63rd/Stony Island in 1974

Sorry to have missed this Chicago History Today post from June 2018. It shows 63rd Street & Stony Island from 1974 to 2018. Perhaps dreams of restoring the East 63rd St. L back to Stony Island which has cropped up during the course of the past year is to see service restored to Stony Island as it was until the early 1980s.

According to John Schmidt who authors this blog this was what was in the area in 1974

In 1974 the Jackson Park ‘L’ terminal at 63rd-Stony Island was in its eighty-first year of service.  By that time the neighborhood was in decline, and many of the buildings that had gone up around the terminal had been town down.  Meanwhile, CTA had announced plans to replace the old station with an elaborate park-and-ride facility.

Now the future of this area revolves around the future Obama Presidential Library which had been unanimously approved by the Chicago City Council.

Curbed Chgo: Kanye West wants to reopen Chicago’s historic Avalon Regal Theater

What has been going on with the Avalon Regal Theater. Some new developments according to Curbed Chicago.

Kanye West wants to reopen Chicago’s historic Avalon Regal Theater https://t.co/FWZdM0zzFi pic.twitter.com/3at6vayHOH

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) September 10, 2018

The building was purchased out of foreclosure for $100,000 in 2014 by entrepreneur Jerald Gary. The South Shore native hoped to raise funds to cover numerous plumbing, electrical, and tech-related updates. As of Monday afternoon, a crowdfunding campaign had raised about $200 of its $150,000 goal. The property owner says that he already put “over $1 million” of his own money into the theater, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

Gary hopes the restored Avalon Regal will be ready in time to host a holographic concert organized by Chicago rapper Chief Keef on September 26. If not, a “hologram truck” with a built-in stage is standing by as a back up and will host the free show in the theater’s adjacent parking lot, says the Sun-Times. 

Meanwhile, the building’s ornate lobby eyes a return to the lineup of the Chicago Architecture Center’s annual Open House Chicago weekend, scheduled for October 13 and 14. The site was abruptly pulled from the last year’s event to comply with a court order requiring the property to remain “vacant and secure,” reported the Chicago Tribune.

Provided the renovations move forward, the Avalon Regal would become the latest historic Chicago movie palace to see new life. Other notable projects include the ongoing redevelopment of Logan Square’s 2,900-seat Congress Theater and the recently announced rehabilitation of the massive, 4,381-seat Uptown Theater. 

[Kanye] West’s interest in the South Side venue was one several Chicago-related tweets published by the celebrity over the weekend. Additionally, West announced plans for a Chicago Yeezy fashion store as well as news that he would be teaching a course at the Art Institute of Chicago.

It's great to know Kanye West is involved in the efforts to restore and ultimately reopen the former movie palace. If the Uptown Theater can garner some excitement with rehabilitation so can the Regal.

 

What's going on with the Avalon-Regal Theater?

We've talked about the new ownership of the Regal Theater on occasion. And Worlee Glover posts on Nextdoor last month to let us know it's for sale! Whoever made the best offer has probably made it already so who knows if it has never ownership now. Regardless Worlee believes this is a tax sale...

Now I wonder what happened to Mr. Gerald Gary and those investment bonds he had been advertising.

Leon's Barbecue is back, thanks to Denzel Washington

[VIDEO] Though not at the location I know about on 83rd/Cottage Grove though there remains a BBQ place there along with Dat Donuts. The new Leon's Barbecue restaurant is located near the site of the future Obama library at 63rd/Stony Island. Looking forward to visiting this location in the near future.

BTW, you're going to see references to Denzel Washington - legendary Hollywood actor - who was in a viral video from last year prompting the return of this longtime establishment. It's too bad that I'm never "hip" to these viral videos, I'd have gotten a kick out of it. For now he will get his fix.

ALSO, I know that Leon's closed their locations a few years ago. How do they explain the locations under Leon's on Archer Ave & 106th Street? I think Rev. Finney needs to check that business out! Here's their webpage referring to themselves as the Original Leon's.

Below is Denzel's video found via the Sun-Times who's tweet on the reopening of Leon's is also below. [VIDEO]

Avalon Regal Thater offering investment bonds

Jerald Gary, the new owner of the Regal Theater on 79th at Stony Island, is offering an investment opportunity for those who want to help resurrect the theater.


This investment includes 10 free tickets (annually) and other perks.


Here is the text from their webpage (located at http://www.regaltheater.org/seatbonds ) which describes the program. The redevelopment also includes the goal of becoming the first theater in the United States with holographic projection technology  in addition to entertainment from everyone's favorite artists in R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop and Rap, as well as theater, dance, film, comedy and more

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Seat Bond Program

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The Avalon Regal Theater offers a unique opportunity for the community to invest in its success through the Seat Bond program.

​

The purpose of this program is to promote self-investment and reduce reliance on government subsidies and other non-market based financing for community development in our neighborhood.

​

The Seat Bond program includes 10 tickets to performances at the Avalon Regal Theater per year, in addition to invitations to exclusive investor events, VIP access to select shows, the ability to buy tickets to hot shows before they go on sell to the general public, and a named seat in the auditorium. The first class of bond holders will be recognized at the 2017 Grand Opening.

​

The most important aspect of a Seat Bond is the fact that it is an investment, which means Seat Bond owners are not just patrons of, but investors in this integral part of the community.

 

Each Seat Bond is a $1,000 investment and includes:

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• 10 tickets to performances per year (does not include private events)

• 8% return on each $1,000 investment

• Return of initial investment after 1 year, with the ability to re-invest

• Embossed name plaque positioned on an auditorium seat

• Framed Seat Bond Certificate and duplicate name plaque

• Annual 1099-INT form for reporting taxable interest income

​

​Individuals or organizations can purchase multiple Seat Bonds. Seats Bonds in the first three rows on the main floor are reserved for VIP members of Singularity and have a $10,000 minimum. 

​

The Avalon Regal will feature entertainment from everyone's favorite artists in R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop and Rap, as well as theater, dance, film, comedy and more. The theater will also be the first in the United States to have holographic technology. This is truly an exciting and historic opportunity for the community.

​

See the video below for a tour and interview with Avalon Regal Theater owner, Jerald Gary.

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Interview: rollingout.com/2017/09/23/avalon-regal-theater-owner-desires-the-communitys-help/​

The Seat Bond program is only accessible through this website. Seat Bonds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You cannot choose specific seats for your name plaque and Seat Bonds do not represent seating assignments for events. Seat Bonds are non-transferable.

 

E-mail info@regaltheater.org for more information.

Petition to restore East 63rd Green Line service to Stony Island #63rdL

Via Chicago-L.org

In April I've written about a future project involving the East 63rd branch of the CTA Green Line which would mean upgrades to the Cottage Grove station the current terminus of this branch. Now a petition which you can find through 63rdL.com. Here's a portion of the argument in favor of restoration that you might read with the petition:

While CTA Buses, Metra Electric trains, and S. Lake Shore Drive carry passengers along the Lakefront, none of the existing infrastructure effectively connects the South Side Lakefront with points west. Without restoring the ‘L’ between Cottage Grove Ave and Stony Island Ave we have no way to carry people through the heart of Woodlawn. Likewise, residents, students, and commuters to Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore who do not live, study, or work near the Lakefront arterial infrastructure have no way of accessing the ‘L’ to travel to and from other parts of Chicagoland. Restoring the E. 63rd Street branch of the Green Line with strategically placed stations not only encourages visitors to Jackson Park to take in the surrounding neighborhoods but also enables our South Side neighbors to move more freely to, from, and within Woodlawn and steps from the University of Chicago in ways they have not been able since the ‘L’ was razed 20 years ago. 

This is one project worthwhile in addition to the plan to extend the CTA Red Line further south from 95th Street. Let's hope that CTA will eventually add for future expansions the possible restoration of the former Jackson Park branch of the Green Line to it's former terminus at Stony Island. Perhaps even a pipe dream send the L over to the Museum of Science & Industry as it once was during the 1893 Columbian Exposition.

You can read more of any proposals surrounding the restoration of CTA Green Line service to Cottage Grover via this tweet below from Curbed Chi.

Online petition calls on the CTA to restore the 63rd Street branch of Green Line https://t.co/kNDfQNioO8 pic.twitter.com/lVmnOAlh7E

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) July 11, 2017

In addition this petion is not only directed towards Mayor Emanuel, also 5th Ward Ald. Leslie Hairston, and 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale who chairs the city council transportation committee. Those three especially in addition to 17 other decision makers.

Tribune: First look inside Theaster Gates' new Stony Island Arts Bank

Stony Island Arts Bank 68th & Stony Island by Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago Tribune

One of the cultural things that I would like to see more of in our communities. How many of us would support such a project and when it's done come visit?

The last time Theaster Gates walked me through the abandoned bank at East 68th Street and South Stony Island Avenue, water dripped from the ceiling, clouds wafted over a hole in the roof, and shards of glass and scraps of plaster crunched under his feet.

The 42-year-old Chicago artist will debut his $4.5 million renovation of the bank — which he has transformed into a library and cultural center — on Oct. 3, the opening day of the city's first architectural biennial.

That the city's cultural elite will be drawn about 9 miles south of the Loop into a building once scheduled for demolition speaks to Gates' lofty position in the contemporary art world.

It also speaks to his commitment to the South Side, even as Manhattan and Europe frequently draw him away, as well as his skill at requisitioning everything from record collections to patrons' money. Playwright Regina Taylor once aptly summed up Gates' demeanor in the Chicago Reader as that of "a soulful Cheshire Cat."

"I was really determined to see this project happen," Gates said in a phone interview from Istanbul, where he was preparing for that city's contemporary art biennial. "For people in my life who respect the work I do and understand the work, everyone around me had anxiety about its scale. And the friendly advice I got from everybody was to walk away."

Read the whole thing!

Tribune: Ex-Country Club Hills police chief arrested on witness tampering charges

Photo of Regal Theater auditorium courtesy of Cinema Treasures

You may be wondering why this is relevant. This chief is the owner of the Regal Theater located near 79th & Stony Island. This case involves her investment in that venue:

A former south suburban police chief is in custody after being charged with witness tampering in a federal fraud case involving a $1.25 million state grant.

Ex-Country Club Hills Chief Regina Evans is accused of coaching a witness to lie to the grand jury about allegedly cashing fake paychecks and returning the money to Evans.

Evans, a former Chicago police lieutenant, and her husband were charged last year with siphoning hundreds of thousands of dollars from the job-training grant to pay friends and relatives and cover the mortgage on the couple's landmark New Regal Theater on Chicago's South Side. The money was supposed to help train dozens of minorities and women for construction jobs.

In the latest charges, authorities say Evans directed a close associate to lie to investigators while downplaying the associate's concerns about getting caught.

Evans' attorney, Lawrence Beaumont, said his client is innocent. "We dispute the allegations, and we plan on litigating the matter vigorously," Beaumont said.

Authorities say they have it on tape. The recordings started last month, soon after the associate told a grand jury about teaching courses for the nonprofit and being paid thousands of dollars, authorities say. The associate was not named in court records.

Some extra info this Regal Theater was renamed during the 1980s in honor of the old Regal Theater located in the Bronzeville neighborhood @ 4710 S. King Dr. has apparently been rechristened to it's old name as the Avalon Theater last fall according to the Cinema Treasures website.

Alderman Hairston,Sawyer, Jackson & Harris- It's Time for a Big Box on the Southeast Side

Now that Alderman Brookins has gotten his wishes for a Walmart that will primarily serve the southwest side and Alderman Beale, Foulkes and Thompson bringing Walmarts to their wards on the far south and far southwest sides, it leaves the southeast side with nothing.

Several years ago there was talk of a Super K-Mart store coming to 77th Stony Island. Several businesses in that area relocated and the land was sold to unnamed developers. Now a sign was erected marketing a 6 acre site that stretches from 77th Stony Island to 78th South Chicago. The site is attractive because it has two major roadways to direct traffic and access to the toll road that could bring in Indiana shoppers. There are several small building adjacent to this site that host relocatable businesses. So we have a site large enough for a big box player to come in. We will have more than enough Walmart's so hopefully the Alderman collectively could reach out to Mejeir or Woodman's who do not have a presence in the city and bring some competition to the market.

The Southeast Alderman need to support this site collectively as it borders on all their wards and could bring much needed jobs to their wards. Also, they are going to have to collectively work together to have the political muscle to convince their fellow city council members and the unions.

Community Alert- Strong Arm Robbery Incidents in 3rd District

Community Alert
Strong Arm Robbery Incidents
3rd District
About These Crimes:
• These incidents occurred between July 11, 2011 and July 27, 2011, from 2:00
P.M. to 2:00 A.M.
• These incidents occurred in the vicinity of 6800 South to 7500 South on Stony
Island (1600 East).
• Offender(s) approach lone victims and use force to gain control of victims'
property.
Offender:
• Offenders were described as male blacks, 15 - 20 years of age, 5'08 - 5'09, 145 -
175 pounds. One offender was described as having dreadlocks.
What You Can Do
• Be aware of this situation and alert neighbors in the area about this crime.
• If possible, don't walk alone and stay in well lit areas.
• If confronted by an offender(s), comply with their demands and allow them to
leave without confrontation. Call 911 and provide a detailed description of the
offender(s) including the vehicle description and license plate information.
• Call 911 to report any suspicious person(s), vehicles(s) or activity in your
neighborhood.
If you have any information about these incidents,
please call the Area 2 Detective Division at (312) 747-8273 8273 or email your tips to
area2tipline@chicagopolice.org
Reference RD # HT-391630, HT-395200, HT-397627, HT-410368, HT-415904, HT-41756

Calumet Heights wants a Whole Foods

Click pic to visit company website

Going so far as to post a petition on the Calumet Heights Community Coalition (CHCC) blog. This quote I grabbed from the petition link:

Isn't it time we had affordable naturally grown foods available in our neighborhood.

A little over a year ago, I blogged about the possibility of bringing Whole Foods to Chatham Market as mentioned at a neighborhood meeting for Wal-Mart in November 2009 by our neighboring Alderman Howard Brookins (21st). I do wish however that CHCC would say more about their drive to bring a Whole Foods to the Stony Island Corridor between 83rd & 95th Street.

Don't know how many have already "signed" this online petition, but I'm sure this organization doesn't have a problem with people from outside their immediate community express support.

BTW, Calumet Heights also contains the neighborhood of Pill Hill.

Footworking in Chatham: Battle Groundz takes dance to a new level

This is from Chicago Public Radio's Vocalo blogs, Achy Obejas' Citylife: Adventures in Urban Living


Footworking in Chatham: Battle Groundz takes dance to a new level

Footworking in Chatham from WBEZ on Vimeo.
It doesn’t really look anything like a typical dance club. For starters, the lights are on, blazing. They serve zero, zip, when it comes to beverages. And it only happens on Sunday nights.

But Battle Groundz, on 87th just east of Stony Island in Chatham, isn’t a very typical place. This is where a good bunch of Chicago’s hardcore footwoorkers -- from the South Side, the West Side, the suburbs, even a few stragglers from the North Side -- come to practice, compete, and hang out.

For the rest of the story, check it out here -> Footworking in Chatham:

Roadside Safety Check in the Grand Crossing (003rd)District at 7424 S. Stony Island

The Chicago Police Department will conduct a Roadside Safety Check in the Grand Crossing (003rd) District at 7424 S. Stony Island. The Roadside Safety Check will commence at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2010 and end at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 25,2010.

During roadside checks, police officers slow down traffic, stop cars at regular intervals and watch for drivers who show signs of alcohol impairment and other violations as noted below.

“The program is designated to apprehend drivers who are operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Superintendent Jody Weis. “It also offers an opportunity to issue citations to drivers who are otherwise a hazard to themselves and others on the public way.”

The Roadside Safety Check conducted in the Harrison
(011th) District on September 17-18, 2010 resulted in the following:

Driving Under the Influence 11
Open Liquor 5
Insurance Violations 12
Seat Belt Violations 1
Drivers License Violations 18
Traffic Violations (Other) 7
Total Citations 54

Vehicles Towed 14

For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/3547935/?sub_id=19810.

Its Time for Chatham to demand the stores that they want!

Now that Pullman will get their Walmart and pay higher prices than Evergreen Park and Englewood now putting their bid in for 63rd Halsted. Do we really need a Walmart at 83rd and Holland?

Several years ago developers started acquiring land at 77th-79th Stony Island east to South Chicago for a rumored Super K-Mart. Should we now ask Alderman Lyle and Alderman Harris to open talks to Meijer's, Costco or Woodman's, etc?

Lee Bey's Chicago: Requiem for a ‘Soul Queen’

Photo by in2jazz on Flickr

Lee Bey has a series of pictures and commentary about the now closed Soul Queen Restaurant @ 9031 S. Stony Island. The restaurant has been closed since the death of owner and operator Helen Anglin last summer. Read on about Anglin's restaurant, the building that it occupied, and why the restaurant will likely not re-open in the near future.

Tidbits from Stony Island

I know outside of our scope here, but then it happens often on this blog.

I went to Soul Queen today and found that they were open. The restaurant has largely been closed since last summer and was closed thru the Christmas holidays. If anyone knows when they re-opened and under what circumstances that would be appreciated. Last summer they were closed due to city inspections.

Also just up the street and on the west side of Stony Island is the Wyatt Community Center. This center was started by the founders of the Vernon Park Church of God. Well this place is of note because there is a sign on the fence where it is for sale. I don't believe it myself although to be honest I've never utilized this center.

Well once upon a time, earlier in this decade, I attended a training session there for election judges. Probably one of many sites around the city where this was done during that period and it was during the lead-up to a gubernatorial election and that was my only stint as an election judge.

Anyway I just thought the items about Soul Queen and the probable sale of the Wyatt Community Center should be of note this evening.