we have a committee going on in in Chambers that uh taking
a little bit more time. Once that's done. Well our members
that's in this committee will come over here and we'll have
a quorum we'll get started. So just bear with us.
Everybody I I um, I want to thank you for your patience this
morning. Um, because it's 1:40 is that our our our neglect
some of the people aren't able to get here on time. I'm
going to
As for a motion to recess the meeting to 11:30, so move
chairman.
on the most
let me get out of here. You gotta come out 1130. Oh my God
on the motion invocation. All those in favor. Say I I those
opposed no the pinna chair the
like this my guy he don't give a s***.
all you have
wait
something
excuse me.
and now you got
my
Good morning, again, the committee on the committee on
transportation and public way is now called to order.
We will now have a roll call to establish Quorum will the
ottoman please make sure that microphones are unmuted.
Please note that your yes or present response will be
deemed to be a yes vote when the Quorum World call is used
as reference vote for later items. Thank you.
chairman Mitchell present Vice chairman Vasquez president
almond Conway
alderman nervin
Alderman Fuentes
ottoman Gutierrez
chairman Harris
Alderman Hopkins
Alderman Moore
online chairman
Conway's online too
Alderman Nugent present Alderman Rodriguez
Alderman wespac president alderman. Jansy
There are 7 members present. We have a quorum.
Alderman Moore and Alderman gouty Addis and Alderman Yancey
Alderman Conway.
And ottoman Hopkins has requested remote participation on
the rule 59 of the Rules of Order and procedure of the city
council. Can I get a motion to allow for remote
participation for the above mentioned Alderman Alderman
here? So moves on the motion all in favor say I I those
opposed no and you in the opinion of the chair of the eyes
have it?
Thank you chairman.
At this time, we will begin the public comment period out
of respect for everybody's time public comment will be
limited to 30 minutes and each speaker is limited to 3
minutes.
Our first public speaker is George, Blakemore.
Okay.
members
Is this mic working? Yes, my name is George Blakemore, and
I didn't speaking for over a hour or 2.
so, uh
I can't believe it.
Mr. Blakemore stick to the point you with public of safety
1 thing that I'm anti against is rather than to uh parking.
Everybody pays taxes, so it shouldn't be you live in this
neighborhood and this is your street.
Get your garage.
Get another private lot.
But these streets belong to all of us. So that's 1 point. I
need also with this ability people some men did 200 years
what you crazy old man and still using those disabled
permit.
You have to find a way to stop that Grandma and Grandpa
been dead for years. That's something else that that you
must change all these honorable streets and honorary
streets. You got to make sure these people are honorable
people. Oh, come on, you understand where I'm coming from
and young men. You're a young black man.
I'm gonna tell you something if you don't listen you'll
feel.
Why would you let these people play you?
Why?
Don't don't do that because you represent us. You just
don't represent Greg Mitchell.
You represent the black community?
And we want you to represent us well and don't ever let
people play you you teach them how to treat you if they
don't know and don't surround yourself with losers.
What losers is some outside you talking to losers? You have
to be in an environment of someone who can help you?
And don't be a part of this corrupt machine that slated you
you can be a runner game. Now. You got 4 years you can do
your thing in the interest of your community.
So it's something evil here something corrupt here.
Here and you see none of these white they all ignore you.
And they showed you who you are and where you are. You're
still on the plantation and we still got the advocate for
Freedom. You don't have change on your arm your leg, but
you got to change in your head.
Whatever caused you to do that and I say young man. Don't
do it. If you don't listen, you'll feel the pain the
suffering and now you have a time for me over 3 minutes to
sit down, but what about all these minutes that you from
us?
Thank you, Mr. Blake Moore. Uh, our next speaker is Rory
Gilchrist.
Oh my God.
You did George. Can you George bye bye. It's my turn.
well, well
Thank you.
Chair Mitchell Vice chair Vasquez member of the committee
and my fellow Chicagoans good morning, or at least it was
morning when I wrote RMA rocks.
My name is Rory Gilchrist. I live in Lincoln Square working
Uptown and I am the Secretary of 40th Ward Workers United.
Although my remarks today will be in my personal capacity.
I'm staunchly in favor of expanding our public transit
Network and connecting the desperate transit systems in
Cook County. So that regular folks can get where they need
to.
The proposed extension of the Ashlyn number 9 bus to the
Ravenswood Metro station ordinance 2024 treble 09810
absolutely falls into that category.
I urge the old people present to vote this favorably out of
committee and then deposit on the council floor
expeditiously.
I commend the work of Cadet C dot to research this project
to look at the data from Venture Card Taps to predict how
many transfers would increase as a result of switching the
Terminus from where it currently Ends by the cemetery to a
Commuter Rail station that is used by many in my community
in order to reach our ambitious and yet indisposable 2040
climate action plan goals. We will need to do an all of the
above approach to mode switch getting people out of cars.
Yes, even though electric cars and onto other methods of
Mobility to get around combined with the bike support
infrastructure on Metro trains and the CTA buses
front-mounted bike racks these mean that so many more
people can get where they are going with close to zero
carbon emissions compared to the business as usual
scenario.
This project this ordinance isn't the end of things. I
would love to know how soon C Dot and CTA can move the
Terminus further north to the new Peterson and ridge Metro
station that is in the middle of my ward the 40th Ward, but
I can accept this extension for now. And of course we need
to do much more to ensure CTA leadership Helms the agency
for more dependability and reliability both in the
immediate term and for the longer multi-decade sustainable
Transit future, we all need and deserve.
The number 1 source of our City's problems are the solutions
solutions of the last Millennium and that means we must be
Visionary Equitable prudent and yet pioneering with the
policy choices we make today.
With respect to this project. I was astounded to learn that
the current routing is a relic of when that uptown area had
street cars with today's number 9 bus following the route
of a long bygone technology. We shouldn't let those urban
planning choices hamstring Us in the present and I again
reiterate my strongest support for this project though the
arja of Aryan knees as reaching a dipic pitch, you should
discount the poor reasoning and thinly veiled dog whistles
of those who think they count more than others just because
they happen to own property nearby better. Transit is a
more Equitable goal for us all thanks also to older met
Martin and his Dynamite staff for the community engagement
in this matter.
With my last 30 seconds, I'd just like to say that I've now
given 2 and a half hours of my day up. Uh, in order to be
here. Uh, that's 2 and a half hours in order to speak for 3
minutes. You know, that's time. I spend not doing my job my
pay job because uh, you guys had difficulty doing yours
this morning. It's really a big obstacle to public
participation and uh, it really needs to be looked at. So
please do better and I thank you for your time.
Thank you, Mr. Go.
our next speaker is Michael podgers followed by
Has has ning ten beer.
Got the wrong last name.
Good morning. Well, this is afternoon. Um, good afternoon
everybody. Uh, I expected to be saying this in the morning.
Um, and as Rory noted we are uh a little delayed today. Um,
my name is Michael podgers. I'm the policy lead at better
Street Chicago and I'm here to speak on behalf of the
organization. Um, and I would like to say that better
Street Chicago wholeheartedly supports the extension of the
cta's 9 Ashton bus from its current Terminus to a new
Terminus at the Ravenswood Metro station along Lauren's
Avenue, um, the proposed uh, extension is an excellent
example of practical small changes that the CTA and C dot
can and should be implementing Citywide and systemwide to
make the CTA bus system work better for residents and
writers. Um, we believe this will be a model worth
replicating and we're excited to support this extension.
Um, this extension is going to put 21,000 additional people
within the travel shed of this bus route and additionally
It's going to create a critical multimodal connection at
the Ravenswood Metro station. Um by connecting Riders to
the Metro's Union Pacific North Line, um, and it is sound
and it also is going to connect many more residents to
significant commercial development along Ravenswood and
Lawrence Avenue, uh in the neighborhood
We likewise want to commend the CTA and C dot for working
together to advance this and other bus and Transit
projects. We support the installation of a new bus bulbs,
which are enhanced bus stops as part of the simultaneous
simultaneous Ashland resurfacing project. Just checking my
time. Um, this will not only increase and enhance
operations on the CTA bus route. It will also improve
safety for pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers
alike. So overall this is a really good. Um smaller scale
project to see and we would really love to see more work
like this done throughout the city.
Um, additionally we want to note that we believe that this
is a this extension should be a model for the future. Um
last week the CTA announced its bus Vision, uh bus
visioning project which will identify service changes and
new routings, uh, new route options systemwide this small
and practical change proposed for the number 9 Ashen bus,
um is needed across the system to approve service and
expand Mobility. There are a lot of spaces where there are
misconnections throughout the system.
Um, I would also like to note that although we uh
anticipate that there's going to be some opposition to this
extension. We have noted a huge out outpouring of support,
um for this extension. In fact many people have been asking
for it to go even further than the proposed extension and
ending in uh, Andersonville. We encourage the CTA and C Dot
and city council members to take advantage of this moment
and continue building up the city.
These transportation system and we encourage you to vote Yes
to advance this to the full city council and make sure that
the CTA can implement this extension in August. Um, and we
and we would also like to thank Alderman Martin and his
staff, uh for working to get this done and continuing to
invest heavily in transit.
Thank you, Mr. Parris.
as me 10 10 V followed by Amy Renshaw
Good afternoon. Uh, my name is
named tanir. I'm a a mom and a board member on, um, better
Street Chicago. Um, I came to uh, speak in support of the
Ashland bus in can speak. I'm so sorry. Can you hear me
now? Yes. Okay. Um, I came to uh, speak in support of the
Ashland bus extension to Ravenswood. Um, so I personally
have taken the 9, uh, quite a few times to visit a friend
who lives in uh, Buena Park where you used to live in boner
Park, uh, now that friend is an in uptown and um coming
from the West leap or going uh to the West Loop. There's
really um, not really great options. You really have to go
into the loop and then back out again. So my friend usually
ends up taking a ride hail and by taking a ride hill he's
another car on the road. He's adding more traffic, um to
the neighborhoods and same for me I would um so much
appreciate to have the
Number 9 extension so that I would be able to along with my
family, um be able to get on the bus and just go straight
up. Um,
to where he is, um, and I just uh, really look forward to
more options that allow um families people to get from
place to place without necessarily have to having to go in
and out. Um, we have we make a lot of trips to see family
and friends to go to restaurants to visit all of the other
neighborhoods in the city. Um, and it would be in it's very
encouraging to see an extension like this, um be part of a
plan to make it easier to just get around generally, um for
me as a parent, you know, as a new parent, um, not owning a
car being able to take the bus and and be able to get uh
different places on public transport, um is really
important financially, um, even if you can technically
afford a car, um as my family can uh, it it's really a huge
huge chunk of you know, what it costs to pay for child care
what it costs to um, raise the child. Um,
so us as a city making that possible for more families, um
means that more families can afford to stay in Chicago to
raise their families here. Um, and it makes a big
difference for our futures. Um, thank you.
Thank you Miss Tamir.
Um
next week Amy Renshaw followed by
Jack Warren
All right.
Mr. Warren
hey everybody.
members of the committee on transportation and public way
My name is Jack Warren and I'm a lead for urban
environmentalists and a street team advocate for active
Transportation Alliance.
My passion is fighting for housing and reliable
transportation for all Chicagoans.
Let's talk about where we are as a city.
According to the last census Chicago added 4 cars for every
resident in the last decade.
The results are clear. We now have the worst congestion in
North America and the fifth worst in the world.
Chicago winds now spend over 150 hours sitting in traffic
resulting in loss productivity environmental degradation
and human misery.
Not to mention new car leases are averaging 735 a month
burdening Chicagoans with more expenses that most can
barely afford.
The solution is simple provide more Transit options like
the Ashlyn bus extension.
The Ashlyn bus is already 1 of the crown jewels of the CTA
system clocking in more than 4.3 million rides last year
alone.
The extension will fill a large gap in north south bus
coverage provide direct connections to the Metro up north
the 78 Montrose bus and the 81 Lawrence bus routes.
In addition, it will expand Transit access to over 21,000
residents and 15,000 jobs put plainly it will result in
more customers more money for local businesses and a more
prosperous neighborhoods.
The only way to relieve our congestion problem is to give
people another alternative to car ownership and the Ashlyn
bus extension does just that because at the end of the day
your you aren't stuck in traffic you are a traffic. Thank
you.
Going to do all that. Thank you Mr. War. Uh, so with that.
Yeah, we try to do that. We try to do that next week. Next
public speaker will be Jamie.
little Meyer followed by
yaha late again.
That's public speaker.
marzu
I email it over check the fact.
Hello everybody. My name is Maja sasak, and I live on
Ashland for 28 years. Um, okay. Hello everybody. My name is
Maja sasak, and I live in a neighborhood on Ashland for 28
years. Um, I'm not against the um extension of the bus. Um,
I use the bus sometimes but again, I'm against removing the
um f 5 Town. Um,
Sign on Ashland, um 2 years ago. We were um, we had to pay
$50,000 for renewal of our redo our house because uh the
school that was built next to us was uh,
The construction of the school damage our house so much and
we still have another 50,000 to uh, do some other
constructions we which we can afford the basis of our
houses and the whole Ashland area. The whole construction
is really
uh constructed on the sand. So if you're going to put all
those buses, I suggest that you have special engineers and
try to decide what kind of surface is an Ashland right now
an Ashland you find a lot of holes and we don't even have
big cars going up there. So if you're going to have buses
going all the time, do you know how many times you're going
to come and fix the surface of the streets? And the houses
are already thinking our houses are old houses, and I'm not
saying we are the owners we part of the neighborhood and
who's going to pay for this. I have pictures and our
neighbors who have old pictures of the holes on the top of
it. The reds are coming into this Halls. That's another
issue. So these are additional issues. I think it will be
good to check into the surface of Ashland before you guys
decide to put the Ashland bus and taking the 5 ton.
Um sign off the streets. This is my concern and all our
neighbors that have all their houses on Ashland regardless
of if we're using this or not using the bus as much I think
it's just the surface that we are afraid of when you leave
in our houses. We hear the the cars going by if we going to
have the buses going plus 24 hour bus routes the uh, Metro
doesn't go 24 hours. So it's like additional issues that I
have. But thank you very much. Very good. Very good. Very
good and accurate. Thank you for that.
um
See that who's here from C Dot?
Who who's here from Cedar?
Okay, uh
I not see.
But I'm with CTA. I'm the chief planning and Innovation
officer, okay?
Okay, I'll I'll make sure I talked with um about that.
That's true because that happened on 72nd in eastern with 2
people houses, too. All right, our next our next public
speaker is Jordan followed by Jeff G.
Speaks and sound dropped out.
Good morning, council members and good morning. Alderman
Martin. Um, I am Jordan I am a resident who is also on
Ashland. I actually live right next door to Marsha who had
just spoke. Um, she highlighted a number of things that
residents on Ashland are concerned about and I just want to
put in the record as a framing mechanism. It's hard for me
to say, I'm either for or against I'm not I'm not opposed
to this bus extension. I'm all about serving the community.
I have been on committees for green spaces for affordable
housing for public transit, um with Alderman Martin's
office with his prior, uh, uh representation in the 47th
Ward. I am not opposed to this. I am opposed to the way in
which this has been done. Uh, and I really have 3 points
that I want to make the first 1 is about the emphasis in
the 47th Ward historically has been on participatory
governance. I have not seen any of that with this project.
Um, this was put in a newsletter.
At the end of May there was a public meeting 2 weeks later,
which basically informed us that this is going to happen
that this is something that has already been determined.
We had concerns we showed up to that public meeting. We
voiced our concerns. I have submitted an um professor of
aldermen, uh, Martin knows uh of our concerns. I've
detailed it in a letter. I've also submitted it to the
committee. Um, the process issue I feel is very
problematic. Um,
the word knows who the residents on Ashland are we email
them because of issues with the street. There are voids in
the street. There are curbs that are coming apart. The
median has been destroyed. Um, it is just not
infrastructure that can support the tonnage of buses right
now. Um, there is talk about repaving in 2025 of Ashland
and it is acknowledged that that is necessary. But the bus
is going to start in August when those structural issues
haven't been handled we have asked for the traffic studies
and the supporting documents that have gone into this plan
to run it up Ashlyn starting in August and we haven't seen
them. The second issue. I want to raise is the 5 ton limit
that has been um for as long as my neighbors who have been
in the neighborhood 20 30 years remember and know that
there has been a posted sign for 5 tons on our portion of
Ashlyn that starts from Montrose up to Lawrence in the
public meeting. Some of us ask questions. Um, it appeared
no 1 know how those signs got there. It's
Seems the municipal code actually knows how those signs get
there. The city council has to vote on it. Um, and so if
those are to be taken down, I want to know what the process
is and I have asked Alderman Martin this question. I'm
still waiting an answer on that the other issue and I'll
end with this is just the state of that street. It is
falling apart. It has been ripped open for sewer lines. Um,
it has been um subject to massive like gaping holes 12
inches deep in some spaces. The street is falling apart.
What we're asking is make sure it is supported make sure it
can handle these buses before we start them down the
street. Thank you.
Thank you, Jordan. Um.
Our last public speaker is Jeff G.
First, uh, thank you for providing this opportunity for
those living along the proposed Ashlyn bus route to have a
voice as a committee. We look to you to provide important
checks and balances to make sure the loudest voices don't
drown out a group of people who have asked critical
questions and not gotten answers. I'm speaking on behalf of
at least 25 homeowners along the Route who feel we've been
entirely dismissed. I'm a lifelong chicagoan. I've lived on
National for 15 years. I believe the Ashland bus extension
can be an improvement that supports our neighborhood, but
respectfully ask that you pause this decision.
Until we receive a formal response from Chicago's
Department of Transportation.
uh personally I've experienced firsthand the vibrations
from passing traffic on our building in 2010 the alderman
at the time worked with C dot to remediate the problem. We
want to Assurance. The past issues won't repeat since this
stretch of road has never supported bus traffic. We've
tried to work in good faith with Aldrin and Martin, but our
questions have gone unanswered. This is concerning because
his office was not aware of the prior Street history before
the decision to extend the route was made your pause on the
authorization will allow for 2 important things 1 allow the
experts at C dot to formally evaluate the prior Street
issue along Ashlyn, including a review of 3111 calls and
determine if the repetitive bus traffic will cause prior
issues to return 2, give residents living along Wilson the
assurance that their infrastructure is in place for the
westbound routing something that this authorization will
allow for the first time and an opportunity to provide
input in the stops that are so close to the end of the
route. Why is this so important for the experts to weigh
in?
In my written feedback to the committee. I provided pictures
of Street deficiencies that send alarm signals to Residents
and you've heard from some of that today. This includes a
significant depression in the road less than 15 feet from
the proposed bus stop at Montrose which has gotten worse in
the last month near that spot is an area where asphalt had
to be patched multiple times after a gas leak repair the
original Road repair started sinking and had to be replaced
a second time. Now that repair is sinking again.
I also reported a hole under the road service on the curb
Lane. That was a foot deep indicative of erosion under the
road surface for all these issues and more. We asked the
committee to wait until seed dot formerly investigates and
provides details on how this decision to proceed was made.
I'm not a road expert the people in this room are not Road
experts except for the C dot people. Uh, but the engineers
at C dot are C dot was not part of the 1 meeting the
alderman held in early June.
Show us the city takes the safety of the street and
underlying utilities seriously show taxpayers. You took
steps to reduce the risk with a formal formal review by C
dot wait to authorize this rushed plan and make sure this
proposal is executed properly. Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
Thank you, Jeff.
Um, this concludes the uh public comment period but before
we proceed with the meeting for those of you who who um who
have concerns about the structural Integrity of the streets
alone that route I will bring that to C Dot's attention and
have them and work with the uh Alderman with that traverses
their Awards to look into that because I have the same
situation in my work, so I will do that.
This is Texas.
Support we actually do have 1 more speaker on Zoom.
Michael McLean
All right.
Okay, go ahead Mr. McLean.
press star 6 to unmute
Um, hi. Can you hear me?
Speak up, please.
Um, hi. Can you this is Michael? I'm calling in for my
phone. Can you hear me? Yes.
All right, great. Um, so I'm I'm a resident um in the 302
board representative by Alderman waguespack, um resident on
the North side. I'm I'm a car-free resident. I rely on the
bus and my bike to get around. Um, I'm calling in to
support the Ashlyn 9 bus extension. Um, I ride at regularly
and the extension will open up a lot of new different kinds
of Transit trips that I can take around Chicago and I will
be visiting the area around the extension a lot more when
it happens.
Um, the second thing I wanted to comment on is that this
this extension is really exciting to me because it opens up
the possibility of more extensions and more Visionary
action like this across the city. Um, most notably in my
ward in the 302nd ward. I'm very interested in the
reactivation of the 41 Clybourn bus this bus, um, the term
the service was terminated in 1997, I believe but since
then we've built South literally thousands of homes in this
Corridor, I think that CTA should restore this bus service
and gain new ridership in this Corridor, especially as um,
massive developments are going up in this area that I I
also fully support. Um, I want as much housing density in
this city as possible and I would really like to have
sustainable transportation for our new Chicago residents in
this Corridor. So please reactivate the 41 cyborg bus
Um, and I would love to see Alderman wages back push for
that.
The third thing I wanted to mention and this is my final
comment is that I am in I am dismayed by the state of the
redefined the drive project on the lakefront.
the Illinois House in the Illinois Senate have both passed
resolutions calling on I not to go back to the drawing
board and generate a Boulevard design that implements a
traffic diet and removal of lanes of traffic on the
lakefront. I fully support the Illinois General general
assembly in their resolutions to do this.
multiple, um aldermen have also authored a letter calling
on I dot to Halt work on this project until a design is
generated that the prioritizes transit and active Mobility.
I've been to these meetings in idot has systematically
excluded Transit priority in this Corridor and it is
dismaying to me.
Yeah this committee. Please call a special hearing for this
project in call Secretary Omar Osman and C dot commissioner
Tom Carney to talk about what they will do to prioritize
transit in this Corridor and cut Lanes of traffic away to
make this a quiet and pleasant place to be the lakefront is
our gem. It's our Crown Jewel in this city, and it deserves
better than what I got and plans to deliver next month.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you, Mr. McLean. All right, now that con officially
concludes the public comment period
progressing with the agenda first item. I move to approve
the rule 45 report for the committee on transportation and
public way meeting held on June 5th 2024. Can I get a
motion to recommend approval of this item?
Order and Mosley. So moves on the motion all in favor say I
I those opposed no in the opinion of the chair the eyes
have it.
Today we have 6 items on the agenda.
I'll be before I want to recognize non-member, uh, uh
chairman Matt Martin as a non-member of this committee.
um
today we have 6 items on the agenda page 2 and 3 includes
14 Ordnance and 1 Amendment for miscellaneous items
introduced by the local alumni from Ward. 627333436.
and 47. Can I can I get a motion to approve uh recommend
approval of these items?
Ottoman wages back so moves on the motion all in favor. Say
I oppose know in the opinion of the chair the eyes have it
now page 4 item 1 the installation of CTA bus routes on
routes on portions of North Ashland Avenue in North
Ravenswood Avenue ordinance. 20224000000 98100
consent and permission of the city of Chicago is hereby
given to CTA a municipal Corporation to install maintain
and operate a bus route on Ashton Avenue Northbound from
Urban Park Road to Wilson Avenue in southbound Lawrence
Avenue to Urban Park Road. Also on Ravenswood Avenue
Northbound Leland Avenue to Lawrence Avenue this property
Uh this property, um, this this route traverses through the
47th war and here to speak. We have Molly Molly Pope Chief
planning and Innovation officer CTA.
We also have John czerwinski director planning service
planning and traffic engineering and Kathleen would off
also from CTA.
Good afternoon chairman. Uh, thank you very much for having
us. I am Molly Poppy. I am the chief planning and
Innovation officer. All right, sir, uh at CTA and we are
here to present on the Ashlan Avenue, uh route extension.
My colleague John schinsky is going to walk through some
details about the route. Uh, but I do want to call out a
few notes about the route because I think that this is is
something that's really important to CTA and important to
the community as CTA continues to recover from coid and
continue to look at how we expand and how we improve our
overall service these types of extensions are something we
want to continue to uh, work on and continue to work with
the community and we really applaud uh, Alder Martin for
his support in this Innovative approach because this is
something that is going to unlock uh access to a thousand
Riders a day and also more uh improved by 100% the access
to jobs that's going to go from about uh, 15,600 access, uh
jobs available through the Ashland Avenue route.
To uh, 30 over 30,000 jobs, uh, that will be accessible by
the Ashland Avenue Extension. It also represents an
important integration that we're working on with Metro. Uh,
we continue to hear from the community that they want
those, uh, multimodal points between CTA and Metra and pace
and this is a really critical step that allows us through a
a 1 mile extension to achieve that integration. Uh, and
then I would also note Alderman Mitchell, uh, our chairman
Mitchell we do have information from C dot we did follow up
with C dot following the committee meeting, uh, that my
team did attend with uh, Alder Mitchell regarding the
condition on Ashland Avenue and also regarding, uh, the 5
tonne signage so very specifically we did ask, uh C Dot and
commissioner Kearney and uh, the managing Deputy
Commissioner responded and and we asked them about the
structural Integrity Integrity of Ashland Avenue, uh C dot
said that did not identify any records indicating
structural pavement concerns on North Ashland Avenue
between
In Irving Park to Clark, uh, additionally when we asked
them about the weight limit signs, uh, and whether those
did apply to CTA buses, uh, the weight limit sign that does
exist on that particular portion of Ashlan Avenue was
installed in in 1982. Uh, and what that does apply to it's
an r52 sign, uh, and that really applies to uh trucks
moving through the area does not apply to commercial
vehicles specifically, it does not apply to Vehicles who
are delivering or picking up which is very specifically
what
CTA is doing uh, so I just wanted to be very clear that we
did have a partnership with C. Do we have been working with
C dot on this? Um and has been mentioned previously. They
also are going to pick up Ashlan Avenue as part of their
regular arterial resurfacing, uh, next year. Uh, and so we
we do have a strong partnership with C do and did want to
make sure that they were supportive of this extension and
they have been supportive and have provided us the
appropriate analysis to indicate that they are comfortable
with our buses operating on Ashland Avenue.
With that John do you want to run through? Uh the deck
really quick? Yep, but before you before you do that, um,
the the
Based on your experience. Yeah, um, how many buses in what
time intervals do you think this would need to accommodate
this route?
So hey, um, go ahead the buses run, um about every 6 to 15
minutes throughout the day. Um, so, you know for up to 10
buses per hour. Okay, so when that be in the max period the
max period so when you spoke with C dot the I you you
talked about the opinions on the current stat State the
Dale Pine on how that frequency and that addition those
additional, uh, traffic would affect the Integrity of the
of the of the uh Street. Yeah, so we provided the
information on the extension and and what was going to be
the additional service and so that was the the response
that we did get back from them.
Okay. All righty. Um, all right now we're gonna have to
figure out how to share screen here.
We have tech support in the room. Yeah.
Get to the we are unable to share screen.
It's not that screen. There we go. Oh, it's up. It's moving
its up on yours. Okay. Okay, so I will move it for you. Uh,
and uh, John is gonna speak to it. Okay. So, um, just some
background the Ashlyn route currently runs north to Irving
Park Road and terminates on Clark Street just north of
Irving Park. Um, and as as someone mentioned this it's been
doing this for a long time that we inherited this terminal
from the Chicago surface lines, which ran Street Car
Service up here all the way back to 1912. Um 1 1 issue with
this routing is it does leave a large gap of north south
bus service North of Irving Park Road, really Damon is the
farthest east route that runs directly north south. So
that's you know, that's a hole in the network that we've
heard about from our our customers for a while.
Um, so the planned extension would take the Ashland route
North to Lawrence, um terminating at the Ravenswood Metro
station has has been mentioned on Ravenswood just south of
Lawrence. Um, and this will provide expanded coverage and
you know, improve connections to our customers. It's also
going to help address some operational, uh challenges at
the current terminal. Um, and service on the rest of the
Ashlyn routes going to stay the same as it is today. We're
basically just extending the existing trips for the north.
So, um people for their South won't see any reduction in
service and the plan implementation will be on August 25th.
Um, and then I just want to talk a little about some of the
um proposed benefits that that will expect to see in some
of these have been touched on. Um, we will be closing that
large north south Gap, um north of Irving Park Road, we're
going to greatly ex expand the access to um, the number 9
bus, um for over 21,000 residents and over 15,000 jobs will
have access to this route. Um, and I think that's an
important point because you know, people living all
throughout the city the Ashland bus runs all the way down
to 103 Street we'll have access to this direct access to
this area now and can access those 15,000 plus jobs
directly. So this will this will be a benefit to the
entire. Um, Ashlyn Corridor. Um, it'll also expand Transit
connections, um throughout the city and region, um the
connection to the Metro up north line which um, will you
know expand Regional connections all the way up to?
The Wisconsin border actually, um, the number 78 Montrose
and number 81 Lawrence buses will improve improve people's
connections so they can get across the city east west. So
this will greatly expand connections for people. Um, so
that's that's that's what we have and you know, we're happy
to answer any other questions.
All right, um at this point, I would open it up for members
with questions. You close it.
back
Uh, thank you chairman. Um
the it sounds like you're trying to address this issue for
the residents that were here Jordan, um, Jeff and um the
other couple people but um proceed for CTA. Do you guys
have any other extensions like this on the table? Um in
particular on the south and west side of the city, it's
something that we're continuing to look at. You know,
Ashlan Avenue was was the first step. We had a partner in
Alder Martin, but we're looking for Partners at uh at city
council to help us identify where they're hearing from
their communities that they want these extensions and we
want to continue to approach these not just at National
Avenue. We want to look all across the city and that's um,
I mean, obviously you're working with Metro on this 1 but
um, you know, and I
Side you guys had a a pretty substantial meeting in terms of
funding which would impact some of these issues. But um,
are you in discussions then with Metra and with Pace, uh,
other than just the alderman, you know just discussions
with their leadership on those locations. Yes. We are. We
actually worked with Metro to improve the bathroom as well.
So there's actually a better bathroom for our bus operators
who will be laying over at that location. So there was a
partnership with Metro and that uh, where there's a shared
facility there, uh, additionally we continue to work with
Metro and Pace especially Pace as we look at overlapping
routes and where we may be able to better serve especially
as you think about Pace, uh, that service is 955 Street
Terminal, uh, we continue to work with them on how we can
improve service with them. Yeah, and I I appreciate all the
work you guys did on the red line extension to I was
thinking outside of that more particularly with the buses,
but um glad that's moving forward as well. So, thank you.
Thank you for your responses. Thank you. Okay, um Vice
chair Vasquez
Uh, thank you. Thank you very much. Um, I I think looking
in the plan, I'm just a little disappointed, uh, only
because we want it to be extended further to the Peterson
Ridge Metro, but I really want to commend, uh, the
partnership of alderman Martin and you all um, and really
have these conversations. Uh, I really do appreciate and
and would love to the chair to get more of the contact
information because uh, you know, when we're looking at,
you know, I was kind of joking but the Peterson Ridge Metro
station Lincoln Avenue Peterson itself as a bus now that
the metro station is there. I think there's um different
factors on the
Ground that sometimes the altars might see and can help it
kind of initiate the conversations. So knowing the process
and who to reach out to would be um important. So, uh,
yeah. No, I'll be absolutely in support of this. Um also I
know because we've been talking to C dot uh a lot. We're
actually going through a whole bunch of arterial
resurfacing throughout the all the different streets. So in
40 throughout 40 and extended I think in a 47 in other
words, uh, Ashlyn Damon Ravenswood Western California are
all being resurfaced. Uh, they're all having new
pedestrians safe intersections added infrastructure for
that as well. So, um, I think to the question about the
Integrity of of Ashton itself as a road seeing it, uh, be
resurfaced and address some of it this year. I think helps
helps to
Hopefully, um calm some of the concern but I do recognize
like, um something that I learned from.
Uh 1 of our our past colleagues, uh, Alderman Harry
Osterman that I carry with me, um is that you know,
everyone wants to see progress, but nobody likes seeing
change. And so I think that is a lot of what we recognize
here. Everyone wants to see the streets fixed. Nobody wants
to see the streets fixed. And so I think what's being done
here is an improvement that benefits not only uh, folks in
the 40th Ward, but our 47th and 40th, but folks the city
that need to get to work that need to get to the people.
They want to connect with through a lot of different means
and so I would also encourage our colleagues to support I
will be in support. Thank you very much.
Thank you Vice chair chairman Rodriguez.
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Um and thank you, uh, uh Alderman
waguespack, um for bringing up the South and West sides. I
want to put on the table 47th Street bus, uh, right around
cicer Avenue, we're talking about a significant black brown
and ethnic White Community there. It's a diverse Community.
Um, and it's an interchange towards the the Midway Airport,
uh, and we are lacking we need an extension there. So
putting that on a table I have senior living homes
independent living homes there, um, and they've asked me
time and again for that extension, so I'm glad uh, the
aldermen brought that up and I'm glad I'm getting nods. So
maybe we'll be back happy to connect with you after this.
Absolutely. Um, could you go back 1 slide? Yeah. I think
it's 1 slide. Uh, yes, so my understanding here is on
Irving Park Road is where the current uh, Ashton bus stops.
And then there's this black kind of dotted line is the
turnaround, right? Are there any stops in this route?
Um, yes there there's a couple stops there. Okay, uh, I'm
just curious as to how you know, if if those folks were
taken into consideration and like what how their service
will be interrupted. Yeah. No, they they were um, 1 1 thing
is there is the Clark Street bus which runs um along Clark
in that area. So they'll maintain service with that route.
Um, and then you know, they're also um, all the routes are
either along or all the stops that are either along Irving
Park or
Close serving Parts. There's also the Irving Park bus I'm
serving that area and also just people who will need to you
know.
Travel West to Ashland. It's a pretty short walk. Um the
the cemeteries on 1 side. So there's no 1 on the other side
of Clark Street. So, you know at most it's 1 to 2 blocks to
get to the nearest, um, stop on the extended on the
extended route. So I think the impact should be pretty
minimal.
Right and then the potential for increased ridership along
this whole swap of residency would far out strips of this
other issue, but I was concerned about that number of
individuals but it does sound given the services there. It
does seem uh to be saturated in some respects. Um, I look I
there's there's absolutely no way I would ever be against
this. This is this there there are issues that need to be
addressed but
They're not to the extent of stopping this and nowhere near
it. So, uh, I congratulate those who are working on this
and I want to make sure though that those uh who have
challenges still get heard and and those issues get
addressed. But um, you know largely speaking kudos.
Thank you.
Thank you, Jamie. Um any more members, uh have any
Questions more questions. Um before I let non-member mad
Martin who's you know, who's the sponsor of this? I I want
to uh request a couple items through the chair 1. Can you
can you provide the criteria that c dot uses when they're
looking at expanding bus routes. Um,
Because I I do know uh in the past a lot of them have
wanted to expand bus routes but uh, you guys did some type
of analysis and know some a lot of those were turned down.
So I want to know what you guys require criteria is so do
you so there's the C dot criteria that have to do more with
Street conditions and then there's CTA criteria that do
with ridership CTA condition with with that first and um,
I'm going to work with uh with uh, chairman Martin on some
things. Um, he's a member of the black cocks. So I there's
some things I know and I want to make sure he he's he knows
some how to handle some things going forward because I do
have a uh a concern with how
we move.
Let me just say this resurfacing doesn't fix all the
problems.
So let me let me let me say that and I hope that uh, you
know, it won't when when when do you expect to have this
when it when is the deadline when when is your ETA for
having this right extended? Yeah. So, uh, it is going to go
effective August 25th, which is goes live with our fall
pick. So when our operators are selecting which routes they
operate, uh, that's when it will go live. Uh, if we do not
make the if if this is not approved we will not make the
August 25th, uh pick and so therefore we would be delayed
all the way to December or January, uh, because we have to
do it with our scheduled with our schedule changes with the
operator, okay?
All right. All right. I'm gonna I offline I'll have
conversation with both SeaTac Inn in Martin and talk about
a few things because I would hate to you guys to rush and
put it in place and then there's some issues that happens
particularly if you resurface it and expand that line the
heat from the buses are going to melt that reserving if you
don't have the buzz pads, I want to make sure he has an
opportunity to get bus pass put in at each stop and things
like that. So there's a lot of things I want to talk about
and to the point. I see some heads nodding your your your
your concerns did not fall on deaf ears. So we will work
with the whole to do this and from this from the chair, I
won't
I'm encouraging not to be rushed because I would like for
it to be done the right way. Um, so
The issues that I've experienced in the past my colleague
won't have to experience them as well. Okay, so through the
chair the the uh, criteria for extending bus routes. Um,
and the other thing is
Uh, do you do you guys I know it's up to C do with respect
to the infrastructure.
What part do you guys play in that industry any at all from
a monetary standpoint? Do you pay for anything? What so uh
regular archery surfacing we do not uh, but when we do talk
about bus infrastructure improvements, we regularly do work
together and pull our resources. So a lot of times for
example, we're going through and making uh more bus stops
Ada accessible. And so that's something that is is shared,
uh coordination that we have. We identify the bus stops. We
also work on the funding for that. Similarly you've heard
about better streets for buses, which is also a shared
project, uh, where we identify areas that need bus
infrastructure and we do work to share the cost on that. So
there is cost sharing but I would say on our arterial
resurfacing. Uh, CTA is is happy for C dot to cover those
costs. Yeah I can imagine. Yeah. Okay. All right. I won't I
won't be able to point here. Um, I just wanted the the the
people that live in the neighborhood it, you know, your cry
your concerns didn't fall on deaf ears. I think it's
excellent that that that you're working.
all know the
some things need to be looked at to make sure that the
residents are
good situation. So I'll be working on that. You have my
word.
All right. So with that said I'll leave it. Uh last to
close with Matt Martin Martin.
You can yeah you want to come.
Thank you committee members and thank you chairman. First
of all, I just wanted to thank you chairman earlier today
for your commitment to working with me on these issues. Uh,
we did receive earlier this week and C dot forwarded or or
CTA forwarded to me, uh answers to the issues that the
residents had flagged. We will uh, share that in writing.
Uh, not just what their results were, but also the input,
uh, that those uh opinions were relied on so that you all
continue to have uh, your answers, uh, your questions
answered we will um, uh also make sure that we're working
with CTA in terms of uh, ensuring that we can work within
that August timeline as much as possible but also as as we
discussed offline the you all are not uh, wanting to move
forward with something where there are structural concerns
valid constructional concern,
Concerns um, uh that have been flagged. So, uh, I appreciate
the opportunity to work with you chairman understand what
other parts of the city might have experienced so that we
can avoid that moving forward because at the end of the day
if we do need to wait several months to have C dot give
this additional look or to have issues addressed. Um, we
will of course do that because we want to make sure that we
are are setting ourselves up for Success mid and long-term.
Um, I do want to also note and commend C dot your work in
terms of a lot of issues that were flagged by a number of
residents in terms of why this particular route why stops
in particular areas, could we put in um, uh additional
traffic signal issues, um, uh in terms of left-hand turn
arrows and other things working through that so clearly
there are a lot of issues that still need to be finalized.
There's a possibility that we do that before the the August
25th deadline. Um, hopefully we can do that in time to have
this important service provided if we do need to wait
several additional months.
Uh to be able to take care of these Loose Ends. Um, I know
you all are committed to do that see dots committed to do
that as well as the committee. So, um with that I would ask
the committee's favorable consideration and thank you again
chairman.
right if there are no more questions, um for the witnesses,
um,
can I get a motion from um, uh
Can I get a motion from from chairman Martin?
Uh for approval of this items.
Oh, okay. All right. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. All right. Can I
get a motion by Vice chairman Vasquez and for approval of
this item?
On the motion all in favor. Say I I those opposed no.
And the opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
All right, moving along page 5 item 1 proposed pedestrian
bridge easement for Northwestern Memorial Hospital
ordinance. 202400000000 9353 a proposed long-term easement
for a pedestrian bridge over East Erie Street between North
St. Clair Street and North Fairbanks Court. This is located
in the second ward here to speak. We have Sarah spanskih
project manager.
manager
Yeah, you told him yeah. Yeah, man.
Okay.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. My
name is Sarah spanskih and I am a planning and construction
project manager with Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. I'm
appearing before you today in support of our project
consisting of a pedestrian bridge spanning over East Erie
Street between North St. Clair and North Fairbanks Court.
This bridge will connect Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
to 633 North St. Clair Street.
This pedestrian bridge will be supported from the 2
existing building structures on either side and will not
require columns in the roadway or the sidewalk. This bridge
will be able to serve the public our patients and our staff
by providing safe access above the Rodeway Rodeway. Excuse
me, therefore lessening pedestrian Crossings on Erie
Street.
We have a letter dated June 10th from Alderman Hopkins
recognizing his support for our efforts. Thank you Alderman
Hopkins. Um
This concludes my presentation. I'm happy to answer any
questions that the chair or members of the committee may
have and look forward to your favorable consideration.
Oh.
Jaime Vasquez
Vice chairman Vasquez, it's okay. I I thank you. I I
couldn't help myself, uh as much as we always talk about
Building Bridges. I'm glad we could help do 1 here, so I'll
be in support. Thank you very much.
Yeah, just a quick uh ottoman. Why is this back? Um might
be more of a an issue for law. But um, what legal issues
around doing a a bridge like this over the public way.
What are what are the 1 or 2? Uh
Obstacles that um are presented legally for something over
the public way like this that that you look at uh, John
McDonald Law Department. Um,
What are the challenges um, we followed a lot of forms. So a
lot of the challenges of the past have been ironed out.
Okay. Um it is uh,
Dedicated property held in trust for the people of the
state of Illinois. Um, the use has to be analyzed.
Uh from that perspective so we don't run it file the public
trust. I believe there was significant public benefits to
this, uh, by bringing, uh foot traffic, um, uh grade
separated from the vehicles, uh, significantly congested
areas in this
Does serve the public interest so there was an aligning of
the interests. Um, I don't know that there were any legal
issues as the the medical aspect of it playing into that at
all. Yeah. I mean there was a public benefit in that public
benefit in the sense that uh, you know, the uh District
does serve, uh provide, you know Medical Care and you know
the city okay, I I was just curious because we've seen this
before with a couple other locations where we've had Bridge
proposals that I think we saw a push back on 1 INF or
famous 1 was the Cubs if you I don't know if you worked on
that 1, uh, not that 1 a few years ago. But yeah, you could
say no, um, but I was just curious what the legal hurdles
are up front when you get a proposal like this and then you
review
do it and that
seems what along the lines of what I was thinking too that
the public use and the the benefit to that so this is CDS
program for uh, uh,
No compensation, uh grants. Um,
for uh
charitable
and similar organizations, um, Northwestern Memorial
Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare our
Not even close to your table yet. Yeah, that would be that
would be for uh, uh C dot to interpret their program for
recommending obviously, it's the action of the city council
that right, you know.
Okay determines. So thank you very much. I appreciate that.
Sorry to interrupt on that 1 but this has been a no. No,
that's what we hear from that problem. Wanted to cover.
Thank you very much. Both of you.
All right. I'll make a motion to pass if
unless there's any other questions from Members. All right
before before I before I entertain that motion, the
committee has received and reviewed a letter of support
from from ottoman Hopkins. There's no compensation due on
this project. Um
on uh
a on Alderman wage of specs motion to recommend approval of
this item on the can I all in favor say I
oppose know
in the opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
Thank you.
Uh
All right moving along page 5 item 2.
time extensions dedication of row from Prairie Shores LLC
ordinance 202400100087
a Time extension ordinance for proposed new dedication
supports of South Cottage Grove Avenue West 30th Street and
South Vernon Avenue due to extenuating circumstances. The
previously approved ordinance will not be able to be
recorded by the November 2024 deadline. So the ordinance is
being extended the property is located in the fourth ward
here to speak. We have Jennifer bransfield Brent. No, no,
no brands.
bransfield
and Scott Borstein attorney Neil in Leroy LLC. Yes. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman. Um Scott Borstein a partner at Neil and
Leroy here in Chicago here on behalf of grit, which is
Uh the developer of the former micro Reese Hospital site.
Um, this is this is a sort of a cleanup kind of uh,
ordinance 3 years ago, uh the areas that you see in green
or dedicated, um pursuant to this new roadway, uh, um plan
for the area. Uh, but uh, they they knew given the
complications and all the issues related to a project of
this size. Um, they were going to need a significant amount
of time.
Before they actually recorded, um the ordinance and there
are certain things that have to happen before the recording
certain infrastructure that has to be uh built out. And
while the applicant is doing some of those things they have
not reached the point where they've been able to conclude,
um, the public improvements and so as a result, um, we're
going to need additional time, uh, in order to do those
improvements and then legally effectuate the dedication
that you see in green. So we we've asked for an additional
2 years approximately to complete that work. Um, we've
briefed the alderman we've talked to sedat. Uh, and we've
got everybody's support or no objections. And so, um, we've
got Jennifer here, uh from grit, uh, if you had any further
questions, but that's all this is is just to extend the
time to record the dedication ordinance which by the way
Is passed already Council? It's just right hasn't been
recorded. Yeah.
so
if there's no questions, uh on this item what moves do pass
On the motion all in favor. Say I those opposed no in the
opinion of the chair the eyes have it? Thank you. Thank you
so much.
page 5 item 3 1685 North troop LLC 6705 South Wentworth LLC
and Troop developer
Uh ordinance 202400001051.
a proposed vacation of a 40 foot East West wide segment of
unnamed right away between West Marquette Road South
Wentworth Avenue South Perry Avenue and West 68th Street as
obligated under a 2018 agreement between the city of
Chicago by and through his Department of 2 FM and dpd and
the above named uh related developers. This property is
located in the 6 W here to speak on this item. We have
Chris jeng assistant commissioner dpd.
Which try this is?
Yeah.
I got.
You you already started.
Yeah, we don't anymore.
I don't think
Good afternoon, uh, Mr. Chairman and members of the
committee for the record. My name is Chris Jiang assistant
commissioner from Department of development Planning and
Development. Um,
The ordinance before you would authorize the department
Planning and Development to vacate approximately 6,700
square feet.
of east west right away bounded by South bendor Avenue to
the West South Perry Avenue to the east west Marquette road
to the north and West 68th Street to the South.
I don't know why it's not opening.
but um
This is more of a cleanup ordinance. Um, so back in
December of 2017 the city entered into an agreement to
sell. Um,
and redevelop, uh, a a city-owned land, uh at this location
and at that time 1 of the conditions was that to be the
city would actually complete the vacation of this right
away. Um,
Um in order for us to kind of transfer fully transfer and
meet all the the title. Um,
Uh requirements. Um, so we are um here today to um to
propose that ordinance, uh, passed to vacate that street,
or right away, um, and to fulfill the the requirements
under the purchase and sale agreement, uh between um, the
city and 6705 South Wentworth LLC.
Property is located in the Sixth Ward and Alderman Hall
supports the project um and proposed to Vacation. Um if you
have any questions,
Yeah, thank you for that. I do have a question. So who or
what is 6705 South Wentworth? And what are they proposing
to do? So we do not so the purchase and sale agreement
provided 10 years for them to um to come up with a plan. Um
that was back in 2017. So they have until 2027 to come up
with a plan, uh a proposal to re redevelop the site if they
don't do you resend the uh effects of the shortages? Um, so
I'm not uh to clear on what the the default with them the
the remedy is but um, I believe there is a there is a
there's a remedy uh clause in the in the purchase and sale
argument. So okay. I have a question. Okay. Can can you do
something? Um, can you get get get provide Clarity on that?
Sure and also,
um
Even though we have a letter of support from Alderman Hall,
can you make sure he understands the whole thing? Please
make sure sure okay.
All right with that, um, okay and watch this back. Thank
you chairman. Um Chris was this so 1685 North troop is uh
owned by Sterling Bay, correct. So this is related to the
whole Link in yards swap where 1685 through used to be
city-owned property. That was the um, basically repair
facility for the city.
And this was done as part of that swap with uh, the whole
link and Yards Project. Correct? Correct? 56 what you're
saying? Yeah, we sold the true property to to Sterling Bay.
Yeah and this purchase and sale agreement actually covers
that as well. Okay. Um, so this is another like a piece of
that purchase sale agreement. Yeah. So, um, there is a new
2fm maintenance facility that was recently built as a
result of this land swap. Um, if you will, um on on just
the west side of this location that we're that we're
discussing today. Okay, so does uh, and maybe this is just
what the Chairman's looking forward to but does the 10-year
uh time limit or time frame on this also, uh extend to
the link in Yards Project. I thought they were both tied
together. And if they do not complete obviously that
portion of it they have I know in that agreement they have
a certain time line that they have to finish by or some
other legal actions, uh start to take place and that that's
what you're saying here is that they have a 10 year.
Time frame. I know they have a 10 year period to propose to
come up with a a plan proposed. Um at this location. I am
not really certain what timeline they have on the troop
side.
I think it I think it was relative to this. Um
I'd have to go back and look through the stacks of
documents. But um, I appreciate going through that. I I
know.
Which site we're taking a look at here. This is a this is a
pretty important issue because essentially when we sold
that land to them as part of Lincoln yards there were
implications for them completing these other Parcels, um as
as part of the benefit that they got for the entire Lincoln
yards property. So, um in terms of the city benefit on
this, um, I think it has to be closely watched and I'm I'm
glad you're looking out for all of them.
Okay. Thank you Chris. Yep. Okay, um.
Again, I don't have any further questions. I definitely
look forward to that information for uh from you guys. Um,
there's no compensation do this project. Um, can I get a
motion to recommend approval of this item?
Vice chair, um Vasquez so moves on the motion all in favor
say I I I those opposed no independent of the chair the
eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you, uh page 5 item 4
Chicago Park District ordinance, 202400000000 9873 a
proposed vacation of a portion of North Frontier between
West weed and West Blackhawk West weed between North
Frontier and North Ogden and North Ogden between West
Blackhawk and West wheat, this property is located in
7th Ward and here to speak we have Michael Lane from the
park district. How you doing, Michael?
Yeah, they are Park District. I don't know.
you start. Did you bring interns with you? Okay, I only
brought myself today. I was curious who the folks were in
the back there that not all the way back you and the green
shirt.
Oh, okay. Okay, you guys working summer summer jobs? Okay.
What about the rest of you guys back there?
I'll just you guys are pretty stall where it sticks through
this meeting. So are you guys hanging around here? All
right. We thought you were with Michael cheering him on so
thank you. So, all right, Michael good afternoon chairman
Vice chair and all the committee members. I'm Michael Lang
the deputy, uh, planning director at the Chicago Park
District. Um, we're here today to and I'll try to keep this
brief, uh currently right now as you can see on the screen
is Park 598. It is a which will be a 4 acre Park upon
completion of the vacation.
Um a a park located just um east of what was once Cabrini
grain. Um, we are actively working on developing this park
and um as we went through the design process, um, this is
also a little bit of a more of a a cleanup function. Um,
we realized there were a number of city streets that
actually had never been vacated. So Ogden Avenue as a
diagonal Street, um was was removed, um back in the 50s or
60s as part of near North High School, um Weed Street as
well as Frontier streets that are both on the North and the
west side whenever um properly vacated. So um to move
forward with development of the park, um, we are requesting
approval. So we have the ability to implement this plan
that we have. Uh spent I would say the good Last 5 Years
working with the community on um, developing.
Uh and let me give you maybe a bigger better.
this plugin here
technology is failing today. Yeah, so, um, but you you get
the jits of it. Um, so if there's any questions you have
happy to answer them today. Um,
yeah, I have a question. Um, how was uh, where's the
funding for this coming from?
So, uh, this park project is uh funded through, uh, the tax
increment Finance district for near North. Okay, what's the
value of this project? The estimated cost in totality is
around 4.4 million if Bernette. All right, it's got out in
the what spec.
Move to faster. Oh, okay. I mean I had questions, but I
want to let them.
Oh, oh.
All right. Um, we we have we have received and I reviewed a
letter of support from um, Alderman Bernett. There's no
compensation do this project, uh on the motion all in
favor. Say I I oppose know.
In the opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
Thank you.
And wow that is it on the uh there being no further
business before this committee. Can I get a motion to
adjourn by the same roll call vote that was applied to
determine Quorum our chairman Vasquez Vice chairman
Vasquez. So moves on the motion all in favor, say I those
opposed no,
Independent chair the eyes have it.