A couple weeks ago, about 40 people assembled for the unveiling of the Milwaukee Ave. Corridor Plan for the stretch between Western and California. Our building is about 100 feet away from the 'study area' in the next ward over, but I'm a nosy neighbor so I got involved anyways.
Alderman Manny Flores instigated the plan (and convinced the city to pay for it with TIF funds) and you can download it off his website. If you didn't know it already, lots of properties are changing hands in this area and drastic redevelopment seems like a guarantee. Page 33 of the report maps out the carefully-worded 'Sites Susceptible to Change' and shows that most of the properties are in play.
I attended a few of the community meetings to gather ideas for the plan, which were well-run as community meetings go thanks to the folks at CNT. Although the plan is a nice-looking document and makes some good recommendations, there doesn't seem to be any swift change in policy or zoning coming out of it. I'm all for its number one theme of transit-oriented development but I know that to make that happen we'll need some action on the policy front and continuing support from the community. The best immediate impact the plan had in my eyes was just getting residents, businesses and land owners in the same room to talk turkey for a few hours. There is as much disagreement as agreement on issues, but at least we put a human face on the debate.
Everyone wants to know what is going to be built on some of these sites. Condos? A strip mall? A new McDonalds? Or some nice pedestrian-friendly multi-use retail buildings? Whatever gets built (and how fast it happens) will have a definite impact on our success as a brewpub but we'll just have to wait and see for the most part. Hopefully things go according to plan:
From Page 26:
Development Principles
The following “development principles” have been derived from the
community input that was strong throughout the planning process.
These principles should be used to apply the community’s vision and
plan for the future development of a vital commercial district on
Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square.
1. Encourage compact, mixed density development with
multiple uses: a mix of uses and density generates a vibrant
assortment of people at many hours of the day. Urban
corridors, such as Milwaukee Avenue, have several built-in
advantages: many different uses are located close by, they
are easily accessible, and uses are often mutually supportive
(i.e., entertainment and restaurants). The Corridor should
contain a mix of building types: high and low, old and new,
that accommodates a range of businesses and residents.
2. Design for people, not cars: recognize the desire for
diversity and transportation options other than driving.
Given the strong presence of transit along the Corridor,
Milwaukee Avenue should continue to have a
pedestrian/bicyclist/non-motorized transportation
orientation. Encourage bicycle parking in new
developments. Set aside more area for dedicated, secured
bicycle storage and parking. Implement existing zoning
regulations that allow for lower parking standards when
developing within 0.25 -miles of either the Western or
California Blue line stations.
3. Involve the private sector and encourage public/private
partnerships: other than the CTA Elevated tracks, sidewalks,
streets, and other easements and rights-of-way, there is no
publicly-owned land along the corridor; thus, most change
will come from the private sector. Whenever appropriate,
incentivize development that conforms with the vision and
development principles put forth in this Plan.
4. Promote diverse housing options: allow higher density and
require a mix of product types for a broad range of incomes.
Living near transit can satisfy the desire for community,
independence, opportunity, and convenience for all ages
and income levels. Housing should include rental and forsale,
at both market and affordable housing price ranges.
5. Create public spaces: encourage creative opportunities for
open and green space, including public art, street vendors,
markets, concerts, and performances that draw people and
vitality into the area to stimulate economic activity.
Encourage plazas and gathering spots as part of new, larger
scale residential development. Work with the CTA to use
the land under the CTA Elevated tracks for public use around
the Western and California stations and local parking at
selected mid-block locations.
6. Promote pedestrian connections and innovative use of
public right-of-way: recognizing that Milwaukee Avenue is
highly-used by commuters, residents, and visitors, any
improvements in pedestrian connections, safety, and bicycle
storage are important to the community and key to
maintaining and enhancing the vibrancy of the Corridor.
7. Establish attractive landmarks & gateways: incorporate
unique streetscaping elements along the Corridor, such as
public art, benches, lighting, and signage that signify
Milwaukee Avenue as the “front door” to Logan Square.
8. Develop retail that is market driven: “ understand that retail
follows rooftops”--- increasing the amount, type, and mix of
retail is a desirable element in a community and a valuable
generator of taxes and services, but needs to be supported
by market demand. It is better to have a few busy,
successful stores than many dark empty ones.
9. Promote environmental best practices: use programs such
as Chicago’s Green Streets & Alleys and other pilot programs
underway by the City. Promote use of green roofs and U.S.
Green Building Council standards. Plant trees along the
Corridor to clean the air, reduce heat islands, cool buildings,
relax people, and provide shade for pedestrians.