Three big Lincoln Square things going on now

 

Several large housing and infrastructure developments at the center of Lincoln Square are being discussed, debated and even facing opposition. Check out three big things affecting the neighborhood now:

Western Avenue Corridor Study 

You may join a meeting to discuss the possibilities for the portion of North Western Avenue that passes through Lincoln Square (basically Montrose to Bryn Mawr). The meeting is led by Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)

From the web site: The study will examine the land uses, development patterns, and circulation along this heavily traveled and diverse corridor. The study seeks to analyze the potential to:

• Increase density
• Promote a greater mix of land uses
• Improve how development relates to the surrounding, lower-scaled residential areas
• Enhance pedestrian safety through a forward-thinking design and planning process.

City owned parking lot at North Western and West Leland

Lot 70 at Leland and Western  image 47th Ward Facebook site.

The 47th Ward has offered a survey and presentation discussing possibilities for the city-owned parking lot at West Leland and North Western Avenue adjacent Lincoln Avenue retail. Local business owners and some neighbors were up in arms about an earlier proposal to build 100% affordable housing on the site ("save the parking lot!" 😂 ). The lot currently services local business (across from another lot) and is used during the many Lincoln Square fests. 

New Grocery Store at Western and Lawrence

A developer plans to bring a large national grocery retailer to the Fifth Third Bank building at 4800 North Western Ave without the need for community input. 

I wrote about the proposal to bring a grocery store to Western and Lincoln a few weeks ago. The developer may redevelop the property "as of right" without triggering the zoning process. The plan is drawing opposition due to the developer's lack of transparency and lack of community input. Local businesses fear a "Whole Foods" would muscle them out. The 40th and 47th Ward are hosting a "visioning session" January 28th.