Wayne A. Strnad researches community services provided by city.
Brief History
2100 Block of North Marmora
The 2100 Block of North Marmora is a multi-cultural neighborhood composed of African Americans, Hispanic and White. In the early part of this century most of the block was prairie. In 1910 three houses were built. This data came from property tax records.
We suspect, but have not verified, that the sewer system in the area was built in the 1920's. The reason we suspect this is that all but 20 homes were constructed in the 1920's. Also, the sidewalk was constructed around the time of the Great Depression - it's of WPA variety.
In 1997, the year of the Great Chicago Flood, every resident had approximately 30-36 inches of water in their basement. Although John Kosiba, then Commissioner of Sewers, promised to work and devise a plan to handle the flooding problems, it's still unknown whether or not the "flow restrictors" will do their job because on this block the sewer system is very antiquated and the CB's (catch basins) have all but fallen apart.
According to property tax records, the residents of this block pay over $76,000 in property tax; this area has been taxed since 1910. As of the date this history was composed, residents have paid 90 years worth of taxes. The only service they get for their money is garbage pickup.
© 2000 - 2008 Copyright - Wayne A. Strnad.
The new sidewalks are set and now the street is getting a facelift.
All the old material left in the street gets cleared. It's beginning to shape up.
There were no catch basins on this street. These are in your neighborhood too and they are usually located near the curb. They are not what people usually call the sewer. For the most part, sewers run down the middle of the street in Chicago.