April 20--Comcast is launching EveryBlock service in Evanston, Oak Park and River Forest on Tuesday, its first foray into the Chicago suburbs.
The hyperlocal website, which delivers neighborhood news and information, was resurrected in Chicago in January 2014. It has since expanded to Boston, Denver, Houston and Philadelphia.
"We've seen firsthand how helpful it can be for communities," Matthew Summy, Comcast's regional vice president of external and government affairs, said in a statement. "Usage has grown significantly, and we've added functionality to make it an even more robust experience for users."
EveryBlock was dark for nearly a year when Comcast relaunched it. The site features information about crime statistics, restaurant inspections, building permits as well as community messages on a neighborhood level. New features include an iOS map app that shows where the various activities have taken place.
Comcast also launched EveryBlock.org, which includes a widget builder that allows developers to include EveryBlock content on their sites.
Founded by Naperville native Adrian Holovaty, EveryBlock went live in January 2008 in Chicago, San Francisco and New York, eventually expanding to 19 markets.
EveryBlock was acquired by NBCUniversal in 2009, which operated it under its news division. The website was shut down in February 2013, with NBC News citing "considerable" financial losses and the lack of a strategic fit with its digital portfolio. Comcast, which completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal one month later, is now operating the site directly.
The service did not reach into suburban Chicago during its previous run.
"The Village of River Forest appreciates Comcast making an investment in the River Forest community," Village President Catherine Adduci said in a statement. "We believe civic engagement is important in River Forest and look forward to EveryBlock furthering that goal."
rchannick@tribpub.com
.jpg?w=600)
