Coming soon BlockClubChi

Thanks to Robert Feder and his tweet we learn about a new operation being created by former editors of DNAInfo Chicago. Last fall the news outlet which also owned Chicagoist was abruptly shut down after the DNAInfo affiliate in New York decided to unionize. DNA Info is owned by Joe Ricketts whose son Tom Ricketts owns the Chicago Cubs.

BREAKING: Former @DNAinfoCHI editors @stoomey @jensabella @slulay2 reunite to launch @BlockClubCHI neighborhood news site: https://t.co/OhfPd0mhy2 pic.twitter.com/SXIk1lXKGK

— Robert Feder (@RobertFeder) February 6, 2018

All the same through the @BlockClubChi on Twitter we learn of a kickstarter campaign. So while the venture is about to start they're looking for funds to get operations going. According to Feder this is expected to be subscription based service.

Five full-time reporters/producers — Kelly Bauer, Mauricio Pena, Alisa Hauser, Mina Bloom and Lee Edwards — will comprise the initial news staff along with a team of freelance contributors. Bauer, Pena, Hauser and Bloom previously worked at DNAinfo.

While the approach to covering Chicago neighborhoods will be similar to that of DNAinfo, Block Club Chicago will rely on a subscription-based model for funding. Readers will be asked to subscribe once they reach a certain number of stories each month. Prices have not been set, but they’re likely to be around $4.99 a month.

In addition to a Kickstarter campaign, major support will come from Civil, a new decentralized, blockchain-based platform that’s helping start up hyperlocal newsrooms across the country. Civil was launched last year with $5 million from ConsenSys, the world’s premier venture crypto studio.

Sabella briefly worked as managing editor of The Takeout, a food site from The Onion and The A.V. Club, before rejoining Toomey and Lulay to create Block Club Chicago.

Here's hoping that when this venture is up and running BlockClubChi will soon be covering the many stories that occur in our communities as DNAInfo had. I'm glad to see there will be some efforts towards that.

CapFax: Fixing a city that still doesn’t work well

So Rich Miller of the Capitol Fax blog shares with us an op-ed from Crain's regarding small businesses. What does the city have to do help small business start and grow in the city? The second paragraph sums up some of my feelings regarding why we need small businesses in minority communities:

Small businesses can bring a steady stream of opportunities into Chicago's neighborhoods, infusing them with new flavors and innovative ideas, while making city streets safer and local jobs more plentiful. But Chicago's notoriously complicated regulations create bottlenecks, reducing that stream to a trickle.

I suggest you read the whole thing.

BTW, another wrinkle is to ensure that we have a healthy number of small business owners who are from minority communities. Furthermore the comments on this issue at the Capitol Fax are pretty good as well.

DNA Info: Jim's Original, 24-Hour Restaurant Near 95th Red Line, To Close Monday

16 E. 95th St.

DNA Info has more of the impending closing of the Jim's Original hot dog stand located near the 95th Street CTA terminal. Reflected are the many quotes of disappointment by many of the customers of this hot dog stand where they could get a quick bite when then get off of the CTA bus or Red Line.

There appears to be some compensation for the closing. CTA is finalizing some relocation fees with Jim's so perhaps it's possible that in the future we can have a Jim's Original stand in the area in the future. However for now there are other places on the South Side to get your fix for a Maxwell Street polish sausage. Or you can always go to the stand @ 1250 S. Union Ave. near UIC.

ALSO, I noticed in some of the comments at DNA Info that the building where Jim's currently resides has been around longer than 24 years. The building has housed a number of businesses there over the years although I'm unsure of how long it has been at this spot.

DNA Info: Company Wants To Turn Capone's Old Home into 'Crash Pad'

7244 S. Prairie Ave

You may have seen this on our FB page last week. A real estate company is interested in buying Prohibition-era Chicago gangster Al Capone's old Park Manor - at 7244 S. Prairie Ave - house for the purposes of a "crash pad" for those who work in the mortgage lending business. This company still has to raise the funds to make the purchase however.

So now we have some interest for this historic home which has been on sale for more than 5 years now. One can only wonder who else may be interested in this property.

REMINDER: Two events for Saturday

To start Greater Chatham Alliance July meeting with 6th District Commander Fred Waller on Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM at St. Mark United Methodist Church @ 8414 S. St. Lawrence. GCA wants the community to come to the meeting to provide important intelligence to the Commander and show that the community cares about making their part of the city safe. I will refer to this early post I did for this event, and hopefully you would attend to share your concerns with Commander Waller.

Also, the West Chesterfield Community Association Block Part will also be on Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM @ 9351 S. Michigan Ave. These two events almost overlap but you can always attend this event before you meet with Commander Waller or afterwards. You can also take a look at this earlier post for this event.

Here's hoping Saturday is a very productive, safe, and enjoyable day!