Petition to Save the Morseland Building

Sign the Petition Here

The Morseland Building sits at 1218 and 1220 West Morse Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois.  The building was designed by B. Leo Steif & Co., Architects and built in 1924 with a two story all glazed terra cotta facade.  Built in typical neighborhood style, the first floor contained retail units, with apartments upstairs.  Most recently, the Morseland Bar occupied the ground floor, while Pilates Chicago occupied the second floor. According to a sales flyer published by the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company about their work on the Moreseland Building: "Store and Office Building for A. Branower, Morse Ave., near Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois; B. Leo Steif & Co., Architects. Northwestern mottled glazed terra cotta of a tan shade with base course of dark gray granite finish was used for facing the front and return of this building.  More the two-tone effect on the ornamental features. Terra cotta is the logical material for buildings of this character where an attractive appearance must be combined with economy of construction." On March 11, 2016, a Chicago neighborhood news website published an article entitled "Embattled Morseland Bar Will Soon Be Demolished, Alderman Says" with a photo showing demolition equipment on site.  This is just the latest chapter in the recent troubled history of the building, but the issues are much more minor than they sound.  The Morseland Bar's operating license expired in October 2012, but the bar continued operating after the expiration.  That resulted in tickets from the Chicago Police and ultimately closure by the City.  Liens had been placed on the bar in 2011 for $100,000 in unpaid taxes, mostly to the state, but also $1,100 to the City.  Also in 2011, Northbrook Bank and Trust Company filed for foreclosure of the building.  Millennium Properties placed the foreclosed property on the market for $625,000 in May, 2013.  Almost a year later, the building was sold for either $490,000, $504,000 or $605,500, depending on which source is to be believed.  At that point, the City of Chicago issued permits to "to "remove kitchen and all piping" and "replace 110 sheets of drywall".  The building was sold again on January 14, 2016, this time for $700,000.  The most troubling news was part of the March 11th story where the local 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore is quoted as saying the Morseland building "will be torn down because it had become too costly for the owner to get up to code."  That seems to be at least a little contradictory based on previous permits and statements about bringing and keeping the building up to code, and also with the high price tag for the building, just to tear it down.  The building has not received any citations of structural or building condition.  The previous citations were for lack or trash removal from the premises.  The building is fully secured, and with all windows intact and thus no need for any plywood boarding up. We cannot, and should not, sit idly by while a treasure of Rogers Park gets demolished to be turned into another empty, gravel lot.  Morse Avenue has embraced a resurgence in recent years with most notably, the restoration and reopening of the Morse Theatre, now named Mayne Stage.  The $4 million streetscape project performed by the Chicago Department of Transportation helped brighten the street, soften the area with planters, and enhance the pedestrian flow via new and wider sidewalks along Morse.  New residential developments include 1334, 1412-1414, 1448, and Reside on Morse.  Lastly, the CTA embarked on a 6-week major overhaul of the Morse CTA Red Line station.  The rehab involved everything from new floors, walls, stairs, lights, doors, really everything, save for the addition of an elevator.  That and wider platforms will be coming in the next decade or so as part of the CTA's Red Ahead initiative to rebuild the Red and Purple lines from Belmont north to Howard.   Bibliography: https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160311/rogers-park/embattled-morseland-bar-will-soon-be-demolished-alderman-says https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140318/rogers-park/former-morseland-building-sold-new-owners-searching-for-tenant https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130523/rogers-park/morseland-bar-building-for-sale https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20121226/rogers-park/shuttered-bar-on-morse-avenue-owes-state-100k http://ultralocal.blogspot.com/2015/08/1218-1220-w-morse-c-1925.html http://digital-libraries.saic.edu/cdm/ref/collection/mqc/id/67292 http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/15804 http://rogerspark.com/rp/news_articles/view/morse_streetscape_project_begins_today/ http://www.chicagonow.com/cta-tattler/2012/08/gleaming-rehab-at-cta-morse-station-earns-an-a-minus/#image/1 http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1220-W-Morse-Ave_Chicago_IL_60626_M72133-92740 https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1220-W-Morse-Ave-60626/home/13568345 http://www.trulia.com/homes/Illinois/Chicago/sold/1000296093-1220-W-Morse-Ave-Chicago-IL-60626 http://www.sierraus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1218-1220-W-MorseAve_Chicago-IL_Pkg_sm.pdf

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2016 Earth Day Parks and Preserves Clean-Up

Join the Leone Beach Park Advisory Council for 2016 Earth Day Parks and Preserves Clean-Up!
Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Register to participate HERE.

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Leone Beach Park Advisory Council meeting tonight

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Anthony Boatman

Horrible news about Anthony Boatman.

Sorry for his family's loss.

He was a good friend who loved our community and worked hard to help others.

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14th Annual Loyola Park Fieldhouse Black History Month Celebration

On Sunday, February 28, 2016 from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm, the Loyola Park Advisory Council will be hosting the 14th Annual Loyola Park Fieldhouse Black History Month Celebration. All are welcome!

The event this year will be part of the 2016 Great Migration Centennial Celebration. The Great Migration will be used as thematic inspiration for an art exhibition of student work from participating schools in Rogers Park. The event will also feature music, performances, speakers and an opportunity for participants to identify their connections to the Great Migration.

Refreshments will also be provided

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77 Proud Financial Education Workshop

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Loose dog found near Ashland and Chase

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Leone Beach Park Advisory Council meeting

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When You Visit an Independent Local Business...

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Rogers Park Coupons Valid Through February!

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Top 5 Reasons to Shop Local

Visit the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce today!

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Internet of Things and Reducing Building Energy Use

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Cathleen Walker | Berkshire Hathaway

New Reduced Price. Owner is retiring and will look at all written offers. Hot Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois Brick building SOLD AS IS building needs some work which is why price is low. As of Jan. 1 rents will increase in all 6 apartments 2 1 bed garden increase to $750 each 4 2 beds increase to $800 each with 1 vacant store front for lots of opportunity to put in a thriving business or expand on the residential portion.

Attached 3 garage parking spaces The garage spaces will increase as well as of Jan. 1 to $300 for 1 of them and $200 each of the other two. 1 deck tenants pay separate utilities beautiful kitchens some with new windows new wood floors new carpet new stoves. Great area for investment. $300 additional income monthly $100 per garage space. Great developer opportunity in an up and coming Rogers Park by the Lake, Beaches, Red line and Metra trains, bus and highway 94 Touhy Avenue and Sheridan Road and Lake Shore Drive.


contact:
Cathleen Walker | Berkshire Hathaway
(847) 219-9366

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Oktoberfest in Jarvis Square - Sunday 10/4

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Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce Open House

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Unwind Sanctuary at R Public House

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What Your Small Business Needs to Know About the Minimum Wage Ordinance

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WYCC's new Mayne Stage series launches with a party!

Source: http://www.reelchicago.com/article/wycc-s-new-mayne-stage-series-launches-party150831


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RM Global Security for Medical Marijuana Clinic Contracts

Local Security Firms Race to Compete for Medical Marijuana Clinic Contracts


RM Global Security has joined the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce and hopes to partner with dispensaries vying for storefont space in the neighborhood, according to Medrano and chamber president Bill Morton. Medrano said local firms like his five-year-old company should be considered first to protect Chicago’s 13 medical marijuana dispensaries and the 22 cultivation centers across the state.

“Big companies have already made their presence known, and the dispensary licensees, understandably, they’re in a big hurry, they don’t have time to look at a small company like myself who calls them up or knocks on their door,” Medrano, 61, told DNAinfo Chicago. “They want somebody who has a nice, established presence. Already some of the big boys from Colorado are out here making a major showing in Illinois.”

Read the entire article at:

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150803/rogers-park/local-security-firms-race-compete-for-medical-marijuana-clinic-contracts
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The Rise of Business in Rogers Park

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