News
ActiveTrans: Chicago River Trail
"... thanks to recent initiatives, like the City of Chicago’s Our Great Rivers vision, buzz about a continuous Chicago River Trail has emerged once again. Urban waterfronts provide cities with unique possibilities for recreation, open space and transportation."
North River Commission partners with ActiveTrans at community stakeholders on trail improvements along the North Branch and North Shore Channel.
https://activetrans.org/our-work/bicycling/chicago-river-trail
Take a virtual ride on the new Riverview bike/ped bridge
Streetsblog's John Greenfield posted a video of the new Riverview Bridge
"...One of the most interesting is the Riverview Bridge, which opened without fanfare last month on the North Branch of the Chicago River on the border of the Avondale, Irving Park, and North Center community areas."
Khepri Cafe opens next to Kedzie Brown Line Station
Block Club Chicago: "ALBANY PARK — Khepri Cafe, a coffee shop opening soon in Albany Park next to the Kedzie Brown Line stop, will feature a slate of healthy food options and a unique CBD-infused cold brew coffee on draft."
APA-IL Awards ULI Chicago's North Rivers Communities Plan
Urban Land Institute-Chicago: "Recently the, the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association selected the North River Communities Neighborhood Plan as the 2019 Strategic Plan of the Year at its annual conference in Evanston."
Second City Meadery Plans To Open Albany Park Tasting Room Next Spring
Block Club Chicago: "Known for its Wake Up! and Pineapple Anomaly meads, Second City aims to be Chicago's second meadery tasting room — and only meadery on the North Side."
Affordable apartment development brings 48 units to Albany Park
Curbed Chicago: The Oso Apartments are open for business. A new five-story affordable housing development is ready to welcome its first residents near the border of Chicago’s Irving Park and Albany Park neighborhoods. On Thursday, officials cut the ribbon on the recently completed project at 3435 W. Montrose Avenue, dubbed the Oso Apartments.
Albany Park’s New Intimate Cocktail Den Opens Today
Eater Chicago: Bokeh highlights both classic and creative cocktails. https://chicago.eater.com/2019/10/7/20903241/bokeh-cocktail-bar-albany-park
Crain's Chicago Business Forum: The future of water in Chicago
Mosaic Albany Park Arts Festival Returns To Albany Park This Weekend
Block Club Chicago: "The Mosaic Albany Park Arts Festival returns this weekend to celebrate the neighborhood’s art scene." https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/09/25/mosaic-albany-park-arts-festival-returns-to-albany-park-this-weekend/
North Branch River Survey
Friends of the Chicago River: "With North Branch Dam Out, Survey Sets Course for Future Work"
Friends of the Chicago River and the North River Commission, with the support of REI and the Chicago Park District, have joined forces to host a series of walking, paddling, and in stream wading surveys of the Chicago River corridor between River Park and Gompers Park.
Lot Jams Summer Concerts
Block Club Chicago: "Lot Jams Concert Series Returns To Albany Park This Summer"
The shows will be held every other Thursday starting Aug. 1 at the parking lot between Surge Coffee Bar and Billiards, 3241 W. Montrose Ave. and Aspire Kids, 3235 W. Montrose Ave.
Chicago Streamlines Affordable Housing Applications
Curbed Chicago: "Chicago streamlines process that ‘hampered’ developers ability to build affordable housing"
“By creating a more efficient system, we are ensuring that creating affordable housing is more predictable and more streamlined for both developers and advocates, and ultimately more impactful in addressing the needs of our families and our communities,” Lightfoot said in a statement.
North River Commission Hosts Mayor Lightfoot on Eve of Inauguration
Washington Post: "After taking on Chicago’s political machine, Lori Lightfoot now takes charge as mayor"
What makes the 56-year-old Lightfoot unusual isn’t just the success of her first-time candidacy. She talks about policies to improve public health and the local economy using the language of social justice. She intends to establish a mayor’s office for equity and social justice; she already has announced the city’s first chief equity officer. “I believe in a righteous, legitimate government,” she says.
Crain's Forum: Housing
Whether crumbling two-flats in Woodlawn or rocketing rents in Logan Square, formidable challenges face Chicago and its new mayor in providing and preserving viable, affordable housing. Homeowners and families are being squeezed, if not squeezed out.
Demand for AFFORDABLE HOUSING far outstrips supply in the Chicago area—due to everything from SOARING RENTS to crumbling, NEGLECTED buildings. Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she'll make RACIAL EQUITY a priority, but a range of SOLUTIONS are needed to remedy DISPLACEMENT and SEGREGATION.
North Park Village Nature Center Event
Block Club Chicago: "The North Park Village Nature Center Will Host A Free Afternoon Of Music, Dancing And More Saturday"
The North Park Village Nature Center will host an afternoon of free music, dancing, crafting, recreation and nature on Saturday.
The Music to My Ears and Feet: Wanderlust in Nature event is part of the Chicago Park District’s night out in the parks programming
Protect Ash Trees
Block Club Chicago: "Here’s How You Can Help Protect Chicago’s Trees From Emerald Ash Borer"
“We need to take our audit to people and let them know that the trees won’t be there in a few years unless they keep treating them,” Friedmann said. “We know we can’t save them all but we can save enough of the species so 30 or 40 years down the road they’re still there,” he said.
Kayaking & Canoeing at River Park
Block Club Chicago: "River Park Will Soon Offer Kayaking, Canoe Trips And More As North Branch River Activities Head Northwest"
“We’re going to do a few pop-up events this summer to try to get some proof of concept and build strength toward that project,” Renfree said. “Keep your fingers crossed and I’m working as quick as I can but we’re going to try and make this happen.”
Flavors of Albany Park Restaurant Crawl
Block Club Chicago: "‘Flavors of Albany Park’ Returns June 19 With Tours For Tasting Local Dishes"
A restaurant crawl later this month will showcase cuisine from more than 40 of Albany Park’s diverse businesses.
Tastes & Tours of Albany Park
Block Club Chicago: "Enjoy Trivia, Tours And So Much Food At This Weekend’s Tastes & Tours of Albany Park"
Tastes & Tours of Albany Park returns this week and will feature a weekend of food tastings, trivia, a cultural community bike ride, walking tours and more.
39th Ward Candidates Forum
Block Club Chicago: "39th Ward Candidates Vying To Replace Ald. Laurino To Square Off At Peterson Elementary Forum Wednesday"
Chicago Communities Mayoral Forum, Tuesday February 5, 2019
Block Club Chicago: “Mayoral Candidates To Square Off Tuesday Night At Albany Park Mayoral Forum“
Chicago Communities Mayoral Forum, Tuesday February 5, 2019
WTTW Chicago Tonight:
“Chicago Mayoral Candidates Square Off at Community Forums“
"Mayoral Candidates Take a Nuanced Stance on Chicago’s Complex Issues"
Independence Library Opens
Block Club Chicago: “After More Than A Century, Independence Library Gets A Home Of Its Own“
Block Club Chicago: “Inside Independence Library — Irving Park’s First-Ever Permanent Public Library (PHOTOS)“
OSO Apartments Breaks Ground at Montrose and Bernard
Block Club Chicago: “100 Percent Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground In Albany Park“
Twisted Hippo Brewery Opens on Montrose
Block Club Chicago: Twisted Hippo Finally Has A Colorful New Brewery, Taproom And Kitchen To Call Home
New Arts Festival Launches in Albany Park
Block Club Chicago: “Explore Albany Park’s Music, Art, Architecture (And More) At Mosaic Festival This Weekend“
Metropolitan Tuberculosis Sanitarium becomes North Park Village
WBEZ’s Curious City: “Bed Rest And Sputum Tests: Inside Chicago’s Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium” (with audio)
DNAinfo: “How the 100-Year-Old North Park Village Went From Loathed to Loved“
North Park Village Affordable Housing Expands
DNAinfo: “New North Park Senior Housing Complex Already In High Demand, Alderman Says“
North Branch of the Chicago River, dam removal
Friends of the Chicago River: “River Park Dam Removal a Milestone in Friends’ 18-Year Effort“
WTTW: “Why Chicago is Tearing Down Its Last Waterfall” (with video)