About the survey: The objective of the survey was to gather feedback from stakeholders in the South Loop, including community residents, families who live within the proposed expanded boundary for South Loop Elementary School, and families who attend South Loop Elementary or National Teachers Academy. The survey is similar in structure and scope to a survey used by the Coalition… Read more →
Category: News
November Neighbor’s Night Out Summary: Parking Pains and Exciting New Additions to Motor Row
The Greater South Loop Association hosted over 50 area neighbors at Motor Row Brewing on November 8th, 2017 for the November Neighbor’s Night Out. Leaders from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) attended to share updates, mostly related to the opening of the Wintrust Arena, which has now begun its official event schedule. The hot topic from attendees was… Read more →
October Neighbor’s Night Out Summary: Looking Toward the Future
At the October GSLA Neighbors’ Night Out, about 35 people joined in conversation about metro Chicago regional planning issues. The event was held at Bulldog Ale House, 901 South State Street. Two urban planners from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning—the official regional planning organization for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendal, Lake, McHenry, and Will—joined the… Read more →
Confessions of a Condo Board member…
(The names have been changed to protect the innocent) “I ended up on my building’s board kind of by accident… I’ve never served on something like this before and am not sure exactly what I’m supposed to do.” – Lucy, new board member “Our management company just gave us notice that they will not be renewing their contract with us…… Read more →
GSLA Board of Directors 2017-18
The board of directors of the Greater South Loop Association received nominating petitions for the board of directors and held its annual election on Saturday, October 7, 2017. From Cristina Hall, incoming President: As the incoming President of the Greater South Loop Association, I’d like to offer a HUGE thank you to Deb Soehlig, our outgoing President for her years… Read more →
Sign up now for August 23rd Beach Clean Up!
If you and your South Loop neighbors and friends want to get back outdoors before the summer comes to an end, join in the 12 th Street Beach clean-up event on Wednesday, August 23! Join us for a Great Lakes Action Day with Aurelio’s Pizza to help clean up and care for the natural areas at 12th Street Beach. Just… Read more →
Education Update: Results of GSLA’s Community Surveys on the Near South High School Plan
This post summarizes the key findings of two GSLA surveys which followed the first and third community meetings held by CPS to gather feedback on a proposal to expand the South Loop Elementary School’s boundary southward to 22nd Street and close the National Teacher’s Academy elementary school (NTA) to repurpose it to serve as a 1,000 student high school which… Read more →
Neighbors’ Night Out summary – July 2017, Riverline South Loop development
Approximately 65 neighbors attended the GSLA’s July Neighbors’ Night Out to meet representatives from the Riverline development team, CMK and Perkins + Will, and to get a close-up look at the current construction progress. The event was held at Sociale (800 S Clark St). The development team brought printed materials for attendees to review that included the history of the… Read more →
Who’s Bud Billiken, anyway?
August is nearly upon us, and that means the Bud Billiken Parade is right around the corner. Have you heard of this annual event and wondered what it celebrates? Our friends at the Chicago Defender Charities made us aware of their annual gala, A Night in Bronzeville, which is coming up this Thursday, August 3. The event raises funds for… Read more →
Education Update: Summary of community meetings #2 and #3 to discuss a high school proposal for the South Loop, Chinatown, Bridgeport, Armor Square, and north Bronzeville
Parents and community members packed the gymnasium at the South Loop Elementary School’s main building (1212 S. Plymouth) on Tuesday, June 21 and the cafeteria and gymnasium at National Teachers Academy on Monday, July 10 to hear more information and provide feedback on the recently released proposal to repurpose NTA into a high school serving the Near South neighborhoods of… Read more →