Summer Issue - Gold Coast Neighbors

Beautification Committee News
The beautification committee is planning their annual walk through the neighborhood to choose the recipients for the Beautification Awards.
We will have two classifications for the awards: residential and commercial. The winners will be announced in the fall.
The renovations to Goudy Park have begun and completion is anticipated for mid-August, depending on weather conditions. Plans are in the
works for a ribbon-cutting party upon completion.
The committee will be discussing plans for the parkways around Goudy Park, which the Gold Coast Neighbors Association is continuing to
support. Due to the harsh winter, the plantings need to be replaced, and we are currently waiting on three bids to decide how much money
is needed to complete the parkway project.
The long-range project for renovation of South Lincoln Park, the area between North Avenue and LaSalle, is moving slowly. We are partnering
with the North Dearborn Association and the Lincoln Park Conservancy on this project, and it is estimated to be a five-plus year project.
We are currently waiting on the Request for Proposals from the Lincoln Park Conservancy before moving forward.
Gold Coast Neighbors Association Membership
All dues-paying members receive coupons to local businesses. donations to our other Funds!
Kindly send this form along with your tax deductible check or charge card authorization to:
GOLD COAST NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION
Summer 2014
Contents
Page 1 Spring Event Fundraiser Success
Goudy Park Construction In-Progress
Page 2 Evening on Astor - Save the Date!
History & Education
Lake Shore Drive Study Update
A most enjoyable time was had at the very
successful fundraiser “A Day In May” (AKA Spring
Event) on May 14th at Germania Place. The event is
one of two that Gold Coast Neighbors Association
holds annually to raise funds to assist in its mission
to preserve and protect our neighborhood and
support its safety initiatives.
Name
Address
The event provided an excellent opportunity to
visit with our neighbors and our aldermen, Michele Smith (43rd
Ward) and Bob Fioretti (2nd Ward). We are grateful to them for
taking time from their busy schedules to visit with us.
City/State/Zip
Phone
In addition to the event’s general success, both the live and silent
auctions were important to meeting our fundraising goals. These
achievements were due to the hard work of many individuals and
organizations. GCNA gives a special thanks to Gibson’s, Lodge
Management Group, Flowers by Arrangements, Studio AG Design
and Taylor & Co. Thanks are also due to the Spring Event Committee
Members -- Sandi Gaskin, Chair, Lauren Burny, Alina Dix, Kim Klein,
Chris Ryan and Kellie Welsh. Last, but not least, we thank all our
donors who helped us reach our fundraising goal.
Email
Membership Categories
Building Association
Associate (for those outside boundaries)
Card #
Expiration Date
Sec. code
Signature
Safety Patrol Fund:
$ Total: $
Looking forward to the NDA’s Dearborn
Garden Walk on Sunday, July 20th
Buy tickets on their website:
www.dearborngardenwalk.com.
Page 4 - GCN Newsletter | Summer 2014
Page 3 Safety Patrol and Safety Tips
Our Aldermanic News
Zoning Update
Page 4 Beautification Committee News
Membership
NDA’s Dearborn Garden Walk
Goudy Park Construction In-Progress
One of the gems of our neighborhood,
Goudy Park, is currently undergoing
an extensive refurbishing. The current schedule calls for completion in
the second half of August, but this is
totally weather dependent. Many of
our neighbors are wondering why it
is undergoing this renewal during the
highest use months of the year. It is
unfortunate, but the new surface for
the park has temperature and moisture
requirements before it can be installed. When the refurbishment is
complete, it will provide greater enjoyment for those who enjoy this
wonderful neighborhood amenity.
Thanks are due to our 43rd Ward alderman, Michele Smith, the
Chicago Park District, Gold Coast Neighbors Association and all the
neighbors who contributed funds for the improvement. Unfortunately,
we will have to wait until late summer to delight in the new look and
function.
I would like to volunteer for the following
Committee(s):
All categories are $50 per year (New option: 3-year renewal for $120)
General Fund: $
216 W. Jackson Blvd. | Suite 625 | Chciago, IL 60606 | [email protected] | www.goldcoastneighbors.org | 312.332.6122
Spring Event Fundraiser Success
MEMBERSHIP FORM – PLEASE PASS ALONG TO YOUR NEIGHBORS
Neighbor
CHICAGO
Annual Meeting
Beautification
Spring Event
Membership
Evening on Astor
Ghouly Halloween
History/Education
Communication/PR
Website
GCNA Members Are you getting your e-blasts?
Make sure your most up to date contact information is on
file with us and that you have added us to your contacts to avoid
your junk email filter, so you don’t miss anything that’s happening
with GCNA. Contact us at [email protected].
GCN Newsletter | Summer 2014
SAVE THE DATE
Evening on Astor Save the Date!
Our 32 annual Evening on Astor fundraising event, “The World’s
Most Elegant Block Party,” is in the planning stages! The event
is the second of two fundraisers that Gold Coast Neighbors
Association holds annually to raise funds to assist in its mission
to preserve and protect our neighborhood. Please save the date
– Wednesday, September 3rd, in the evening – and will again be
sponsored by our neighborhood RE/MAX at 1205 N. Dearborn
Parkway. Tables will be on sale soon via the website. Please watch
for an eblast to announce ticket sales. The site is the Astor Street
block between Goethe and Banks and the event will be held with no rain date. If you are interested
in joining the planning committee or would be available to help with set-up during the afternoon on
September 3rd, please contact the GCNA office via 312.332.6122.
nd
History & Education
The History & Education Committee (H&E) communicates historical information about the Gold Coast
neighborhood in the form of web postings, e-blasts, newsletter articles and educational events. Accomplishments
and projects-in-progress in 2014 include:
• Publication on the GCNA web site of a bibliography listing books about neighborhood history, its founders,
key figures and architecture. Bibliographical contributions are welcome.
• Occasional events on Sunday evenings that feature speakers with expertise about some aspect of the
neighborhood’s history.
o Our inaugural event on June 8 at the Public Hotel featured the Patterson-McCormick Mansion. Award-winning author Megan McKinney and developer Gerald Fogelson shared their insights
and led a brief Q&A.
o Future events currently being planned include a discussion by architect Henry Zimoch about buildings of architectural
significance that are no longer extant.
• A compendium of photos of landmarks in the neighborhood to be published on the website.
• Re-organization and expansion of information on the website to include:
o Information about societies and non-profits in the neighborhood and links to their web sites.
o Sources for more information about buildings of architectural interest.
• Expansion of e-blasts to include notices/links about events of educational interest regarding the
neighborhood’s history that are being offered by other non-profits.
Committee members are Anne Bird, Joe Feldman, Judy Griffin, Ana Lukic, Dawn Griffin O’Neal , Ted Schultz, and Jane
Lenkman, chair. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact the GCNA office via 312.332.6122.
Lake Shore Drive Study Update
Currently, there is a multi-year study underway for future reconstruction of
North Lake Shore Drive (i.e., from Hollywood to Grand). The purpose of the
project is to improve the North Lake Shore Drive multi-modal transportation facility.
The specific needs to be addressed throughout the study include improvement of:
• Mobility for automobiles, buses and non-motorized modes of travel
• Safety, facility deficiencies and modal connections
• Opportunities and accessibility to and from Lincoln Park, the Lakefront
Trail and adjacent communities.
North Lake Shore Drive has 6 of the top 10 accident sites in the state. Specifically in our neighborhood,
areas that will be addressed are the Oak Street Curve and the LaSalle Drive Intersection. Two other high crash
areas to be addressed are the Fullerton and Belmont Avenue intersections. At this point information is being
gathered to assist in plan development.
Page 2 - GCN Newsletter | Summer 2014
Board of
Directors
PRESIDENT
Jane Lenkman
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Dorothy Bossung
VICE PRESIDENT
Karen Herman
VICE PRESIDENT
Chris Ryan
SECRETARY
Michael Perlstein
TREASURER
John Gable
IMMEDIATE PAST
PRESIDENT
Vern Broders
OTHER OFFICERS
Michael Boccio
George Bruha
Lauren Burny
Sheila Clarke
Dan Collins
Janice Corley
Susan Downing
Joe Feldman
Audrey Gallery
Sandi Gaskin
Kimberly Gleeson
Joe Gromacki
Gerry Himmel
Bill Kies
Gay Leffel
Bobby McGuire
Bob McIlhattan
Maureen O’Brien*
Dawn Griffin O’Neal
David Pallas
Pat Paul
Mary Clare Starshak*
Mario Stefanini
Tom Thilman*
Gabrielle Weisberg
Peggy White
Abby Zanarini*
Dianne Zaubi
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Russ Iacono
Karen Kammer
Rosie O’Neill
Bill Staples*
(in memoriam)
Jack Telander
(in memoriam)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Debbie Gidley
Fredericka Monu
* Past President
Safety Patrol and Safety Tips
The Gold Coast Neighbors Association is pleased to announce the continuation of the summer safety patrols in the neighborhood. The
patrols are staffed by off-duty police officers, and they operate on Fridays from 9 pm to 5 am and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,
The patrols started Memorial Day weekend and will continue through Labor Day weekend. The major objectives of the patrols are:
•
•
•
•
Exhibit their presence as a deterrent to potential offenders,
Watch for disturbances or suspicious activity,
Notify the police of any suspect activity in process, and
Assist the police as requested with any investigations.
GCNA would like to thank the individuals, condominium associations, and building cooperatives
that contributed funds to enable the continuation of the summer safety patrols. Fundraising
efforts are ongoing.
If you’d like to contribute please do so through the website, www.goldcoastneighbors.org or call
the office via 312.332.6122.
SAFETY
TIP
Safety Tips
• Don’t talk on your cell phone while walking.
• If you are out late at night, take a taxi home.
• Don’t wear earplugs while walking.
• Don’t take a short cut through an alleyway.
• Be aware of your surroundings. If you notice unusual activity, call 911.
Our Aldermanic News
Among other important constituent services, 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith has placed particular emphasis
on making greatly needed enhancements to old, weakened infrastructure found in several portions of the ward.
Her attention to that detail is especially needed in light of the significant damage to our local streets and alleys
wrought by the recent historic “polar vortexes.”
Over the past several months, Alderman Smith has worked very closely with the City’s infrastructure departments
such as the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Department of Water Management to enact timely –
albeit temporary – repairs to local infrastructure until weather conditions allow permanent repairs via financing
from her Aldermanic Menu Fund.
The Aldermanic Menu Fund is an annual infrastructure budget allocated to each member of the City Council
designed to expedite repairs to local streets, alleys and sidewalks without the time consuming process of
planning and implementing a large-scale Capital Improvement Plan.
Alderman Smith has allocated portions of her Menu Fund for permanent infrastructure repairs throughout the 43rd Ward, especially in
portions of the Gold Coast. Major improvements will begin in the coming weeks and include:
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•
•
•
•
•
State Parkway, from North Avenue to Division Street
Burton Place, from Lake Shore Drive to Astor Street
Stone Street, from Scott Street to Goethe Street
Astor Street, from Burton Place to Schiller Street
Alley bordered by Astor Street, North Avenue, Burton Place and Lake Shore Drive
Alley bordered by Burton Place, Astor Street, Lake Shore Drive and Schiller Street
Should residents have any questions pertaining to these or other improvements throughout our neighborhood, they are encouraged.
to contact Alderman Smith directly at either (773) 348-9500 or via email at [email protected].
Zoning Update
The information provided below is current as of the press date. Zoning issues can move very slow or very fast.
Thus, the status of the various developments may have changed since press time. The following is the status
of the various developments underway or under discussion in our area:
• State and Elm (northeast corner) | In-progress
• Clark and Division (northwest and northeast corner) | No further developments
• Maxim’s | No further developments
• Three Arts Club | No further developments
• Clark and North (southwest corner) | No further developments
Page 3 - GCN Newsletter | Summer 2014

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