History & Architecture

history & architecture — Comments Off
27
Jul 11

Reminder: Please Notify the UVNA Regarding Potential Landmark Violations

Most of Ukrainian Village falls within the historically landmarked Ukrainian Village District. As such, any work that involves structural or material changes to the exterior portions of buildings within the district must have a permit and approval from the Chicago Landmarks Commission. This includes new roofs, windows, doors, entryways, etc. You can download an excerpt of the city code as it pertains to landmark buildings here. Chicago Landmarks Ordinance

If you see what appears to be unauthorized work going on in our neighborhood please immediately notify the UVNA by sending an email to us at president@uvna.org. We will bring it to the attention of the correct individuals at the Building Inspector’s office and the Landmarks Commission ASAP.

history & architecture — Comments Off
18
Apr 11

Historic Neighborhoods are Healthy Neighborhoods

Walkable neighborhoods, walkable schools are healthier environments for everyone. Many, if not most historic districts or neighborhoods with their “lovely tree-lined streets, interconnected blocks, and great architectural details on multi-storied buildings” are “ walkable places where you can get your recommended daily dose of exercise while simply going about your everyday business”. The “intimacy and beauty” of historic areas is often because they are scaled for human interaction. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created Active Living Research – a national program that prevent childhood obesity by supporting research on the policy and environments that contribute to active living for children and their families. And, the National Trust for Historic Preservation received a grant from Active Living Research to help study and promote walkable schools and neighborhoods. You can read more about this work here on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website.

history & architecture — Comments Off
10
Mar 11

Forgotten Chicago’s Survey of Ukrainian Village Stained Glass

stained glass entrance in ukrainian village (photo courtesy of ForgottenChicago.com)

Are you familiar with Forgotten Chicago? Their website helps serve their mission “to discover and document little known elements of Chicago’s infrastructure, architecture, neighborhoods and general cityscape, whether existing or historical. ” They provide a lot of historical information and documentation on the site, as well as offer periodic historical walking tours, keep an active Twitter feed going with updates on historical Chicago buildings and/or neighborhoods. Their site also hosts some fairly active forums with questions and discussions about everything from hot dog stands and old funeral homes, to ice-delivery doors in the backs of residential buildings.

The picture above is from a short post on their website about the stained glass windows in our neighborhood. Do you have an entrance like this on your building? Consider sending a picture to Forgotten Chicago to add to their survey and send one our way too!