UPTOWN CHICAGO COMMISSION

Uptown Chicago Commission Press Release

UCC recognizes three who have improved Uptown community

Contact: Cathy Tokarski, 773-275-8563

October 27, 2004 – Three individuals who have invested time, energy and capital into improving the Uptown community were recognized for their efforts at an October 5 awards dinner sponsored by the Uptown Chicago Commission (UCC). The event was attended by about 50 community group representatives at Ann Sather's restaurant on West Belmont Ave.

Jimmy Gouskos received UCC's Developer of the Year award for spurring the redevelopment of the 1101 West Lawrence Ave. building. Formerly home to the alternative Prologue School and a bar and liquor store, the building today houses the Theatre Loft Condominiums and a Bank One branch office. A blues club is expected to open up in the building in the near future, helping to promote redevelopment of a once-desolated area.

Web developer Mary Claire Hersh was awarded UCC's Florence Bezazian Citizenship Award. Ms. Hersh has, on a pro bono basis, designed and maintained more than 20 Web sites for non-profit organizations in the Uptown community and throughout Chicago.

P.C. Gooden-Smiley received UCC's Dorothy Norton Humanitarian Award for her volunteer work in support of neighborhood children. She is a volunteer with the local Scrap Mettle Soul theatre group, a community performance group of artists, teens and adults in Uptown. Ms. Gooden-Smiley is also president of the Margate Park Block Club.

Founded in 1955, the UCC represents the interests and concerns of Uptown residents and works to improve quality of life for all residents living in the community.

High resolution photos are available upon request.