The large planters on the last block of East Randolph (across from Outer Drive East) have been removed. For the past couple of weeks, these had been blocking pedestrians and causing people to have to walk into the street to pass.

See previous post with photos — http://blog.new-eastside.com/planters-along-randolph/

Also, see Richard Ward’s letter to the Alderman and the statement from Brendan Reilly — http://blog.new-eastside.com/planters-along-randolph/#comments 

Of course it would be nice if the community finally got the Pedway and we could walk underground.

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.

Last question posed to candidates for alderman at last week’s NEAR meeting. 

What is your position on the extension of the pedway which was approved by the city council in 1969 and reapproved by the council in 1979, 1993, and 2001?
 
Ward outlined several documents including ammendments to Planned Development #70 over the years, perhaps the most important of which was the Lakeshore East development which stated that it is not responsible for connecting the pedway to the existing buildings. However, according to Ward, the previous documents are binding and require that the LSE build the pedway for the entire neighborhood.
 
Natarus stated that Chicago’s Corporate Counsel does not agree with Ward’s interpretation. Natarus recommended that Ward or advocates in the community get an independent legal opinion and the Natarus would himself introduce an ordinance if he can get a legal opinion agreeing with Ward’s interpretation.
 
Reilly agreed with the Alderman about wanting a legal opinion. He went on that it happens all too often that a developer is allowed to change language. He said that in meetings the the Alderman is responsible for advocating for the average citizen. Reilly said that he is willing to work with the neighborhood to explore some possibilities and believes that Corporate Counsel should produce an opinion.

I have had a lot of fun learning and reading Bill Ward’s New Eastside Forum site — http://www.neweastside.org. There is extensive information on Pedway development over the years (a key interest of mine and most other residents of course!) and must more information. The site has had 20,000 visits since 2000 and you can sign up for e-mail notifications of updates. I believe Bill Ward lives in 155 N. Harbor (my wife and daughter and I live in the building next door). Anyway, just wanted to point out this terrific resource for local residents.

The elevator by the fire station has not been working for several weeks. For people who may have a stroller or are unable to use stairs and want to cross Columbus to get to the Sheraton, NBC Tower, AMC 30, hospital etc. this can pose a problem. During the day you can get into 300 East Randolph, but during weekends and holidays this option is not available. In this post I will share two ways to get to Intermediate Columbus from the Upper Level.

The first involves using the KPMG building, I believe this is 330 E. Wacker. It is the building next to the Swissotel. There is a parking garage in this building which has a door leading out to Intermediate Columbus right next to the elevator by the fire station. From the upper level, just enter the doors by security (NW corner) and the elevator down to the parking garage is all the way around the building (last set of elevators). From there go to P1 or the top parking level. The garage doors will be around to your right.

The second option is in the Hyatt. There is an unmarked door to the right of the main entrance that leads to an elevator that lets you out at the parking garage level. From here you can get out to Intermediate Stetson which you can use to get to Wacker and back to Columbus and across the bridge.

Hope this helps someone. Please post questions and comments.

also visit ericfrost.com