CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — People who live in the Lincoln Square neighborhood had the chance to weigh in on three proposals to remake a stretch of Lincoln Avenue.
The Chicago Department of Transportation will spend $15 million to give Lincoln Avenue a makeover between Western and Catalpa avenues.
The goal is to make that stretch of Lincoln Avenue as pedestrian-friendly as Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Lawrence Avenue.
The Lincoln Avenue North Project is anchored by the Ainslie Art Plaza, which opened last year. Ald. Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward said during a virtual meeting last night that art will be a major component of the new design.
"We walked up and down Lincoln to look at building facades to see where the potential for murals would be, and talking to those landlords to see if, along the stretch, we could have different sets of murals. Those could change annually, if we have people that can sponsor them," Vasquez said.
One resident asked if the new pedestrian-friendly design will force cars to slow down on Lincoln Avenue.
"We are designing the project to reduce traffic and calm traffic and to improve corridor safety. Some of those tools are reducing the travel lane, widening the sidewalk, curb extensions where possible," said project manager Ellen Schmidt.
Vasquez said the project should bring more foot traffic to Lincoln Avenue, which will help businesses in the area.
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