How should the Ward look in 5 years, 10 years or longer?
Where should community development take place?
Who should be involved in the development plans?
Why should the Ward be developed, or perhaps, not developed?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Community/Economic Development for the 41st Ward
How should the Ward look in 5 years, 10 years or longer?
Where should community development take place?
Who should be involved in the development plans?
Why should the Ward be developed, or perhaps, not developed?
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What plans would you like to see put forth to further develop the 41st Ward?
ReplyDeleteI would like to see each individual neighborhood (Norwood Park, Oriole Park, Edgebrook, etc) in the 41st Ward work with the aldermanic office and the planners in City Hall to establish local growth plans that include goals for revitalizing commercial corridors, comprehensive housing strategies, upgrades to public facilities (CPS, Park District, Libraries, Fire and Police), infrastructure improvements and greater transportation connectivity (bike lanes, Transit Oriented Development and public transportation service).
How should the Ward look in 5 years, 10 years or longer?
I think 5 and 10 year marks are good horizons for those above-mentioned plans to focus on producing noticeable results. I would personally like to see strategies for the different areas in our Ward developed within the next two years. Included in those plans should be:
1) Benchmarks for attracting new businesses that fit the community’s goals and needs;
2) A housing initiative that explores ways to redevelop infill property in the Ward so that families will continually be attracted to the area;
3) Timelines for additions to CPS facilities and improvements to park and open spaces;
4) Prioritization of paving (street and alley), lighting and sidewalk repairs; and,
5) Analysis of where bike lanes can be added (which will help with traffic calming and recreational/workforce connectivity), identifying Transit Oriented Development opportunities and marketing those areas and working with the RTA on possible service adjustments that would better serve our community.
The overall point of these plans is that they should be a product of the 41st Ward’s residents and how they want to see their neighborhoods evolve. This can only be achieved through an active, community planning process that includes all interested and engaged parties. Having public involvement from the start will help our neighborhoods craft inclusive strategies that are a reflection of the community we want to establish for ourselves and our children.
Where should community development take place?
I think the focus on short and long term plans should start with all of the neighborhoods in the entire Ward and as discussions progress, areas that needed greater or reduced focus will become evident to the group and will be appropriately addressed in the plans.
Who should be involved in the development plans?
It should be open to anyone who lives and works in our Ward. We should want to create an inviting atmosphere for people to freely express their ideas and work with guidance from the professional planners the City employs. The goal should be to create strategies that encourage strong residential, commercial, educational and recreational amenities that will not only maintain but expand the foundation on which our Ward has developed.
Why should the Ward be developed, or perhaps, not developed?
If we do not responsibly explore improvements to our community then we risk regression. Simply having an idea discussed does not mean it will be implemented; but, if we come together and speak out for our neighborhoods then we will be better prepared to help them evolve in a manner that reflects our goals.
Thomas Patric Murphy---your statement comprehensive housing strategies is political speak for low income in the 41st ward. Take that stuff back to graduate school.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have seen over the last ten years of living in Norwood Park, is regression. I hope to see development and upgrades in all the areas outlined above.
ReplyDeletewould be good to see some of the empty storefronts filled and/or knocked down and replaced by greenspace/gardens/parks. I'm tired of looking at the eyesores.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a city & county partnership created so that the local forest preserves can be better utilized by the children in the 41st ward. Very little of the cook county budget is spent in this community (sheriff's services, health clinics etc). I don't think it would be to much to ask the county to partner with us to expand park services via the forest preserves. Other communities have had success with intergovermental relationships that are a win-win for everyone.
ReplyDeleteanything to improve property value
ReplyDeleteThe county patenership statement was laughable. Our current alderman shares office space with the county commissioner (Silvvestrii) and state rep (Macullauff). The administrative assistant (Gavin) already agrees that the outgoing alderman did a great job, and that she will continue to advance the ideas that alderman Doherty championed. The only problem with the statement is that he championed the parking meter, red light camera, and skyway.
ReplyDeleteThe county partnership statement isn't laughable...quite sad in fact. Sad, because it vividly displays the current dysfunctional relationships among party (in this case Republican party politicians)that has inhibited growth in the community.
ReplyDeleteAny new restaurants need a parking garage or something to accomodate the cars. Valets parking cars on the residential streets is NOT the way to encourage community. The fact that Curragh was approved without any parking is not right.
ReplyDeleteFurther can you force economic development - No. What you can force is developing a community where people do not want to leave which will encourage businesses to move in
"Public Involvement"? What a great idea. I have lived in Oriole Park for 18 years and have never seen or heard of a public involvement meeting for anything. All I have ever heard from the alderman's office is in the form of a glossy flyer once a year. You go Murphy, I hope you win.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I avoid NW Highway restaurants just because there is no where to park.
ReplyDeleteEventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world.
ReplyDelete- Frank Lloyd Wright
I would vote for the first candidate who would promise to propose a Made in Chicago/Made in USA legislation.
ReplyDeleteI am Voting for John Quinn. John Quinn has been in this ward for many years, and will make a fine alderman.
ReplyDelete