August 5, 2016

In This Issue:
Bud
Change in Start Time for the 2016 Bud Billiken Parade

The start time of the 2016 Bud Billiken Parade has been changed to 9:00 am. The parade will be broadcast live by ABC7 Chicago from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The parade route will remain on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. If you have additional questions about the parade, please contact the Chicago Defender Charities at 773-536-3710 or visit the website at www.budbillikenparade.org.
mpea
 

McCormick Place Event Center and Hotel 
Temporary Road Closure Update

In order to keep residents aware of street closures due to the ongoing construction of the McCormick Place Event Center and Hotel, below is a list of proposed closures over the next few days.

MPEA will be obstructing one lane of 21st Street on Friday, August 5th at 8:00 am for to hoist air handlers for the Event Center. This project should take about 5 hours. One lane will remain open and flaggers will be posted to guide traffic in both directions.

MPEA is also closing Cermak Road on Saturday, August 6th at 3:00 am to Sunday, August 7th at 8:00 pm to set in place the bridge connecting the Event Center and Hotel. Pedestrians will still be able to get through except when MPEA is actually lifting the bridge.

Last, MPEA be closing 21 st  Street between Calumet and Prairie on Wednesday, August 10th from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm to dismantle a large crane. Pedestrians will be able to use the north sidewalk, but not the south.
XS

XS Tennis Village Update

Construction of The XS Tennis Village has started at the former Robert Taylor site at 53rd and State Street. The XS Tennis Village is a  116,000 sq. ft. facility that will house 12 indoor tennis courts, 15 outdoor courts, an outside track, 1 indoor basketball court, 2 outdoor basketball courts, 9,800 sq. ft. fitness center, 5 multipurpose/meeting rooms, as well as a juice bar and cafe. The development is projected to take 11 months and open in the summer 2017.  General Contractor Summit Design & Build has committed to providing construction jobs and contracting opportunities to qualified 3rd Ward residents. Any interested tradesmen or women should make sure that all current and updated resumes are on file with the 3rd Ward office.
 School
Employment
Attucks
Former John Farren Building at 51st and State Open for Bid

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has placed the former John Farren School building at the corner of 51st St. and State St. up for bid. To access the bid documents please click here. Registration is required.

As Alderman Dowell has done with the sale of other CPS properties, any project proposed for the site will go through a community vetting and comment process. Should the property be sold by CPS, a formal announcement will be made by CPS.