As new businesses go, these guy's did it right. The Morse Entertainment Group brought the "greenest" ward in the entire nation (just ask Joe Moore) a solar-powered theatre to Morse Avenue in 2008. It's called the Morse Theatre and Century Public House. It's located at 1328 West Morse. It's been the most-hyped business to hit Rogers Park since the non-solar powered Morseland Night Club down the street, which opened a few of years. By all indications, it's matched or exceeded it's solar expectations.
So far there's been no issue with parking congestion. There's been no issue with the noise. I haven't witnessed anyone leaving the joint and peeing in the alley.
So, congratulations to the Morse Theatre. 2008 business of the year. Bringing new life to Morse Avenue, one concert at a time.
PS. I really dig the solar panels.
Related: Green jazz club takes shape in Rogers Park.
11 comments:
WOW! That's really exciting news, and a very intriguing photo, Craig! But Morse Theater's and DevCorpNorth's websites, and an October 8, 2008 Sun-Times article, make no mention of solar power, only a "green" roof, which seems to have become an obsession here in the 49th Ward.
Congratulations to the McGhees!
And, apparently our Alder-Joker had nothing to do with the solar power addition, or he'd surely have BOASTED about it!
From Joe's 49th Ward website:
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESSES
Joe Moore has worked hard for the environment in many ways. Here are just a few. Joe Moore...
Worked to add new parkland to the 49th Ward including the Gale Campus Park, Triangle Park, the Harold Washington Playlot and now the expansion of Hartigan Park at Albion and the lake.
Brought a new community center to Gale Park, currently under construction, which will have a green roof and other energy efficient design elements.
Holds public meetings on any proposed development affected by the Lakefront Protection Ordinance and recently blocked a high rise development proposal on Sheridan Road that was opposed by the community and by the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee.
Demarcated public and private beaches to stop private encroachment on public beaches.
Worked with Loyola University to ensure their latest campus addition would be a LEED Certified building.
Supported the efforts of Ann Whelan and Alderman Moore's 49th Ward Parks and Beaches Advisory Committee to set aside an area of Loyola Park beach at the Farwell pier for the protection of native plants and species as a first step towards restoration.
Extended and marked bike routes in the ward including those on Howard Street and on Kenmore Avenue.
Brought bicycle racks to transit stations and other locations in the 49th Ward.
Will protect our lakefront against any proposed extension of Lake Shore Drive, harbors, marinas or high rise developments.
Was instrumental in bringing the Center for Neighborhood Technology's I-GO Car Sharing program to the 49th Ward and helping it expand, making the 49th Ward one of the most successful I-GO communities.
I think it was the perserverance of the owner, not Uncle Joe. Nevertheless, we can only hope that more people begin to appreciate the business, and in doing so, encourage others to set up shop.
On the bike racks at Howard, there is no supervision. A few of us who went to Gale School and listened to the planner claim that all is good and fine have experience less than stellar security.
Standard Parking Lot still albeit intermittantly smells of urine in the elevator and stairwell. The pisser has proceeded.
The management team at Gateway is too inept to know how to entice businesses to rent. I tried, I should know. The prices are unrealistic. They need tenants and have created a ghost town with their totally incompetent marketing of the space.
If I owned the building, I would fire the realtor. However, it seems that the owner has money to burn. Perhaps, Gateway is some sort of tax write off. There is no excuse why that place is so empty regardless of the construction.
One other point. Not having a walkway/door to the second or third floor of the Standard parking lot from the terminal is a pathetic design. Furthermore, cutting off the walkway to Bally and the other side of the mall seems like an unintentionally incomplete architectural plan.
Why? I suppose Huberman, among his predecessors were simply wined and dined out of features. If a contractor messes up, then some sort of accommodation should be worked out to realize a good plan. The above overlooked planning features demonstrate why the planners of the Howard Terminal still have work to be done on the first part of the plan.
The future antique revamp of the Howard entrance may need to be completed, but the project should be completed as anticipated.
Finally, a rock solid terminal and a Gateway with a viable economic core will make a difference. As stated, the group in charge is not offering revitalization of the community in good faith. If a neighbor has to tell you that the rent proposal is a rip off for the area, then what can I say.
If this is an enterprise zone, then the rent must be more reasonable. DevCorp shouldn't be sitting on its hands and belching at its Christmas Party, yet.
I love how Joe takes credit for the hard work and financial investments of others.
The Morse Theater and Morseland both invested millions of dollars and took on great risk to open businesses in our community. They both deserve standing ovations from all of us here in Rogers Park.
Truthfully, they managed to launch their businesses IN SPITE OF Joe Moore.
Joe didn't attract these or any other businesses to our ward. At the greatest possible extreme, all Joe does is offer to help them with the city paperwork, provided, of course, they make significant donations to his "campaign fund."
I've had it with this worthless slob's false boasting and his inability to bring real change to the 49th Ward.
What the hell would it take to launch a ward-wide effort to force Joe's resignation?
===I've had it with this worthless slob's false boasting and his inability to bring real change to the 49th Ward.===
Me too.
This is great news. I always felt that parking would not be a big issue at the Morse, but the solar panels are a great surprise-an example of doing right by the world by doing what's good for you, in this case providing an off-grid power assist against the day when electricity costs .28 a KwH. Smart business decision.
Sickening beyond words to see Joe cop credit for Gale Park. As I have always heard it, he was anything but cooperative and accommodating to the community activists who worked so hard and had to overcome so many obstacles to get the Gale Community Center built.
If he could find a way to do it, Joe would claim credit for the sun rising in the morning.
Yep - Mr Moore seems to like to throw his hat in the ring to get credit for lots of things. Too bad he doesn't really work as hard as he tells everyone he does. let's hope the Blago scandal that has now received national recognition will bring to light many of these lazy and corrupt politicians.
"What the hell would it take to launch a ward-wide effort to force Joe's resignation?"
I have come to the conclusion that this is only solution. The entire system is broken and corrupted. The local powers aren't holding him accountable.
It will be hard for someone to defeat Moore in election, as he is using the ward as an ATM.
"We the People" must force him out.
Even if our actions don't succeed directly, we can stir up a lot of press, and make Joe think twice about running again.
are they electric or hot water? they look like water.
Is Joe also pondering "hot water" this last week?
If they're water, I suppose they help with the heat and hot water. I'd be interested to see how they perform in this climate and how much they help save on heat and hot water.
Has anyone heard of anyone around here with geothermal? I'd be interested to know how well they're doing with their systems.
To tell you another thing about the Morse Theater; they have the nicest sound system I have ever seen in a venue that size! I have done professional audio for over a decade and never seen anything like it!
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