Welles Park can be muddy after a rainfall so leave your good shoes at home. Plan to meet at the gazebo at 7:30 a.m. Walks are approximately 2 hours and will be cancelled if raining.

Learn more

Civilian Office of Police Accountability: People's Academy

COPA People's Academy is designed to educate citizens on COPA's processes including, the History of Civilian Oversight of Policing in Chicago, Introduction to Officer-Involved Shootings Investigations, Witness Reliability, Standards of Proof, Analyzing Video, Use of Force, and our Policy Research & Analyses Division (PRAD).

Learn more

Ashland Resurfacing

CDOT's work on Ashland has received their detour permit approval! CDOT is projected to begin constructing the 7 raised crosswalks and bus pad at Ashland and Wilson on Monday. The work will be done in sections to ensure pedestrian access is maintained. CDOT will start next week with the raised crosswalks on the east side of the street. Weather permitting, CDOT projects that work on the west side of the street will start the week of Sept 9. The raised crosswalks will be installed at Sunnyside, Ainslie, Carmen, and Winona. Final pavement markings and sewer structure cleaning are projected to be done by mid-October.



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This Year: Upcoming Projects

• Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
• People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace

End of August

• Saigon Jazz Revival, August 29th, Learn more
• Ravenswood Songs of Love and Protest, August 29th, Learn more

September

• Bike the Drive, September 6th, Learn more
• Oktoberfest, September 11th-13th, Learn more
• Ravenswood Art Walk, September 12th-13th, Learn more
• Twilight Canoe and Kayak, September 13th, Learn more
• Midway 5K, September 13th, Learn more
• Harvest Jam, September 18th-19th, Learn more
• Games for Good Food Pantry Fundraiser, September 19th, Learn more
• Southport Neighbors Yard Sale, September 19th, Learn more
• Children's Resale Event, September 26th, Learn more
• Taste of Uptown, September 30th, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood