Let's get right to the chase, shall we? The Morse Theatre/Century Public House at 1328 West Morse Avenue (formerly known as Cobblers Mall) meeting was packed with over 50 people in attendance last night. All the bigwigs were there. As projects go, this one's ambitious. Start to finish time, 16 months. Open date projected at March 2008. There were drawings on the project - but they didn't have any handouts to share with the crowd.
Now, a little about the project. The basics were given - projected hours of operation - 11 a.m to 1 a.m., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, type of food served - mostly american fare, circa 1915, and music - acoustic, jazz, big band and children's theme.
Experience in the food service industry - Andy Megee and has partner are security traders. They admitted knowing nothing about food service (or music act booking for that matter). But young Devin, Andy's son, he has worked at Denny's before.
The crowd. Well Andy said his demographics are going to be like him. He kept repeating that. I'm guessing that means he wants middle-aged, rich, security trading - white men in his club.
Now the major issue. Parking. The presenters claimed to be well planned, but not on this issue of parking. Everyone who spoke, all promised parking. At one point someone up front was caught saying, "Parking will come.... " as parking spots will magically appear. According to Dean Maragos, the build teams lawyer, "parking is a great problem".... "You can't have a business without parking. "The business will die" Maragos said.
Well guess what folks? This project has got no-parking. Zero - zilch! Not one parking spot was presented on any of the plans.
So the powers that be will be applying for all the permits and licenses well before finding any parking. All on the hopes and prayers parking will mysteriously show up in the neighborhood. When other businesses and residents can't find parking, Andy will wave a wand - and poof, there's parking for 150 cars. Like magic.
Updated - 11:00 a.m: What a hot button topic we got going here. Everything's good - execpt the namecalling. I'm on the verge of comment monderation because of a couple of Gordon or Moore (or both) supporters talking about personal issues that have nothing to do with the topics.
So, all the other candidates were at this meeting last night. All read this website. Let's hear what they think.
Would Chris Adams, Jim Ginderske or Don Gordon allow a inexperienced restaurant owner a green light on this project without secured parking for let's say 100 cars?
Let's hear what they think of such a large venue being built without a single parking space for one customer, much less 300 plus.
They can post the answers on their own websites or send them to me. Or, they can just ignore the issue and hope it goes away. Much like Alderman Moore would do.
14 comments:
What's planned for that empty lot at the NE corner of Morse and Greenview? Anything? Not a way to alleviate parking crunches, I know, but this got me thinking about the fenced in hole I always walk past.
But back on topic: let's consider the parking situations of other city venues; I venture to say that most struggle with parking. One example, Metro, right on Clark -- no lot for them, right? But why stop there: what city business didn't wish they had more parking? This isn't a new issue we're dealing with.
Yes, maybe residential parking is more difficult around here than most places (I'm not prepared to make many comparisons), and that's a real problem that needs to be ironed out, Century Public House or not.
But give people a reason to use the Red Line, and they will. For the others who will drive, park in the surrounding 3-5 blocks and walk...quickly.
Parking shouldn't be the millstone that sinks this promising venture. We wouldn't have half the businesses in this city if they all wanted their own lot.
rogerparker,
Did you get taught how to construct arguments or does that just come naturally? But I digress.
How many theatres in the city have their own parking? Ford Center? Oriental? Goodman? Cadillac Palace? Riviera? Aragon? Chicago Theatre? And just for comparison's sake, the Chicago Theatre holds about 3,600.
rogersparking's point remains valid:
Lack of parking doesn't mean a theatre (or restaurant) cannot be successful.
Carrol J,
"If this place is going to be so family friendly as they told us last night they don't need to be selling alcohol."
Chucky Cheese serves alcohol. Sea World gives away free beer, Walt Disney World serves alcohol. What do you consider a family freindly place?
We need this development. I only wish it could be open faster. If the word gets out that there is not much parking in the area, people will take the CTA.
Those who oppose this project will never be happy with anything. This is why Craig didn't put much effort into running. If he were alderman, who would he bitch about?
This is the classic struggle of Rogers Park. Residents want to be urban and have the amenities of the more dense and successful Chicago neighborhoods. However, residents also want everything to be easy (i.e. enough parking, a la the suburbs, and no noise next to them). Living in the city is not easy, but its lively and exciting.
The parking complaint, when compared to other venues, is valid. Metro has all of the Cubs parking lots to use. The Vic presumably got their license when the huge parking lot next door was still around (it is currently being developed as condos, go figure). All of the downtown theatres have the parking garages, which are not otherwise used at night.
There should be some kind of parking available for the customers of the Morse venue, but I believe that 350 spots is too much. 50-100 should be enough. We live in the City, people over time will figure out there is no parking and take the El, or they will stop going and the venture will fail.
If the major tradeoff is going to be parking... I think it's a no brainer. There are plenty of ways to fix the parking problem. Permit zones along the surrounding streets immediately comes to mind. That would force the business owners to try a little harder if they want their patrons to have a place to park. It makes it a little less convenient for those of us that live within a few blocks, but it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make.
However, I think the current parking situation is way overblown. I've read here on numerous occasions how "We need to do something about the lack of parking." Parking in Rogers Park is a breeze. Since I moved here I've never had to park more than 3 blocks from my place. And I probably find a spot on my block 75% of the time. Having lived in several other neighborhoods in the city, that's shocking to me.
If they proposed to build a parking garage Craig would be against that too. I'm starting to think Craig is only happy if he's got somethig to complain about.
How about this... Now I'm just throwing ideas out there.
Give people $5 off their dinner or ticket at the theatre if they show their taxi receipt. Or, they could strike up a deal with that place on Greenleaf (forgive me for forgetting what it's called) to use their lot for valet parking.
Also, do we really need over a car's length of "yellow" zone next to fire hydrants?
The point is... There's always a way to get something done.
I meant to say
-on either side of fire hydrants-
-
Besides the crime issue, they could work out a deal with the Block building.
But with or without the parking, they really have 16 month to figure that out. If someone is willing to put up the kind of money to make this project work, I am not going to stand in their way.
Also Harold's Chicken is opening at Morse & Clark.
Would Chris Adams, Jim Ginderske or Don Gordon allow a inexperienced restaurant owner a green light on this project without secured parking for let's say 100 cars?
Let's hear what they think of such a large venue being built without a single parking space for one customer, much less 300 plus.
You have it half right Craig. It's not about the parking, it's about their lack of experience. If parking weren't an issue, their lack of experience would be. That's what I find disturbing about your report.
Take Care of Yourself...
I'll do the same, thanks.
I really hope that post was a joke
I've been resisting commenting because I totally disagree with the negativity and slanted depiction of this project, but because people seem to be taking this report as "fact", and I was at the meeting, I must say something.
First of all, there is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with hiring experienced people to take care of running the kitchen or handling Programming/Booking. This is a SMART thing to do. After listening to the group make their presentation, I felt very confident that they had selected experts in these areas to run the business effectively. The chef they are hiring is a Graduate of Kendall School of culinary arts, lives in RP, and has fine dining and high volume restaurant experience. The General Manager currently works in Business Operations for a financial institution, which has the highest of business standards and regulations. In addition, they have made contacts at Blue Note for Jazz performers and have someone experienced to handle talent bookings.
I also want to clear up a possible misconception. Andy's son Devin said he had worked in a RANGE of restaurants from Denny's to fine dining ones downtown. I find the personal smear attack on him very offensive.
Lastly, this group is talking about investing a HUGE amount of THEIR MONEY. They are HIGHLY MOTIVATED to see this business succeed. Not only are they making a national quality venue for music, which will also include broadcasting, they are beautifully restoring a muddled up eyesore of an old building. This is a QUALITY project and it is a GODSEND!!
I understand why people who live right behind the building might personally be concerned. If I lived right behind it, I might not be too thrilled either (I live one block away).
I firmly believe that the parking will come. Has anyone noticed the vacant lot on Morse near Paulina or how about the lot on Ashland across from United Church of Christ? Over at Southport Avenue for example, they use school parking lots for after hour and weekend parking. They are solutions to providing parking.
It is very heartening that people who live here that are undertaking this project. And talk about accountability- if they run it improperly, they will have their next door neighbors to answer to.
This is a great happening on Morse Avenue and deserves our support.
Winston- I've been to enough community meetings in RP to know that if people objected or did not like the presentation- they speak up. There were a few questions about trash removal, food deliveries, parking etc... but when I made a positive comment at the meeting, many people applauded.
Why can't we take them at their word on what kind of venue they are doing? Do you think if they lie and do something different they won't have to answer to the community? They NEED the communities support for this venture to succeed when it opens not just to get it open.
I think people need to have a little faith here and not be so conspiracy-oriented.
In reference to the follow up about the failures of the SSA. The more businesses and traffic on Morse, the less this will be tolerated. It would not surprise me if things like this happen over on Belmont or even in Andersonville from time to time. This is the city and it gets dirty sometimes. It's great that it is being pointed out here so maybe they will clean it up now. Craig- who should we call when we see something like this? The Alderman's office? If you posted that, maybe some more people would call too. It takes vigilance to make things like this change.
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