by Mary Szpur Thanks to all who came to the EVA holiday party at Happy Village in December. We had a nice mix of old and new members—in fact, a few people came whom we haven’t seen in years, and that was wonderful. We enjoyed delicious food and desserts brought by everyone who came, and an excellent “Holiday” cake from our new Dominick’s. Thanks to Grace Rappe and Marjorie Isaacson for all their help. We have had a few snowfalls so far this winter, and I would like to ask everyone to please keep their sidewalks shoveled. Unshoveled walkways can be quite hazardous. If you have an elderly or infirm neighbor who is unable to shovel his or her own sidewalk, please consider shoveling a path in front of their home. Performing this simple service can make a big difference in the daily life of our community. Of interest regarding the upcoming EVA meeting on January 8 is the fact that a local business owner will be asking our membership to consider his request for a new liquor license. Much of ...

6:30 PM December 10th, 2007, Happy Village Tavern Submitted by John Sekowski Attendance:8 1. Planning – the following was discussed a. 1624 West Division b. 1916 West Chicago - The developer, Ranquist, is still investigating to develop the property. c. 1011 North Damen – existing industrial property will likely be demolished and developed with new condominiums. d. Division & Ashland – former Pizza Hut site – The developer has presented a modified plan to the alderman including rooftop parking. The committee also expressed the need for EVA, the first ward alderman, and the department of development and planning to meet all at the same time to discuss the extending the pedestrian oriented district to Ashland Avenue. More press coverage was also discussed as a tool for exposure (and pressure). e. Division & Ashland – west of the MB bank – plans are in the works to develop a condominium building with first floor parking, and small strip mall-like retail extending close to the Milwa...

by Scott Rappe Pizza Hut/Walgreens The East Village Association expects to receive a letter from Department of Planning & Development in which the department will take a position regarding vacating the alley which presently bisects the Pizza Hut property. We also understand that Alderman Flores has asked the Department of Planning & Development to extend the Division Street ‘Pedestrian Designation’ to include the Wendy’s and Pizza Hut properties. This will correct an oversight dating from the adoption of the 2004 zoning ordinance. Bear Stewart The possible development of the Bear Stewart property on Damen, just north of Augusta was mentioned in last month’s newsletter. This elicited some conversations about whether this property, one of the last large undeveloped parcels in East Village would serve the community better as green space. Alderman Flores commented that the purchase of this land might compete for resources needed to build a new branch library adjacent to Commercial ...

By Scott A. Rappe After months of rumors about a development coming to the large parking lot behind the MB Bank, permits have been issued and construction has begun. This week heavy equipment began work on a new 33 unit development with ground floor retail space and both surface and underground parking. Sited almost directly across Division Street from the proposed Walgreens, this development is mostly consistent with the community’s goals for the Pizza Hut site. According to Mike Anzani of RDM Development, the project will include two four-story buildings and conversion of the MB Bank lobby into a CVS pharmacy. The first building will be built immediately west of the existing bank and fill nearly the entire parking lot, leaving a driveway between it and the existing chiropractic office to the west. This driveway will lead to another four-story building that will be located at the rear of the triangular-shaped property. The building fronting on Division Street will have a small storefr...