CTA Red Line extension project #RLEReady #Ward09

[VIDEO] CTA has a new video out about the CTA Red Line extension that is still being planned that takes the Red Line further south into Roseland and Altgeld Gardens where the final destination is 130th Street. The next critical phase for this ambitious project is construction which is expected to cost $2.3 billion half of that would come from federal funding and the rest from non-federal funding i.e from the city of Chicago, state of Illinois and/or even CTA itself.

I like these renderings of the various stops on the southbound Red Line extensions.

Let's start with 130th not much to be seen here though. They note this stop will be right at Altgeld Garden

Here's Michigan Avenue

Here's 111th Street

And here's 103rd Street

All of these locations look very different don't they. They assume there will be some new development around those stations. I definitely wouldn't mind that new L station on Michigan Ave helping to develop that vacant lot on the corner of 115th & Michigan. It's a long time in coming if that happens as it's been vacant since the mall had been demolished there during the 2000s.

If you got a plan for a "Roseland Coffee Shop" start creating your business plan right now! Don't wait for this L route to be built! Whatever businesses would come to this area, they need to start planning now.

Meanwhile, here's hoping even in these uncertain times that this new L route will come through and be built before the end of this decade.

Two police officers hit and killed by train 103rd & Cottage Grove #Ward09

[VIDEO] I'm sorry to share this story not long after sharing another story about a police officer from the Calumet District who committed suicide in the district HQ parking lot back in September. If that suicide is any indication being a police officer is a very taxing job and we charge police with doing so much for our city. Especially insuring people who do very bad things are arrested and charged with their respective crimes.

To start two police officers identified as Eduardo Marmolejo and Conrad Gary were chasing a suspect when they were hit by a South Shore train near 103rd Street and Cottage Grove. While we do have the above video that aired on the local news how about a Block Club Chi write-up:

Two Chicago Police officers who chased a gunman onto Metra tracks in the Rosemoor neighborhood were hit and killed by a passing train Monday night, the latest tragedy to rock the Chicago Police Department.

Officers Eduardo Marmolejo, 37, and Conrad Gary, 31, died instantly when they were hit by the outbound South Shore train, which was traveling as fast at 70 mph, Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said.

Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the “devastating tragedy” happened on the tracks near 103rd and Cottage Grove.

The Calumet (5th) District officers, partners for the night, responded to a “ShotSpotter” automatic detection of gunshots at 101st and Dauphin just after 6 p.m. Monday.

A suspected gunman ran up the train embankment at 103rd and Cottage Grove, and the officers followed, Johnson said.

They were struck by the South Shore train at 6:21 p.m. on tracks owned by Metra.

“By doing the most dangerous thing any police officer can do, and that is to chase an individual with a gun, these brave young men were consumed with identifying a potential threat to their community and put the safety of others above their own,” Johnson said.

Furthermore:

The crowded train, part of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, had departed Chicago’s Millennium Station en route to Indiana. Investigators went through the train interviewing passengers before they were transferred to buses to finish their commute.

Johnson said a gun was found on the scene, and a “person of interest” was being questioned.

What's mentioned in this article are the other tragedies of the police department during the course of 2018. Especially the most recent death of a police officer during the Mercy Hospital shootings. Of course the suicide of police officers especially two who came from the same police district as the officers who were hit by that train.

Also I want to note that as dangerous a job being a police officer is, they have gotten a bad rap as there has been some bad publicity. However, let's not forget how being a police officer is a dangerous job and how much we need them to ultimately work to keep our neighborhoods safe.

103rd & Michigan back in the day #tbt

Man I can't believe this is 103rd & Michigan as it appeared in 1940, 78 years ago. Hmm just like another old photo of 93rd & Jeffrey which is also from 78 years ago - both provided by Chicago History Today. Here's what the blogmaster there J.R. Schmidt wrote in March 2017:

In 1848 Dutch farmers established Roseland’s first permanent settlement, along what’s now the Michigan Avenue ridge.  By 1940 much of the area was built up.  However, aside from a few older homes, this particular stretch of 103rd Street remained vacant, zoned for business.  The rise in the street to the ridge is visible in the foreground.

Of course you can go to that post to see a more recent photo and it's almost like night & day. When you think about it, there is an old photo of Bennett School - which unfortunately is lost for now - that shows that school surrounded by undeveloped land. I can imagine it fits this image from 78 years ago. The above vantage point is no more than two blocks away from Prairie which is the street Bennett is located.

93rd & Jeffrey and 103rd & Michigan it's funny both photos contain a streetcar.

Chicago History Today: 103rd/Eggleston then & now #fbf

Just think how often I pass through this general area and it's fascinating how this area has changed over the years. 103rd Street and Eggleston back in 1905 about 113 years ago! This is courtesy of a photo provided by local historian J.R. Schmidt.

Here's how Schmidt described this scene from the early 20th century:

We are on 103rd Street at the railroad crossing, midway between Halsted and State. In 1905 this was the site of the Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad’s Fernwood station, so various businesses had been established in the immediate vicinity. Yet traffic along the street was so light that people commonly walked down the middle.

Of course as you see there are a lot of changes to this stretch. You can go over to his post from 2015 to see how this area looks today. Just think this will be the next stop from 95th once the CTA Red Line is extended.

Oh wow, another shot of a streetcar! 

Olive-Harvey College open house

Our IG account had just been tagged with this. Olive-Harvey College at 10001 S. Woodlawn Avenue is hosting an open house for their college. You can RSVP at the link you will see in post embed below: www.ccc.edu/ohcopenhouse. It will be held on tomorrow Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Got any questions call OHC at 773.291-6100 or email them at ohcadmissions @ ccc.edu

A post shared by CCC-Olive-Harvey College (@cccoliveharveycollege) on Apr 13, 2018 at 11:38am PDT

List of #Ward09 town hall meetings

ward09.com

To be honest I like this rebranding - instead of community meetings town halls. Of course usually town halls involves representatives of not only the ward office - which certainly is comments by the 9th Ward superintendent - also other city agencies. Also during election season we may see presentations by candidates, especially those individuals running for judge as was the case at the last "town hall" meeting last year.

All the same here are the list for this year's town halls. Two down and now six more to go with one this month on April 24, 2018. And as always the place and the times with a phone number for the Alderman's office.

9th Ward Town Hall Meetings will take place at

Pullman Presbyterian Church
550 E. 103rd St.
From 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Call 9th Ward service office for more information at 773.785.1100

#Ward09 News

Earlier this week I shared this portion of Ald. Anthony Beale's recent email sharing news for his Ward 9 constituents on The Sixth Ward's ig. This news is for the planned sports facility near 104th & Woodlawn or according to DNA Info 2016 article - 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave (I erroneously referred to the nearby address of 103rd & Doty). When you turn off 103rd street south onto Woodlawn you will go past the facility construction and will lead you to the Pullman Walmart.

All the same I saved this pictures and the portion of the email that talks about the coming sports facility and wanted to share this with you all on this blog. As always click on pic for larger resolution.

March community meeting #Ward09

For those of you who live in Chicago's Ward 9. In a different communication it was referred to as a townhall meeting.

When: Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: Pullman Presbyterian Church
             550 E. 103rd Street

And as always if you seek more information call the Alderman's office at 773.785.1100

9th ward meeting with Ald. Beale on Tuesday

This meeting for ward 9 residents is tomorrow Sept. 26, 2017 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM to be located at

Pullman Presbyterian Church
550 E. 103rd St.
Chicago, IL 60628

Of course if you want more info call Ald. Beale's office at 773.785.1100

Also refer to flyer below.

Update on the planning for CTA Red Line extension

CTA Red Line extension

Recently got an update with regards to where the Chicago Transit Authority is currently with the planned Red Line extension south from 95th Street to 130th St. near Altgeld Gardens. You can read a two sheet update here from their official website.

With this in mind there are two videos with regards to the extension which in my opinion is beneficial to the far south side of Chicago. However, what I strive to do on this blog is to be fair and the first video is a local homeowner who is opposed to the Red Line extension because it's construction means the destruction of homes as far as whatever alignment the CTA will choose.

This first video is courtesy of The Chicago Reporter - and posted to YouTube in December 2016 - and shows commentary by Shari Henry who opposes the extension as the project could threaten her family home. We see a drive around through the communities that are affected by this proposed project. As I may hope there could be further development Henry uses 95th as a guide with little business development around the 95th Terminal. [VIDEO]

The next video shows a proposal for the revitalization of the intersection at 115th & Michigan - although yeah they refer to this as 116th & Michigan. This is geared towards transit oriented development with mixed use buildings that hopefully will include storefronts, low-income housing, a grand entrance to the nearby L station, and greenspace to be used for community events. Seems like a great plan that should be considered even if it must be refined. The video was posted to YouTube in May 2017. [VIDEO]

Here's yet another video which was posted to YouTube in Dec. 2012 - 4 years ahead of The Chicago Reporter video with Shari Henry. Of course this is a video that is in favor of the Red Line extension to 130th Street and certainly wants us to know the benefits of building this extension. An hour commute to downtown Chicago for cultural, education, or even jobs. The far south side won't be so disconnected or it won't take so long to take advantage of all the opportunities the city of Chicago has to offer. [VIDEO]

Forgot to add the above video was before the 2013 Red Line south reconstruction and before the current redevelopment of the 95th Red Line terminal.

What you see below is the project development phase which is the final environmental impact statement and record of decision as far as the Red Line alignment along the Union Pacific Railroad route. I suppose this means which side of the tracks will have their properties impacted which is also explained in the two-page report from CTA.

Tribune: Planned warehouses could bring thousands of jobs to Pullman

On Wednesday @thesixthward on instagram reposted a screen cap that is a rendering of the future warehouses expected to come near 103rd/Stony Island provided by this Chicago Tribune article. As a matter of fact, these warehouses will be closer to 111th Street near the Walmart. Below I will share the post provided by Ian Lantz who owns The Pullman Cafe.

A post shared by Ian Lantz (@ianlantzart) on Sep 5, 2017 at 3:28pm PDT

9th ward monthly community meeting

This notice was e-mailed to Ald. Anthony Beale's e-mail list over the weekend regarding the next 9th ward community meeting tomorrow Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the Pullman Presbyterian Church @ 550 E. 103rd Street. And of course if you attend you would hear updates from representatives of  city departments and agencies.

Flyer itself is below

9th Ward Community Meeting

With 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale& city department representatives

Tuesday, March 28, 2017
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Pullman Presbyterian Church
550 E. 103rd Street
Chicago, IL 60628

For more information call the 9th Ward Service Office

34 East 112th Place

Chicago, Illinois 60628

773.785.1100

Red line extension moves forward

Rendering of the 103rd CTA station

I'm somewhat disappointed that the red line extension to Roseland may not open until at least 2026 at the earlier according to what was written by Greg Hinz. Regardless more progress is being made in the future progress to bring the CTA L system further south from 95th street. This project is expected to cost about $2.3 billion.

As CTA continues to move forward we will see a draft environmental impact statement which will be seen on this project's website. In addition as hopefully construction would begin at 2022 at the earliest another step is to purchase those properties within the footprint of the route whether or not the CTA goes with the two options for their preferred routing.

9th Ward events

9th Ward Paper Shredding Event!

• Friday, August 19, 2016
  10:00 am - 1:00 pm
  Dollar Function Parking Lot
  319 East 103rd Street

9th Ward Back to School Picnic and Health Fair

• Saturday, August 20, 2016 
  12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  Palmer Park
  201 E. 111th Street

For more information on these events call 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale at 773.785.1100

Click here to view e-mail

From October 2015, photos along 103rd Street

Crossposted from The Sixth Ward

I realized that I failed to what I set out to do a few months ago. I wanted to do a photo essay and basically I started with taking some photos along 103rd Street. This was back in October and although I shared a few pics back then there were than that in my photo library.

For example, I have some pics taken east of King Drive on 103rd Street.

103rd & Rhodes

The pic above I knew at one time as the offices of Congressman Mel Reynolds. In 1995 he was caught up in a sex scandal with an underaged girl and was forced to resign. Unfortunately this property is now vacant and looking for a use since the time of Reynold's having his congressional offices here.

Across the street is a former dry cleaners. It's unclear when this particular building became vacant. Across the street from here is this.

103rd Street between Rhodes and St. Lawrence

In a different time this property had once been home to a McDonald's. That store eventually closed down and was ultimately demolished a with a church built instead.

Beyond this church and the former dry cleaners is this vacant lot.

103rd Street between Rhodes & St. Lawrence

I see this as potention for this part of 103rd and one of many undeveloped lots ready for the right development. To be sure 103rd is largely a commercial corridor and is quite walkable. With the right development it could be a very vibrant corridor.

Of course this is only an example of some of the pics I took in October 2016. I hope to share more of them in the future. And apologies for not sharing these much sooner. My goal is hopefully to come up with some ideas perhaps this part of town could use some bold vision and why not.

9th Ward Community Meeting

Alderman Anthony Beale

• Please Join Us!
  9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale and City Department Representatives present a 9th Ward Community Meeting
  
  Tuesday, April 26, 2016
  6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  
  Pullman Presbyterian Church
  550 East 103rd Street
  Chicago, Illinois 60628
  
  For more info
  9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale
  34 East 112th Place
  Chicago, Illinois 60628
  773.785.1100

Buy-N-Save Supermarket: What would YOU like to see here?

Last week I walked along 103rd Street and these two images are examples of some of the shots I had taken. Not sure how long this store at 209 E 103rd St has been closed, but it was a surprise when I found out it had been and in a boarded up state. The next is what would you like to see here? Is it possible to attract another grocer here?

9th ward paper shredding event

Tomorrow April 3, 2015 from 11 AM until 3 PM at 322 E. 103rd Street. Refer to flyer below for more details. This event is sponsored by 9th ward Alderman Anthony Beale - who sent the flyer below to his e-mail subscribers - in addition to the Roseland Special Service Area and the Greater Roseland Chamber. Any additional questions call Sheila Stevenson at 773.928.6000 ext. 221.

DNA Info: Metropolitan Family Services To Host A Jazzy Fundraiser in Roseland

http://www.metrofamily.org/

If you're looking for some events add this to your calendar via DNA Info:

The nonprofit Metropolitan Family Services, which provides social services to needy families, is hosting an annual Jazz at the Met fundraiser featuring live jazz from local performers at its far South Side office.

Music will be provided by local DJ Mike Burns and jazz artists The Beverly All-Stars featuring Liane Williams and Margaret Murphy, Jamiah On Fire and The Red Machine, and Russoul.

The event runs from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at 235 E. 103rd St. Tickets, which are available online, are $50.

This event takes place no more than one block away from Bennett School!