Polish Triangle builds on CTA plans; police launch tech center
Drew Bayley updates EVA members on Polish Triangle plans.
East Village Association membership meeting
March 5, 2018
Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave.
Presiding: Michelle Hayward, VP
Business Minute
Bar Biscay is a Spanish brasserie restaurant at 1450 W. Chicago Ave. that features cuisine from the northern coast of Spain and western coast of France such as Galicia, Gascony and Brittany. Partner Scott Worsham explained the restaurant's concept and passed out menus. Bar Biscay’s chef is Johnny Anderes, previously of Avec.
- Hours
- Pintxos: Tues - Sat 3pm-5pm
- Dinner: Tues - Sat 5pm-10pm
- Bar open until 1:00 am
- Telephone: 312-455-8900
- Web: barbiscay.com
Design for the Polish Triangle (Ashland, Milwaukee and Division)
polishtrianglecoalition.org
Stephen Rynkiewicz, EVA board member, webmaster and Polish Triangle Coalition representative, explained that that the coalition is a group of neighborhood organizations dedicated to activating the Polish Triangle with arts and performance programming as well as improving the infrastructure on the Polish Triangle.
Drew Bayley, architect with Moss Design Studio, presented and explained renderings for physical improvements to the Polish Triangle. The design was created through a pro bono contribution from Bugaj Architects, whose offices are at 1223 N. Milwaukee Ave. on the Polish Triangle.
The proposed design includes:
- Creating an outdoor room with technologically advanced lighting that will facilitate the use of the Polish Triangle for performance.
- Replacing the Nelson Algren Fountain with a water feature that will create white noise to create separation from traffic noise.
- A street-facing canopy on the Ashland or western side of the Polish Triangle to accommodate future escalator and elevator accessibility plans for the CTA.
Obstacles to the project include cost, identification of agencies with legal control of the Polish Triangle, and assuring beautification of this space as an agency priority.
Bayley estimates that fundraising could begin in as soon as 6 to 12 months. The coalition will be seeking contributions from surrounding developers. The project could be done in phases, starting with the Ashland canopy.
Election of OfficersNeal McKnight, EVA board member, explained the nominating process and the nominating committee consisting of Michael VanDam, Dan Johnson and McKnight. McKnight presented the 2018 slate of Michael VanDam, president; Michelle Hayward, VP; Michaelle Gansle, treasurer; and Neal McKnight, secretary. McKnight called for nominations from the floor. There were none, and the proposed slate was elected without objection.
CAPS and SchoolsChicago Police Beat 1221 is having a Meet Your Officers event at 3pm March 9 at Dark Matter Coffee, 2521 W. Chicago Ave. The 12th District will be opening a Strategic Decision Support Center, which allows the 12th District command and officers to use multiple technologies to respond and proactively address crime issues in the 12th District. This program has been successful in other districts.
Staffing appears to have stabilized and possibly increased in the 12th District, and FBI index crimes for February 2018 were down 36% over the previous year. McKnight noted that crime stats can be impacted by weather, but overall the trend was very good.
Columbus Elementary School is having an adult dodgeball tournament fundraiser at 6:30 pm April 6 at the school, 1003 N. Leavitt St. Anyone may register a team at friendsofcolumbus@gmail.com.
Planning, Preservation and DevelopmentBeatnik Restaurant is seeking EVA’s support for a Public Place of Amusement license. Details to come.
A preliminary request to change the zoning at 830 N. Ashland Ave. was requested to accommodate microblading operations. Details to come.
Elections: Candidate ForumA March 12 candidates' meet-and-greet, sponsored by EVA and other community groups, features candidates in several races. The event starts at 6:30pm at Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave.
