There was a comment that the neighborhood does not have bus service to Ogden school. Free bussing existed in the past, but just this year the school district stopped providing bus service to the New Eastside neighborhood. New Eastside is in a big hole with no public school, also there is no local magnet or private school.
 
Natarus insisted that no one has “done more than me” in advocating for local eductional issues. He noted that the bond issue is done and they only need to let the contracts out to float the bonds to fund the Ogden school reconstruction and the construction of the new school in the New Eastside. Natarus insisted that the neighborhood will get back bus service.
 
Reilly stated that the bussing issue is a perfect sort of opportunity for the Alderman to step up and talk with the Chicago Public School system.
 
There was a question about whether the proposed pedway could introduce problems with flooding or attract homeless. The proposed pedways would be elevated, underneath the upper roadways, it would not be underground so there would be no issue with flooding. Regarding security, both candidates mentioned that keycards or other means could be used to restrict access to the buildings or to the pedway itself.
 
There was a suggestion that Northerly Island may be suitable for the Children’s Museum location. Natarus felt that the location is too remote. Reilly mentioned that the Museum Campus is probably a preferable location but that doesn’t work out, “why not?” consider Meigs Field (Northerly Island).
 
Someone commented about the noise levels at this past year’s Lollapalooza festival. Natarus said that he will try to keep a clamp on this; the city has noise laws and the environmental inspectors have to watch each event. The problem is that the department is small, it needs more inspectors who are able to come out at night. It was noted that the Lollapalooza festival was approved for four more years.
 
Finally, there were some more discussion about the neighborhood school. A charter member of GPAC said that according to a past meeting or meetings of GPAC, it was stated that the very first building of the Lakeshore East development would be the school. Natarus said that Magellan’s check is not enough for the school and that is has been in the CPS and City of Chicago’s court. However, now that Natarus has passed the bond issue, we can move forward with floating the bonds and getting the government portion of the funding to start construction.

Natarus has been 42nd Ward Alderman since 1971 and has served in no other public office. Prior to 1971 he lost three times while running for 42nd Ward Alderman. He has lived in the 42nd Ward for 47 years.

He is running now for the 10th time and each time has had goals. In the last term the Ward has added 32 acres of parks including the Lakeshore East park and the Ward is continuing to plan more parks such as the DuSable Park where the river meets Lake Michigan.

In this term he had two main goals: Ogden school must be rebuilt. This will be done by building a new school on the existing playground and then tearing down the old school building replacing it with a park. The second goal is to build the Lakeshore East school. Both schools are listed on a bond issue which was passed a few months ago.

In his closing statements, Natarus said he has lived in the same townhouse in Sandburg Village for 35 years. He has raised two children and is very cognizant of education needs. The usual means of funding school construction is bond issues such as the one just passed for the New Eastside school and Natarus said Daley is very interested in building this school. The bond issue has been passed, the city now just needs to float the bonds.

Natarus went on that he is working on the DuSable Park and funding, he is a member of the Chicago Plan Commission as well as the Landmark Committee.

In the New Eastside neighborhood one issue he is working on is the need to re-do the intersection at the entrance to 175/195 North Harbor Dr. and N. Harbor Dr. (Upper). Natarus is on-the-ball on all of these issues.

In other developments he is working on “Fish Hotels” to improve the aquatic habitat of the river along with the group Friends of the River. He is working on renovating Navy Pier to include a small expensive hotel to generate revenue for Navy Pier. Finally he is working to attract a permanent installment of Cirque du Soleil in downtown Chicago.

www.Natarus.com

Fourth of five questions posed to Aldermanic candidates at a recent NEAR meeting. 

What actions will you take to ensure construction & opening of the new elementary school in the New Eastside and how do you see our community involved in the process?
 
Ward outlined three possible locations within the Lakeshore East development. The first was what was originally approved in 2001 as part of the PD #70 ammendment. This location is in the northeast corner Lakeshore East park.
 
The other two locations are just north of the park. The school could be placed in the lot between the Lancaster and the Shoreham buildings. However, there are walls on all four sides which would limit the light and windows, especially at the lower levels. The final proposed location could be next to the Tides building currently under construction. It would be just west of the Tides between the parking structure and the fire station.
 
It was Reilly turn to respond to this question first. Reilly explained that the developer has agreed to put up half of the money to build the school, which has roughly a $5 million dollar price tag. He noted that people have moved into the neighborhood in anticipation of a new school and that the Chicago Public School system depends on the state for funding. He said that the new school should have been taken care of a long time ago and that the community will be involved in questions such as where to site the school and what it should look like.
 
Natarus mentioned that he had insisted that Lakeshore East put in the requirement for a school. Three months ago the City of Chicago passed a bond issue that has money for the school. He said that the state is not funding the school, the city is funding the school. It is his opinion that the original location, in the northeast corner of the park is the best location. He said that building against the garage (either of the other two locations) is “ludicrous”. He assured attendees that the school will be built and that he is very much in favor of the school and supported the bond issue.

Presents: News in the Neighborhood

It is also the NEAR group’s annual meeting with Alderman Natarus.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 7:00 PM at the Buckingham

Light refreshements will be served. For more information see –

http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,88.0.html

My notes from the meeting held last week at the Shoreham are now posted in the forum –
http://forums.new-eastside.com/index.php/topic,85.0.html

If you were there and remember things I don’t list or would like to post additional questions or comments, please do so.

On Monday, Sept 25 at 7:00 PM at The Shoreham 400 East South Water St. Hospitality Room.

ALL ABOUT LAKESHORE EAST ———- THE SCH00L

N.E.A.R. (New East Side Association of Residents) is hosting this meeting.

Present will be Richard Ward NEAR President, Joel Carlins, President, Magellan Development Corporation and Dr. Elizabeth Purvis, President, Chicago Charter Schools Foundation.

also visit ericfrost.com