Save the Montrose Hole?

Chicago's all about preservation this week. Yesterday, Preservation Chicago released its annual list of endangered landmarks [1]. Today, the once-gaping hole in Montrose Avenue [2] has it's own MySpace page [3] and will play host to a "Pro Hole Rally" [4] at 4:45 p.m. Rally organizer (and Chicago comedian [5]) Ken Barnard says today's event aims to "raise hole awareness."

"Nice as it was, the neighborhood didn't really have any identifying qualities before," he says, tongue planted firmly in cheek. "A lot of people in Chicago have really identified with the hole."

Barnard says he's been fascinated by the hole's ability to captivate cellphone carrying commuters in a neighborhood that's never stood out much before. He says to expect a "good, jubilant group of kids" at this afternoon's rally. Their aim: to have the hole dug back up.

But not everyone's laughing. Count Tom LaPorte, spokesman for the Department of Water Management [6] among them.

"I applaud people who celebrate the neighborhood," he says, "but I'm more thoughtful about the business owners who've faced hardship. I'm all for lighthearted celebration, but I don't want to eclipse what we're still working on."

The damaged area of Montrose Avenue, now open to pedestrian traffic, was filled in with concrete yesterday. LaPorte says it will take a few days for it to settle but it could take longer if this afternoons extreme weather forecast (snow and a sharp temperature drop [6]) pans out.

Photo of the Montrose Avenue hole posted January 28, 2008 on Flickr by PhineasX. [7]