Here come the 'ruppies' as South Loop
growth
continues
By Marie Balice Ward
Good news about
South Loop progress abounded at several recent community meetings and social
events.
Substantial new development and renovation are taking place in the area from
Jackson Boulevard to Cermak Road and from Lake Michigan to the Chicago
River, explained Dennis McClendon, design director at Chicago CartoGraphics
and an officer with the South Loop Neighbors group, which held a community
meeting recently. He noted more than 3,270 units are under construction
within these boundaries and that another 4,226 units have been announced,
although some have not been approved yet.
Among the housing being brought into the South Loop are “weekend home”
luxury units, moderately priced condominiums, lofts, rentals, renovations,
and multi-bedroom dwellings for all socio-economic groups. In fact, several
developments have blended price ranges within a single structure or complex
to ensure diversity.
One demographic that is 50,000 strong and growing in the South Loop is
students attending area colleges and universities. The University Center
dormitory at State Street and Congress Boulevard will be joined by a new
student rental development on Clark Street just north of the Target store,
said 2nd Ward Alderman Madeline Haithcock. It should be completed by the end
of 2008.
Haithcock noted the ward ranks second among Chicago’s 50 wards for
infrastructure and quality of life improvements, and "more improvements are
on the way.”
Haithcock gave a few examples such as new lighting in Printers Row, a larger
and improved park in Printers Row on Dearborn Street, and school upgrades.
In addition, Calumet Avenue and Eighth Street will see new lighting.
Donations of about $5,000 from the Blackstone Hotel public benefit have been
given to various charity organizations, she said.
Haithcock also explained McCormick Place expansion should generate more jobs
for area residents, announced work is moving along for the new home of the
Pacific Garden Mission, and said Jones College Prep soon will have the old
Pacific Garden land for its expansion.
Here come the 'ruppies'
Kyle Ezell, a certified urban planner and founder of Get Urban America Ltd.,
was invited by the Chicago Loop Alliance to share his expertise at a meeting
on why and how to attract retirees live in downtown areas. He has named this
demographic group “ruppies” for “retired urban people.”
He was introduced by Ty Tabin, executive director of the Chicago Loop
Alliance, an organization formed through merger of the Greater South State
Street Council and the Central Michigan Avenue Association. The alliance
promotes the Loop as a dynamic, mixed-use district of theater, retail, new
housing, the largest college population in Illinois, and some of the world’s
most recognizable architecture and renowned cultural institutions.
Ezell served as a public sector city planner for 12 years before forming his
own firm, which aims “to teach Americans how to live in cities.” Ezell told
the audience, “Chicago has high urban values.” For people to live in
downtown districts, they need to be taught urban values, he believes.
“Ruppies want luxury and need to downsize as many are now empty-nesters.
This national trend will continue for ten or 15 years,” he stated.
The downtown and areas surrounding it are easily accessible by buses, rapid
transit, and cabs, unlike most suburbs. Another advantage for retirees is
the mix of a great student population as well as young families living in
various communities within the downtown district, so that “age disappears in
downtown areas.” For more information about ruppies, visit
www.geturban.com. For more
information about the Chicago Loop Alliance, visit:
www.chicagoloopalliance.com.
South Loop block party
Tumblers, dancers, music, and campaigning were on tap as about 400 people
converged at the playground/park area adjacent to the South Loop School on
south Plymouth Court for the fourth annual South Loop Block Party on Sept.
9. Sponsors were the Dearborn Park Advisory Council (DPAC), Ald. Haithcock,
and Illinois State Representative Ken Dunkin (D-5th).
“This is an excellent opportunity for the community to come out and get
together," said Enrique Perez, DPAC vice president. "Residents of Dearborn
Park I and II, Printers Row, and other South Loop areas enjoy this event
every year that it has been held.”
Working one of the grills was DPAC President Mike Hernandez, who had an
ideal vantage point to view the festivities. “It’s great," he said. "We have
had a beautiful day and everyone here seems to be having a lot of fun.”
In addition to the fun and hot dogs and hamburgers, Larry M. Doody and Bob
Fioretti, two candidates vying with Haithcock for the 2nd Ward Aldermanic
seat, were on hand to meet and greet South Loop residents.
K9 Karnivale
Despite the rain on Sept 10, the K9 Karnivale at the Grant Bark Park between
Balbo Drive, 11th Street, Michigan Avenue, and Columbus Drive went on and
was well attended by residents of Dearborn Park I and II, Printers Row, and
the Prairie Street communities¾some even without their pups. The event also
was a fundraiser for Grant Bark Park maintenance.
Brooke Portmann of Printers Row, attending with dog Tajwar, said it was a
“great event even on such a rainy day. It’s fantastic.”
Several vendors treated dogs and their owners to samples, and canine
activities included a costume contest and a most obedient/best trick
competition. Joan Pomaranc of Dearborn Park said of her dog, “Esther is not
doing well in the competitions but she’s having fun.” Stephanie Sauve, who
lives on Prairie Avenue, entered her pup Sasha in many events and won
several.
“This is great fun for dogs and their owners,” concluded Tom Hartmann, a
Dearborn Park II resident, who attended the event without his pup, Toby.
