The damage to this back deck/porch occurred last August when that crazy Chicago storm caused a full-grown tree to fall onto this two-flat. We've been eagerly monitoring the restoration progress from our local train platform every morning but it's been awhile since we've seen any movement.
The tree was removed and chopped up immediately. Shortly after that, the gutter system was reconfigured. But, as far as we can tell, that's about it. We're so curious as to what's going on.
If this is your house, please log in and shine some light on the situation for us. If this isn't your house, jump down to ask your own questions, to offer some good advice, or share your own storm horror story.
Are the owners planning to restore the enclosed deck? Or will they tear the whole thing out and leave the stairs open? Is it currently even safe to use these back exits? Have the owners received any flack from the city regarding the 
In a situation like that, I would try to get as much money from the insurance company so that I could add an extra room, better siding, windows, porch, etc.
Of course with any construction involving a porch in the City of Chicago, the permit and inspection process may drag on for a long time.
Maybe it got shut down? Or maybe the owner ran out of money? Or time? Who knows.
Plus, you know what happens in Chicago if you don't everything done before winter. Freezing rain, sub zero temps and snow have their way of halting construction projects.
view art's profile
Hmm... maybe now they know the advantages of building with solid materials as opposed to disposable wood and siding.
view gabiushka's profile
should they should make the back porch out of brick? don't all building materials become "disposable" at some point? i think a tree falling on any structure would have some effect regardless of whether it was made of mansonry or wood. and maybe a neighbor should call the city to get an inspector out there to see what's going on...
view arcgrrl's profile
Hah! I see that mess every day looking out from the train platform. I remember just how bad the damage was when it first happened. It's looking pretty good now, comparatively.
view RrrrG's profile
Its probably owned by some greedy, money-stealing, Chicago management company. I picture sad little tenants in there staring out the back window with frustrated faces.
view tyniapt's profile
the sad little tenants should call the city...where is this? i'll call the city for heaven's sake...
view arcgrrl's profile
I think it looks better without. Is enclosing the stairwell a security issue? Could they rip that sucker off and regain patio space?
How usable would that space be once enclosed? Was it mostly windows?
Do they just need an attrative / strong stair gate?
view DahliaCactus's profile
Yeah, but who wants a patio that faces the el?
"sad little tenants"... maybe the building is owner-occupied.
view jyw's profile
i have a storm story! This exact thing happened to the house next to mine as a kid. I grew up in the south where it's prone to summer storms... there was an incredible 30 min long hailstorm one day that downed a huge old oak tree right through the middle of our neighbors' two story house. Luckily no one was home. And yes, they moved out for a while and rebuilt a home that was much nicer (and bigger). It was quite amazing to see the tree trunk literally lifted out of the house with a crane...
view eebnyc's profile
It's the Sheridan stop for those wondering. I've also been eagerly waiting for something to happen.
view corruptsuperspy's profile
Tenants? It's being gutted; you can see right through from the station.
view dn's profile