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Children's Memorial will be relocating its hospital to downtown Chicago in 2012. This is creating an exciting opportunity to transform the Triangle and surrounding areas into a dynamic cornerstone of the Lincoln Park neighborhood. In an effort to maximize the community benefits of the redevelopment, Children's Memorial is exploring whether its six-acre property could qualify as a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. The Eligibility Study would allow the City – with community support – to shape goals and objectives for the site before a developer is selected. TIF also would support funding for significant community improvements. These improvements could include upgrades to Lincoln Elementary public school, workforce housing, open space and green amenities, rehabilitation assistance for existing buildings and funding to promote retail and arts development. The catalyst for exploring TIF eligibility was the "Children's Memorial Hospital Site Re-Use Feasibility Study" commissioned by Alderman Vi Daley and the City of Chicago Department of Community Development. READ MORE
by Tom Tresser – www.tifreports.com – tom@tresser.com Tax Increment Finance (TIF) is in the news. It should be. As esoteric as the subject might be, you should care about this program if you own property in Cook County. When a TIF district is created the property taxes generated by all the properties in the district are "frozen" and for the next 23 years the taxing bodies that rely on property taxes for their operation continue to receive ONLY that "frozen" amount of revenue. Any amount above that frozen number –the increment – is diverted into the bank account of the TIF district. Here's a diagram of how this works over time: READ MORE
CityGrounds, Chicago's newest upscale coffee bar, has opened in Lincoln Park at 509 W. Dickens, right around the corner from Four Farthings Pub. CityGrounds specializes in artisan espresso beverages, single origin coffees and looses leaf teas, as well as pastries, breads and cakes. All coffees are roasted and supplied by Andersonville-based coffee roaster Metropolis Coffee Company. Customers can purchase freshly roasted single-origin coffees by the pound to brew at home.
CityGround's baristas will help customers understand coffee and espresso and the nuances found in each drink and coffee bean. Like a sommelier, CityGrounds' baristas will help customers find their palate for higher quality coffee and espresso. READ MORE
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This trip allowed me to observe several cities with the perspective of both a tourist and a typical resident. I enjoy going out and trying to get a real sense of what it is like to live in the cities I visit. I like to walk the streets talk to the locals and try the food and drink. Not a surprise, but everyone seems to be very similar to us on many levels. They want to have a good job, eat well, and have a nice home and prosperous and peaceful life. And they are very concerned about their family.
"It was awesome!" "I loved the Easter Bunny!" With sunshine in abundance and squeals of delight from kids and parents alike, the first Earth Day Spring Celebration at Fire Station Park was a hit.
More than 120 children and parents enjoyed visiting with each other, gathering Easter eggs and taking pictures with the Easter Bunny. They also got to hear about plans for improvements to Fire Station Park, including community gardening opportunities. Fire Station Park, located behind the Chicago Fire Department station at Armitage and Larrabee, is one of several small parks that make this neighborhood special. "This is the first of what we hope will be a series of seasonal events at Fire Station Park," said Rodger Owen, Lincoln Central Association president. READ MORE
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I was fortunate enough to take a trip to Buenos Aires, Rio, Barbados, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Warm and sunny in the 80's and the pace of life seemed more relaxed than Chicago. 
