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JournalSPRING 2007www.rogers-park.com

DevCorp North will hold its annualawards benefit on Wednesday, May 2, at St.Scholastica Academy, 7416 N. RidgeAvenue, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This year’stheme is “Investing In Our Future.”

Honorees at this year’s event includeJoe Mirro, who will be honored as the

Friend of Rogers Park for his enduring com-mitment to and investment in the communi-ty. The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest willreceive the Community Partnership award,which recognizes the level of investment thefestival coordinators have made to theGlenwood Avenue Arts District with 5 yearsof successful festivals. S&C Electric Co. willbe acknowledged for its commitment to theneighborhood’s organizations, institutionsand their Rogers Park employees with theaward for Business Leadership.

The Façade of the Year award will bepresented to Clark Manor ConvalescentCenter (located at 7433 N. Clark Street) forits outstanding façade, renovation andincreased investment in Rogers Park. ClarkManor’s façade improvements are an exam-ple to the rest of the Rogers Park communi-

ty and demonstrate an ongoing commitmentto the neighborhood.

“In the past two years, we have seen anunprecedented amount of investment in ourcommunity’s commercial districts,” saidKimberly Bares, executive director ofDevCorp North. “Our new commercial cor-ridor plans for Howard Street and MorseAvenue will build on the existing investmentand help build a Rogers Park marketplacethat serves the needs of all our residents. The2007 award winners are shining examples ofpeople, organizations and businesses thathave chosen to make an investment in ourneighborhood, and we thank them for thedifference they have made in the RogersPark community.”

Tickets for the May 2 event are $60.The event will include food from RogersPark restaurants, beer and wine and a silent auction with more than 100 items. The event is sponsored by Charter OneBank, MB Financial and Camelot Realty.For information about sponsoring the event,or to reserve your tickets, please call (773)508-5885 or visit www.rogers-park.com.

DevCorp North awards event celebrates “Investing In Our Future”

continued on page 31557 W. howard st., chicago, il 60626-1427 phone 773.508.5885 fax 773.508.9488 www.rogers-park.com

In 2006, DevCorp North made greatprogress in workforce development, businessattraction, community planning and more.Here’s some of what we accomplished, withtestimonials from the people we’ve aimed tohelp:

Small business assistanceDevCorp North assists hundreds of

small business owners every year with per-mits, licenses, health inspections, zoning,lease negotiation, business planning, market-ing and more.

Christine Olsen, owner of Curves, toldus how helpful DevCorp North has beenhelping her get her business off the ground.“Being a flight attendant for 20 years mybusiness experience was limited! I had thepeople skills, but needed guidance fromthose who understood the neighborhood and business community I was openingCurves in. DevCorp North helped me makevery important contacts with other businessowners and customers within the commu-nity. I have had the benefit of all those wonderful e-mails that DevCorp Northsends out promoting my business in theneighborhood. Plus, I have attended numer-ous after-hours functions, and met so manypeople that I otherwise wouldn't have. Ihave visited the office a number of times,and requested meetings with staff memberswhen I've had questions regarding my busi-ness success and growth, and have receivedgreat direction and advice.”

From theExecutive Director

By Kimberly Bares

DevCorp North’saccomplishmentsin 2006Strides set path for evengreater progress this year

2 SPRING 2007 devcorp north journal

DevCorp North Contact Information(773) 508-5885 fax (773) 508-9488

www.rogers-park.com

DevCorp North Staff

Kimberly BaresExecutive Director

[email protected]

Daniel ButtProject Coordinator

[email protected]

Rene CamargoCommunity Development Coordinator

[email protected]

Amy CampbellCommercial District [email protected]

Brandon HardingAssistant Director of Maintenance

[email protected]

Sandi PriceDirector of Operations

[email protected]

Mark SomenDirector of Maintenance

[email protected]

Kevin B. O'ReillyCopy Editor

DevCorp North Board of Directors

Tommy FitzGibbonPresident

Gustavo Giraldo 1st Vice President

Rich Aronson 2nd Vice President

Dorothy GregorySecretary

Ailisa Herrera Treasurer

Directors

Mary Bao Vivienne Dipeolu

Fred FrankLaurene Huffman

Michael James Mark Kruse

Kevin O'NeilJay Steiner

Tina WingerHerbert Witter

Saturday, Feb. 24 - Opening of "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" at the Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N.Glenwood). For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (773) 761-4477 or go to www.lifelinethe-atre.com.

Tuesday, March 6 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. – "Ask The Lawyer Night," sponsored jointly by the Law Offices ofJonathan Dixon P.C. and Ennui Café, 6981 N. Sheridan. Anybody with a legal issue or question -- big orsmall -- is invited to stop by to "ask the lawyer!" For more information, call (773) 252-9610.

Wednesday, March 14 - 7:30 to 9 a.m. - Rogers Park Business and Artists Networking Breakfast meet-ing sponsored by National City Bank. Location TBD. Meetings held the second Wednesday of each month(locations change monthly). FREE.

Wednesday, March 28 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Rogers Park Business and Artists Networking Group meet-ing. Double Crown International Inc. (DCII), 6954 N. Glenwood. Meetings held the last Wednesday ofeach month (locations change monthly). FREE.

Tuesday, April 3 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. – "Ask The Lawyer Night," sponsored jointly by the Law Offices ofJonathan Dixon P.C. and Ennui Café, 6981 N. Sheridan. Anybody with a legal issue or question -- big orsmall -- is invited to stop by to "ask the lawyer!" For more information, call (773) 252-9610.

Wednesday, April 11 - 7:30 to 9 a.m. - Rogers Park Business and Artists Networking Breakfast meet-ing. Community First Bank, 7555 N. Western. Meetings held every second Wednesday (locationschange monthly). FREE.

Wednesday, April 25 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Rogers Park Business and Artists Networking Group meet-ing. Brownstone Therapeutics, 1415 W. Farwell. Meetings held the last Wednesday of each month (loca-tions change monthly). $10 includes food and fun.

Tuesday, May 1 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. – "Ask The Lawyer Night," sponsored jointly by the Law Offices ofJonathan Dixon P.C. and Ennui Café (6981 N. Sheridan). Anybody with a legal issue or question -- big orsmall -- is invited to stop by to "ask the lawyer!" For more information, call (773) 252-9610.

Wednesday, May 2 – 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. – DevCorp North’s Annual Awards Benefit at St. ScholasticaAcademy, (7416 N. Ridge). Tickets are $60. For more information, call (773) 508-5885 or go towww.rogers-park.com.

Friday, May 4 - Opening of "Crossing California" at the Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood. For moreinformation, or to purchase tickets, call (773) 761-4477 or go to www.lifelinetheatre.com.

Wednesday, May 9 - 7:30 to 9 a.m. - Rogers Park Business and Artists Networking Group breakfastmeeting. High Ridge YMCA, 2424 W. Touhy. Meetings held every second Wednesday (locations changemonthly). $6 includes breakfast.

Wednesday, May 30 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Rogers Park Business and Artists Networking Group meeting.TASTE in Jarvis Square. Meetings held the last Wednesday of each month (locations change monthly).$10 includes food, wine tasting and fun.

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

Business recruitment and retentionIn 2006, we hosted four Business

Attraction seminars in an effort to bring thetypes of businesses sought by the communi-ty into Rogers Park. Sixty-six people attend-ed these sessions and we have one new thriv-ing business due to these seminars. We areworking with several other prospective busi-ness owners on their business concepts.

Ruth Hoekwater, owner of TheCommon Cup at 1501 W. Morse Avenue,told us about her experience: “DevCorpNorth has been invaluable to me in the startup of my new business, The Common Cup.They helped me find the space for my newcoffee shop and have helped and encour-aged me in every step of the process. Theyare all so friendly and helpful that I not onlygained lots of expertise, I gained friends. Ilook forward to continuing to work withthem well into the future.”

Beautification and landscapingSeven days a week, 360 days per year,

DevCorp North keeps Rogers Park’s com-mercial districts clean, free of snow, ice, gumand grime, beautiful with spring, summerand winter plantings and new banners!DevCorp North employs 25 workersthrough a contract with the State of Illinois’Dept. of Human Services Earnfare Program

to help our director and assistant director ofmaintenance with keeping the streets ofRogers Park clean, attractive and inviting allseasons of the year.

Charlotte Walters, owner of Lost ErasCostumes & Antiques appreciates the effort.“Much appreciation goes out to DevCorpNorth for taking the initiative to design themost awesome holiday greenery for thestreet planters and poles on Howard Street!Howard Street is finally becoming a placewhere our neighbors and shoppers can feelthe holiday spirit without having to leave theneighborhood.”

Workforce developmentOur bilingual computer classes contin-

ue to teach skills in the areas of MicrosoftOffice, Web site design, Quickbooks andbasic computer use. We taught more than150 people this year and started a new part-nership with Gale Academy to teach com-puter skills to parents of elementary schoolstudents.

Resident Patricia Welch told us how afriend of hers benefited from the program:“I passed on the computer info, last season,to an older friend with NO computer expe-rience. She loves the teacher and will bereturning this season. She’ll even be goinginto the lab to practice during nonclass time.

Thank you so much forhelping her overcomeher fears—and becomemore marketable in theworkplace!”

Planning for our futureThe new Commercial Corridor Revita-

lization Plan developed by DevCorp Northwill encourage positive future growth andrevitalize the commercial corridors onHoward Street and Morse Avenue in RogersPark. Hundreds of residents, business own-ers and customers were involved in the plan-ning process, and DevCorp North relied oninstitutional partners like NorthwesternUniversity’s Asset Based CommunityDevelopment Institute and the NortheasternIllinois Planning Commission (now CMAP)for additional expertise. The plan has priori-tized recommendations and an easy-to-fol-low implementation plan and schedule, allavailable to the public on our brand newwebsite, www.rogers-park.com.

49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore wel-comed the report: “Balanced developmentalso means planning for our neighborhood'sfuture. That is why I fully support DevCorpNorth's planning process for the futuredevelopment of Howard Street and MorseAvenue. I will use their report as a guidelinein evaluating future development proposalson those vital commercial streets.”

Celebrating our diversity and assetsThe 2006 Celebrate Clark Street and

Latin Caribbean festivals brought thousandsinto Rogers Park and provided residents and visitors with an opportunity to listen togreat music, have fun and buy local mer-chandise and food from Rogers Park businesses and artists. Other festivals andevents that DevCorp North supported in

2006 include the Artists of theWall and the Glenwood AvenueArts Fest, both of which contin-ue to get better and better!Estela Perez, president of theClark Street Merchants Associa-tion, thanked DevCorp Northfor its work: “We were absolute-ly stunned at the number of peo-ple and vendors that turned outat our first-ever Celebrate ClarkStreet festival this summer. Itexceeded our wildest expecta-tions! DevCorp North and theClark/Morse/Glenwood SpecialService Area organized theevent and the festival commit-tee, provided food/health train-ing to restaurants and promotedthe festival wonderfully. Wecan’t wait to do it again nextyear!”

SPRING 2007 devcorp north journal 3

Accomplishments in 2006 continued from first page


Good to Go restaurant on Howard Streetwill take on a whole new look and comfortlevel in 2007. The commercial space directly tothe east will be incorporated into a full servicedining area. Tony Levy, owner of Good to Go,hopes to have about 20 tables, 16 more thanthey have currently and, of course, the smooth-ie bar will remain. The expansion will includeroom for private parties or other special events.The existing space will be used for carry-outorders.

Levy and his wife Lenice agreed that two-and-a-half years after opening the restaurant,the accommodations were not enough. “I needmore space to make my customers comfort-able,” Levy said. “With the expansion, theplace will be cozy, like walking into your livingroom.”

Levy opened the restaurant in July 2004after walking out of his job of 21 years. “I wasjust done,” he said, but he had no plans inplace. In speaking with his wife and to a friend,Levy determined that cooking was his bestskill. From these conversations came the startof Good to Go. When Levy decided to open aJamaican restaurant, he planned for the busi-ness with one thought in mind: “How am Igoing to please the people?” His strategy wasto build a comfortable, friendly environmentwith fresh, authentic Jamaican food. So far, it

has proven successful. Enter the restaurantanytime and there are always a number ofpatrons anxiously awaiting a taste of Levy’sJamaican homeland.

Levy is fully aware that if his customersaren’t happy he’ll have no business. As such,keeping customers happy with quality productsis Good to Go’s model. Food is prepared freshdaily. The menu includes Jerk Chicken,Oxtail, Brown Stew Chicken, Jerk Pork,Cowfoot, Curry Goat, Curry Chicken, Rice &

Beans, Fried Plantains and other Jamaicanfavorites.

Levy grew up in Negril, Jamaica. As theoldest of 11 children he spent his childhood inthe kitchen helping his mother. “My passion is

cooking, and this comes from my mom,” hesaid. He still preps and cooks in the kitchen, oras he puts it, “Everything starts with me.”

For a taste of authentic Jamaican cuisine,visit Good to Go at 1947 W. Howard Street –tell them DevCorp North sent you. Hours ofoperation during winter months are:Monday–Thursday 11am–10pm; Friday andSaturday, 11am–11pm; and Sundays 12–9pm.As soon as the weather warms up the hoursexpand to: Monday – Saturday, 11am–11pm,and Sundays 12–9pm. For to-go orders, callGood to Go at (773) 381-7777.

Keep your eyes open this spring for thebigger and better sidewalk café, which will beopen during the summer months, and the com-pletion of the restaurant’s expansion.

Member Spotlight: Good to Go expands in 2007


Clark / Morse / Glenwood SSA

The Special Service Area has great proj-ects in store for 2007! Some of these projectsare the continuation of the work plan and thesuccesses of 2006 and others are new initiativesbased on the recommendations from theCommercial Corridor Revitalization Plan.

In 2007, we will expand the number ofworkshops for business owners so that existingbusinesses can achieve better retail success. Aworkshop was held in January to allow individ-uals the opportunity to learn their credit score.An upcoming workshop will focus on businessand construction/renovation loans.

SSA #24 will continue promoting andsupporting all the wonderful events and groupswithin the SSA such as the Glenwood AvenueArts Fest and the Clark Street MerchantsAssociation, as well as organizing the CelebrateClark Street Festival. We are also facilitating acooperative ad every month throughout the

year in The Onion news-paper, helping businessesincrease their visibility ina more cost-effectivemanner.

During 2006, theClark/Morse/GlenwoodSSA, along with theHoward Street SSA,organized four BusinessAttraction Sessions,which brought nearly 70entrepreneurs to Rogers Park to learn aboutbusiness opportunities in the neighborhood. In2007, we have planned four more sessions andwill again be aggressive in targeting potentialbusiness owners from both inside and outsideof Rogers Park who may be interested in relo-cating or opening a new or additional site inour neighborhood.

A parking study commissioned by theClark/Morse/Glenwood SSA during 2006 wascompleted (See parking article on page 7). TheClark/Morse/Glenwood SSA has begun nego-tiations with parking lot owners to lease park-ing spaces. SSA funds will be used to providemuch-needed parking spaces for our business-es’ customers and clients.

Clark/Morse/Glenwood SSA has great plans for 2007New signage and expanded festivals are on the way

DevCorp North’s Maintenance Depart-ment will be undertaking anew and exciting project in the coming months ahead. The pressurewashing equipment purchased in the spring of 2006 will be adapted forsand blasting operations. This will allow us to prepare the concreteretaining wall located on Glenwood, between Morse and GreenleafAvenue, for the Mile of Murals project scheduled to begin in thespring/summer of 2007. See article on page 11.

Also, with the Morse Avenue Streetscape project scheduled to beginthis year, we are in the process of creating a new beautification programfor the entire Clark/Morse/Glenwood Special Service Area. Planter designsare presently being researched, and final approval will be made by theSpecial Service Area Commission-ers this spring.

Morse Avenue to receive a face liftSand blasting and mural project to beautify the heart of Rogers Park

continued on page 11

I learned about the first annualCelebrate Clark Street festival from one of itsorganizers, Rene Camargo, who is the man-ager for the Clark/Morse/Glenwood SpecialService Area. I thought it was a stretch for abusiness-to-business firm like ours to have avendor booth at a street fair, but I tried tokeep an open mind. After going to the

evening vendor meeting with my boss tolearn about the event, we decided that wewere definitely going to be vendors anddecided to be event sponsors as well.

This was not just because DevCorpNorth fed us piping hot, fresh delivered pizzaand pop at the meeting; not just becauseneighborhood business owners were casual-

ly giving us their cards that evening forfuture business possibilities weeks before theevent even started; not just because we couldget closer to the public that uses our clients'coupons; not just because there were boundto be business owners (and future clients)

Why I loved the Celebrate Clark Street FestivalBy Craig Lieber, Neighborhood Direct



A typical sign of a commercial areabecoming healthier is when demand for park-ing becomes a greater issue to the communitythan safety or lack of shopping options. In adense community like Rogers Park, parkingwill emerge as a more pressing issue soonerthan later. Increasingly, parking has becomethe major concern of business owners onMorse and Glenwood Avenues, who haveexpressed concerns that a lack of parking onweekend nights might be keeping some poten-tial customers away.

To get a good scope of the problem andput some numbers behind the community’sconcerns, the Clark/Morse/Glenwood SSAconducted a concentrated parking study.DevCorp North intern, Mirabai Auer, a gradu-ate student in UIC’s Urban Planning andPolicy programs, completed an inventory ofparking lots and on-street parking during theday, on weekdays and on Friday and Saturdaynights on Morse and Glenwood. The findingsindicate that on-street parking is more than90% occupied on weekend nights, but only34% occupied during the daytime on week-days. Parking lots consistently were at less than50% capacity, day and night

Restaurants, bars and theater groups inthe area currently need additional parkingspaces. With the opening of the new jazz clubon Morse Avenue in 2008 in the CobblersMall, an even greater number of parkingspaces will be needed.

To address some of this demand, theClark/Morse/Glenwood SSA has begun dis-cussions with several owners of parking lots onMorse Avenue to secure public or valet parkingfor local businesses during the evening hours.This could result in over 200 additional publicparking spaces for the commercial area, whichwould go a long way to sat-isfying current and futuredemands.

“We are trying to findshort- and long-term solu-tions,” said SSA #24 man-ager Rene Camargo. “TheSSA commissioners and Iare really working hard tofind out the needs of thelocal businesses so we cantackle the important issueof parking. SSA funds willbe used to provide much

needed parking spaces for our businesses’ cus-tomers and clients.”

As the entertainment venues around theMorse CTA station continue to expand, it willbecome a more attractive destination not onlyto drivers, but also to public transit riders.Multiple venues in one location gives cus-tomers more justification for taking public transit to one place for the night and theincreased vibrancy on the street inevitablymakes people feel more comfortable aboutusing public transportation.

Study finds parking lots underused on Morse AvenueNegotiations underway with owners to lease lots for businesses’ use

Howard Street SSA

With spring just around the corner, theDevCorp North Maintenance Departmentwill be creating a new floral landscape

design for the Howard Street commercialcorridor. New planters are proposed forHoward Street between Sheridan Road and

Paulina Avenue. A new SSA commissionwill review project plans which will includenew larger, taller planters that are designedto discourage pedestrians from using theplanters as benches and destroying the plantmaterials.

Unusually high temperatures inDecember allowed the Maintenance Depart-ment to continue the mulching of all treegrates and parkways within the combinedSpecial Service Areas. Since the spring of2006, we will have distributed approximate-ly 100 tons (200,000 pounds) of mulch. Thisprovides insulation to the trees during thewinter months and retains moisture for feed-ing in summer.

Also, pigeon spikes will be installedunder the Metra tracks on Howard Street justwest of Clark Street. This decision was madedue to the unsanitary and unsightly condi-tions resulting from birds nesting within thestructure. Installation of these spikes willserve to keep the area clean, attractive andfree of bacteria as well as avoid poison abate-ment to resolve this important health issue.

Howard Street will get new planters in 2007Spikes to shoo pigeons from Metra underpass

Large scale projects that will significant-ly impact local economic development areslated for Howard Street. The RenaissanceLofts at Clark and Howard will be openingits sales office in the spring, Bob Coe willbegin work on a mixed-use development at1523-35 W. Howard St., and the city isrequesting proposals for the former LernerNewspaper site at the corner of Howard and

Ashland. These projects and the $50 millionHoward Street CTA station renovation rep-resent new investments and energy onHoward Street, something that the commu-nity has worked long and hard to attract andcreate.

Mixed-use developments that combinecommercial and residential uses will bringmore residents and density to the business

district; more residents mean more con-sumer buying power and an increase inpedestrian traffic. It will also bring more eyeson the street and should naturally result in agreater sense of security in the neighbor-hood. Most importantly for Howard Street,commercial investment will be easier toattract and support. New commercial space

Big things on tap for Howard Street in 2007

Howard St. Special Service Area approvedthrough 2022

Mixed-use developments with affordable housing set-asides to begin construction



In December 2006, City Councilapproved the reconstitution of the HowardStreet Special Service Area (SSA) #19. InApril 2006, a focus group was held withstakeholders in the community and atten-dees expressed overwhelming support forthe Special Service Area. Comments and

feedback from the focus group were used toshape the service areas work plan and budg-et for 2007. The reconstitution allows for thecontinuation of SSA services from January2007 through December 2022 within the fol-lowing boundaries: Howard Street fromRidge Avenue to Sheridan Road; Paulina

Avenue, from Rogers to Jonquil; RogersAvenue, from Greenview to Ashland and theGateway Centre. Seven applications forcommissioners have been submitted to thecity and are pending mayoral approval.


enjoying the street fair; but because we weregoing to have a great time visiting with othervendors who are our loyal clients andfriends and because we were going to hangout with Rogers Park people that were justout to have a good time on a sunny Sundayafternoon!

With great bands, amazing food andlots of interesting stuff from the neighbor-hood, we couldn't lose. The overall turnoutwas way beyond our expectations. Yes, wegot new clients. In the end, we just plain hada great time. My advice: If you are thinkingof being a vendor for the second annualCelebrate Clark Street festival, remember tobring enough workers so you can get somefree time to enjoy the festivities!

Editor’s Notes: This year’s expanded CelebrateClark Street festival is scheduled for Saturday,July 14, from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 15,from noon to 6 p.m. If you would like more infor-mation, or a vendor application, contact DevCorpNorth by telephone or e-mail.

Clark Street Festivalcontinued from page 6

Clark/Morse/Glenwood SSAcontinued from page 6

In 2006, we started a new BusinessImprovement Program that provides financialincentives to local businesses to make facadeimprovements. In 2007, we are projecting thatwe will be able to assist a minimum of 6 busi-nesses, greatly improving the look and feel ofour commercial streets. The program encour-ages all businesses to remove their antiquatedmetal gates and old signs. Removal of oldsigns, sign equipment and exterior metal gatesare eligible program expenses, as are installingnew signage and interior gates, if necessary.Full program details are available online atwww.rogers-park.com.

Also in 2006, we installed surveillancecameras at four locations on Clark Street. In2007 we will be completing installation of cam-eras on Morse Avenue and other locationswithin the SSA as needed. As part of this safe-ty initiative we also will be assessing lightingneeds to ensure safe pedestrian traffic.

After participating in Alderman Moore’sAdvisory Committee for the Morse AvenueStreetscape, SSA #24 will be installingwayfinding signs concurrently with the con-struction of the streetscape to enhance thebranding of the commercial district. Related tobranding and arts improvements, we will also

be launching the “Mile of Murals” Project inpartnership with Chicago Public Arts Project,which will create a series of murals alongGlenwood Avenue over the next decade, andinclude new signage on the viaduct of the CTAoverpass on Morse Avenue. Negotiations withthe CTA have already begun. The Mile ofMurals project and Viaduct Design project willcreate a very special landmark on MorseAvenue and in the Glenwood Arts District andwe hope that it will bring many people from allover the city to see this display of public art.

In 2007, we will also help to develop acollaborative approach to enforce accountabil-ity of nuisance buildings assembling a taskforce that will seek to address this chronicproblem. The Clark/Morse/Glenwood SSAalso will be part of a DevCorp North task forceto create a developers handbook that will pro-vide guidelines for development without dis-rupting or negatively affecting the character ofthe community.

Comments, suggestions or recommenda-tions from the community are welcome.Contact Rene Camargo at (773) 508-5885 [email protected]. The SSACommission meets quarterly; for meetinginformation, visit www.rogers-park.com.


Howard Street in 2007 continued from page 10

will also be an easier sell to potential RogersPark business owners.

“Today, many entrepreneurs want topurchase their commercial space rather thansign a lease,” said Kimberly Bares, DevCorpNorth executive director. “The new develop-ments along Howard Street will create a newsupply of commercial condos, making it eas-ier for us to attract and recruit new business-es to Howard Street.”

The corner of Howard and Clark streetswill be home to Renaissance Lofts, formerlyknown as the Pivot Point building. Thisdevelopment at 1791 W. Howard will offerone- and two-bedroom loft condominiumsstarting at around $180,000. Once complete,the building will have 37 residential units, 21units with balconies and three with terraces.The development also will be home to threecommercial spaces, one of which is current-ly occupied by Washington Mutual Bank,and two others ranging from 1300 to 1400square feet.

By spring 2007, an on-site sales officeand a model for viewing will be open. In aneffort to bring affordable housing units toRogers Park, Alderman Moore and the 49th

Ward Zoning and Land Use AdvisoryCommittee have requested that 10% of theunits be included in the Chicago Partnershipfor Affordable Neighborhoods program(CPAN). The developer will provide fouraffordable one-bedroom units to CPAN.Prospective buyers will be impressed by thismixed-use development close to localamenities, public transportation and twomajor universities.

The first mixed-use new constructionproject at 1523-35 W. Howard St. has beenapproved by the 49th Ward’s Zoning andLand Use Advisory Committee. Currently,the site is occupied by a tire shop and twovacant storefronts – a former dry cleanersand a fast food Chinese restaurant. Thesevacant buildings will be demolished andreplaced by a five-story brick building withfour storefronts on the ground level and 28residential units above. The storefrontsrange in size from 420 to 1080 square feetand can be combined for approximately1500 square-foot spaces; all residential unitswill have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The developer, Bob Coe, has also beenasked by the 49th Ward Zoning and Land

Use Advisory Committee to include a 10%set aside for affordable housing, and Coe hasagreed to place three units in the CPAN pro-gram. These CPAN units are a significantbenefit to the community, especially as theseunits can accommodate a small family. Coehopes to get this project off the ground byfall 2007, provided that city permits are inhand. This development will be Coe’s fourthin the 49th Ward.

The city, at the request of AldermanMoore and the community, has issued arequest for proposal (RFP) for the redevel-opment of a 46,000 square foot parcel atHoward and Ashland, former home to theLerner newspaper facility. The aim of theRFP is to solicit proposals for commercial,residential and/or mixed-use developmenton a site that has sat vacant for more than 10years. The site is located in theHoward/Paulina Tax Increment Financearea and is also subject to the vision of theTIF plan, which seeks to make the redevel-opment area “an important activity centercontributing to the neighborhood and com-munity focus of the Howard/Paulina Area.”Although the city does not own the site, theyhave authority through eminent domain toacquire it. The RFP will provide a much-needed push to get site development tooccur. Proposals were due to the city onFeb. 5, 2007.

These highlighted projects are just a fewto come to the north side of Rogers Park in2007. The new Gale Community FieldHouse is also under construction, aided by awarmer than usual December, and BristolDevelopment is currently constructing a 17-story luxury apartment complex in Evanstonat Clark and Howard. Keep your eyes andears open – there is sure to be more to come.

For a full list of members, visit our Web site: http://www.rogers-park.com.

A & T Restaurant, 7036 N. Clark St., (773) 274-0036. Restaurant.

A – 1 Auto Center, 6707 N. Clark St., (773) 764-3231. Auto repair.

Apple the Second, 745 W. Howard St.,Evanston, (847) 424-0786. Women’s clothing.

Asset Builders CDC, 1557 W. Howard St.,(773) 322-2710, [email protected],www.assetbuilderscdc.org. Social service.

Big Buns & Pita, 6649 N. Clark St, (773) 262-2000. Restaurant.

Caribbean American Baking Company,1539 W. Howard St., (773) 761-0700,[email protected], www.caribbeanamericanbakery.com. Bakery.

Community Counseling Centers of Chicago,4740 N. Clark St., (773) 765-0810. www.c4chicago.org. Social service.

Dunkin Donuts, 6970 N. Clark St., (773) 508-0433. www.dunkindonuts.com. Coffee and donuts.

Gentle Friends Insurance Agency, Inc.,5458 N. Ashland Ave., (773) 271-5100, [email protected]. Insurance.

Grande Noodles & Sushi Bar, 6632 N. ClarkSt., (773) 761-6666, [email protected],www.grandenoodles.com. Restaurant.

Harold’s Chicken, 6952 N. Clark St., (773) 4759-2071, [email protected].

Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood., (773) 465-8005, [email protected], www.heartlandcafe.com.Restaurant.

Howard Area Community Center,7648 N. Paulina Ave., (773) 262-6622,[email protected], www.howardarea.org.Social service.

Inner Metamorphosis University,1418 W. Howard St., (773) 262-1468,[email protected], www.lifesurfing.com.Meditation center.

Jamaica Jerk, 1631 W. Howard St., (773) 764-1546, [email protected],www.jamaicajerk-il.com. Restaurant.

Lake Side Cafe, 1418 W. Howard St., (773) 262-9503, [email protected],www.lake-side-cafe.com. Restaurant.

LAMS Real Estate Management,7408 B N. Greenview Ave., (773) 262-4043,[email protected]. Real estate management.

National City, 5247 N. Broadway Ave., (773) 334-2001,[email protected], www.nationalcity.com. Bank.

NVG Residential Realty,6760 N. Sheridan Rd., (773) 262-3000, [email protected], www.nvgresidential.com. Real estate.

Kevin O’Neil, individual member.

Rogers Park Fine Wine & Spirits,6733 N. Clark St., (773) 761-1906,

[email protected]. Fine wine & spirits.

State Farm Insurance – Neal Gallo,6666 N. Western Ave., (773) 763-6565,[email protected], www.statefarm.com. Insurance.

Superior Cleaning Services Corp.,7113 N. Western, (773) 338-7920,[email protected]. Cleaning.

T.H.E Corporation, 1127 W. Columbia Ave.,(773) 785-6660, [email protected],www.thecorpchicago.com. Condo associationconsultant and building management.

Tao Trading, 1420 W. Howard St., (773) 764-6542, [email protected],www.bestmassagetable.com. Massage and wellness.

the side project, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., (773) 973-2150, [email protected],www.thesideproject.net. Theatre.

Liz Vogel, individual member.

Weber Press, 5724 N. Western Ave., (773) 561-9815. Printing company.

James Zeckauser, individual member.

Julie Zens, individual member.

Zoretich Realty Group – Tom Durkin,1221 W. Lunt Ave., (773) 297-6091, [email protected], www.tomdurkin.com.Real estate.

Spotlight on new & renewing membersWelcome to all of you!


NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

CHICAGO, ILPERMIT NO. 6482

This publication was funded in part by the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development TABG Program and does not necessarily represent in whole or in part the viewpoints of the Department of Planning and Development.


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