There are those who say, sure let's put another nightclub on Morse Avenue. Sure, why not, give them a liquor license too. But how many of these people are going to have to try to live and sleep 30 feet from the music stage at this nightclub? How many of these people are going to have to deal with the direct impact the extra crowds and extra cars that will flood this area?
We already have major parking woes.
Wait, there's more. The name Andy Megee doesn't ring confidence with me. He's the one asking for a liquor license.
See, I asked Andy to remove some graffiti from the property. I gave him plenty of time to do it. Then, because he couldn't get the job done, I had to get the people to do the job myself. If Andy doesn't have the power or the elbow to remove graffiti from the back of the building, how's he going to move the choir boy's from the front?
Plus, I've witnessed Andy pick up a glass off a table and throw the glass at a couple of teenage kids because they were being teenage kids. The glass completely missed the teenage kids - breaking to bits in the middle of the street. Guess what? I had to clean up that mess of his too. Is this who you want controlling a liquor license on Morse Avenue? Don't we have enough chaos around this area already?
So, I may be limited in questioning at the meeting, I'm not limited here. Plus, I know the principals involved read this blog. If not them, someone close to them. But I'm betting they read this themselves.
Who is Andy the front for? Who's the major investor? If he's the one pulling the strings, we need to cut this string before it starts to get all tangled up in a huge mess.
Parking. Where are they going to find parking spots? 93 seat restaurant - 299 seat theatre, that's a lot of people.
Security? How are they going to provide security for crowds this size? How are they going to control the open drinking, the peeing in the alley, etc? People leaving. Who's going to control these patrons? Who's going to keep them safe from the choir boys at the Harold Rider building?
Now, let's talk sound. How loud will the music be? What hours will the music be playing? Soundproofing, are they going to soundproof the building? I've lived next to a music venue and boy are they loud. This is going to be a sticking point with me.
Now, a question for the Alderman. Why do you so-easily grant liquor licenses to affluent whites (Morseland Night Club & Century Public House) and NOT to the old Biddy' Mulligans, aka, the Island Groove Cafe, who are minority owners? Is Alderman Moore being selective in who he wants selling booze at a nightclub? (And don't talk track record Alderman, the Morseland was initially denied a liquor license because of their previous poor track record. Remember? Maybe the campaign contributions will ring a bell?)
So, come out and enjoy a entertaining evening, where Andy and the Alderman makes their sales pitch to the community. I'll be taking notes and listening to all the soon-to-be broken promises.
What: Public Infomercial to Give Andy Megee a Liquor License.
When: November 1st, 2006 AD @ 7p.m.
Where: United Church of Rogers Park - 1545 West Morse Avenue - 3rd Floor
Blognotes: Andy Megee is being represented by perennial political candidate Dean Maragos. In 2003 Dean ran and lost to 44th ward Alderman Thomas Tunney. In 2006, Dean ran and lost in his bid for Metropolitan Water Reclamation district.
16 comments:
I'm new to the neighborhood, and this blog, so I'd like some clarification here... Craig, are you for or against new business development in the area? It seems to me like the business mentioned on the flyer is exactly the kind of place that might stimulate the appetite of other developers for the Morse business district that you, correctly, complain about almost daily. What would you rather see them put there? A Yoga place? A clothing store?
Those places are nice and quiet and secure, but nobody wants to put something like that in a place where nobody goes to shop/eat/drink. A restaurant and theater will bring people to the neighborhood, and that will start to get people's attention. There will of course be concerns about parking, sound, and security but you seem to take a very defensive tone as if you're against the very idea of the place.
So, again, what kind of business should go on Morse in your opinion? What will you be exited to see open there?
I'm pretty excited about the prospect of this new place. I think it's exactly what we need in the area.
Then let him build this entertainment center next to your house.
Plus, we had a nice theatre the Alderman and his developer buddy just tore down on Estes and Clark. Alderman Moore said there wasn't a need for an old theatre.
Yes... I understand that you are not happy about the idea of this new development.
What would be your plan to redevlop Morse Avenue? What would you propose as a catalyst to a new and viable Morse Avenue business district?
You're very good at pointing out what you don't like about things. I'd like to know how you would propose in their place.
Also, before you paint me as a Joe Moore Apologist... I'm 31 years old and I've never voted for anyone in any election. I recently registered to vote for the sole purpose of voting --Against-- Joe Moore.
However, putting 2 business on there that will draw a lot of foot traffic on the street will help make that block of Morse safer. The drug dealers are not going to stick around with that many people around.
I'm also very excited about more dining options. That is waht we need.
It may cause some annoyances for those who live next door (Block building), but those issues should be worked out during this and future community meetings.
Where is Jeff-O telling people that if they can't stand the noise, to move to the suburbs? Ha ha.
Thank you Brad. I'm happy to be in the neighborhood. My wife and I have actually been to Morseland a couple times for dinner. I'm a big fan of the place. I didn't realize Craig had been opposed to it. I did read, a while back, that he was opposed to the Chipotle near Loyola because he didn't want them to tear down the building that was there.
I'm all for architectural/historical preservation too, but there's a difference between something that's historic, and some old building that needs to be replaced. If we force every potential business owner to make the extra capital investment to renovate an old run-down building... The only thing we'll have are old run-down buildings
I also agree with Jim Witts assertment that the added foot traffic generated by businesses just like this one is more likely to make the area a safer place.
I'm not saying this place is the only answer to the problem, but it should be welcomed, cautiously, but welcomed none the less.
> Who is Andy the front for? Who's the major investor?
The Cobbler's Mall - Pritzker connection
More background on the history of this proeprty, a really messed-up press release
100-Year Old Theater Space for Lease
It appears it is the "we need to bring in business & development" but don't build it in my backyard!! mind set.
chirp0606, Did you ever get to check out this report on how your units were built?
Or this?
Please, when you get your tax bill and it shows you are paying a extra Special Service Tax #24, will you share that with us too?
Were you warned you had a special line item tax when you bought your place?
Having lived at Rush and Chicago before moving here, and coping with the 4 AM arrival of various delivery trucks for the Peninsula Hotel (those horns!!!), I think I can say that I understand concerns about noisy business neighbors. Even so, I think this needs to be given a fair hearing. It has possibilities, but I agree that parking is a likely issue if the patrons insist on driving in.
I had a feeling though that Craig might have issues with this. Sorry to see I was right.
I don't like to snipe but...
Craig, what does non-union labor building chirp0606's building have to do with whether or not we would like to see this new restaurant/bar open on Morse?
Stay on topic... Just because the majority doesn't agree with you on this one doesn't mean you can just change the subject.
So, again, I ask... What would you (Craig) like to see them put in that space if not this business? Or anyone really...
If you're opposed to putting a restaurant/bar/theatre on Morse ave.. What would you like to see open there?
If on one hand you complain daily about the lack of new business in the neighborhood, and then on the other you try and block every new business from opening you end up with NOTHING
So rather than spend energy waiting for someone to propose a new idea for a business and then shooting it down, why don't we brainstorm a little about what we think would be good for the area...
I, personally, like the idea of the restaurant/bar/theatre proposed in the flyer you highlighted.
> At least it isn't something frame that looks like it belongs in a prairie town circa 1860.
Um, that's our heritage - Rogers Park IS a prairie town circa 1860.
Ortiss & Paradise,
Take a drive by the new bank that was just built across from the Walgreen's on Howard and Western. It is on Western Ave. where the old Angus restaurant used to be. IMHO it is beautiful. It is prairie style. It looks like one of those pretty houses on Estes across from Armstrong school. They did a really nice job. The north side of the building is where the drive through is and it looks like where you would enter to the back yard to park your car. I was just mentioning to somebody the other day what a nice job they had done. They should get a neighborhood improvement award. I was told that they had really wanted to be in Bernie Stone's ward.
Looks like the smartest thing Craig has done in awhile is not run for Alderman. He saved the embarrassment for post like this.
John,
I believe it is because new developments like this is something that we can get excited about.
Also, in turn, we believe that it will help reduce the crime in that immediate area.
I'm for this development, as well. "Build it next to my house"? OK w/me. I live at Pratt and Sheridan as well, wish they would put a cool bar or jazz club in that empty space on the corner! Paradise, start working on that business plan. :)
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