Update on the Midway

2324 University I wonder if computer hackers could get into this?  With the news that computer hackers are stealing passwords and personal information, sometimes I think the old-fashioned way of safeguarding information was better! Many of our old buildings had safes in them - Midtown Commons has two. This is the upstairs safe. We hoped when we bought the old vacant building in 1989 that we would find some hidden treasures, but alas, the safe only held old ledgers and office supplies.  This antique safe in this photo now holds air conditioning duct work. We actually have an old safe in our office that we still use to hold valuable items!  In a locked office. With a security alarm. Keep your office safe with these tips: 1.  Do not leave laptops unattended. 2.  Keep purses in lockers or locked cabinets 3.  Store checks in a locked cabinet.  Keep boxes sealed that  you're not using. 4. Control your keys 5.  Use your security alar...

Here's a great little video that shows what I love about our neighborhood! http://www.creativeenterprisezone.org/blog/walk-through-creative-enterprise-zone

700 Raymond really looks pretty on a summer day like today.  The rain garden area is growing great and the plants are doing well.   The potted flowers really add a pop of color.

A little spot to have a cup of coffee is always good.   Especially on a day like today!

I applied for a Knight Foundation  Green Line Grant yesterday to improve the corner of La Salle and University.    I think the corner is dull, uninviting and needs more landscaping.   I'm hoping they agree with me and grant me some funding to improve the corner.   It definitely needs Something! !   Trees, more brick piers, signs, art, bike racks, flowers. Almost anything would help. We need to work to make the Raymond Station area inviting and interesting.

Okay it doesn't look like much and frankly, we are going to tear it down, but we are buying a new property: This is 661 LaSalle, just one block from the Raymond Station. We are exited to start planning our next project.  Looks like we can fit a 14,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. office building on this site. The site is adjacent to the Foundry on Raymond and our 2300 Myrtle Avenue building, so we can really develop almost the whole block.  Pretty exciting!

Everything went as planned for the Green Line opening - except for the weather.   That really was too bad because the Raymond Station celebration committee worked very hard to put together a great arts and music program.  It was just too wet and windy for a lot people to enjoy.  Many brave souls came out anyway and tried out our new trains.  I was excited to get to be a first rider with my dad Chuck McCann.  He has been instrumental in changing the area around the Raymond Station.   Thanks to Kelly McManus, Amy Sparks, Catherine Reid Day, Jon Schumacher, Jack Becker and many many more.