NORTHWEST SIDE Jefferson Park Milwaukee/Lawrence Corridor Study August 2008 Community Areas: Jefferson Park Department of Planning and Development, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Applied Real Estate Analysis, Fish Transportation Group Downtown Jefferson Park is centered at the intersection of Milwaukee and Lawrence Avenues. The area is largely defined by the Jefferson Park Transit Center, older small-scale commercial and retail buildings, vacant lots, two large parks and several civic buildings. The Transit Center and proximity to major expressways provide easy access to downtown Chicago, O Hare airport and the northwestern suburbs. The Copernicus Center attracts visitors from all over Chicago. The Jefferson Park Milwaukee/Lawrence Corridor Study plan sets forth a vision for the area and identifies strategies for improving the function and character of the corridor through preservation, renovation and redevelopment. General Recommendations: Regenerate Downtown Jefferson Park; Embrace transit; Increase housing opportunities; Make great streets; Complete the street edge; Focus initial phases around transit; Anticipate continued investment; Celebrate and integrate civic sites. Specific Recommendations: Reinvigorate buildings and sites with appropriate uses that foster community and economic growth; Address perceived lack of available and low-cost parking for businesses, commuters, visitors and residents; Increase pedestrian safety by addressing awkward intersections, long blocks and frequent bus congestion; Implement comprehensive streetscape enhancements; Re-zone the area to allow for transit-oriented development; Renovate and reuse vacant and underutilized buildings; Build upon the area s Polish identity; Build mixed-density housing, retail and office adjacent to the Transit Center; Maintain and enhance the civic infrastructure; Preserve and maintain architecturally significant buildings; Concentrate commercial uses in nodes along the corridor; Emphasize the area s accessibility and livability. Plan Maps and Data References: Study area map, p. 9; Regional context, p. 10; Regional context (aerial), p. 11; Public transportation, p. 12; Hierarchy of roads, p. 13; Chicago landmarks, p. 14; Civic institutions, p. 15; Current land use, p. 16; Vacant lots, surface parking lots and vacant storefronts, p. 17; Existing zoning, p. 18; Business and commercial corridors, p. 27. Highlighted Accomplishments: Expanded Copernicus Center s programming; Completed streetscaping project on Milwaukee Avenue with new light poles, trees and sidewalks installed; Opened three new venues/institutions in the area: Gift Theater, National Veterans Art Museum and Ed Paschke Art Center. Key Unfinished Projects: Engage in active dialogue with potential investors and developers; Pursue appropriate development of vacant lots; Build new public parking garage; Redevelop surface parking lots; Redevelop the Transit Center into a mixed-use development that incorporates multiple transportation options; Redevelop the Post Office Annex; Relocate the library; Build on the Polish identity of the community. Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Northwest Side February 2015 Page 1
Jefferson Park Milwaukee-Lawrence Corridor Study Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Northwest Side February 2015 Page 2
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Transit-Friendly Development Plan Adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission December, 2011 Community Area: Montclare, Belmont Cragin, Austin Department of Housing and Economic Development, Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Regional Transportation Authority, Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corporation, SB Friedman & Company, Diane Legge Kemp, and Regina Webster and Associates The Metra Milwaukee District West Line Transit-Friendly Development Plan addresses the area immediately surrounding five stations on Metra s Milwaukee District West line: Grand/Cicero, Hanson Park, Galewood, Mars and Mont Clare. These stations are an important resource for the study area neighborhoods, providing additional transportation options. The intent of the plan is to build on this resource and increase the vitality of the area by increasing ridership, improving the experience of current Metra riders, and preserving and enhancing the neighborhoods in which they are located. The plan echoes the City of Chicago s endeavors to maximize the use of its existing transportation infrastructure, and looks to ensure that transit and land use are considered together in planning processes. General Recommendations: Respect existing land use and regulatory conditions; Focus on improving access and movement primarily within two blocks of stations for all forms of transportation; Accommodate dramatic change at selected sites; Promote mixed use and multi-family infill development near stations; Protect healthy existing residential neighborhoods near stations; Improve signage and wayfinding; Educate and improve awareness of employers, employees and residents about the transit benefits program and transit options; Periodically re-evaluate train schedules for enhanced service and efficiency. Specific Recommendations: Calibrate dedicated parking facilities to match demand; Promote shared parking facilities with compatible uses; Enhance intermodal connectivity; Enhance Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) shelters at or near Metra stations with Metra timetables, maps, wayfinding signage, designated drop-off facilities, bicycle parking and car sharing; Install gateway signage at major intersections up to ½ mile from stations; Stripe crosswalks; Add a new station plaza; Increase pedestrian-level lighting; Enhance maintenance; Improve sidewalk/routing; Install bike racks/bike sharing facilities; Increase off-street commuter parking; Provide directional signage. Plan Maps and Data References: Study area context, p. 6; Station area typology, p. 7; Major employers, p. 9; Where area study workers live, p. 10; Study area demographics, p. 11; Study area home sales price trends, 2005-2011, p. 12; Where study area residents live, p. 13; Eastern stations infill opportunity sites, p. 15; Western stations infill opportunity sites, p. 16; Grand/Cicero station transit-friendly improvements, p. 22; Grand/Cicero station strategies, p. 23; Hanson Park station transit-friendly improvements, p. 25; Hanson Park station strategies, p. 26; Galewood station transit-friendly improvement, p. 28; Galewood station strategies, p. 29; Mars station transit-friendly improvement, p. 31; Mars station strategies, p. 32; Mont Clare station transit-friendly improvement, p. 34; Mont Clare station strategies, p. 35. Highlighted Accomplishments: Made minor pedestrian infrastructure improvements; Improved offstreet commuter parking facilities along with renovations of the Hanson Park, Galewood and Mars Metra stations. Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Northwest Side February 2015 Page 3
Key Unfinished Projects: Improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, as well as off-street commuter parking facilities at the Grand/Cicero and Mont Clare Metra stations; Install gateway signage for the Hanson Park, Galewood and Mars Metra stations; Improve CTA bus shelters at or near stations with Metra-related information; Increase car sharing; Acquire land for Grand/Cicero commuter parking lot; Work out maintenance agreements between city agencies and other entities. Metra Milwaukee District West Line Transit-Friendly Development Plan Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Northwest Side February 2015 Page 4
Six Corners Economic Development Master Plan Adopted by Chicago Plan Commission August 2013 Community Area: Portage Park Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development, Goodman Williams Group, The Lakota Group, Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Granacki Historic Consultants, Findzall Community Marketing Six Corners has a long history as a successful neighborhood shopping and entertainment district. An iconic Sears store, the Portage Theater, the Marketplace at Six Corners and a number of smaller businesses serve the residents of Portage Park and neighboring communities on Chicago s Northwest Side. The Six Corners Economic Development Master Plan recognizes that Six Corners has experienced a loss of retailers along its commercial corridors and is in need of physical improvements to both buildings and infrastructure. To combat this loss, the plan provides the City of Chicago and Six Corners stakeholders with strategies to enhance the vitality of one of Chicago s oldest and most important neighborhood shopping districts. The trade area boundaries used in the study are Lawrence Avenue on the north, Diversey Avenue on the south, the Kennedy Expressway on the east and Central Avenue on the west. The population of the trade area in 2010 was 93,912, with slightly more than 50% identifying as Hispanic. The estimated median annual household income was slightly higher than that of the City of Chicago at $43,828. General Recommendations: Attract more retail stores and businesses to Six Corners that appeal to the diversity of households in the area; Recognize and enhance the cultural and entertainment offerings in Six Corners; Upgrade building facades and storefronts; Plan for the redevelopment of key opportunity sites; Enhance the pedestrian environment, making it easier for patrons to park their cars and circulate safely around the shopping district; Develop attractive outdoor spaces that encourage patrons to gather. Specific Recommendations: Encourage diversity in programming at the Portage Theater; Pursue National Register landmark designation and Historic Preservation Tax Credits to help finance a more extensive rehabilitation of the theater, its apartments and commercial storefronts; Focus retail attraction efforts on restaurants, grocery stores, small independent stores and larger-format national chains; Create a public gathering place north of the Portage Theater; Enhance signage and pedestrian connections via Cuyler Avenue to the Laporte Avenue public parking lot; Activate street level storefronts along Cicero Avenue and Irving Park Road with transparent windows and attractive window signage and product merchandising; Encourage creativity in signage design; Consider developing design guidelines; Spearhead a model block initiative along Milwaukee Avenue or Irving Park Road; Focus redevelopment efforts on 4900 W. Irving Park Road, the southeast corner of Irving Park Road, Cicero Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue, and the Peoples Gas site on Irving Park Road; Improve auto and pedestrian circulation around the district; Initiate a conversation with Inland Real Estate for dedicated parking spaces for shoppers; Improve the Six Corners intersection; Create a formal wayfinding program; Install bike racks and create shared bike lanes; Market the community; Engage in business retention and education. Plan Maps and Data References: Six Corners illustrative plan, p. 9; Primary trade area and neighborhood context, p. 9; Primary trade area leakage analysis, p. 11; Six Corners parking survey results, p. 45; Onstreet parking survey results, p. 46; Permit parking survey results, p. 46; Parking restrictions, p. 47; Transportation circulation and operations, p. 49. Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Northwest Side February 2015 Page 5
Highlighted Accomplishments: Achieved National Register landmark designation for Portage Theater; Established year-round Farmers Market; Expanded and diversified Portage Theater programming, including hosting winter Farmers Markets; Attracted sixteen new businesses to open in Portage Park in 2014, including several new restaurants; Improved three storefronts; Adopted ordinance by City Council to establish bike lanes on Milwaukee Avenue; Completed successful online funding campaign by Six Corners Association to support installation of bike corrals and Divvy stations in district; Applied for Tax Increment Financing for redevelopment of 4900 W. Irving Park Road; Transferred former Bank of America site through sale to Clark Street Development, which proposes a new public plaza, commercial and residential development and a pedestrian circulator. Key Unfinished Projects: Redesign/update Six Corners Association s website, incorporating plan s website checklist; Develop design guidelines; Create a formal wayfinding program; Engage in business retention and education; Continue efforts to remove old and unused signs and sign structures. Six Corners Economic Development Master Plan Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Northwest Side February 2015 Page 6