PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR SOUTH SHORE CORRIDOR STUDY

Members of the community attending a public meeting to hear more about the South Shore Corridor Study, which seeks to provide a focus on economic development, residential development and transportation in South Shore. Photo credit: Tia Carol Jones
Members of the community attending a public meeting to hear more about the South Shore Corridor Study, which seeks to provide a focus on economic development, residential development and transportation in South Shore. Photo credit: Tia Carol Jones

Public Input Sought For South Shore Corridor Study

BY TIA CAROL JONES

South Shore residents have until Wednesday, March 18, to submit public comment on the South Shore Corridor Study. The study, which includes East 75th and East 79th streets between Stony Island and the lakefront, is focused on housing, retail and transportation in the area.

There have been three public meetings since 2019, with the goal of informing residents about the study.

The study was funded by the Regional Transportation Authority and the City of Chicago.

According to the study, more than 500 residents, business owners and other community stakeholders were engaged during the planning process.

The study noted that residents have a fundamental sense of pride in South Shore, people see opportunity in the future and the potential to attract businesses and residents.

The study also noted that people want cafes and sit-down restaurants, there is a desire to see entertainment and culture that serve residents and that attract visitors. Additionally, people want to see better grocery stores in greater abundance as well as more fresh produce options.

In December 2019, Local Market opened on 71st and Jeffrey Blvd. It filled the vacancy left when Dominick’s closed in 2013.

Greg Mitchell, 7th Ward Alderman, said he felt the study was needed.

“No one took the time to create a plan,” he said.

Mitchell said while other communities have had several corridor studies, South Shore never had one. He said in the past, there was a lot left to chance, whatever stores wanted to come into the community did. “That wasn’t good for the community,” he said.

Mitchell said he wanted to make sure the community was reaching its fullest potential.

“One of the best ways to do that is to put together a blueprint or plan,” he said. And so, the South Shore Corridor Study was created.

Mitchell worked with the City of Chicago to apply for a grant in 2018, it was awarded in 2018, and the work on the plan started in 2019.

“It took us a year, now we’re ready,” he said.

Mitchell said the plan will help create a wish list of businesses and a wish list for residential properties. A large part of Mitchell’s focus is homeownership.

“I am going to work to increase homeownership in the community to sustain the businesses,” he said. “If you get more homeownership, they will support the businesses we attract.”

Mitchell assembled a group of community stakeholders and specific people from the neighborhood were asked to join. Those stakeholders participated in meetings. He also hosted three public meetings.

“The meetings went well and they did serve the purpose. The whole point of the meetings was for people to voice their opinions,” he said. “It was very engaging. That’s what you want, for the community to be involved.”

Mitchell said he thinks more people took the online survey than those who decided to attend the public meetings.

“It gives us a lot of information from the community. We have a list of action items we can jump on now,” he said. “It will enable us to have a more deliberate focus to develop the corridor.”

Mitchell said that he would like to see a different kind of business in the area. “No more makeshift grocery stores. I’d like to see more grocery stores of a more reputable nature,” he said. “We need sit down restaurants, sports bars and places for entertainment.”

To view the study, visit https://bit.ly/3cgSNpR

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