Infrastructure Town Hall
On August 14, our office held a town hall meeting to discuss current and upcoming infrastructure projects happening in the 48th ward. This is a long post full of lots of information and project highlights! Here’s what you can expect to find as you scroll through:
How We Invest in Infrastructure
Overview of Major Infrastruture Projects by Funding Type
Street Resurfacing & Alley Improvements
Far Northside Bike Network
Berwyn Greenway
More Pedestrian Safety Projects
Red & Purple Modernization Program (RPM)
Projects in our Parks
Make Way for People Projects
Participatory Budgeting
Special Service Areas (SSAs)
Policy Initiatives
Get Involved
HOW WE INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Capital Improvement Program (CIP): The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is the City of Chicago’s 5-year plan for improving the City’s public infrastructure.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF): The City is shifting away from TIF in favor of the Housing and Economic Development Bond, a 5-year, $1.25 billion development effort funded by expiring TIF districts. For active TIF districts, we support the use of TIF funds for key areas like park and public schools, pedestrian and bike safety, and affordable housing.
Menu: Each ward is allocated $1.5 million in funds annually to spend on permanent infrastructure, whether repairs to existing infrastructure (e.g. street resurfacing) or new infrastructure projects (e.g. new pedestrian/bike safety infrastructure).
Other State, County, Federal, and Community Grants: Our office also works with state and county legislators to fund development improvements, and supports the city (as well as the Parks District and CPS) in pursuing federal and community grants for infrastructure improvements.
MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
The image above contains a summary of the major upcoming projects, organized by how they’re being funded (through the Capital Improvement Program, Tax Increment Financing & other grants, or our ward menu funds). Read on for more details about these projects.
STREETS & ALLEYS
Click on streets and alleys on the map above for more information. Map last updated 8/15/24.STREET RESURFACING
Kenmore from Thorndale - Ardmore (COMPLETE)
Kenmore from Foster - Ainslie (IN PROGRESS)
Hollywood from Ridge - Sheridan (IN PROGRESS)
DLSD from Hollywood - Lawrence (2024)
Clark from Thorndale - Victoria (2024)
Sheridan from Bryn Mawr - Ainslie (2025)
Devon from Clark - Magnolia (2025)
Glenwood from Ridge - Foster (2025)
Glenlake from Kenmore - Sheridan (2025)
ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS
Glenwood/Hollywood/Wayne/Bryn Mawr: Green Alley (COMPLETE)
McCutcheon Terrace/Margate Terrace/Marine Dr/Ainslie: Resurfacing (COMPLETE)
Clark/Gregory/Glenwood/Catalpa: Alley Apron (COMPLETE)
Kenmore/Granville/Sheridan/Glenlake: Resurfacing (COMPLETE)
Magnolia/Rosemont/Broadway/Granville: Resurfacing (COMPLETE)
Broadway/Thorndale/Winthrop/Ardmore: Resurfacing (2024)
Clark/Ardmore/Ridge/Victoria: Resurfacing (2024)
Clark/Victoria/Ridge/Edgewater: Green Alley (2025)
UNDERGROUND WORK
Please note that beyond street resurfacing and alley improvements, you may notice construction crews digging to work on gas lines, repair sewers, and install fiber optic systems. These projects are not included on the map above. For more information on specific projects happening near you, visit ChiStreetWork and type in your address!
FAR NORTHSIDE BIKE NETWORK
COMING IN 2024
Clark Protected Bike Lane - COMPLETE
Berwyn Greenway
Winthrop & Kenmore Enhancements
COMING IN 2025
Glenwood Greenway Enhancements
Potential Granville Bikeway
BERWYN GREENWAY
The New Berwyn Greenway will be a 2.5 mile family-friendly bike route connecting the North Shore Channel Trail (NSCT) to the Lakefront Trail (LFT).
Project Timeline
NSCT to Damen - Installed
Damen to Ravenswood - 2024
Ravenswood to Clark - 2025
with new traffic signal at Ashland
Clark to LFT - 2024
Learn more about this exciting new project and its benefits for traffic safety and pedestrian/bicycle accessibility here.
MORE PEDESTRIAN & CYCLIST SAFETY PROJECTS
Clark protected bike lane (left) and new pedestrian crossing (right)
CLARK PROTECTED BIKE LANE
This protected bike lane project on Clark is complete! Parts of the bike lane are painted green for high visibility and protected from car traffic by physical barriers. The project also included new pedestrian crossings and improved bus stops/bus lanes.
Winthrop/Kenmore enhancements plan (left) and example of signange (right)
WINTHROP/KENMORE ENHANCEMENTS
Later this year, new signage and pavement markings will be installed on Winthrop and Kenmore to help guide bicyclists to the Lakefront Trail. See examples of signage and pavement marking placement above.
Digital rendering of hawk light technology
HAWK LIGHT at WAYNE & RIDGE
A High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal is a special kind of traffic light used to assist people in safely crossing busy streets. Pedestrians or cyclists push a button or activate an autmoatic sensor which prompts a series of yellow and red lights requiring cars to slow to a stop. The total cost to install a HAWK signal at Wayne & Ridge is $1.3 million. We’ve secured $300K in menu funds and $200K from ReBuild Illinois leaving a funding gap of $800K.
Map of refuge island locations (left) and photo of a refuge island (right)
BROADWAY REFUGE ISLAND
A pedestrian refuge island is a barrier in the middle of the a street where people who are walking or cycling can pause before crossing all the way to the other side. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is installing refuge islands on Broadway at Hood, Norwood, and Rosemont.
RED & PURPLE MODERNIZATION PROGAM (RPM)
The Red and Purple Modernization Project is on schedule! Project highlights include:
Larger stations
modern amenities
ADA accessibility
Better lighting and security features
Real-time information boards
Reliable train service; Fewer delays
Decreased crowding on trains & platforms
Brighter, cleaner pedestrian environment
Construction on the train lines is expected to wrap up in 2025. For construction alerts, visit transitchicago.com/rpmalerts.
UNDER L ACTIVATION
Community engagement is underway to activate the mile of space that’s opening up beneath the new tracks! Last year, neighbors came together to share ideas, values, and priorities. The CTA and RPM teams synthesized this information and presented it back to the community earlier this year at another round of meetings. This presentation included poster boards that community members could leave notes and comments on, highlighting their favorite ideas. The next community engagement meeting on this topic will take place this fall.
RPM PUBLIC ART
CTA has funded public art by Chicago artists for the new red and purple line stations that is expected to be completed and installed in 2025. Click through the images above to see renderings of the pieces the artists have been working on for the new Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr stations.
PROJECTS IN OUR PARKS
MARGATE PARK TRAILS & PLAYGROUND
1.3 miles of pathway have been repaved in Margate Park this year and we look forward to installing a new soft surface in the playground in 2025. The total cost of this project is estimated at $300K.
COCHRAN PARK
We are currently waiting for funds to be released by the state so that we can finalize a redesign of Cochran Park! The total cost of this project is estimated at $475K. We’ve secured $100K from our ward menu funds, $100K from Sen. Simmons, $50K from Rep. Cassidy, and $150K from the Chicago Park District, leaving a funding gap of $75K.
BRYN MAR DOG-FRIENDLY AREA
Come spring 2025, we look forward to replacing the sidewalk and addressing drainage issues next to the Bryn Mawr dog-friendly area.
SENN PLAYGROUND at ELMDALE
We are currently in the funding stage for a new Nature Playspace at Senn Playground which we expect to cost roughtly $25K. Nature Play Spaces are designed for children to play with elements of nature that can be manipulated and moved. Each space is a collaborative community effort, with children and their families contributing their ideas to the designs. We hope to complete this project in 2025.
MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE PROJECTS
Make Way for People is a Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) initiative that aims to create safe, walkable neighbors that support local business and strengthen neighbors’ sense of place by converting neighborhood streets, sidewalks, plazas and alleys into places for people to sit, eat, and play. Read more about Make Way for People here.
ELISE MALARY PLAZA
Earlier this year, we held a community meeting to discuss plans for turning the stretch of Catalpa between Clark and Ashland into a pedestrian plaza. Elise Malary was a founding member of the Chicago Therapy Collective and a dedicated LGBTQ+ activist in our community. Read more about her here. Features of the new plaza will include:
Pavers, concrete sidewalks
Raised planters with native pollinator plants
Shade Structures
landscaped screens to block the plaza from adjacent parking lots
Catenary Lighting and Pedestrian Lightpoles
Seating, bike racks, decorative trash bins
We expect work on the plaza to be completed in spring 2025.
CLARK/DEVON STREETSCAPE
Work is in progress on the Clark/Devon streetscape which includes new sidewalks, parkway pavers, new lighting, neighborhood identifiers, pedestrian plazas and more! Additional features of this project include:
New street trees
Mid-block crossing to CTA station
Renovated plaza at Clark and Schreiber
Landscaped median on Clark Street
Closure of Arthur Clark-Ashland for new public open space
Full-width roadway resurfacing
Drainage improvements; new curb and gutter
CTA bus turnaround improvements
Stay tuned for information about a ribbon cutting - coming soon!
MORE MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE PROJECTS
Seating at Bryn Mawr & Winthrop: Coming soon!
Seating along Broadway: Installed in 8 locations!
People Spot at Devon & Lakewood: Installed!
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
Each ward is allocated $1.5M in infrastructure funds each year. $1M of our Menu funds are determined through Participatory Budgeting. 48th Ward residents vote on:
How much we spend on repairs vs. new projects
Which project(s) we should fund
Funds must be spent on permanent infrastructure on public property. $500K is set aside for emergency repairs throughout the year.
Earlier this year and last, we asked our neighbors to share ideas for how we should spend our menu funds. We held a series of participatory budgeting community meetings to help narrow these ideas down. The next step is to vote! See a list of proposed projects below and look out for more information about voting in our newsletter.
Proposed Projects:
T-Intersection Safety
Lakefront Bench Upgrades
Sheridan Road Crosswalks
Raised Intersections
Mural
Senn Playground Nature Play Space
And more!
48th WARD SPECIAL SERVICE AREAS
Special Service Areas (SSAs) are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs in addition to those currently provided through the city. SSA-funded projects typically include but are not limited to: public way maintenance and beautification; district marketing and advertising; business retention/attraction, special events and promotional activities; auto and bike transit; security; façade improvements; and other commercial and economic development initiatives.
We have three SSAs in the 48th Ward: SSA #22 (Andersonville), SSA #26 (Edgewater), and SSA #34 (Uptown). SSA #26 is currently accepting requests for bikeracks and murals. SSA #34 has issued a request for proposals for a snow and litter abatement contract. To stay up to date with SSA initiatives, visit their sites or contact us at development@the48thward.org.
POLICY INITIATIVES
Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth works on infrastructure in City Council by proposing and supporting policies that aim to make our streets and transportation systems safer and more accessible for everyone. Current policy initiatives include:
Speed Limit Ordinance: If passed, the ordinance would reduce the citywide speed limit from 30mph to 25mph
Redefine the Drive: Visit northdusablelsd.org to learn about the $3.4 billion re-design of DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Send your feedback to our office and to your State Representative and Senator.
GET INVOLVED
There are plenty of ways to get involved with our work in the 48th Ward! Check out some of them below!
Come to Ward Night on the 1st and 15th of each month.
Follow us on socials! @the48thward on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Twitter).
Contact our office via phone (773-784-5277) or email (info@the48thward.org)
Visit us in person at 1129 W Bryn Mawr. Hours here.
Vote on infrastructure projects through Participatory Budgeting (coming soon!)
