Public Safety…Kids’ Halloween Activities…Membership Drive…Area Greening
(Montrose to Wilson, Malden to Broadway)
GWNA Newsletter—October 1, 2014
PUBLIC SAFTY
Another Murder on Magnolia shakes our community
At approximately 10:45 AM on Monday, September 15, gunfire shattered our neighborhood.
Neighbors reported a black male had been shot on Magnolia & Sunnyside. The ambulance and police arrived quickly—both stayed at the scene for some time as neighbors gathered to witness yet another homicide on Magnolia.
The victim, Christopher McGhee, was pronounced dead later that morning. McGhee previously resided in the CHA property at 4454 N Magnolia, but his family had not lived there for sometime. An investigation is underway, hopefully the police security camera on the corner captured footage.
Graceland Wilson Neighbors has been actively involved in improving our community through a number of public safety initiatives. Once we have more information, we will update the community.
We’ve made good progress with the removal of many notoriously active gang members who often brazenly tore apart our neighborhood with their gang-gun wars on our streets. However, we have a long way to go and believe that the more neighbors who get on-board and get involved, the sooner peace and public safety will be restored.
5 Things You Can Do for Public Safety
1. Call 911 when you see a crime being committed—leave your name, provide details, videos and photos welcome. It is important that you identify yourself so the police know who to contact for further information.
2. Create 911 call trees with your neighbors—the more calls, the better!
3. If you observe properties and/or public spaces that are hot spots for criminal activity—note time, addresses, details and send emails to: info@james46.org AND gwna13@gmail.com.
4. Join your block club—Graceland Wilson Neighbors Association boundaries are Broadway to Malden, Montrose to Wilson. Membership drive coming this month
5. Talk with your neighbors, encourage them to get involved—sign up for GWNA newsletter today gwna13@gmail.com
EVENTS & MEETINGS
- GWNA Membership and Social—Wednesday, October 15—6:30 until 8:30. Come meet your neighbors over cocktails and conversation. Location—TBA
- Kid’s Halloween Party—Saturday morning, October 25, Pumpkin decorating, costumes on kids and dogs welcome—details coming soon.
PUBLIC PROJECTS—ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Wilson L Station Reconstruction Project—Community meeting Recap, another meeting in the works
The CTA and Alderman Cappleman hosted a full house at Truman College in early September to roll out the delayed Wilson L Reconstruction project. The presentation focused on the project time-line and activities set to begin later this year until completion in 2017. The $207 million project will bring a main station entrance to the south side of Wilson and another sub-station on Sunnyside just west of Target and Aldi’s.
You can read more on the time-line, project scope and see the renderings at: http://www.transitchicago.com/wilson/
The CTA’s current plan for the open public space which sits between Aldi & Target and the behemoth Truman parking garage did nothing to improve the urban design or pedestrian access to the station or surrounding stores. Residents at prior meetings asked for a welcoming, open public plaza with wide, landscaped walkways and comfortable seating that activates the space.
After the rather dry presentation—the room opened up for questions. Many folks came to the mike with questions and suggestions on creating public plaza that offers pedestrians, bikers and commuters a wonderful public plaza that connects this transportation hub with the community.
The alderman was fully supportive of generating a public plaza design with strong community input.
We’ll be hosting another community meeting where we can explore and share our ideas…
Stay tuned for the Wilson L Public Plaza Community Meeting.
PUBLIC SPACES & PLACES
Sunnyside Mall – Creating a Green Space
The Sunnyside Mall was abuzz with gardeners early Saturday, September 27, digging, planting and watering three garden plots.
Sitting at the mall center of Malden & Sunnyside, neighbors from the surrounding block clubs transformed three garden plots – thanks to block club money donations and neighboring home gardens. You can check out the transformation below.
Best yet, we sure can use more volunteers when we continue our planting and work in the future. Get on board by emailing us at sunnysidemall@yahoo.com
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Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association 