gate watercolor
Old Town Merchants & Residents Association 4/29/09
plaquedinotto bannercarbon footprint
Is it May yet?
DEAR OLD TOWN NEIGHBOR, 
There's been days of rain; there's also been some optimistically sunny and warm days -- signs of what is to come.  The bulbs on the street are all up and the longer days remind us of the beauty and bustle of Old Town in the Spring and Summer.  Here's to the good times just around the corner!

GREEN FORUM IN OLD TOWN

Being green is all the rage -- it's a useful fad.  Businesses and residents alike stand to save money by living sustainably.  The effects of green business practices can be tracked through decreased operational costs and increased profits.  Let's face it, if you can advertise your business as environmentally friendly, it'll go a long way.
 
In the spirit of the recent Earth Day, and with sustainable energy at the forefront of national intiatives, OTMRA is hosting a Forum tomorrow, April 30th, at the Near North Branch of the Chicago Public Library.  The forum is open to all member residents and businesses and will run from 9:15am to 10:30am. 
 
In attendance will be representatives from the City of Chicago's Department of the Environment, Chicago Green Office Company, Chicago Green Restaurant Co-op, Local First Chicago, and the LEED Council. 
 
If you would like to attend, please give the office a call and let us know.  312-951-6106.  You can also email the office at otmra@oldtownchicago.org.  See you tomorrow at the Green Forum! 
Upcoming Events In Old Town

**Green Forum at the Near North Branch of the Chicago Public Library 310 W. Division
April 30th 9:15am - 10:30am
Near North Branch of the Chicago Public Library
Residents and Merchants all welcome - come hear about the ways to green up your  business and home.  Learn how to conserve energy AND money!
No cost - register with the office at 312-951-6106
**Street Intelligence and Self Defense Demonstration at the 18th District Near North Station 1160 N. Larrabee -- ample parking!
April 30th, 6:30pm-7:30pm
In the Community Room 
**OTMRA Board of Directors Meeting, location TBA
May 20th 6pm
**CAPS Meeting at She-Nannigan's HOB 16 W. Division
Thursday, May 7th, 3pm
Meeting of the Hospitality Sub-Commitee
**CAPS Meeting at the Near North Branch of the Chicago Public Library 310 W. Division
Tuesday, May 5th, 6:30pm
1821 Beat Meeting
 **Wells Street Art Fest 
Saturday June 13th and Sunday June 12th 
Wells St. from North Avenue to Division
Historical Markers Stolen
Old Town Merchants and Residents is working quickly to replace the stolen plaques from the 14 historical markers on Wells Street.  The theft was noticed over the weekend of April 10th.  The markers, part of the Streetscape project in 2000-2001, were orignally financed through state and city funding.  Responsibility for upkeep rests with the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.
 
Local festivals now provide the funding necessary to landscape around all the historical markers and put up holiday decorations among other things.  It is this same source of funding that allows OTMRA to react quickly to keep our neighborhood an attractive and successful place to live, work, and play.
 
It is hoped the historical marker plaques will be cast and ready to install by the end of May or beginning of June.
If you're a member of the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association you can look forward to a re-scheduled Social in mid-May at the soon-to-be opened Eivissa Restaurant. We will be in touch with all membership to let you know when the big day is.  In the meantime, enjoy yourselves in the neighborhood.  And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, the office is open Monday through Friday, 9-5.  We're always happy to sit down and chat with the neighbors!
 
Sincerely,
 

Old Town Merchants & Residents Association
In This Issue
Green Forum
Upcoming Events
Stolen Historical Markers
Street Pole Banners
Dumpster Tax Update
RESERVE THE LAST TWO STREET POLE BANNERS!!
 
The latest installment of Old Town Street Pole Banners is well underway.  Walking down North Avenue, North Wells Street, Sedgwick, and LaSalle, it is impossible not to see the attractive blue banners.  There are only two left -- the program lasts about three years.  Contact the office as soon as possible to claim the last spots to permanently advertise your business on LaSalle!
 
DUMPSTER
TAX
UPDATE 
In response to public outcry over a new dumpster fee that was included in the 2009 City budget and that hit our Ward especially hard, Aldermen met with the City Budget Office, the Chicago Department of Transportation (the department responsible for issuing dumpster permits) and industry representatives to find a way to reduce the fees. 

A survey showed there are approximately 75,000 dumpsters in the City, up from the 40,000 originally estimated. As a result, fees were lowered by 37%. Key changes proposed for the Commercial Refuse Container Permit Ordinance, as the legislation is called include:
**A reduction in the fees which are based on the size of the dumpster. Containers of less than 1 cubic yard, typically used by residential buildings with 6-8 units or small business, would now have a $51 annual fee, down from $80 before. The largest containers, more than 10 cubic yards, would be subject to a $492 annual fee, down from $780.
 
**Instead of buying one annual permit and making a single payment, CDOT will issue four-month permits with payments made three times a year.
 
**A sticker requirement for the dumpsters would be removed. Haulers will provide dumpster locations three times a year to CDOT. New dumpster locations can be added at any time. Dumpster locations would be subject to regular field inspections.
 
The Ordinance was passed last fall to help fill the shortfall in revenue. Based on the City's cost for sanitation administration and services and rodent control, it is charged to waste haulers and applies only to garbage containers. There is no fee for recycling containers. The proposed amendment requires full City Council approval.