Division Street

Via the Chicago Journal.

* “The future of Grand Avenue is in limbo with neighbors, business owners and the alderman in disagreement about whether the strip will go residential or industrial.”

Ald. Billy Ocasio (per Mayor Daley’s wishes) supports industrial and commercial development.

* “The Creative Community Study says that artists are leaving [Wicker Park-Bucktown] largely because of the lack of affordable housing.”

You mean there are still artists in Wicker Park?

* North Center bloggers settle with developer in defamation suit; $20,000 and an apology.

The Community Media Workshop is an invaluable resource to stay abreast of grass-roots stories that often fly under the radar of the traditional media. Among its current news tips:

* “Logan Square residents will rally Saturday to ask Mayor Daley and Ald. Rey Colon (35th Ward) to reconsider the city’s rejection of a proposal for permanent supportive housing in a building that has been vacant for 18 years.”

* “The Kenwood Oakland Community Organization is hosting a legislative hearing on strengthening LSCs this Saturday, April 12 starting at 11:15 a.m. at Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park.”

* In a meeting with park advisory council leaders last Friday, the Chicago Park District backed off its controversial effort to implement stiff new guidelines for park volunteers and promised more consultation with the councils, reports John Paul Jones of Friends of the Parks.

* “Chicago area job growth is concentrated in municipalities with the lowest African American populations and the least affordable housing, according to a new Chicago Reporter analysis. The black unemployment rate in the Chicago area is five times the rate for whites.”