GWNA E-News – December 23, 2015
GWNA e-Newsletter, December 2015
Economic Development—Transforming Dead Streets into Vibrant Places
Seems like every day there’s word of another new development coming to Uptown. While development is good, a thoughtful urban planning design to transform dead streets into vibrant places is equally essential.
The Flats new high-rise on Sheridan and Wilson, Stewart School morphing into residential units and ground floor restaurant and retail + a public plaza on the western side by Broadway. Loft condos coming to the 4758 N Broadway property, at the corner of Lawrence. And the list goes on.
The two giant projects looming over all these developments are the recently Zoning & Development committee-approved Maryville/Clarendon project; and the gateway for bridging all these projects into a bustling, thriving, welcoming neighborhood, the community-initiated Wilson L Public Plaza Plan as part of the Wilson L Project to 
become the heart of a true TOD—Transportation Oriented Design. The Queens transit station is one example for the Wilson L Public Plaza. Simply put, TOD design recognizes vibrant and welcoming public spaces and short safe pedestrian streets are as fundamental to successful community design as the buildings they surround.
Uptown continues to lack a thriving, bustling retail corridor like Andersonville’s Clark Street, or Lakeview’s Southport. As one neighbor quietly lamented, “After living here ten years, we keep hoping maybe next year, that will happen in Uptown.”
Public Safety, Criminal Housing and Newest Hot Spot
While we are very proud of the immense community efforts and successes we’ve had to clean out the criminal housing units in our neighborhood; there’s still more to do on our public safety list.
CHA 4425 N Malden, Unit F, home of the Sims brothers gang leaders, no eviction has taken place. Recent reports are the brothers are still conducting a thriving drug business from their unit. Snack 4 Less Convenience Store on Wilson across from Truman, has become the new gang Hot Spot and drug sales place. We’re wondering if the building owner is aware of his tenants’ full line of services and products.
It is our hope in 2016 there will be full safe housing initiative undertaken with CHA and Voice of the People who unfortunately have work to do on meeting the primary goal of government subsidized housing—to provide safe housing for their tenants and the surrounding community.
CAPS has changed, meeting dates and formats are different. More to come.
Peace on earth, the Importance and Meaning of Community…
Uptown’s theme song could be, Change is Gonna Come, and it is slowly happening.
Change happens when people come together and envision what they want, as a community, for their family, for their lives.
We’ve accomplished so much…the Sunnyside L substation, the gradual gang housing clean-up, work on making the Sunnyside Mall part of the Sunnyside west promenade to the Wilson L Station, Uptown Moms, etc.
We have big dreams and ideas, our block club—together with all Uptown block clubs and others, can’t do it without you!
We hope to expand our efforts in 2016 and bring more neighbors together as part of Uptown’s transformation.
And always remember…
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Please forward this newsletter to your neighbors, ask them to sign up for our newsletter. New members welcome, the more members the stronger we grow.
Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association 