STOCKYARDS Archer Avenue Technical Assistance Panel: Remaking an Historic Corridor June 2006
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Chicago Neighborhoods 2015: Assets, Plans and Trends – A project of The Chicago Community Trust STOCKYARDS Archer Avenue Technical Assistance Panel: Remaking an Historic Corridor June 2006 Community Areas: Bridgeport Urban Land Institute, Metropolitan Planning Council, Alderman Balcer A Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) was formed in 2006 to address transportation, retail and marketing issues, pedestrian safety, land-use regulations and the creation of an identity for Archer Avenue. In 1964, the Stevenson Expressway was built, creating a barrier between Archer Avenue in Bridgeport and the rest of Chicago. Recently, the construction of the Stearns Quarry Park and the demolition of the bridge over Ashland Avenue have provided new opportunities for the area. The TAP includes recommendations that can provide further opportunity through infrastructure, development, and understanding the market potential of the Archer Avenue corridor. General Recommendations: Assess the market potential; Upgrade street infrastructure; Focus on transit-oriented development; Establish gateways and midpoint; Fill in the streetwall; Review zoning and financing. Specific Recommendations: Improve utilization of the Ashland El stop by improving signage; Add a walking path along Bubbly Creek and a kiss-and-ride feature, as well as more parking; Add service and commuter-focused businesses at the Halsted station; Create bumpouts at Archer Avenue and Loomis Street; Add parking and install an historic marker to make this the center of the neighborhood; Improve access to Jacolik Park (formerly named Eleanor Park) and Quarry Park. Plan Maps and Data References: Rendering of Halsted Street Orange line station, p. 10. Highlighted Accomplishments: Opened three small stores next to the Halsted El station; Installed parking stalls under the Stevenson Expressway for local businesses; Installed minor identifier signage at the Ashland Avenue and Halsted Street entry point; Made minor interpretive signage and greening improvements at Bubbly Creek; Announced that the City of Chicago is working with local colleges and universities on the development of a boat launch structure. Key Unfinished Projects: Improve Ashland El stop signage; Add Bubbly Creek kiss-and-ride and parking; Create bumpouts at Archer Avenue and Loomis Street; Improve access to Jacolik Park and Quarry Park. Archer Avenue Technical Assistance Panel: Remaking an Historic Corridor Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis – Stockyards – February 2015 – Page 1 Chicago Neighborhoods 2015: Assets, Plans and Trends – A project of The Chicago Community Trust Archer Avenue and Halsted Street Pattern Book November 2008 Community Areas: Bridgeport City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Camiros, Site Design Group, Granacki Historic Consultants Two corridors, Halsted Street and Archer Avenue, provide the Bridgeport community with much of its retail, service and institutional base. The Pattern Book is a tool for city staff to use when assessing development proposals, engaging in dialogue with the development community and articulating the vision for Bridgeport’s major corridors to ensure that new development is consistent with the character of the community. General Recommandations: Promote key goals based on district type; Build projects that best fit the vision of each district; Follow design guidelines for each project type; Reinforce a sense of place by using the recommended scale of development for each block of the Archer Avenue and Halsted Street corridors; Focus historic conservation policy on blocks with significant buildings. Specific Recommendations: Strengthen major activity centers; Reinforce a vibrant pedestrian environment; Build on the character of the neighborhood’s most prominent buildings in neighborhood shopping districts; Maintain a pedestrian-oriented street wall, provide for a variety of uses and create appropriate transitions to surrounding residential areas in neighborhood mixed-use districts; Maintain street wall wherever possible to create a safe relationship between automotive and pedestrian circulation and minimize the visual impacts of parking lots in community shopping districts; Follow detailed site planning principles and scale and bulk principles provided for each project type; Follow detailed recommendations provided for each significant building cluster. Plan Maps and Data References: District map, p. 5; Multi-story mixed-use allowable project area, p. 10; Multi-story residential allowable project area, p. 12; Residential townhouse development allowable project area, p. 14; Detached residential development, p. 16; Multi-tenant shopping center allowable project area, p. 18; Single-tenant small-box retail allowable project area, p. 20; Scale map, p. 23; Architectural survey map, p. 25. Highlighted Accomplishments: None. Key Unfinished Projects: Identify one or more community organizations to adopt and promote pattern book; Strengthen major activity centers; Reinforce a vibrant pedestrian environment. Archer Avenue and Halsted Street Pattern Book Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis – Stockyards – February 2015 – Page 2 Chicago Neighborhoods 2015: Assets, Plans and Trends – A project of The Chicago Community Trust Ashland Bus Rapid Transit Bus Rapid Transit August 2012 Community Areas: North Center, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, West Town, Near West Side, Lower West Side, McKinley Park, New City, West Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Beverly Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Chicago Department of Transportation, Department of Planning and Development, Federal Transit Administration Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is planned for 16 miles of Ashland Avenue from Irving Park Road to 95th Street with implementation occurring in 3 phases. The first phase is now being designed for central Ashland Avenue from Cortland Avenue to 31st Street. Ashland Avenue was chosen because it has the highest bus ridership of all CTA routes with 10M boardings in 2012, provides access to more than 130,000 jobs, services popular destinations and large employment centers such as the Illinois Medical District, University of Illinois at Chicago, United Center, Malcolm X College and 99 schools. It also provides access to seven CTA stations and 37 bus routes. It is expected to result in an up to 83% increase in bus speeds, save the average commuter nearly 65 hours per year as compared to the local bus and be 50% more reliable than the local bus. The Ashland BRT will feature: A dedicated center running bus lane in each direction to keep buses out of general traffic during boardings Limited stops, every 12 mile and at CTA El stations Transit Signal Priority intersections and longer green lights to keep traffic moving Potential pre-payment for faster boarding, similar to L stations Wide doors on left side of new, high-capacity vehicles Improved lighting, ADA ramps and real-time travel info Maintenance of existing medians and the addition of more than 75 blocks of new streetscaping, including medians and sidewalks To build the Ashland BRT, the following accommodations will need to be made: Eliminate one vehicle travel lane in each direction, typically leaving one travel lane in each direction Reduce parking by 8% and loading zones by 4% Remove left turn lanes Highlighted Accomplishments: Five open public meetings; 31 meetings with community organizations; 14 direct ridership outreach events. Key Unfinished projects: Proposed route and features have not been finalized. Ashland BRT Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis – Stockyards – February 2015 – Page 3 Chicago Neighborhoods 2015: Assets, Plans and Trends – A project of The Chicago Community Trust Back of the Yards Quality of Life Plan March 2014 Community Areas: Brighton Park, McKinley Park and New City Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, LISC, Teska, Axia Development Back of the Yards struggled during the decline of the meatpacking industry and experienced related problems, such as unemployment, affordable housing and safety. The Quality of Life plan process began in 2011 and addresses issues in four areas: Youth and Education, Economic Development, Housing and Civic Engagement. The plan includes recommendations to stabilize the neighborhood’s economy, provide quality housing options, and support its youth population through educational experiences and a safe environment. General Recommendations: Expand opportunities for youth through recreational, educational and vocational experiences; Provide quality affordable housing opportunities for homeowners and renters; Target rehab, new construction, and a block-by-block strategy to stabilize the neighborhood; Enhance public safety for all residents, shoppers and visitors to the Back of the Yards; Improve economic development, jobs and new retail opportunities in the neighborhood; Develop and improve access to high quality education for all children in the neighborhood to become college and career ready; Promote a strong identity for Back of the Yards and market the community. Specific Recommendations: Improve the quality and options for recreational facilities in the neighborhood’s park system; Create safe spaces for youth that nurture constructive activities, social interaction and job training opportunities; Create safe passages to and from Back of the Yards High School and build up the school as the flagship of the neighborhood; Improve the quality of educational opportunities for children and families; Advance the local education system to tailor a curriculum that adequately prepares