St. Boniface Church is on its way to becoming a 75-bed senior housing facility. The Oak Brook-based IPM Amicus development firm closed Oct. 20 on the building at 1358 W. Chestnut St. The $20 million project will "save as much of the facade (towers) as possible," according to the IPM website. The firm's portfolio includes the Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center near Northbrook and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies at 618 S. Michigan Ave., plus campus projects at the University of Chicago, Catholic Theological Union, Moody Bible Institute, Meadville-Lombard Theological School and East-West University. Plans for St. Boniface by Vasilko Architects & Associates show a five-story west building behind the original towers, plus an east addition rising to eight stories. IPM expects to complete the facility by the end of 2013. The Eckhart Park Community Council has called a "next steps" meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Northwestern Settlement House, 1012 N....

The Monday, Nov. 1 meeting of the East Village Association will include a presentation on vintage window repair and a vote on live music at Chicago and Wolcott. Details are in the East Village News for November, which can be downloaded here . Other features: a potential plan for the former Pizza Hut at Division & Ashland and a look at West Town property values.

The area that includes East Village, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village and surrounding neighborhoods rank 6th in condo and 8th in house price among the city's 77 census areas. The average West Town condo price is $346,564, according to the October 2010 issue of Chicago magazine , with 985 sold in the first half of this year and the second half of 2009. The ranking is compiled from multiple-listings reports. Only the Near North Side ($492,904) and Lake View ($344,684) rack up more sales in a year's time. Prices are lower on the Near West Side ($313,248) and Logan Square ($276,906). Single-family homes in West Town are comparatively rare, with log more single-family sales, including the Near North Side (averaging $2.3 million), Lake View ($1 million) and North Center ($766,949). West Town prices fell 6 percent short of last year for condos and 11 percent for houses. Property values are holding steadier than in all adjoining areas but Lincoln Park, which is down by less than 3 percen...

Dan Nehm, carpenter and founder of Chicago Green Windows, talks about energy efficiency and repair of vintage windows at the Nov. 1 meeting of the East Village Association. The East Village resident will describe materials and methods he uses for making old windows virtually as energy-efficient as new windows. Nehm will discuss costs and sustainability of old windows, new windows, storm windows and replacement windows. Visitors at the 7 p.m. meeting in the Happy Village, at 1059 N. Wolcott, can ask questions and see a model vintage window, plus samples of weatherstripping, putty, airseals, and repair parts. Chicago Green Windows is a company focusing on window solutions for vintage buildings, including repairs, weatherization and new, historically correct wood window installations. Learn more at www.ChicagoGreenWindows.com . Nehm is a journeyman carpenter with an economics degree from the University of Wisconsin. His business grew from a belief that the best renovation practice is not...

The East Village Association board reviews a speculative plan for the former Pizza Hut property at 1601 W. Division. EVA has supported transit-oriented development of the site. Board meeting minutes for Oct. 11, 2010 submitted by Dana Palmer Attendance Board Members: Neal McKnight, Nicole Semple, Dana Palmer, Stephen Rynkiewicz, Scott Rappe and Tom Tomek Non-Board Members: Marjorie Isaacson, Rich Anselmo, Brooke Ingram, David Agosto and Jillian Tenebrini Meeting commenced: 6:40 p.m. at Leona's, 1936 W. Augusta Chicago Bowl The board will recommend not opposing a Public Place of Amusement license for Chicago Bowl , 1834-50 W. Chicago. This will be brought to a membership vote Nov. 1. Cab stand on Chicago A cab stand will not be necessary if Chicago Bowl comes in because Chicago Avenue is a major street with a large amount of cab traffic already. Dog waste clean-up Dana Palmer made signs to be posted in the neighborhood notifying the public to clean up after their pets. These si...

Neil McKnight yields the floor to Nicole Aquino, LaSalle II world language coordinator. The 375 students at LaSalle II school choose Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish or Urdu as a second language, world language coordinator Nicole Aquino told the East Village Association Oct. 4. They should be able to enter high school at levels 2 or 3 of the four foreign-language levels in the Chicago Public Schools. The magnet school at 1148 N. Honore is accepting candidates for next school year. Print applications for pre-kindergarten or elementary school are available at the CPS magnet-school website . A pupil now can apply at up to 20 schools; Aquino recommended sending applications by registered mail for proof of delivery. Last year, the CPS central office took nearly 1,000 LaSalle II applications. EVA board member Tom Tomek's children transferred to LaSalle II from private school and Tomek said the neighborhood location has worked out better. Siblings of LaSalle students and resident...