Chuck Leiser
Chuck Leiser's projects
Recent Activity
Commented on North and LaSalle
1 month ago
Institutional/Civic
Supported a comment by Tim Carew on
North and LaSalle
1 month ago
Tim Carew
The BP site is a very prominent entrance to the Old Town neighborhood. Since it adjoins the Moody Church, any redevelopment should be architecturally distinguished. It should be compatible with current zoning and preserve the scale and height levels prevalent in our neighborhood. The design should incorporate the magnificent current roof line. A versatile space perhaps modeled after the Rothko Chapel could be used as a place for mediation, prayer, concerts and ceremonies, smaller scale gatherings, special art exhibits, and memorials and other honors and recognitions such as the awarding of the Pritzker Prize. It can greatly benefit our neighborhood.
The BP site is a very prominent entrance to the Old Town neighborhood. Since it adjoins the Moody Church, any redevelopment should be architecturally distinguished. It should be compatible with current zoning and preserve the scale and height levels prevalent in our neighborhood. The design should incorporate the magnificent current roof line. A versatile space perhaps modeled after the Rothko Chapel could be used as a place for mediation, prayer, concerts and ceremonies, smaller scale gatherings, special art exhibits, and memorials and other honors and recognitions such as the awarding of the Pritzker Prize. It can greatly benefit our neighborhood.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
John, if my mind serves me right. Treasure Island was family owned and they closed all their locations. I don't think it was because Old Town was not supporting that store. Fern Hill please correct me if I am wrong and if possible add some invite to this question.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
The density in this neighbor is high enough. the last thing we need in Old Town is more High-rises, Old town is not the Gold Coast, its Old town, lets try and keep the beautiful historic neighborhood we all moved here for. You can better what we have and people will come and create a better economy for the neighborhood.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
It vacant, it needs cosmetic work done.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
First off I do not think this is a fair question. Everyone knows this building is vacant and has no positive community benefit in its current state. The use of the existing building has potential. This area does need a grocery store on the north end of Old Town. this property could probably support a Hardware store. I had to drive and pay for parking just to have a $2 house key made when if there was one in this area I could have walked. You really need to provide more information on this building such as size and layout so better educated suggestions can be made.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Mixed Use
Supported a comment by Paul F on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Paul F
As others have noted, the ground space is presently empty (no benefits) and there is a parking garage. Given that the area's grocery stores are concentrated around the south end of Old Town, keeping this space retail grocery would be a plus. If not a chain grocery store, perhaps divide the space up sort of bazaar-style with several specialty food retailers under one roof?
As others have noted, the ground space is presently empty (no benefits) and there is a parking garage. Given that the area's grocery stores are concentrated around the south end of Old Town, keeping this space retail grocery would be a plus. If not a chain grocery store, perhaps divide the space up sort of bazaar-style with several specialty food retailers under one roof?
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
I could not agree more with Cassandra. if Treasurer Island could be divided up into a few different restaurants similar to what they had in the Water Tower building with the anchor being a grocery store. So many people in this area would like to run out get a quick bite to eat or sit and have a cup of coffee. sure there are places like Fox trot and Starbucks for coffee but you can't really eat a meal there. Take a look at Beatrix Market.
Supported a comment by Cassandra H on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Cassandra H
Bookstore; food hall with places to sit/work; local restaurants; florist; encourage more independent shops
Bookstore; food hall with places to sit/work; local restaurants; florist; encourage more independent shops
Supported a comment by Ramon Torres on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Ramon Torres
A grocery store
A grocery store
Supported a comment by Kelly J on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Kelly J
We definitely need a grocery store. Restaurant/bars that cater to the age demographic of the people who actually live in Old Town. The concept for the majority of the neighborhood's bars and restaurants is the same--they serve bar food, turn into packed "night clubs" with lines down the street, and primarily cater to young kids who get sloppy drunk, litter the streets and start fights. It's like a giant frat party every weekend. We could use at least a couple restaurants and bars that serve a more mature clientele (like folks in their late 30s/40's/50s) with good food and a more sophisticated atmosphere. The neighborhood has become unsafe and annoying on weekend nights. My friends and I don't hang out here on weekends, we go to the West Loop or Gold Coast. It would be fantastic to feel comfortable going out in our own neighborhood on weekends.
We definitely need a grocery store. Restaurant/bars that cater to the age demographic of the people who actually live in Old Town. The concept for the majority of the neighborhood's bars and restaurants is the same--they serve bar food, turn into packed "night clubs" with lines down the street, and primarily cater to young kids who get sloppy drunk, litter the streets and start fights. It's like a giant frat party every weekend. We could use at least a couple restaurants and bars that serve a more mature clientele (like folks in their late 30s/40's/50s) with good food and a more sophisticated atmosphere. The neighborhood has become unsafe and annoying on weekend nights. My friends and I don't hang out here on weekends, we go to the West Loop or Gold Coast. It would be fantastic to feel comfortable going out in our own neighborhood on weekends.
Supported a comment by Nasrin NM on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Nasrin NM
A grocery store like Trader Joe's or Aldi would be greatly appreciated in this area.
A grocery store like Trader Joe's or Aldi would be greatly appreciated in this area.
Supported a comment by Lana W on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Lana W
The rise of condos and residents in this area continue. The Plums, the FoxTrots are wonderful additions to the neighborhood, but don't serve the general population who cannot afford or prefer not to shop at specialty or higher-end grocery outlets. We don't need a discount store, but another Treasure Island type. Easily accessible, average prices, diverse choices. I think a Trader Joe's would be great even though it is a bit of a specialty store. I Aldi's and Jewel serve the community, but for many residents in Old Town who do not have a car, they are inconvenient for doing a weekly shopping. Would like to have a better understanding of why there is such resistance to replacing TI with another grocery store.
The rise of condos and residents in this area continue. The Plums, the FoxTrots are wonderful additions to the neighborhood, but don't serve the general population who cannot afford or prefer not to shop at specialty or higher-end grocery outlets. We don't need a discount store, but another Treasure Island type. Easily accessible, average prices, diverse choices. I think a Trader Joe's would be great even though it is a bit of a specialty store. I Aldi's and Jewel serve the community, but for many residents in Old Town who do not have a car, they are inconvenient for doing a weekly shopping. Would like to have a better understanding of why there is such resistance to replacing TI with another grocery store.
Supported a comment by Robert E Brown on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Robert E Brown
The Moody church is such a beautiful building. It would be nice for a new building to compliment this one or even be situated in a way not to completely block this building.
The Moody church is such a beautiful building. It would be nice for a new building to compliment this one or even be situated in a way not to completely block this building.
Supported a comment by Sandra Rollheiser on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Sandra Rollheiser
Please keep the current zoning allowing for no more than a 5 story building which hopefully would blend in with the existing Moody Church.
Please keep the current zoning allowing for no more than a 5 story building which hopefully would blend in with the existing Moody Church.
Supported a comment by Georganna Yessaian on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Georganna Yessaian
Old Town is such a desirable and sweet place to live. It stands out from other neighborhoods in Chicago being so quaint and charming. The last thing I would want to see is have Old Town turn into something similar to River North with high rises and congestion. I know this has been expressed but a grocery store would be such a great addition to the neighborhood. Something like Dom's. Just no high rises please.
Old Town is such a desirable and sweet place to live. It stands out from other neighborhoods in Chicago being so quaint and charming. The last thing I would want to see is have Old Town turn into something similar to River North with high rises and congestion. I know this has been expressed but a grocery store would be such a great addition to the neighborhood. Something like Dom's. Just no high rises please.
Supported a comment by Ellen Schuerger on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Ellen Schuerger
I would love to see a fenced in dog park here or in the empty parking lot across the street. We have so many dogs in old town and no public dog parks or fenced in parks that allow dogs!
I would love to see a fenced in dog park here or in the empty parking lot across the street. We have so many dogs in old town and no public dog parks or fenced in parks that allow dogs!
Supported a comment by Jen I on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Jen I
Another library branch might be a good addition since schools are close by. Also the nearest library branches are pretty far away. A small library with a community garden could be useful.
Another library branch might be a good addition since schools are close by. Also the nearest library branches are pretty far away. A small library with a community garden could be useful.
Followed North and LaSalle
3 months, 3 weeks ago