Board Meetings
The Board meets regularly and the meetings are open to all Unit Owners. The time and place of the Board meeting shall be posted in accordance with the Illinois Condominium Act. As required by law, the Association's books and records are available for inspection by Unit Owners for any purpose at a thirty (30) day notice through arrangements made with the Management Office.
Building Management Office
Tole and Associates is our current management firm. They are responsible for handling general maintenance and other property issues. They should be contacted with any questions, maintenance concerns and property emergencies. It is not the duty of the Board of Directors to handle individual problems; this is the job of the management firm's responsibility.
Contact information:
Tole and Associates
500 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1033
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: 312/755-1333
Fax: 312/755-1339
Email: tole500@cs.com
Courtesy to Neighbors
Reasonable consideration for neighbors is very important. Please treat all neighbors and residents with courtesy and respect. Be mindful of actions which may be annoying to other residents (heavy walking on hardwood floors, using noisy appliances such as vacuums and dishwashers, the use of expletives in Common Areas, etc.). If an issue arises between residents, they should first try to resolve it amongst themselves. If resolution in not achieved, the issue should be appealed to the Board.
Please see "Courtesy to Neighbors" section in the Rules and Regulations.
Lockout Procedures
Residents are requested to submit a duplicate Unit key to the Building Engineer. This is for building emergency purposes and in case of lockouts. See Keys and Locks for more information.
If the resident has submitted a duplicate key, he may call the Building Engineer, when he is on site, for assistance in gaining access to his Unit. The Management Office and the Board of Directors reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee for this service. It is recommended that residents also leave a duplicate key with a neighbor for instances when the Engineer is off site or unavailable to assist with lockouts.
If the Engineer and neighbor are unavailable or unable to assist with lockouts, the resident will need to call a locksmith at his expense to gain access to his apartment.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Emergencies
Always attempt to stay calm during emergencies. Don't panic.
Dial 911 to call the police, fire department or an ambulance in an emergency. Remember, for non-emergency contact of the police department, dial 311.
In emergencies that may affect common areas or other Units, call the building engineer and the management company.
To call the Tole and Associates, the management company, dial 312/755-1333. For after-hours calls, please press '1' and you will be connected to the emergency paging service.
To page Mike Szczech the building engineer, dial 312/216-0053 or leave a message on 312/360-0019.
Emergency Lighting
The building is equipped with an emergency lighting system throughout all common area hallways and stairwells. In the event of power failure, the emergency lights will activate and stay on for several minutes.
Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors
Fire extinguishers are located throughout the common area hallways. Extinguishers are for use only in emergency situations and only after the fire department has been notified of the fire. Please familiarize yourself with the locations of the fire extinguishers. If you notice missing, damaged or spent fire extinguishers, please notify building management and the building engineer immediately.
Fire Safety Emergency Procedures
Residents should familiarize themselves with all stairways and exits of the building, as well as the location of fire extinguishers.
It is advisable to keep a small all-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen. Please use caution when smoking or when using candles in you Unit.
If you hear the fire alarm sound, assume a real emergency exists. Calmly and quickly leave the building using the nearest stairwell and exit.
Please carefully read the Fire Safety section under Rules and Regulations for more information on the requirements and restrictions associated with Fire Safety.
If a fire occurs in your Unit:
- Immediately Call 911 to contact the fire department. Give your street address, floor number and Unit number.
- Notify the property management company using the phone number listed above.
- Without delay, leave your Unit. Close the door behind you to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, but leave the door unlocked so fire fighters can enter.
- Alert other occupants on your floor.
- Use the closest stairway exit. Close the stairway door behind you.
- DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
If there is fire or smoke near your Unit:
- Immediately Call 911 to contact the fire department. Give your street address, floor number and Unit number. Assume that no one else has called. Notify building management at the phone number listed above.
- Before trying to leave your Unit, place your hand on the door, palm out. IF it feels warm within five (5) seconds, do not open it. A dangerous fire condition is outside your door. See step 6 below.
- If the door is not warm, carefully open it a little and check for smoke in the hallway.
- If the hallway is useable, leave your Unit and close the door behind you, leaving it unlocked. Alert other occupants on your floor and proceed to an exit stairway. Again, check the stairway for fire and heavy smoke as described above. If the stairway is useable, proceed to the first floor and exit the building. If the stairway is not useable, proceed to another stairway to exit the building.
- DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
- If your door is warm, or if there is heavy smoke in the hallway or exit stairways, keep the door to your apartment closed but unlocked. Seal cracks around it, and any other spaces smoke is entering, with wet towels or clothes. Tape may also be used. Call 911 and notify them of your location and situation.
- If smoke enters your Unit, open a window. If windows cannot be opened, remain close to the floor and protect your face with a wet cloth or towel.
Medical Emergencies
Where life is in jeopardy or severe injury occurs, immediately call the Fire Department ambulance service by dialing 911. Be sure to also notify the Management Office of the incident.
Area Hospitals Include:
Northwestern Memorial
251 E. Huron
312/926-2000
Rush Presbyterian
1653 W. Congress Pkwy.
312/942-5000
Michael Reese
2929 S. Ellis Ave
312/791-2000
SECURITY
All Owners play a crucial role in maintaining a secure environment. Many precautions can be taken to decrease security problems on Association premises, but it takes the participation and attention of all Gotham Lofts residents. Following are some procedures and reminders on how we can make our home safer. Also, be certain to thoroughly read the "Security" section of the Rules and Regulations.
Entry to the premises
Be aware of your surroundings when entering the premises. When entering the premises, avoid allowing unknown persons to enter behind you. If a stranger or suspicious person follows you or another resident inside or is discovered on the premises, notify the police and building management immediately.
Do not open property gates or doors for unknown persons. Make certain all doors close securely when entering or exiting the buildings. When exiting through parking gates and garage doors, please do not drive away until the gate is securely closed behind you.
If any common area door locks or gates are malfunctioning, notify management immediately.
NEVER leave property entrances unlocked or propped open.
Extended Absence
If you are planning to be away from home for an extended period of time, please arrange to have someone pick up your mail and/or newspapers during your absences. Please inform the Management Office where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
Graffiti and Vandalism
Immediately report any vandalism or graffiti on Association premises to management. If you witness vandalism taking place, immediately call the police.
Intercom Systems
Do not buzz anyone into the building who has not identified themselves. If you do not know or recognize the person, do not buzz them in. Meet all delivery people at the entrance to the building - do not buzz them in. If you are having a party or open house, please meet anyone you do not personally know at the entrance to the building.
Solicitation
Do not allow solicitors into the building. If a solicitor appears in the building during business hours, notify management immediately, if it is after business hours, notify the police.
Suspicious Persons or Activities
Immediately report any suspicious persons or unusual activities to the police.
Unit Break-ins
If it appears your Unit has been forcefully entered, DO NOT enter the Unit yourself. Immediately call the police by dialing 911. Do not enter your Unit until the police have inspected it and determined it to be safe. If a break-in did occur, notify management immediately.
If you notice a Unit other than yours that appears to have been forcefully entered, please contact the police and management immediately.
Unit doors
Do not prop open your Unit door, as this greatly compromises your security. It is advisable to keep your door locked when home and when away from your Unit, even for brief periods.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
| Emergencies |
911 |
| Non-emergency city information |
311 |
| Tole and Associates |
312.755.1333 |
Mike Szczech,
Building Engineer |
312.360.0019 |
1st District C.A.P.S. Office
1718 S. State Street |
312.745.4381 |
| Residential Zoning (Parking permits) |
312.744.5346 |
| CTA Information |
312.836.7000 |
| Ameritech |
800.244.4444 |
| Peoples Gas |
312.240.7000 |
| Commonwealth Edison |
800.334.7661 |
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