Local Chamber of Commerce Partners with SSA 27 and Friends of Lakeview to Propose Transformative Seven-to-Ten-Year Strategy
In a bid to foster robust community engagement and invigorate business development, the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with Special Service Area 27 (SSA 27) and Friends of Lakeview to announce an extensive “master plan.” Spanning a projected seven-to-ten years, the visionary blueprint aims to reshape the neighborhood’s landscape, bolstering its identity and accessibility.
The comprehensive master plan is the outcome of a meticulous process involving online surveys and community engagement events conducted over a span of ten months. This collaborative effort has culminated in a set of five actionable recommendations designed to reshape the neighborhood’s dynamics and offerings.
1. Sub-Neighborhood Development: The plan introduces a groundbreaking initiative to divide the Lakeview and Roscoe Village community into six distinctive sub-neighborhoods. This approach is intended to encourage residents’ personal identification with their specific sub-community, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.
2. Enhanced Connectivity: Prioritizing easy movement within the locality, the plan aims to interlink the newly created sub-neighborhoods. The focus is on establishing safer pedestrian walkways, enhancing streetscapes, and bolstering bicycle infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity.
3. Vibrancy Amplification: A central recommendation centers on the development of the Lakeview Center as an iconic intersection. This enhancement initiative will incorporate creative brand strategies, dynamic signage, and innovative wayfinding elements to infuse the area with a unique vibrancy.
4. Urban Gathering Spaces: Recognizing the value of communal spaces in urban environments, the plan proposes the creation of artistic hubs within transformed urban alleys—an initiative coined as “allery.” Additionally, intersections in residential zones will be repurposed as greenway connectors to promote interaction and social engagement.
5. Revitalizing the Chicago Riverfront: The master plan envisions a reimagined Chicago Riverfront, capitalizing on existing projects like the Riverview Bridge and the Lathrop redevelopment. This approach aims to transform the riverfront into a hub of economic, cultural, and geographical growth.
The recommendations are built upon three overarching themes—public realm enhancement, curated events and programming, and a renewed focus on branding and identity.
Key Survey Insights: The foundation of the master plan is rooted in insights derived from a survey conducted between December 2022 and February 2023. The survey highlighted key priorities for both local residents and businesses:
- 71% of residents expressed a preference for walking as their primary mode of transport within the neighborhood.
- 88% of business owners emphasized the importance of well-maintained commercial corridor sidewalks, pivotal to sustaining business activities.
- Shopping and dining emerged as the prime attractions motivating movement between neighborhood sub-districts.
- Public safety was identified as the foremost consideration when traversing between neighborhoods.
- The majority of respondents indicated that active storefronts, safer crossings, and expanded sidewalks would enhance the overall appeal and welcoming atmosphere of the neighborhoods.
Funding and Execution: While the master plan does not outline specific timelines, it does provide a blueprint for funding mechanisms. The budget allocation from the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, SSA 27, and Friends of Lakeview serves as the primary funding sources. Additionally, financial support will be sought from city, state, and federal grants, along with Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
Organizers emphasized that funding strategies will be tailored to each individual project within the master plan. Comprehensive information about the master plan can be accessed on the official website of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. As the community embraces this ambitious endeavor, it envisions a future characterized by heightened community engagement, flourishing businesses, and an enriched urban landscape.
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