Category: Events & Announcements

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Events & Announcements

June 2024 GWCA Newsletter

You’ll be receiving the attached newsletter at your door this week. Visit gracelandwest.org for details on GWCA’s initiatives + updates & details on all these upcoming events. Save these dates and join us!

Events

YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturday, June 15, 9:50 – 11:15 am
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

The event is free and open to all Graceland West residents over 18 years old. Bring your own mat or rug. Weather permitting. Please RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org by June 14 and check gracelandwest.org for possible additional summer dates.

SUMMER SOLSTICE ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, June 20, 6:30 – 8 pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

Judy Pollock, President of Chicago Birding Alliance (former Chicago Audubon) will return by neighborhood request and share information on local and migrating birds and their needs.

Neighbors Ben and Sarah Conley are certified TreeKeepers, who will provide support information on habitat for birds and tree care.

Neighborhood updates, Garden Walk sign-up, semi-annual Council election.

Summer Solstice Potluck, bring a finger food app, main or dessert to share. BYO beverages, compostable plates and reusable utensils.

42ND ANNUAL GARDEN WALK
Sunday, July 28, 1 – 5 pm
Throughout neighborhood, start at Warner Park and Gardens, 1444 W Warner

Sign up by 7/15 at gracelandwest.org/garden-walk to show your apartment, condo, house, school or business garden of any size and type.

Printed and virtual maps and garden descriptions will be available. Information Tables to include Master Gardeners, TreeKeepers, Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative and Pizzo Native Plant Landscape.

Invite family, friends, or neighbors to enjoy our neighborhood gardens with you.

LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Late Summer, Early Fall, Details shared when available
Lake View High School, 4015 N Ashland

In 1873 the citizens of Lake View Township voted to establish a High School. Built on land donated by the Graceland Cemetery Company, Lake View High School was constructed at a cost of $16,000 and opened its doors to 73 students on May 4th, 1874.

After a massive fire nearly destroyed the entire building in 1885, Lake View reopened in 1886, with a new four-story addition.

In 1916 a new 5-story building was erected and in 1939 another section was added.

Today Lake View High School encompasses 77,000 SF and a full-city block. A $27 million renovation project was completed in 2018.

44th ANNUAL GRACELAND WEST NEIGHBORHOOD FEST
Saturday, September 14, 3 – 8 pm
4100 block of Greenview between Belle Plaine & Warner

Now on Saturday!

DJ, euchre tournament, trivia contest, raffle, silent auction & experience parties, bounce house, basketball, miniature golf,
tie-dye t-shirt creation, magic show, pizza truck, cotton candy, beer, wine, craft cocktails and more!

FALL COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, September 26, 7 – 8:15pm
See website and social updates for topic and location

CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Saturday, October 26, 11am – 1pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner

11TH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER STREET LEAF CLEAN-UP
November 16-24
Kickoff 11/16 at 10am at Greenview & Belle Plaine, Berteau & Cullum
Reduce stormwater flooding and increase pedestrian safety.

WINTER COMMUNITY MEETING & HOLIDAY SOCIAL
Thursday, December 5, 6 – 7:30pm
See website and social updates for topic and location

News

Congratulations Lake View Class of 2024!
Congratulations graduates on receiving over $1.9M in scholarships and acceptances to over 180 Universities. Lake View is home to over 1476 students grade 9-12. Lake View’s Core Belief is Honor…for self, school, and society. Ownership…of learning and leading. Mastery…of skills and growth. Education…for the future.

4116 North Clark Zoning
Thank you Alders Pawar, Martin and Clay, the GWCA Council and neighbors for helping with the 5+ year vacancy at
the former 7-11. We are told that the 7-11 lease ends in July 2024. On May 7th GWCA held an in-person Community Meeting and joined Alderwoman Clay’s on-line Presentation with potential tenant Seth Boustead, Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music. ACM wants to bring their fourth neighborhood site to Graceland West to teach music and hold recitals and small indoor concerts. GWCA Members voted 89% Yes, 11% No to change zoning from RS-3 to B3-1 if ACM is the tenant. Members voted 84% Yes, 16% No to allow ACM to sell alcohol during indoor music concerts if ACM becomes the tenant.

9 Ashland Bus Extension
Alderman Martin has announced that the CTA 9 Ashland bus 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. The extended route will also provide direct connections to the Metra, #78 Montrose bus, and #81 Lawrence bus. Additional details are forthcoming.

Pollinator Habitat Donations + 3 New Sites
Thanks to a $1,000 donation from Congressman Quigley and a matching $1,000 donation from neighbor Mark Signa, the GWCA Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative established 3 new sites in May. Each will provide pollinator habitat and absorb more than 2,000 gallons of stormwater annually. All will be on our July 28 Garden Walk. Contact GWCA if you’d like to develop a corner parkway, or share information about your native plants, grasses, shrubs, trees, rain gardens, green roofs and green efforts.

Greenview and Cuyler

Greenview and Cuyler
Southport and Warner

Cicada Photos Wanted
Celebrate our 2024 double cicada brood emergence, the first in 221 years. Email photos to info@gracelandwest.org

Neighborhood History Sought
Lake View High School was established in 1874, 150 years ago and neighborhood development began in the early 1890’s. GWCA’s September meeting will focus on our history. Please contact membership@gracelandwest.org if you have a property built before 1900 or if your family has information or photos dating from 1870-1970.

Fest Donations + Volunteers Sought
Looking for individuals to help the day-of event in a variety of roles. Have a connection to a local business or a unique activity/experience you can donate to our silent auction? Please contact info@gracelandwest.org

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Events & Announcements

LVHS turns 150 years old

Lake View High School celebrated the graduation of its class of 2024 over the weekend and it’s a very special year because LVHS is turning 150 years old. Stay tuned for more updates on Lake View High School’s 150th sesquicentennial anniversary (1874-2024).

Lake View High School circa 1940?
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Events & Announcements

Learn more about the #9 Ashland bus route change

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.

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Events & Announcements

Decision Letter from 46th Ward on 4116 N. Clark Zoning Change

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.

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Events & Announcements

4116 N Clark – Zoning and Liquor License Meeting Results


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.

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Events & Announcements

Yoga in the Park – Saturday June 15 at 9:50 am

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.

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Events & Announcements

Kid’s Pollinator Pathway Project at Warner Park

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.

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Events & Announcements

TONIGHT – Proposed Zoning Change Meeting

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.

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Events & Announcements Green Council

Kid’s Pollinator Pathway Project – This Sunday @ 11:00

Warner Park and Gardens

Sunday May 5, 11:00 AM

Kid’s Pollinator Pathway Project

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.

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Events & Announcements

Invitation To All Graceland West Residents – Zoning Change And Liquor License Proposal


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.

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