North Avenue News Since 4/25

I hope the following items are of interest to you. For more frequent updates, please Like and Follow us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/NorthAvenueNeighborsAssociation/
 
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REAL ESTATE (On North Ave. between Austin and Harlem, even-numbered addresses are in Chicago, odd-numbered addresses are in Oak Park)
 
The North/Harlem Sears is closing. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sears-just-quietly-announced-more-180408564.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma Sad, but probably inevitable. On the bright side, this is–without question–a tremendous development opportunity. Check out the slides from a recent PACE study of North Ave (slides 14-17). https://northavenuecorridorstudydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/pres_elmwood-park-edc-2016-12-15-final-v01.pdf
 
Fresh Thyme is open on North Avenue in River Forest as of 6/21.   https://patch.com/illinois/oakpark/fresh-thyme-farmers-market-hosts-grand-opening-river-forest http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/river-forest/news/ct-rfl-fresh-thyme-update-tl-0601-20170526-story.html The place was mobbed for its grand opening. It looks great—like a somewhat smaller version of Pete’s on Lake St. in Oak Park.
 
Total Nurses Network has moved into the former SEIU building at 7026 W. North. Welcome TNN! This is great news for North Avenue restaurants and other businesses. It will be even better when that awful façade is replaced, as promised.
 
The new US Bank branch at 6729 W. North is open for business.  Cars enter/exit on North Ave. to minimize any disturbance to residential neighbors. Congrats, US Bank!
 
Chicago Cardiology is offering for sale-leaseback its recently expanded building at 7035 W North (just west of Buona Beef). Asking price is $2.75 million.http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/20388975/7035-W-North-Ave-Oak-Park-IL/ I was delighted to see this thriving medical practice recently expand into vacant space just west of its original building.  The  new building is handsome and great to have on North Ave.
 
AJ Styles Barber & Beauty Salon has moved into 6624 W. North–the previously vacant storefront in the west corner of the strip mall. Welcome to North Avenue!
 
The mixed-use building at 6149 W. North is for sale. There are 16 two- and three-bedroom rental units.  Ground floor storefronts (not mentioned in the listing) are occupied by a pawn shop (L) and a braid salon, with one storefront vacant. Price unspecified. https://www.pangeare.com/apartments/il/oak-park/6149-w-north-ave/default.aspx I’m surprised there are 16 large units. The building doesn’t look that big to me from the outside.
 
The mixed-use building at 6739 W. North continues being advertised for sale at $375,000. It has two storefronts (now housing a longtime psychic reader and a braid salon), a three-bedroom apartment upstairs, and four parking spaces in back. http://www.berkshirehathawayhs.com/commercial-for-sale/6739-W-North-Avenue-Oak-Park-IL-60302-84428661
 
Permit issued for repairs at Fast Auto (school for mechanics) at 6248 W. North. http://chicago.everyblock.com/building-permits/may23-permit-issued-easy-permit-process-8098370/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest It’s great to see a building owner investing in maintenance of a NorthAve. property, especially in the stretch between Austin and Narragansett.
 
Business licenses, Chicago:  Metro PCS, 6810 W. North, limited business license renewed until 12/18 http://chicago.everyblock.com/business-licenses/may05-metro-pcs-8069730/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest, MobileLink, 6622 W. North http://chicago.everyblock.com/business-licenses/jun05-mobilelink-llc-8117383/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
 
Passed inspection in Chicago: Fresh Start Daycare, 6922-6924 W. North http://chicago.everyblock.com/food-inspections/apr18-fresh-start-daycare-inc-passed-inspection-8049995/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 6034 W. North http://chicago.everyblock.com/food-inspections/jun01-kentucky-fried-chicken-5289-passed-inspection-8113061/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
6978 Soul Food, 6978 W. North (with conditions) http://chicago.everyblock.com/food-inspections/apr18-6978-soul-food-passed-inspection-conditions-8049993/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
 
Failed inspection in Chicago: Harold’s Chicken, 6606 W. North, http://chicago.everyblock.com/food-inspections/may04-harolds-chicken-57-llc-failed-inspection-8068182/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest
 
GOVERNMENT/POLITICS
 
Two of three 29^th Ward participatory budgeting meetings have been held to discuss how best to spend $500,000 of Ald. Taliaferro’s $1.3 million in “menu money”. The third and final scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, 6/28 at the Columbus Park Refectory, 6 pm. The 29^th is one of nine wards to implement participatory budgeting and the only one on the West Side. http://austintalks.org/2017/06/29th-ward-residents-offer-ideas-on-neighborhood-projects-to-be-funded/ I urge 29^th Ward residents who haven’t already attended one of these meetings to go on 6/28. This is democracy in action and a chance to have a positive impact on the ward.
 
29^th Ward Ald. Taliaferro has announced plans to host “Austin Successes” in July at Austin Town Hall. He wants to highlight Austin natives who’ve had successful careers.  http://austintalks.org/2017/05/taliaferro-to-host-austin-successes-event-in-july/?utm_source=AustinTalks.org List&utm_campaign=5df5233f07-AustinTalks_Newsletter_21&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b405fb814f-5df5233f07-299830393
 
River Forest is moving ahead on a North Ave. TIF. http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/river-forest/news/ct-rfl-north-avenue-tif-tl-0615-20170613-story.htmlRiver Forest officials say the new Fresh Thyme grocery store and a TIF district are the best options to spur North Ave. redevelopment.http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/5-23-2017/Fresh-Thyme-Farmers-Market-names-June-opening-date/  While River Forest moves forward on a North Ave. TIF, North Ave. between Austin and Harlem is still waiting for a land use plan (which every other commercial district in the village has, including Roosevelt Rd.—its southern border).  http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/6-20-2017/River-Forest-now-one-step-closer-to-North-Avenue-TIF-/
I am confused.  I was told by a Village of Oak Park staff member that any new TIFs are out of the question because the other taxing districts (mainly the schools) will never agree. Yet River Forest is moving ahead with Madison St. and North Ave. TIFs.  If OPRF High School is not expected to nix these River Forest TIFs, why is the Village of Oak Park so sure it will do so in Oak Park?
 
Local developer and recently-elected Oak Park Trustee Dan Moroney has been named to the board of the Oak Park Economic Development Corp. Moroney  has stated publicly that there needs to be more development focus on commercial districts outside the downtown area (including North Ave.). http://www.oakpark.com/Community/Blogs/6-8-2017/Oak-Park-Trustee-Moroney-named-to-OPEDC-board/?utm_campaign=WJ-News&utm_medium=Outbound-Email&utm_source=WJ-News-6-8-2017 He has the experience and expertise to make a fine contribution to the OPEDC board. Hopefully, he will help bring sorely need attention to North Avenue, which has received none for decades.
 
A building violation case was opened vs. 1621 N. Moody, home of the unlicensed (but apparently now-dormant) basement nightclub, Urban Myth.http://chicago.everyblock.com/service-requests/jun20-building-violation-opened-8140857/?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest From the photo, it looks like an HVAC problem. 
 
THE NORTH AVENUE DISTRICT (T-NAD) (Note: The organization formerly known as the North Ave. Zoning and Development Advisory Committee (NAZDAC) became incorporated as The North Avenue District in October. But its goal remains the revitalization of North Avenue from Austin to Harlem.)
 
You are cordially invited to join T-NAD’s new Facebook group and be part of the discussion of how to revitalize North Ave. (Austin to Harlem)https://www.facebook.com/groups/107435609823334/?fref=mentions
 
A possible coffee shop/ice cream parlor/pizza place in northeast Oak Park is under consideration by T-NAD board member Deno Andrews, owner of Felony Franks on North Ave. http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/6-1-2017/Oak-Park-trustee-makes-sales-pitch-for-co_op-venture/ Unfortunately, sources say a North Avenue location is not in the cards.
 
CRIME AND SAFETY
 
CHICAGO
 
The North Avenue Business Subcommittee meets on the 3rd Thursday of odd months; next meeting is on July 13th at 1:30 p.m. at the 25th District HQ (Grand and Central). The new Business Liaison Officer is Officer James Mackin; (312) 746-5090, James.Mackin@chicagopolice.org.  The Business Subcommittee is a great way of working with Chicago police to make the North Avenue District safer and better.  Welcome, Officer Mackin!
 
CAPS (community policing) meetings for Beat 2513 (North to Armitage, Austin to Harlem) are held the fourth Tuesday every other month, 6:30-7:30 pmin the Amundsen Park fieldhouse, 6200 W. Bloomingdale.  Meetings are scheduled for July 25, Sept. 26, and Nov. 28. Galewood residents and business/property owners are encouraged to attend these meetings. Police/community communication is a crucial element of neighborhood safety.
 
OAK PARK
 
Zone meetings are held monthly at 7 pm.  Zone 1 meets on the month’s third Tuesday. Until further notice, Zone 1 meetings will be held at 4 Chicago Ave (police satellite station), until construction is completed at Hatch School.    Zone 2 meets on the first Tuesday at Mann School. North Oak Parkresidents and business/property owners are encouraged to attend. Zone meetings are a great way to get to know your RBO and your neighbors, share concerns and help advance safety in your neighborhood.
 
In Zone 1 and Zone 2, April crime was up compared to the prior month as well as April 2016.  In May, crime was up from the prior month as well as vs. May 2016. Crime was also up year to date through May. Possible reasons for the upswing include warmer winter weather in 2017 and unlocked garage and residence doors.  In addition, there are fewer officers on patrol due to 14 police on medical leave. (Five new officers will be added over the coming months.)
 
What’s going on at the King Spa massage parlor at 6441 W North?  There’s an Internet ad for massages by “sexy Asian girls” stating that “sweet sexy Asian girls will satisfy you”. https://www.pangeare.com/apartments/il/oak-park/6149-w-north-ave/default.aspx  Note: If the Village Board had approved the new zoning code, this massage parlor would have been a special use, subject to some scrutiny. Is it too easy to get a business license in Oak Park?
 
RIVER FOREST