And So 'It' Goes

Michael Luckenbach posts a followup to my April 1st, 2011 A Walk Down Howard Street, noting that exactly one month afterwards, the blight remains unresolved.

This is a long story that began for the readers of Rogers Park in 1,000 Words with the maintenance of the Wisdom Bridge Theatre and the demolition of the Lerner Building on Ashland and Howard Street.

During this time everyone has been called into question including, Alderman Joe Moore, Developer Rich Aronson, The Wisdom Bridge Arts Project, former occupants Dev Corp North, the Howard Street SSA and the current property owners.

I've posted a wealth of information in earlier posts and have many currently unpublished documents, but let's view the North of Howard Neighbors Assocation's position on this issue in our community first: http://nhna.blogspot.com/2011/04/and-so-it-goes.html


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The Last Wisdom Bridge Theatre video

Wisdom Bridge Theatre demolition

I took 400 photos and 12 videos of the Wisdom Bridge Theatre demolition today.

- Bill

















You can view the rest of the Wisdom Bridge Theatre demolition videos here.

Michael Luckenbach photographs and reflects upon the Wisdom Bridge Theatre.



The Wisdom Bridge Theatre....R.I.P. - http://nhna.blogspot.com/2010/05/wisdom-bridge-theatrerip.html

The Wisdom Bridge Incident Part II

Further thoughts on Rogers Park "coincidence".

Wisdom Bridge Is Falling Down, Falling Down...

The Wisdom Bridge Incident

Many have told me that they suspect Rich Aronson was behind the Wisdom Bridge Theatre damage.

What do you think?









Relevant links:

Building Facade Collapses on Howard Street
http://nhna.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-facade-collapse-on-howard.html

Wisdom Bridge Theater Roof Collapses; No One Hurt
http://morsehellhole.blogspot.com/2010/05/wisdom-bridge-theater-roof-collapses-no.html

Building Collapse in Rogers Park, Chicago
http://rogersparkbench.blogspot.com/2010/05/building-collapse-in-rogers-park.html

Building partially collapses in Rogers Park
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/05/building-partially-collapses-in-rogers-park.html

The Quick on Rich Aronson's Proposal

Update from tonight's meeting with developer Rich Aronson

I asked Rich Aronson if he plans on working with the IEPA on the contaminated land issue. He answered, No.

Swanette Triem, infamous for the North Shore School teardown and IEPA stop work order, was looking a little pale when this was mentioned.

Michael Luckenbach asked Rich Aronson if he currently owns the Wisdom Bridge property. Rich Aronson answered evasively. The answer is No.

Another resident asked Rich Aronson if he had funding for this building. Rich Aronson answered, No.

Rich Aronson stated that he currently has no interested tenants.

Rich Aronson also stated that he may not be able to acquire a loan to fund the project.

Partner, Scott Sinar was not in attendance for this meeting.


In my opinion, the citizens of Rogers Park deserve better.

My final analysis is that this project will not go through. The three main reasons are:

1. The land contamination issue. The IEPA will make the demolition of the Wisdom Bridge Theatre cost prohibitive. If Rich Aronson hires a dubious demolition crew that demo's during nights and weekends, the land will be further contaminated. We learned this from Swanette Triem. It will remain an empty lot or dangerous hole in the ground for years to come.

2. The money issue. Rich Aronson always states that if the project becomes cost prohibitive, he will abandon it and move on. As stated earlier, He cannot fund the project independently, he has no tenants lined up, he even has doubts that the bank will give him a loan.

3. Community opposition. Rich Aronson also has a reputation for buckling under the pressure of community opposition. This was proven with the abandonment of his 7315 N. Sheridan Road project after our community strongly opposed it. If he has to fight at all, he considers his projects a waste of time and money.


RP1000 will continue to follow the progress or decay of this project closely.

Oppose Rich Aronson Tonight

Developers: Richard Aronson and Scott Sinar

Email blast from Alderman Joe Moore: Yes, two.

Developer history of campaign contributions to Alderman Joe Moore: Yes


Attend this meeting to oppose the demolition of the Historic Wisdom Bridge Theatre. Rich Aronson is known as a lightweight developer who often buckles under pressure.

As with all 49th Ward developer meetings, Alderman Joe Moore has previously been paid-off and will be in support of the project.

Developers stick together, so many former pay-offs will be seeded in the meeting to show support. Although the deck is loaded, outstanding community opposition can sink this project.


Please attend the meeting at:

Willye B. White Recreation Center 1610 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626, tonight at 7pm.

the urban politician

The following is our continuing conversation with a large group of developers.

the urban politician, where have you been politicking lately?

Do you even live in Rogers Park? It does make a difference, especially when you so strongly tell longtime Rogers Park residents to “BUTT OUT” of a major issue in our neighborhood.

Follow along or comment here: http://yochicago.com/talks-continue-on-rogers-park-proposal/14909/comment-page-1/#comment-52798

The conversation continues on

Why do I fight for these old buildings? Because they are worth fighting for. They are beautiful, historic, significant and part of our Rogers Park culture. Most importantly, they were built to last. Better materials, superior craftsmanship... these are works of Art.

The Adelphi Theater
The Granada Theater
The Howard Theater
The Norshore Theater
The Nortown Theater
The Uptown Theater
The Wisdom Bridge Theatre

... and many more.

The following is my continuing conversation with a large group of developers.

If you were at the community meeting, you would have heard Rich Aronson state that he would not build without the rezoning because it does not make financial sense. This is his default position.

The building that currently stands on the property is far more attractive than Rich Aronson’s proposal and fits well with the Broadmoor building across the street.

Follow along or comment here: http://yochicago.com/talks-continue-on-rogers-park-proposal/14909/comment-page-1/#comment-52755

More talk about Rich Aronson and Alderman Joe Moore

Sure, Eric. But, we know of Rich Aronson from previous proposals that if he does not get his zoning change, he will abandon the project and move elsewhere. Which, contrary to Alderman Joe Moore’s email blast, is what many in Rogers Park asked for.

If the developer has the right by ownership to build, what more is there to say? But, if the developer is publicly requesting the approval of the community, he is accepting the possibility of denial. It is a free country, after all.

Read more at: Talks continue on Rogers Park proposal by Joseph Askins

Another shoe box proposal

Developers: Richard Aronson and Scott Sinar

Email blast from Alderman Joe Moore: Yes

Developer history of campaign contributions to Alderman Joe Moore: Yes


RP1000 suggests that you attend this meeting to oppose the demolition of the Historic Wisdom Bridge Theatre.

As with 49th Ward developer meetings, Alderman Joe Moore has previously received campaign contributions and will be in support of the project.

Developers stick together, so many former campaign contributors to Mr. Moore will be seeded in the meeting to show support. Although the deck is loaded, outstanding community opposition may sink this project.


Please attend the meeting at:

Willye B. White Recreation Center
1610 W. Howard Street
Chicago, IL. 60626

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 7pm.

How it should be in Rogers Park

The condensed version:
excerpt from the Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/ct-x-n-evanston-varsity-20100317,0,5909828.story

Plans to breathe new life into a hidden architectural gem in downtown Evanston picked up speed recently as City Council members agreed to explore the possibility of reopening one of the Chicago area's grandest movie palaces as a performing arts center.

The Evanston City Council has voted unanimously to seek a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as seed money for a possible rehabilitation of the 84-year-old Varsity Theater.

If the city gets the grant funds, it will contribute an additional $50,000. The money would be used to study the finances, architecture and proposed business plan to determine if reopening the shuttered downtown theater as a performing arts center is viable, city officials said.

"I think there's economic development impacts for the community," said Doug Gaynor, the city's director of parks, recreation and forestry. "It's always great to have cultural arts activities in the downtown."

"It needs work, but it's got great possibilities," said Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. "What makes it beautiful and exciting to me is not the shape it's in right now but the shape it could be in."

About half of the interior décor has been removed or painted over, but the theater still has a distinct old movie palace quality, and the structure itself is in solid shape, said owner Steven Rogin.

"I think it could be a focal point for the arts community in Evanston," he said.

It's unclear at this point where the city would get the millions of dollars it would take to rehab the theater and where it would find a permanent tenant for a performing arts center. But Fiske said those are issues that could be addressed later.

"The grant money would allow us to get an idea of what it would take to reconfigure the building so that it would work," she said. "We're really lucky we retained that building."


How it is in Rogers Park

Here are some examples that we encountered when attempting to save and reopen the Adelphi Theater:

"What do you expect, this is City Hall" Alderman Joe Moore to the Citizens for the Adelphi Theater in City Council Chambers

"If you want my support, put the money on the table" Alderman Joe Moore to Bill Morton at his Jarvis Square storefront

Over 1,000 petition signatures hand delivered to Alderman Joe Moore and no response

And, of course... this:






On a more timely note: There is the Wisdom Bridge Theatre.

This needs further review

Unveiling The Wisdom Bridge Theatre Plan - 24/7 North of Howard Watchers

There are some interesting new comments following the article.


Related articles:

proposed new development at 1557-61 Howard - Fargo Observer

More on the 'Wisdom Bridge Theatre site" proposal - North Howard Neighbors Association

Physical Research of the Area

Feb 18 Bill Morton - Picasa - Public - Muted
http://picasaweb.google.com/BillMorton.RogersPark/RogersParkIn1000Words12
Rogers Park - Show map Lerner Hole.jpg

Bill Morton - This is a photo of the contaminated Lerner Hole in Rogers Park at Howard Street and Ashland. I wrote a story about it here: http://rp1000.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-time-to-revisit.html

Feb 18 RH - Thank you so much for this info. I live directly across the street from this hole. I was told that they would be building condos on this site.

Feb 25 Bill Morton - Tell me more! I am very interested in this.

Feb 25 RH - Well I really dont know any more than that lol. Thats what I was told by a few people including my landlord when I moved into the building. The only thing I have noticed is 2 or 3 dump trucks per day coming to dump dirt in the hole. They did it for a couple of months this past fall. Since the winter I have not seen the dump trucks, but this afternoon a flatbed cam and dropped off a bulldozer at the site. I can e-mail you a couple of pics I took today of the site if you want them. 3:47 pm

Bill Morton - I would love to check out your Lerner hole pics. 6:36 pm

RH - Here are the 2 photos I snapped this afternoon.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/ReganH22/DSC00544.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/ReganH22/DSC00545.jpg 11:09 pm

Stephanie Fitzgerald - RH, it says the photo has been removed. 11:11 pm

RH - It should be fixed now. Sorry. 11:11 pm

Stephanie Fitzgerald - Yes they are working, thanks for the photos! I think I can see Bill in the second one!! You gotta zoom in! 11:16 pm

Bill Morton - Very Awesome! Hopefully the one where you can see me, It was not when I slipped on the ice! I was seriously laughing at myself in this moment. 11:20 pm

Parked behind the former Dev Corp office

Wisdom Bridge Theatre 1557-61 W. Howard Street, Chicago, IL. 60626

Wisdom Bridge Theatre meeting link list

Here is the complete link list to date of the Wisdom Bridge meeting commentary, opposition and notices.

Wisdom Bridge Theatre
1557-61 W. Howard Street
Chicago, IL. 60626


Unveiling The Wisdom Bridge Theatre Plan - 24/7 North of Howard Watchers

An Open Letter to Alderman Joe Moore - North Howard Neighbors Association

Last Night's meeting - North Howard Neighbors Association

Oppose Rich Aronson Tonight - Rogers Park in 1,000 Words

A ROGERS PARK RESIDENT HAS COMMENTS & QUESTIONS REGARDING THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AT 1557-61 HOWARD STREET... - North Howard Neighbors Association

It's time to revisit - Rogers Park in 1,000 Words

Community Meeting on Proposed Development at 1557-61 W. Howard - North Howard Neighbors Association


Meeting photo galleries:

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting - photography by Stephanie Fitzgerald

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting II - photography by Stephanie Fitzgerald

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting II

Thank you to photographer Stephanie Fitzgerald.

file under: Wisdom Bridge Theatre 1557-61 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626

Photos from the Rich Aronson meeting

Thank you to photographer Stephanie Fitzgerald.

file under: Wisdom Bridge Theatre 1557-61 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626

Oppose Rich Aronson tonight

I would like to advocate the historic preservation of the Wisdom Bridge Theatre, located at 1557-61 W. Howard Street Chicago, IL. 60626.


The community meeting will be held today at 7:00 p.m., at the Willye B. White Recreation Center, 1610 W. Howard Street. I encourage everyone who attends to oppose Alderman Joe Moore and developer Rich Aronson's plan to demolish one of the last of our historic theatres in Rogers Park.



Here is what I have to say about this:http://rp1000.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-time-to-revisit.html

Here is what Don Gordon has to say about this:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NorthHowardNeighborsAssociation/~3/InxjBAR2As0/rogers-park-resident-has-comments.html