Q. What area is considered “Graceland West”?
A. The Graceland West neighborhood is located in Lakeview, and covers the following area on the north side of Chicago:
Irving Park Road (4000N) on the South, to Montrose Avenue (4400N) on the North;
Clark St. (1300W) on the East, to Ashland Avenue (1600W) on the West
Q. Who is our Alderman?
A. Graceland West is in the 47th Ward. Our Alderman is Matt Martin. His office is located at 4243 N. Lincoln Ave. (773-868-4747). Obtain your residential parking permit and guest permits for Cubs night games from his office.
Q. Where is a Post Office?
A. The Lakeview Post Office is located at the Southeast Corner of Irving Park Road and Southport Avenue.
Q. Are there any Parking Restrictions in Graceland West?
A. Our neighborhood is in the LV-2 zone for Chicago Cubs baseball games. That means that if you are going to park your car on the street on any of the evenings that the Cubs play a game (day game or night game), or there is a concert, you must have a parking permit sticker or a paper guest pass displayed in the drivers side dashboard window. Otherwise, the police will ticket and can tow your car. The parking sticker is available from Alderman Martin’s office (773-868-4747) as are paper guest permits for your friends who visit during night baseball games.
Q. Is there a Recycling Program?
A. Our neighborhood currently participates in the City’s “Blue Bag” Program. Blue bags are available for purchase from most grocery stores and must be used for all recyclables. Glass, metal cans, and plastic cans be bagged together. Newspapers, junk mail and catalogs can be bagged together in a separate bag from glass, etc. The bags can be deposited in your black garbage cart and will be picked up with the regular garbage pickup.
Q. What mass transit serves our neighborhood?
A. We are served by the following public transportation: Brown Line L station located at Irving Park Road and Ravenswood Avenue; Red Line L station located at Sheridan Road, south of Irving Park Road; #22 Clark Street Bus. #9 and #9X Ashland Ave Bus. #145 & #148 Express buses have stops on Wilson Avenue (4600 North) Call the CTA Transportation line for more information (1-888-YOUR-CTA) or www.transitchicago.com
Q. Where do I vote?
A. We are located in the 24th Precinct of the 47th Ward. Our polling place is Lake View High School, located on the Northeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Irving Park Road. The Irving Park Road entrance doors are used on Election Day.
Q. What is the Graceland West Community Association (GWCA)?
A. Founded in 1979, the Graceland West Community Association (GWCA) is a group of area residents, property owners and renters, organized to:
- Encourage a sense of community and develop a neighborhood spirit.
- Provide an open forum to discuss community matters and their resolution.
- Provide a united effort in the securing of city and neighborhood services.
- Develop and preserve an appreciation for the historical significance of the area.
- Encourage preservation, restoration, and beautification of the neighborhood.
- Promote an appreciation of the cultural diversity of the neighborhood.
- Establish a means to provide for the welfare of the community.
Q. When does GWCA meet?
A. GWCA general meetings are normally held on a quarterly basis, usually the 2nd Thursday of the 2nd month of the quarter, with exceptions made when those dates coincide with a holiday. Check the GWCA web site for the most up-to-date meeting information!
Q. Where does GWCA meet?
A. Most GWCA meetings are held at Lakeview High School, the Rizal Center or outdoors at Warner Park and Gardens. Always check our GWCA web site, www.gracelandwest.org for calendar and venue updates. information!
Q. WIIFM? (What’s in it for me?)
A. GWCA is active in, and committed to, directing the future of our great neighborhood. We share civic and safety information, as well as host beautification and social events with the neighborhood. GWCA is a great place to meet your neighbors & participate in fun community-building events, like the annual GWCA Garage Sale, GWCA Fest, kids Halloween party and Holiday Caroling Party.
Q. Why should I join GWCA?
A. You will receive regular updates about neighborhood happenings via our quarterly newsletter and periodic email updates. You will also be entitled to vote at our community meetings on various issues affecting our great neighborhood. At $15 for individuals and $25 per family, per year, it’s a great value, and covers the cost of the web site, domain name, server & newsletter production.
Q. How do I join GWCA/learn more about GWCA?
A. Visit www.gracelandwest.org To join, please fill out and return a completed Membership Form with dues (found on the GWCA web site Forms page). We are always looking for new council members. Attend a general meeting to learn more and stay apprised of council meeting details via the GWCA Newsletter.
