UVA COMMUNITY NEWS

Harris Brothers LLC Rental Properties Recognized for Commitment to Community

 July 1, 2009 -- At the May 26th UVA Board of Directors meeting, UVA presented David and Ronald Harris of Harris Brothers LLC with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their tremendous effort and commitment to the revitalization and enhancement of the University Village / Little Italy neighborhood.

Harris Brothers LLC has specialized in rental properties for more than 15 years on Chicago's Near West Side.  The Harris family's history in real estate on the Near West Side dates all the way back to 1893 when family members began constructing properties on the Near West Side.  Harris Brothers LLC owns more than 15 properties in the nieghborhood including one of these family-built properties at 725 S. Loomis St.

David and Ronald have prided themselves in putting great efforts into the rehabbing of their properties.  They have incorporated many Green initiatives in their rehab work including plaster recycling, non-VOC paints, high efficiency HVAC, energy star appliances which has allowed them to exceed the Silver LEEDS standard.  They are currently rehabbing their property at 910 S. Loomis St. applying the same Green program.

David Harris has served on the UVA Board of Directors for the past five years as well as the last three years as UVA Board Treasurer.  To learn more about Harris Brothers LLC Rental Properties please visit www.harrisapts.com or call 312-226-9750.

David Harris (L) and Ronald Harris (R) of Harris Brothers LLC

outside their office at 914 S. Loomis Street. 

Chicago Tribune Features Chicago's Little Italy

The Chicago Tribune Newspaper recently featured Chicago's Little Italy in it's Real Estate Section. Click on the ChicagoTribune.com link below to read about one of Chicago's most notably neighborhoods...

 UVA Now Accepting Vendor Applicants & Sponsors for 2009 Taylor Street Festa Italiana

July 1, 2009 -- UVA and Onesti Entertainment are partnering again this year to host the 2009 Taylor Street Festa Italiana on August 7th, 8th & 9th. After the great success of 2008, UVA has now opened up the Vendors & Sponsors Application Process to better serve our local businesses.  Drawing over 20,000 guests in 2008, the Taylor Street Festa is a great opportunity to promote and market your business and your products so get in now before it's too late. There is a limited amount of vendor space available. 

For all festival inquiries, please contact the UVA office at: 312-243-3773.

 Official Taylor Street Festa Italiana Products Now Available Online!

Please visit:  www.myitaliastore.com/taylorstreet.html

Scenes from the 2008 Festa...

August 8th, 9th & 10th

2008 Festival Committee (L to R): Josh Fessett, Beviamo Wine Bar; Paula D'Angelo, UVA;

Michael Kelly, Related Midwest - Roosevelt Square; David Harris, Harris Brothers LLC & UVA; Joan Kistner, UVA;

Chris Provenzano, UVA; Beth O'Mara, Starbucks Coffee & UVA; Ed Claussen, Hawkeye's Bar & Grill.

Not Pictured: Oscar D'Angelo, UVA; Dan Hickey, Hawkeye's Bar & Grill; Don Oder, UVA; Sam Scott, ABC Bank & UVA.

   THE UIC FORUM OPENS IN 2008

 The Forum is the newest university event venue located on the corner of Roosevelt Road and Halsted Street.  More than 22,000 square feet makes the Forum the ideal spcae for a variety of events. The Forum can host events with capacities from 60 to 3,000. Such as conventions, meetings, trade shows, concerts, lectures, seminars, commencements and much more.  For additional information, please contact: 

Dawn Collins at: 312-413-9875; or e-mail: uicforum@uic.edu.  Please visit: www.uicforum.uic.edu

$75M APPROVED FOR "RUSH TRANSFORMATION"

January 8, 2008 -- Rush University Medical Center received approval from the Chicago Community Development Council (CDC) for an amendment to extend the boundaries of the Central West TIF to include Rush and provide the hospital with $75 million in funds for redevelopment.

UVA Executive Director Chris Provenzano testified before the CDC and said, the UVA supports the TIF amendment because Rush is an important econmic engine, not just for the neighborhood, but the city. "It's time to move forward." 

Rush University Medical Center has begun work on its $900 Million Transformation Program starting with the five story Orthopedic Ambulatory Building to be located on the southwest corner of Ashland and Harrison. To learn more about this building, click on the rendering below: 

New Hospital Building

Below, are exterior renderings of the state of the art butterfly-shaped hospital building to be located along Ashland Ave. between Congress Pkwy and Harrison St. For more info, click on the renderings below:

What We Do

UVA is a community based organization of residents, businesses and institutions dedicated to enhancing our community's quality of life.

UVA provides leadership in economic development and crime prevention activities, working toward making our community one of the fastest growing and safest in Chicago.

UVA serves as a delegate agency of the City. We focus on making city services and resources readily available to businesses and residents and we act on hundreds of service requests from constituents every year from business services, graffiti removal, improved lighting and signage, garbage pick-up, etc. 

UVA works to promote and market the businesses and institutions within our community through a variety of efforts including newspaper and magazine coverage, community guide and directory publications, public events, Chicago Neighborhood Tours, etc.

UVA is actively involved in the thoughtful planning for the growth of our community through the creation of the "Taylor Street Design Guidelines" which promotes quality building and construction materials with a vintage flavor along with the enhancement of a pedestrian-friendly Taylor Street.

UVA invites you to become a member and join us in the effort to make our Near West Side community an even more beautiful and vibrant one.

Click on photo to join UVA...

Columbus Statue at Arrigo Park