Around the South Loop: 2011 Edition Volume 1

The New Year in the South Loop
During the bleak winter months, when the trees are bare, you sometimes notice things in the city that you might not during the summer months when everything is in bloom.

The holiday season has come to an end; most of the Christmas decorations in the city are down and will soon be but a memory. Below are some new pictures from around the South Loop at the beginning of 2011.

The clock is back, replacing the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Chicago Hilton and Towers, but they didn't center it on the rug!

Is there an election coming up in Chicago?

Buses line up along Harrison during the morning rush hour

Theodore Thomas Memorial: "The Spirit of Music" at Balbo and S. Michigan Ave. in Grant Park

A dog walker in Grant Park during the early morning

Civil War general John A. Logan stands guard at Michigan Ave. and 9th St. General Logan lived at 2119 S. Calumet Ave.

Around Chicago and the South Loop

Holiday Shopping Jump-Start
Clear, cool weather brought the shoppers out along Michigan Ave. today. It's still a little early for the holiday shopping to be in full swing, but you'd be hard-pressed to think otherwise. The only thing missing was the snow.

I Need a Kiss
The video below is of the crowds at Water Tower Place, including the horse-drawn carriages which were out in full force. And man, the Hershey's Chocolate store was packed!

The South Loop's Stonehenge

The Magnificent Mile was bustling with shoppers this afternoon. Take a walk south on Michigan Ave. and check out the crowds; maybe you're among them. Then again, you might see someone you know "walking the mile."

The Orange Line L train at Wabash and Congress

Around the South Loop

New traffic lights were installed at 16th and 18th Streets along S. Indiana.

Urban renewal in Women's Park and Gardens:  The playhouse gets a much-needed face-lift.

Gone: The building at 1326 S. Michigan is no more.

Pick a pumpkin at Marcel Florist & Garden, 1471 S. Michigan.

 The unlucky person parked on 16th between S. Indiana and Michigan Ave. is in for a surprise.

Update: 1326 S. Michigan

A view of 1326 S. Michigan from Wabash Ave. shows the amount of damage caused by the fire last Tuesday

South Loop Fire Rekindles

The fire that severely damaged the commercial property at 1326 S. Michigan early Tuesday morning, rekindled Wednesday night. When we arrived on the scene at approximately 8:15 p.m., the fire department was packing things up. While they were tending to the fire, traffic was blocked at 14th and S. Michigan in both directions. Cars were diverted to S. Indiana Ave. at 14th St. Fourteenth St. westbound toward Wabash Ave. was closed off to vehicular traffic completely.

The property at 1326 S. Michigan is now enclosed by a fence.

Traffic blocked and diverted off of S. Michigan at 14th St.

South Loop Fire Follow-Up

Fire Extinguished
The fire at 1326 S. Michigan Ave. has been extinguished. According the the Chicago Sun-Times, the fire was reported at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday morning. By 6:25 a.m., the fire was under control. At 12:40 p.m., they were still diverting southbound traffic off of Michigan Ave. between 13th and 14th Streets. Cleanup was underway and water was still running out of the empty commercial property.

The wind, which was such a factor battling the fire, can be heard blowing on the video below.

1326 S. Michigan before the fire.

According to some in the neighborhood, the firemen did a great job keeping the fire contained. No high-rise buildings needed to be evacuated during the blaze.

During the lunch hour, southbound traffic on S. Michigan Ave. was diverted at 13th Street.

Firemen begin the cleanup

1326 S. Michigan Ave. after the fire.

Video of Fire at 1326 S. Michigan

Helicopters are still circling overhead as the fire continues to burn. Check out the video footage below taken today at approximately 7:00 a.m. You can hear the wind blowing, which is making it harder to put out the blaze.

Fire at 1326 South Michigan Ave.

Commercial Property in Flames
An empty commercial  building at 1326 S. Michigan Ave. is burning this morning. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, the fire was reported at 3:20 a.m. Early-morning winds have hampered fire-fighting efforts. the fire burned through the roof and as of 7:44 a.m., firefighters are still trying to put out the blaze.

Firefighters attempt to put out fire at 1326 S. Michigan

Traffic Rerouted
The fire has forced the closure of S. Michigan Ave. from 16th Street to Roosevelt Rd. CTA buses, including the numbers 1, 3, 4, and 12 have been rerouted to avoid the fire.

Traffic being redirected away from Michigan Ave. at 16th

Check back to see video footage from the scene.