RSVP to See the Top 5 Proposals for Navy Pier

The five finalists vying to redesign Navy Pier's outdoor spaces will present their plans on January 31st and February 1st at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).
 
The presentations will be open to the public and will include a short question and answer period.  Three of the finalists will present from 6 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, January 31st and the other two will present from 6 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, February 1st.  All presentations will be held in the MCA Theater.
 
This event is free to attend. Space is limited. Please RSVP by 5 pm Monday, January 30th to Navy Pier.
 
Following the public presentations, the five teams will present their complete visions in an exhibition at the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) beginning February 2nd.  The concepts will also be displayed at multiple satellite locations around the city and online.
 
Click here to learn more and read the press release.

SOAR to Work Across 2nd and 42nd Wards

Last week the Chicago City Council voted to approve a new city ward map. Prior to the vote SOAR met with Alderman Brendan Reilly and requested that Streeterville be kept intact within a single ward. SOAR also reached out to Alderman Richard Mell who was spearheading the ward remap with the same request. In spite of this logical request, the council voted to split Streeterville into the 2nd and 42nd wards. 42nd Ward Alderman Reilly voted in favor of the remap. 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti voted against it.

Under the new map, 51 existing Streeterville residential buildings are shifted to the 2nd Ward, leaving 48 Streeterville residential buildings in the 42nd Ward. In short, just over 50% of Streeterville residential buildings have been shifted to the 2nd Ward, which stretches west to Ashland Avenue.

Whether represented by one or more alderman in the City Council, Streeterville, naturally bounded on three sides by water, remains a community and an integral, vibrant part of downtown Chicago. While the remap will pose practical and logistical challenges, SOAR will continue to be the voice for our collective Streeterville residential community as it has for the past thirty-six years.

As SOAR continues to work on behalf of ALL Streeterville residents - now with two Alderman - to preserve, promote, and enhance the quality of life and community, your continued support and involvement in SOAR is more important than ever before.

We will keep you informed of our efforts with both Alderman Brendan Reilly and Alderman Bob Fioretti in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, if you have questions or comments, please send us an email.

SOAR Testified at Hearing on Proposed Heliport Ordinance

Today SOAR testified regarding the proposed revisions to the existing City of Chicago ordinance on heliports.

Read SOAR's testimony.

AMC Theater River East 21 Proposes Alcoholic Beverage Service

SOAR received notification from the firm working with AMC Theaters to revise concession offerings that changes are being proposed for its Streeterville location.

AMC Theater River East 21 is proposing the service of alcoholic beverages and has "filed an application with the City of Chicago for conditional approval of an alcoholic beverage license".

Read more about the proposal here.

Condo Refuse Rebate Program - Applications Due January 31, 2012

All condominium refuse rebate applications must be received by Alderman Reilly's office at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 200, NO LATER THAN Tuesday, January 31st, 2012.  Buildings that do not meet this deadline will not get a $50 rebate this year, or be ABLE to get a $25 rebate for 2013, or a $25 rebate for 2014, or $25 rebate for 2015.

Please ensure that the applications are sent via a "delivery confirmation receipt" method to establish that your application was delivered to Alderman Reilly's City Hall Office prior to the deadline if necessary.
 
If you have any questions about the Refuse Rebate program please contact the Committee on Finance at (312) 744-3332 or Alderman Reilly's City Hall Office at 312-744-3062 or via email.

Revised Fact Sheet on Ordinance

Ordinance