Progress (finally) on 17th Ward "Pond"

 

At the Central West End Association's Public Forum last Saturday morning, 17th Ward Alderman Joe Roddy apologized for not being more diligent in getting something done about the neighborhood eyesore at the corner of Euclid and West Pine. Last summer when I posted a picture of the "pool" there were many comments from readers sharing their frustration with the situation.

There have been several changes in plans for the site, and now after what seems like many years for financing to be arranged, the site has remained blighted with unattractive fencing, irrelevant signage, weeds, and stagnant water.

Thanks to the diligence of CWEA president John Berglund, and a persistent stream of emails he and others sent to Alderman Roddy, the hole is scheduled to be filled in and grass seed planted on top. Alderman Roddy said this will happen within the next ten days.

P. S. on Wednesday morning: Work is in progress!

Comments

[kate]

thank you Nicki!

[Mary Engelbreit]

Thank goodness--- that was really hard to explain to out of town guests who stayed at The Indigo or who we walked down the street for lunch YEAR AFTER YEAR. Finally we started telling them it was an art installation and was a profound commentary on urban blight.
Thanks for all you did, Nicki!

[patricia heller]

Nicky, hooray for you and John Berglund Many thanks.

[nicki]

I can take no credit for the resolution of this. All I did was post the pictures; my attempts at contacting anyone connected with it came to naught. Thanks for commenting Patty.

[George Hazelrigg]

Thanks for your coverage of the Mills "pond." Every bit helped. While we were unaware of John Berglund's helpful emails, we do know that neighborhoods surrounding the "pond" did play an important role toward seeing resolution. And frustration over inaction indeed extended beyond the 17th Ward part of the CWE. Moreover, it was only when the City, after much delay, began legal procedures to enter the property, fix the problem, and bill the owner that the latter finally took action. Now we all can only hope that the owner keeps the tract maintained (litter, grass cut, weeds, etc). Please stand by with your blog; it may be needed.

[nicki]

George: Thank you for your comments and also for explaining the process the City went through to get Mills "Pond" filled in. It has a way to go but is definitely better than it was.