Ward Night Recap: March 3, 2026
Thanks to everyone who attended our March 3 Ward Night. Here’s a brief summary of what we discussed:
Broadway Upzoning. Last year, Alds. Manaa-Hoppenworth, Martin, and Clay passed a series of zoning ordinances in City Council to simplify the zoning along Broadway, making it easier for small businesses to move and expand and for developers to build affordable housing near our new CTA redline stations.
These ordinances are a reflection of our community-built Broadway Land Use Framework which was developed through an extrensive community process and prioritizes pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development.
For more information about this rezoning, see our FAQ here.
CTA Vacant Lots. Over the course of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) project, CTA was using multiple large plots of land in our ward as staging areas for construction and materials. With the new red line train stations open, CTA plans to issue RFPs for these now vacant lots. Read more here.
Last Spring, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth passed the Green Social Housing initiative to establish a revolving loan fund for sustainable, affordable housing. We are interested in considering these vacant lots as possible sites for a 48th Ward Green Social Housing development. Learn more about Green Social Housing here.
Bryn Mawr Landmarking. Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth has given the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) the green light to move forward with landmarking with the Bryn Mawr Historic District (National Register #: 95000482). The preliminary landmark designation report will go before the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) on April 2, 2026.
A Chicago Landmark District is a local designation for an area that protects historically significant buildings from teardown and ensures that development considers the aesthetics and character of the district.
Learn more about landmarking Bryn Mawr here.
More information about designating a Chicago Landmark District can be found in the Chicago Landmarks Ordinance.
Rent Control. Chicago is facing a housing crisis, with supply for housing unable to meet demand. There are over 119,000 fewer affordable apartments than there are families in need, and over 51% of Chicago renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Broadway rezoning and Green Social Housing are two tools we’re using to create more housing that is affordable to more people who want to live in our commmunity.
At our March 3 ward night meeting, one neighbor asked about rent control, which was banned at the state level in 1997. To find out who your state-level elected officials are and how to contact them, click here.
Voting. The 2026 primary elections will be held on Tuesday, March 17. Learn more about registering to vote, voting by mail, and vote in-person here.
To encourage people to vote in the primary election, there will be no Ward Night meeting on March 17. Register for our April 7 Ward Night meeting here.
