Near North

Mid South

Near West Final Recommendations Report Adopted by Plan Commission July 15, 2009

In association with: MKC ASSOCIATES DRAFT Preliminary Recommendations May 2008 FINAL Recommendations

Table of Contents:

1 Acknowledgements 2 Project Overview 4 Study Area Descriptions 5 Community Input 6 Planning Recommendations 6 Public Investment to Foster Re-Connection S-1 Mid South Study Area W-1 Near West Study Area N-1 Near North Study Area

FIGURES:

S-5 Mid South Study Area Recommendations W-5 Near West Study Area Recommendations N-5 Near North South Study Area Recommendations

TABLES:

S-6 Implementation Actions Mid South W-6 Implementation Actions Near West N-6 Implementation Actions Near North

Please send questions or comments to: Joanna Trotter For more information visit: Project Manager, Reconnecting Neighborhoods Metropolitan Planning Council www.ReconnectingNeighborhoods.org [email protected] (312) 863-6008

Reconnecting Neighborhoods

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Charles W. Abraham, Department of Transportation, Diane Gormely-Barnes, HNTB Corporation Division of Public and Intermodal Maria P. Hibbs, The Partnership for New Communities Andre Ashmore, Illinois Department of Commerce and Hon. Mattie Hunter, Illinois State Senate Economic Opportunity Joe Iacobucci, Chicago Transit Authority MarySue Barrett, Metropolitan Planning Council Bernita Johnson-Gabriel, Quad Communities Development Todd C. Brown (Co-Chair), ShoreBank Corp. Hon. Walter Burnett, Chicago City Council Lewis Jordan, Chicago Housing Authority William Burns, Conlon Public Strategies Inc. Catherine Kannenberg, Metra Carl Byrd, City of Chicago, Department of Housing Ileen E. Kelly, Independent Consultant Hon. Vi Daley, Chicago City Council Peter Levavi, Brinshore Development LLC Steve DeBretto, Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago Hon. Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago City Council Bola Delano, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Arnold L. Randall (Co-Chair), City of Chicago, Department of Hon. Patricia R. Dowell, Chicago City Council Planning & Development Hon. Kenneth Dunkin, Illinois House of Representatives Hon. Kwame Raoul, Illinois State Senate Hon. Robert Fioretti, Chicago City Council Charles Smith, Smith & Smith Associates Inc. Benet Haller, City of Chicago, Department of Planning & Christopher Stinson, Malcolm X College Development Heather Tabbert, Regional Transportation Authority Luann Hamilton, City of Chicago, Department of Transportation David Thigpen, Chicago Urban League Jeffrey Head, The Habitat Company Joseph A. Williams, Target Group Inc. Hon. Rickey R. Hendon, Illinois State Senate

EXPERT PANEL: Mark A. Angelini, S. B. Friedman & Co Basil W.C. Souder, AIA, Lohan Anderson Gabriella DiFilippo, IFF David M. Taylor, HDR Thomas Kirschbraun (Chair), Jones Lang LaSalle Vanitha Venugopal, Surdna Foundation Smita N. Shah, P.E., SPAAN Tech, Inc. Sam Zimbabwe, LEED-AP , Reconnecting America Thurman “Tony” Smith, Highland Strategic Advisors Corporation

Reconnecting Neighborhoods TASK FORCES: The Final Recommendations for the Mid South Reconnecting Neighborhoods study were Johnnie Blair, Bronzeville Chamber of Commerce Terry Nichols Clark, prepared through the efforts of the City Allison S. Davis, Davis Group & Neighborhood Rejuvenation Partners of Chicago, the Regional Transportation Richard Gill, South East Chicago Commission Authority, CTA, Metra, and the project Kim L. Hunt, O-H Community Partners Ltd. Bernita Johnson-Gabriel (Co-Chair), Quad Communities planning consultants, the Metropolitan Development Corp. Planning Council, HNTB Corporation and Nicole Jones, Sensual Steps MKC Associates. Many citizens, staff, Harold Lucas, Black Metropolis Convention and Tourism Council Rev. O.C. Morgan, Evening Star M.B. Church advisory task force members and officials Hon.Toni Preckwinkle, Alderman (Co-Chair), Chicago City Council of the City of Chicago participated in the Tony Rogers, Jazz On The Boulevard planning process. Their involvement and Sandra Young, Chicago Housing Authority Gordon Ziegenhagen, Draper and Kramer insights are sincerely appreciated.

Near West Near North Julie Elena Brown, Business and Professional People for the Public Gary Allison, Minuteman Press Interest Hon. Walter Burnett, Alderman (Co-Chair), Chicago City Council Hon. Walter Burnett, Alderman (Co-Chair), Chicago City Council Kelvin Canon, Cabrini-Green Homes LAC Warren K. Chapman, University of Illinois at Chicago Aracelis B. Castaneda, Chicago Commission on Human Relations Steve DeBretto (Co-Chair), Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago Scott Drawe, Near North Library Earnest Gates, Near West Side Community Development Hon. Rep. Ken Dunkin, Illinois House of Representatives Corporation Nicole Eason, Cabrini Green Rowhouses Jim Georgalas, United Center Paige Finnegan, The LEED Council Inc. Deborah Hammond-Watts, Henry Suder School Barbra J. Green, 27th Ward Seniors Johnny Harris, Major Adams Community Committee Barb Guthman, Office of Ald. Vi Daley Melody Heaps, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, TASC Doug Guthrie, Kimball Hill Homes Mark Jamil, Illinois Medical District Commission Benet Haller, City of Chicago, Department of Planning & Diane Jones, Madison-Western Chamber of Commerce Development Anthony Jones, Office of Senator Rickey Hendon Michael Holzer, The LEED Council Inc. Ileen E. Kelly, Independent Consultant John Blick, Old Town Merchants and Residents Association Peter Levavi, Brinshore Development LLC Nancy J. Kapp, The Renaissance Companies David McCool, WestHaven Project Match Lesley Kiferbaum, Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation Avis Miller, Office of Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr. Charles Smith (Co-Chair), Smith & Smith Associates Inc. Mark E. Muenzer, City of Chicago, Department of Planning & Kelvin Stong, Near North Development Corporation Development Bernice Thomas, Near North Health Services Corporation Crystal Palmer, Henry Horner Homes Raquel Wright, Evergreen Towers Apartments Kathy Quickey, Westhaven Park Tower Mike Quinlan, Near West Side Community Development Corporation Christopher H. Stinson, Malcolm X College Whitney Weller, Michaels Development Company George A. Williams, TASC Inc.

STAFF: Mary Kay Christopher, MKC Associates Robin Snyderman, Metropolitan Planning Council Brandon Johnson, Metropolitan Planning Council Joanna Trotter, Metropolitan Planning Council Eleanor Mayer, HNTB Corporation

Preparation of this document was financed in part through a grant from the U.S. Department ofTransportation, Federal Transit Administration, and the Regional Transportation Authority. The contents of the document do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, or the Illinois Department of Transportation.

FINAL Recommendations

1 Project Overview Relevant Planning Reports Mid South Reconnecting Neighborhoods is part of the City of • City of Chicago Department of Planning and Chicago’s ongoing efforts to transform how public and Development, Master Plan for the Cottage Grove affordable housing are integrated into their neighborhoods. Avenue Corridor, 2006. Recognizing that successful integration of both new • Quad Communities Development Corporation and and renovated housing developments requires looking LISC/Chicago’s New Communities Program, Quality- beyond the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Plan for of-Life Plan, Quad Communities: Connecting Past, Transformation sites to the surrounding blocks and nearby Present and Future, May 2005. commercial and employment centers, the City of Chicago’s • City of Chicago, Near South Community Plan, August Department of Planning and Development initiated the 2003. Reconnecting Neighborhoods study. The Reconnecting • Mid-South Planning Group, Mid-South Strategic Neighborhoods study is funded through the Regional Development Plan, 1993. Transportation Authority’s (RTA) Community Planning • City of Chicago and Community Development Program (formerly known as the Regional Transportation Commission, The North Kenwood – Oakland Assistance Program, or RTAP). The Community Planning Conservation Plan, July 30, 1992. Program provides funding and planning assistance to communities for planning projects that benefit both local Near West communities and the RTA transit system. To this end, • Near West Side Community Development Corp. the goal of the Reconnecting Neighborhoods study is and LISC Metro Edge, Westhaven Market Study, to make recommendations on how the three selected November 2007. study areas can be ‘reconnected’ to the City through • Near West Side Community Development Corp. and improved access to public transportation, commercial LISC/Chicago’s New Communities Program, Quality- services and an improved pedestrian environment. This of- Life Plan, West Haven: Rising Like the Phoenix, project draws upon past planning efforts addressing each October 2007. study area. Completed plans in each of the Reconnecting • The Near West Side Community Development Neighborhoods study areas were reviewed as preparation Corporation and LISC/ Chicago’s New Communities for this study, and the principles and strategies presented Initiative, More Than Bricks and Mortar: A Quality of in this report build upon these previous recommendations. Life Plan for West Haven, Spring 2002. The specific documents reviewed are listed here. • City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Transit Oriented Development Plans at Technical analyses and recommendations for the study Selected Green Line Stations, November 1998. were prepared by HNTB Corporation with assistance • City of Chicago, Green Line Station Location Study, from MKC Associates. The Metropolitan Planning Council February 2002. (MPC) coordinated and facilitated community outreach • City of Chicago, Lake Street Enhancement Program, efforts for the study including the convening of an Expert November 1998. Panel in late October 2008 which reviewed and refined Near North the Reconnecting Neighborhoods recommendations with • City of Chicago Department of Transportation and particular focus on feasible implementation strategies, Department of Planning and Development, Halsted including public-private partnerships, the full text of the Triangle Plan, October 2007. Panel’s recommendations is available under separate • City of Chicago, Near North Redevelopment Initiative, cover from MPC. This report summarizes the Land Use Plan Map, 2006.

Reconnecting Neighborhoods

2 final recommendations for each of the Map of the Reconnecting Neighborhoods Study Areas three study areas. Further information and interim reports prepared during the M Reconnecting study process can be found at: www. UP - N & NW Neighborhoods Clybourn Armitage Study Areas ReconnectingNeighborhoods.org. Western Sedgwick Near North North / Damen Clybourn Clark / Division Near West Numerous discussions are occurring at Mid South Division various levels of government – regional, Chicago state, and federal- that link transportation, Western Grand M UP-W, NCS & MD-N&W Clinton energy independence and green technol- Clinton MM Ashland Millennium ogy, and housing initiatives together. As M Ogilvie Transportation Van Buren such, the Reconnecting Neighborhoods Center M M Union Station M California recommendations and subsequent efforts California M LaSalle Street Station have the opportunity to be more competi- Polk Racine Clinton Clinton Racine Damen Damen Halsted Halsted Roosevelt Western tive in the future for these funding oppor- Western M tunities. Moving forward, the project and Halsted BNSF M Western subsequent initiatives should be framed in M 18th 18th M Cermak the natural context of: McCormick Place M • Equity: Ensuring that residents Damen Damen 27th Western Western M California of mixed-income communities, California Halsted Halsted particularly low- and moderate-income residents, have access to adequate

Heritage Corridor 35th (planned) Metra Electric Line Ashland Ashland M 35th retail and job opportunities, safe and 35th

reliable public transportation. Indiana SWS • Affordable Housing: Maximizing SWS Rock Island the significant investment in the Plan Rock Island 43rd for Transformation by ensuring the 47th creation of “complete” communities 47th 47th M Western Western that reduce the cost of both housing Not to Scale 51st and transportation for residents. • Green House Gas Reduction: options that provide an alternative to the personal automobile and its related, Providing alternative transportation rising, fuel costs. choices to residents in neighborhoods that are ideally located near the It is recommended that a community-based stakeholder group, similar in composition Chicago Central Business District. to the Inter-Governmental Advisory Committee (IGAC), will continue to undertake the • Transportation Cost Reduction: implementation of these recommendations, while also encouraging and facilitating Creating low-cost transportation transit-supportive development throughout the City.

econnecting Neighborhoods is a participatory initiative that bring[s] together long-time community “R residents, residents of the new mixed-income sites, community leaders, neighborhood institutions, developers, and existing and potential businesses and employers in three areas to analyze current conditions; propose plans for improving transportation infrastructure, transit service and commercial options; and make recommendations [which] bring the plans to fruition.”

— Metropolitan Planning Council

FINAL Recommendations

3