The First City

Devon-Sheridan TIF money for Loyola?

The Reader's Ben Javorsky writes this week about the Devon-Sheridan TIF district at the border of Rogers Park and Edgewater. Javorsky reports that the City is one step away from approving a proposal that would give Loyal University $46 million in TIF money to renovate four University buildings, none of which are mentioned in the initial TIF report. Even more galling, the buildings are tax exempt because they are owned by the University.
    If the City had the money to renovate old University buildings I'd be the first to throw a couple thumbs at the project. Unfortunately, Chicago has a few more-pressing issues that require our tax dollars. For example. Likewise on the Far North Side. There are plenty of projects worthier of funding in the Devon-Sheridan TIF district.
    Some independent oversight would be nice in this case. It's common practice for the City to ignore initial reports that detail the types of projects toward which TIF money should be directed. Once they're in place, TIFs tend to generate money that does not undergo the usual scrutiny that public dollars do before they're spent, which allows the city to give money to projects that were never meant to receive city funding. I doubt an objective review of the Loyola project would find that it jibes with the goals stated in the intitial TIF report. There's probably not a whole lot anyone can do at this point, though. I'm guessing there's a big fat rubber stamp waiting for it downtown.

BTW...

Still working out some bugs with the site so posting has been sporadic.

Left of Center to close

The news remains Granville-centric: Sadly, Edgewater's Left of Center bookstore will be closing its doors forever sometime in the next couple of months. Apparently, the store has been increasing sales since it opened but, hey, it's 2006 so increased book sales don't necessarily equal enough capital to stay open. Hailed by many as a sign that the neighborhood was on the upswing, LoC has been open for more than a year now (although I can't remember exactly how long). During that time, the store has hosted weekly book readings and events, including one with Christopher Hitchens last summer. Arlene Levy, the owner, is a friend of mine. She's a wonderful woman who's put a whole lot of work into this project. It's unfortunate that LoC has to close so much earlier than Arlene had planned. It's the kind of place we'd prefer to have in the neighborhood.

The Granville Update

According to Koenig and Strey GMAC, the real estate agency for The Granville, the 12-story mixed-use building at Granville and Broadway, construction on the project "should be starting within the next few months in order to stay on stay on schedule." That doesn't sound very promising. Condos in The Granville are supposed to be ready for delivery in 2007 but I'm not betting on it. Also, and probably more importantly, rumors that the main commercial tenant will be Trader Joe's are sadly untrue. The person I spoke with at Koenig told me they were working with Staples, the same company that recently took over former grocery space at Clark and Wilson. I can't think of a more depressing choice for the project than Staples. It's a busy intersection next to the red line, for chrissakes. Staples? How about a Dick's Sporting Goods across the street?

Gino's North, 1111 W Granville

 Tucked away almost underneath the Granville el stop and with a facade that could scare away even the most hardened dive bar drinkers, Gino's North might just be the coziest place to eat pizza in the city. Inside, it's dark and small. Four booths with checkered tablecloths line the wall opposite the Art Deco bar, which houses a singularly amazing back bar. Behind the counter you'll find two of the sweetest little ladies you'll ever meet. And not only will they pour you a cheap Old Style, they'll cook and serve your pizza for you too. Not sure how long places like this are going to be around on Granville. I'm sure once the Trader Joe's opens (if it opens) Gino's will be a doggie bakery/salon within the year.

Daley Ordinance Would Increase Wilson Yard Affordability

From the City's website:

"Mayor Daley introduced an ordinance supporting the construction of a $22.8 million affordable senior apartment complex in the City's Uptown community.Wilson Yard Senior Apartments will bring 99 units in a 10-story tower. All of the 99 one-bedroom units will have affordable rents of $625 and will be affordable to those earning at or below 50 percent of area median income."

Round II

So, here it is: the redesigned and slightly reconfigured The First City. Like the first version, this site will emphasize local development, planning issues, and general news. This time around, I will also be posting short features of area restaurants, bars, and shops. The coverage area will be broader. I've relocated to Edgewater and so will cover this neighborhood and  Rogers Park in addition to Uptown and Ravenswood. Otherwise, the goal remains the same. I still want this site to serve as a resource for people in the neighborhood and as an introduction to the area for people who do not. At left, is a view from my apartment of a big hole in the ground at the northeast corner of Granville and Broadway where someday a 12-story building is supposed to sit. I'd like this site to at least outlast the hole.