The CTA 9 Ashland will be rerouted from its current turnaround on Clark north of Irving Park to continue north on Ashland to a new terminal at the Ravenswood Metra Station. Register for a virtual presentation on Thursday, June 6, at 6:00 PM here: bit.ly/ashlandbus
This change will eliminate the idling CTA buses on Clark St. near Belle Plaine.
From the Alderman Martin’s social media:
I am thrilled to have worked with the CTA to extend the #9 Ashland bus route to a new terminal at the Ravenswood Metra Station bringing this bus north of Irving Park on Ashland for the first time in its history! This will expand access to one of the busiest bus routes in the city to within ½ mile of an estimated 21,000 new residents and 15,000 new jobs. The extended route will also provide direct connections to the Metra, #78 Montrose bus, and #81 Lawrence bus. Join our office and the CTA for a virtual presentation on this route extension.
Alderwoman Clay’s office has notified us that she is approving the zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 at 4116 N Clark Street to allow Access Contemporary Music (ACM), the prospective tenant, to operate a music school. As part of this overall proposal, Alderwoman Clay will lift the liquor moratorium on Clark Street from Byron to Berteau for one year to allow ACM to apply for their liquor license. Note that should any other business in the affected area apply for a liquor license, the Alderwoman will consult the neighborhood before supporting.
Lease negotiations for 4116 N Clark are ongoing. The Alderwoman’s office reports that they will continue to work with ACM, along with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Buildings, on the possibility of removing the curb cut on Clark Street. ACM has agreed to provide 7-9 parking spaces for concert nights depending on the outcome of closing that curb cut.
The Alderwoman’s decision letter is copied below and attached here. We will pass along additional information as it becomes available.
Alderwoman Clay has decided to approve the request for a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 at 4116 N. Clark to allow Access Contemporary Music, the prospective tenant, to operate a music school for children and adults as well as a small venue for classic and jazz music. Access Contemporary Music (ACM) is a local non-profit organization with a strong track record in our community, with multiple other locations throughout the City.
Our office conducted a process to engage community feedback on this proposal. We released a survey and held a meeting for neighbors to learn more and share feedback. We also solicited written feedback from the neighborhood organization and the local Chamber of Commerce. After the conclusion of our process, this zoning change is supported by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and by the neighborhood organization, Graceland West Community Association.
As part of this proposal, ACM will sell concessions that include alcohol. Alderwoman Clay will lift the liquor moratorium on Clark St. from Byron to Berteau to allow ACM to apply for their liquor license. After the mandatory one-year lift, Alderwoman Clay will lay the moratorium back down. Should any business on that corridor apply for a liquor license during the one year, she will consult the neighborhood organization before supporting or denying the license. Please note that gas stations cannot apply for liquor licenses in the city of Chicago. Alderwoman Clay has also requested that ACM provide a plan of operations for their license that restricts service of liquor to ACM concerts; liquor will not be served outside those events.
Our office feels confident that ACM will bring great added value to our community and replace a blighted, vacant property with a true community asset.
The 7-Eleven lease at 4116 N Clark St. will end on July 31, 2024. This address is represented by the 46th Ward and Alderwoman Clay. A Zoom meeting was held on May 7 for Graceland West residents to meet with 4116 N Clark potential tenant, Access Contemporary Music, ACM, about their proposed use, interior renovation plan and zoning and liquor license requests.
The Graceland West Community Association, GWCA, joined the Zoom presentation from an in-person community meeting. GWCA members and non-member residents who attended the in-person meeting represent 10 of the 13 different neighborhood streets in Graceland West.
Based on ballots and surveys, Graceland West Community Association, GWCA, members and Graceland West non-members support a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 for 4116 N. Clark, if music school Access Contemporary Music, ACM, becomes the tenant. Residents have asked that the curb-cut from Clark Street to the parking lot be eliminated to help with bicyclist and pedestrian safety and to improve overall safety to the site.
Question 1 (ballot for eligible members, survey for non-members). I support a zoning change at 4116 N Clark from RS-3 to B3-1 for prospective tenant, Access Contemporary Music and their shown plans to renovate and open a contemporary music teaching and concert location. Yes / No.
1) Graceland West Community Association Members attended in person and online and voted 89% Yes, 11% No to changing zoning from RS-3 to B3-1, if Access Contemporary Music is the tenant.
Question 2 (ballot for eligible members, survey for non-members). I support lifting the Liquor License Moratorium on Clark from Berteau to Byron for one year for prospective tenant, Access Contemporary Music to apply for/receive an indoor liquor license until 10 pm for ACM programs. This is not a bar. Yes / No
2) Graceland West Community Association Members attended in person or online and voted 84% Yes, 16% No to lifting the Liquor License Moratorium to allow ACM to apply for an indoor liquor license, if they are the tenant.
Non-members attended in person or online and received the same ballot questions as a survey. Had each been eligible to vote, the tallies for Question 1 are 74% yes, 26% No and Question 2 are 55% Yes, 45% No.
GWCA Members and Graceland West residents, thank you all for participating on May 7th. GWCA especially thanks 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay for hosting the meeting and Andrew Pillman, owner of the Lakeview Taproom and Coffee House, for hosting us for the in-person meeting. Additional thanks to Seth Boustead, Executive Director, Access Contemporary Music, potential 4116 N. Clark tenant.
Graceland West Community Association Hosts YOGA IN THE PARK at Warner Park (1444-46 Warner Ave).
Join us Saturday, June 15, from 9:50 – 11:15 a.m. for a yoga session in the beautiful Warner Park. The event is free and open to all Graceland West residents over 18 years old.
Bring your own mat or throw rug. Weather Permitting.
It was a perfect day for planting on May 5! Thanks so much to the Davila family for helping Ben and Linda plant our first Children’s Native Pollinator Pathway at Warner Park. There were so many great questions and such determination in planting any many as possible.
We hope you all get a chance to visit the park in a few weeks to see how they’ve developed.
Tonight, May 7th from 6-7 pm, at the Lakeview Taproom, 1426 West Irving Park.
We invite all Graceland West residents and GWCA members to participate in the presentation with Access Contemporary Music, about a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 to turn the currently vacant 7Eleven space at 4116 North Clark into another location for ACM.
Bring your littles to Warner Park on Sunday, May 5 at 11:00 to participate in planting a native plant garden.
In addition to helping initiate the native plant garden, neighborhood kids can ask questions about pollinator ecology and learn about the amazing wildlife in our beautiful city.
We’ll have hand shovels and gloves, but bring your own if you have them. Questions? Please reach out to info@gracelandwest.org.
GWCA has been working on the five-year vacancy at 4116 North Clark, (former 7Eleven) with both Alderman Martin and Alderwoman Clay. We thank both Alders, and all GWCA leaders, members and residents for their input and work.
We invite all Graceland West residents and GWCA members to participate in a Zoom presentation with Access Contemporary Music at the Lakeview Taproom, 1426 West Irving Park on Tuesday, May 7 from 5:45-7 pm. All residents have survey input. All current GWCA members have a vote.
The prospective tenant, Access Contemporary Music, is seeking a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 to renovate the currently vacant space. The space would house rooms for music lessons for adults and children, as well as a 60- seat performance space. Performances and operations would conclude by 10 pm. The applicant also hopes to serve alcoholic beverages at concerts. A number of parking spots would be provided on-site. A zoning change is required for the proposed use.
Last weekend, TreeKeeper Ben Conley led neighborhood shrub planting efforts and provided key points from the U.S. Forest Service, including not to put mulch against shrub or tree trunks and instead use the “donut hole” mulching technique that is recommended for healthy shrubs and trees.
GWCA has been working on the five-year vacancy at 4116 North Clark, (former 7-11) with both Alderman Martin and Alderwoman Clay. We thank both Alders, and all GWCA leaders, members and residents for their input and work. We invite all Graceland West residents and GWCA members to participate in a presentation with Access Contemporary Music at the Lakeview Taproom, 1426 West Irving Park on Tuesday, May 7 from 6-7 pm. We hope you can join us.
46th Ward Alderwoman Clay posted this survey requesting your feedback by May 3rd regarding the proposal for the site. The survey is open for two weeks and will close on Friday, May 3rd at 5pm.
The tenant, Access Contemporary Music, is seeking a zoning change from RS-3 to B3-1 to turn the currently vacant space into another location for ACM. The space would house rooms for music lessons for adults and children, as well as a 60-seat performance space. Performances would take place Thursday-Sunday and operations would conclude by 10pm. The applicant also hopes to serve alcoholic beverages at concerts. 20 parking spots would be provided on-site. A zoning change is required for the proposed use.
