ABOUT

About The Old Town Triangle Association

Old Town Triangle Association Center
1763 N North Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-1938
info@oldtowntriangle.com

Hours of the OTTA Center: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10 AM – 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM – 1 PM

Volunteers: For more information, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@oldtowntriangle.com

Board Members & Committees

Contact: board@oldtowntriangle.com

Officers

Ray Clark, President
Aneta Tomaszkiewicz, 1st Vice President
Anne Giffels, 2nd Vice President
Marya Lucas, Secretary
Brad Neuman, Treasurer

Directors

Zac Bleicher
Beth Burk
Elaine Frei
Carly Jenkins
Alan Lougee
David Montgomery

Director of Arts & Operations

Barbara Guttmann

Administrative Assistant

Elinda Xiao

Committee Mission Statements

• HISTORIC DISTRICT / PLANNING & ZONING

  The mission of the HD/PZ Subcommittee is to preserve the architectural and historic character of the designated Chicago and National historic districts within the boundaries of the Old Town Triangle as well as advocate for strict zoning adherence.

  On September 28, 1977, members of the Historic District Committee succeeded in having most of the Old Town Triangle area designated a Chicago Landmark by the City Council of Chicago. Today, the Historic District/Planning & Zoning Committee acts as a liaison between the Old Town Community and the Landmarks Commission, reporting the Committee’s recommendations and working cooperatively with the Commission to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood.

  Each month, members consider requests for proposed exterior changes to existing buildings, new construction, and applications for zoning changes in the Triangle. Their deliberations range from the appropriateness of building materials used in rehabbing and construction projects to the height of fences and building additions.  The Guidelines for Alterations to Historic Buildings and New Construction, prepared by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, serves as the guide for their recommendations. These recommendations are sent to the Alderman of the 43rd Ward and to appropriate city commissions and departments for approval. In every instance, the final decision on any rehab project rests with the Landmarks Commission.

  Since neighborhood relations figure prominently in any rehabilitation project, members of the Historic District/Planning & Zoning Committee work with neighbors to maintain good relations between residents who are making changes to their properties and those who live in adjoining buildings.

  On matters of neighborhood-wide concern, a community meeting is held and all neighbors are invited to express their views on the issue. In most cases where a community meeting is held, the 43rd Ward Alderman is a key participant in the proceedings.

  Historic District Resource Links:
  Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Guidelines for Rehab (2015)
  Dormer Criteria (2010)
  Fern Court Guidelines (2002)
  Hardie Board Resolution (2017)
  National Historic Register Approval (1984)
  OTT Designation Ordinance
  Preservation Chicago – Landmark FAQs
  The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
  US Department of the Interior: Historic Preservation
  Wells St Commercial Building Context Draft
  Click here for additional resources

  Chair: Beth Burk
  Members: Diane Gonzalez, Vi Daley, Phyllis Hall, Karl Hjerpe, David Raino Ogden, Corinne Rohr, Karen Stephenson & Jacqui Thams
  Contact: hdpz@oldtowntriangle.com

• NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT & BEAUTIFICATION

  The mission of the Neighborhood Improvement & Beautification Committee (NIBC) is to develop and maintain the physical environment of the Old Town Triangle including the improvement of open spaces, green areas, sidewalks, and parkways.

  Even though Old Town is among the most vibrant, well situated, and rewarding of Chicago’s neighborhoods, there is always room for improvement. NIBC is committed to addressing the ongoing and changing needs of our community as is consistent with OTTA’s organizational goals. Identifying and responding to those opportunities is the business of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee.

  NIBC identifies projects which address neighborhood needs and infrastructure opportunities within Old Town. NIBC works with public and private offices to address those projects. NIBC provides the maintenance of 10 green refuse containers scattered throughout the Triangle; replaces of aging benches in our parks; oversees the landscape in the “pocket” parks on Willow and Menomonee, the play lot in North Ogden Park, the maintenance of the Clark/Wisconsin Park, and additional projects pertaining to street-scape maintenance.

  The NIBC oversees the Old Town Parkways Tree Program, which is geared to help Old Town residents maintain the unique charm of our streetscapes. The program provides assistance to residents interested in replacing missing or dead trees in the parkways in front of their homes. 

  Chair: Alan Lougee
  Members: Vi Daley, Hannah Steadman, Corinne Svoboda and Michael Warnick
  Contact: nic@oldtowntriangle.com

• GRANTS

  The mission of the Grants Committee is to oversee and administer the grant program that the Old Town Triangle Association offers to schools and organizations that serve our community and to support the stated mission and goals of the Old Town Triangle Association. Grant applications are accepted annually. Applications can either be downloaded from the OTTA website or picked up at the OTTA office. Proposals are evaluated on an annual basis with the application deadline April 1st. Grantees are honored and awards distributed at the Old Town Art Fair Thank You Party.  Important information concerning the grant application process can be downloaded here.

  Chair: Zac Bleicher
  Members: In Formation
  Contact: grants@oldtowntriangle.com
  

  Grant Awardees 2022

  A Red Orchid Theatre
  Art on Sedgwick
  Boy Scout Troop 79
  Chicago Public Library, Near North
  Chicago Sculpture Exhibit
  Deborah’s Place
  Green City Market
  LaSalle Language Academy Fine Arts Program
  Lincoln Park Conservancy
  Lincoln Park High Band & Orchestra
  Lincoln Park Zoo
  Marillac St. Vincent
  Menomonee Judo Club
  Midwest Buddhist Temple
  The Village Chicago

• ART FAIR

  The mission of the Art Fair Committee is to organize and execute successful and profitable fine art fairs. A vital component of the mission is to showcase excellent art and provide a welcoming environment for guests, artists and vendors.

  The artists are chosen by an independent jury of professional artists, gallery owners, and museum curators. The Old Town Art Fair features a wide range of art mediums, including 2D- and 3D-mixed media, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, and works in metal, stone and wood.

  Chair: Anne Giffels
  Vice-Chair:
  Contact: chair@oldtownartfair.org, firstsight@oldtownartfair.org, volunteer@oldtownartfair.org, gardens@oldtownartfair.org, gates@oldtownartfair.org
  

• CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

  The mission of the Capital Improvements Committee is to maintain and improve the OTTA physical facility and to make needed repairs or upgrades as necessary.

  Chair:
  Contact: capitalimprovements@oldtowntriangle.com
  

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/MEMBERSHIP

  The mission of the Membership Committee is to maintain the existing membership and encourage neighbors (Old Town Art Fair volunteers, local businesses, Condo Associations, etc.) who are not currently members of the organization to join. The key role is the development and upkeep of the Association’s database system. The Committee maintains connections with members and solicits new members. One does not have to be an Old Town Triangle resident to be able to join the Old Town Triangle Association. Only Triangle residents are given voting privileges. All members receive the OTTA newsletter, an iBOT card (I Buy Old Town discount card), and electronic email updates relating to area news and upcoming events.
  

  Chair: Elaine Frei
  Contact: membershipcommittee@oldtowntriangle.com

• COMMUNITY SAFETY

  The mission of the Community Safety Committee is to address safety/security issues through CAPS meetings and serve as a liaison with the 18th Chicago Police District.

  Chair: Dave Montgmonery
  Members: Judy Bross, Dorothy DeCarlo, Philip Graff, Katie Langer, Brad Neuman, Jeff Peters
  Contact: safety@oldtowntriangle.com

• EVENTS

  The mission of the Events Committee is to plan, organize, and execute all non-Art Fair events for the OTTA and its committees, such as Movie Nights, Potluck Dinners, and other fun activities. This committee works closely with Membership.

  Chair: Marya Lucas
  Members: Eurydice Chrones, Kathy Clark, Margaret Gallagher, Marianne Gotfredson, Kristi Nihiser,  Donna Zarei, Payam Zarei, Abby Spurlin, Bob Jones
  Contact: events@oldtowntriangle.com
  

• COMMUNICATIONS

  The mission of the Communications Committee is to develop and maintain an overarching communications strategy for OTTA and its committees and the development of common formats for communications that would stretch across committees to deliver relevant news and updates to the membership and the community at large.  The Committee is responsible for ensuring that all governance-related documents including, but not limited to, Articles of Incorporation, Mission Statement, By-Laws, Board Meeting schedules, Board minutes, monthly financial reports, and committee meeting schedules are placed online.

  Chair: Carly Jenkins
  Members: Diane Sokolofski, Diane Fitzgerald
  Contact:  communications@oldtowntriangle.com

• ACCESSIBILITY

  The preliminary mission of the newly formed Accessibility Committee is to meet and gather information from industry experts and advocates to understand how the Association (and the Art Fair) can become an advocate for accessibility. The goal is to ensure our neighborhood and the OTTA-sponsored events and facilities are open and welcoming to people of all abilities and backgrounds. The committee may review this mission upon meeting.

  Chair: Raymond Clark
  Members: William Deakin, Elaine Frei, Anne Giffels, Chris Nelson, Brad Neuman

• BY-LAWS

  The mission of the By-Laws Committee to ensure the integrity of the Association’s By-Laws. The subcommittee will meet every third year to reviewing and make appropriate recommendations for By-Law revisions to the Board of Directors and Membership as needed. The By-Law Subcommittee will meet again in 2024.

  Chair:
  Members: Anne Giffels, David Montgomery, Rick Rausch &  Jacob Ringer

• 2022 NOMINATING

  The 2022 Nominating Committee will nominate candidates for the offices of President, First Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and for open positions on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee consists of five members, appointed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors have selected Karl Hjerpe, Claire Leaman, Annette Hobbs Magier, and Darius Tandon with Chris Nelson serving as Chair. 

  Contact: nominations@oldtowntriangle.com
  

Links to Related Sites

Resource Links

• • • • Alderman Knudsen, 43rd Ward:  http://ward43.org 
      • Alderman Brian Hopkins, 2nd Ward: http://www.aldermanhopkins.com/
      • Chicago Interactive Historic District and Zoning map: https://gisapps.cityofchicago.org/zoning/
      • Chicago Landmarks: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks/OldTown.html
      • City of Chicago: www.cityofchicago.org
      • US Department of the Interior: Historic Preservation:  www.NPS.gov
      • Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Guidelines: https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/chicago_landmarks-publicationsandadditionalinformation.html
      • Preservation Chicago – Landmark FAQs: https://tinyurl.com/LandmarkFAQs
      • Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce: www.lincolnparkchamber.com
      • Menomonee Club: www.menomoneeclub.org
      • Lincoln Park Village: https://www.thevillagechicago.org
      • Chicago Artists Coalition: http://www.chicagoartistscoalition.org/
      • Art Fair Calendar Listings: www.artfaircalendar.com
      • BSA Troop 79 www.troop79chicago.org