Near North Task Force Meetings, Reports, & Minutes
The Near North study area is co-chaired by Charles Smith, Smith and Smith Associates, Inc.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Check back in the coming weeks for information about the next public meeting.
11.06.2007 - Kickoff Meeting
Participants in the first Near North Task Force Meeting held on November 6, 2007 discussed the transit and service needs of the area and presented their thoughts to the other study area task forces and an intergovernmental advisory committee.
The Task Force listed and ranked the following issues as most important:
- An over-emphasis on auto-oriented planning, i.e. big boxes and parking lots.
- Lack of community input for planning for remaining redevelopment sites.
- Need for consensus on appropriate future residential density.
- Division and Clybourn area has retail and transit, but does not act as a neighborhood center.
- Need to integrate streetscapes.
- Lack of connectivity of street grid and sidewalks.
- Traffic congestion, especially at Division and Clybourn.
- Lack of CTA station at heart of area.
- Need bicycle facilities, including parking.
NEAR NORTH REPORTS
Composite Report - Near North Study Area - 09.2008 (16 KB)- The following list incorporates development recommendations for the Near North Side and additional input from community members at public meetings for three areas of planning: commercial development; transit service; and pedestrian access & urban design. Read more »
- Recommendation Reports - Near North Study Area - 07.2008 (7 MB)
- In order to create a system which best connects the Near North area to the City as a whole, a draft Vision and set of complimentary Planning Principles were created based on input from residents, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Read more »
- Existing Conditions Report - Near North Study Area - 05.06.2008 (9 MB)
- In order to understand the market for new transit facilities and new retail space it is necessary to account for recent development projects in the Near North study area, and also development projects still in the planning stage. Read more »
