February 26, 2008 – The City of Chicago Department of Buildings has posted a “Stop Work Order” in space on the concourse level being renovated by Dick’s Last Resort.

Issued February 22, it orders all construction work to cease immediately. It claims “interior alterations without permits” in violation of Municipal Code Section 13-12-050.

Albert Shelton, General Manager of Dick’s Last Resort, says he hasn’t heard anything about the order. “I’ve not spoken with the architect, but in my past experience, this is normal.”

According to the Department of Buildings web site, there have been some mis-steps in the permit process for “buildout of existing tenant space” at 315 North Dearborn Street.

An architectural drawing review was denied on February 6. A fire prevention review was denied on February 19. Plumbing review, on February 20. Refrigeration review, on February 21. An “incomplete” status is given for electrical review, mayor’s office/people with disabilities, structural review, and ventilation review.

However, a planning review was approved on February 1 and an environmental drawing review approved on February 5. A zoning review is listed as “conditional project.”

Andrew Moddrell, an architect who lives at Marina City, says although it is a normal part of the building permit process to fail some reviews, a Stop Work Order is “the consequence of being caught performing construction work without a building permit – regardless of whether you are engaged in the permit process.”

“This could happen to someone renovating a home in Lincoln Park without a permit just as commonly as a restaurant in the Loop.”

Upon failing a drawing review such as plumbing or mechanical engineering, says Moddrell, “the architect or mechanical engineer makes necessary changes to the items the city doesn’t approve and issues a new set with corrections. Then they are issued a building permit if the corrections are approved.”

There is speculation that Dick’s could have been given some time to complete construction before paying rent. Industry experts agree the permit process is unpredictable. This motivates some business owners to begin construction before permits are obtained.

Stop Work Order posted on west side of space being renovated by Dick’s Last Resort.

Liquor license application “still moving forward”

Meanwhile, Dick’s application for a liquor license is “still moving forward,” according to a spokesperson for the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing.

John Castaneda says the restaurant started the application process early because it had extensive construction work to do. Public notices have been sent out and posted. The department is currently waiting for construction to finish. At that time, inspectors will visit the property to determine if a liquor license will be issued.

“They’re in charge of the timeline,” says Castaneda.