Access to theater/Meeting with developer
As of today still no word about our group gaining access to the Ramova or meeting with the prospective developer from DPD or the Alderman's office.
I am due to follow-up with Alderman Balcer after Veterans' Day on 11/11when he will actually have time to talk with us about this matter. The Alderman is trying to get us in and set-up a meeting with the prospective developer. The Alderman says he too wants to go inside with us, since he hasn't been in since it closed.
John Molloy,Project Manager for the city's Department of Planning and Development, if you read this please return my phone calls and let us know when we can meet the developer and/or gain access to the building. Thanks, Maureen from STR
3 Comments:
Hello . My name is Jose' R. Mesarina . I grew up watching movies in the Ramova theater . Which means " Frame " or rather " Picture Frame" in Polish . Makes sense since it is situated in what was a small downtown polish neighborhood . At least that's what I have heard about it . I was interested in Buying the Ramova a few years ago but the city bought it up . I live in the Bridgeport neighborhood and still remember the " RATMOVA" as us kids would affectionately call it , due to alley rats scurrying over your feet when you watched a movie . Well , I don't really think any of this is going to help . I really wish that the Ramova would be saved and restored to it's former glory . A grand little movie house that once hosted Charlie Chaplin himself , when other theaters wouldn't touch his movie, " The Great Dictator" . Imagine, Chaplin himself in Bridgeport. In the Ramova no less . But, we all know in Chicago how corrupt the 11th ward is , and behind the scenes deals and handshakes have probably already been made . It would be a miracle if it was saved and restored but , I'm not going to hold my breath . Hope you at least get somewhere with this cause . Sincerely , a suspicious supporter,
Jose Mesarina .
http://www2.uic.edu/~ninomt
Jose,
Thanks for your heartfelt comments. Since you are suspicious, I am certain you are in fact from the hood. LOL (I grew up here too!-Maureen) Jose, basically we are people who believe you just don't know until you try, so we are trying. Thanks for the good wishes and we will let you all know how we do with our landmark request.
Maureen-
Re: the name Ramova is Lithuanian and it means peaceful place or place of worship. I have asked an actual native of Poland about your use of the word and he says that it's not a Polish word. There are a lot of similarites in the Lithuanian and Polish language, but this is not one of them.
Btw, that area was very, very Lithuanian at one time (especially when the Ramova was built). I have some documentation related to the Ramova and it's in Lithuanian too.
Also, "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair documents some of the Lithuanian culture at the turn of the century around the Union Stockyards. Plus, there is Lituanica Street, the former St. George's Church and of course Healthy Foods.
Thanks for your comments and interest. Maureen-
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