University of Illinois Chicago Circle - Circle Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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H 8 1 1 xmL AS— hi VBLii vR V- ! L Sk 3:V OSIE Chicago is a city of neighborhoods; of small, solid, ethnic pockets where native languages, customs, foods and entertainment are kept alive. The area where Circle now stands, was predominantly Italian and Greek. The peoples ' homes, stores, churches and schools were torn down to make way for the University; the land was cleared and the construction went ahead. Very little remains of the old communities except for a few sandwich shops and grocery stores, Madison Street bars, and restaurants representing various nationalities. Diana ' s and the Parthenon are two of the few restau- rants that still maintain their old ways. They play Greek music, dance Greek dances, serve Greek food, and cater to a mostly Greek clientele. The Italian neighborhood goings on usually aren ' t open to students or anyone who is not part of the ethnic clique but the lemonade stands, hamburger and greasy beef joints attract and welcome everyone.

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ere : m K » v .aft Separated from the Italian neighborhood by a park the Black neighborhood was affected by the construction of UICC in quite a different way than were its neighbors. While Circle was being built, housing projects were being erected in the Black neighborhood. This was all part of the great urban renewal program that had been planned for Chicago ' s West Side. Unlike their neighbors, the Blacks are not directly affected by nor offer reactions to the activities of the University administration or students. Adjacent to the Black community is the Maxwell Street area. It is a bizarre conglomeration of make shift stands, hustlers, musicians, prostitutes, pushers, and pickpockets. It is almost certain that Maxwell Street will soon be gone; replaced by further University expansion. Again these people will be pushed out by urban reconstruction.