Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and SSA 27 unveil Lake View Area Master Plan Tuesday Sustainable designs, pedestrian- and bike-friendly atmosphere and vibrant feel to attract residents and visitors.

CHICAGO, IL, March 13, 2011

For immediate release - One of Chicago's most iconic and densely populated neighborhoods is facing change and leaders are launching a plan to maintain the area's enviable quality of life while laying the groundwork further develop Lake View as a leader in city living.

The Lake View Area Master Plan seeks to build on existing assets while making the neighborhood greener, more sustainable, more bike and pedestrian friendly, more social, more attractive to business, and even more of a destination neighborhood.

Led by the Special Service Area 27 and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, the plan addresses a wide array of issues and proposes enhancements to keep the neighborhood one of Chicago's most desirable in which to live, socialize and do business. The plan will be revealed at a public event March 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Luke's, 1609 W. Belmont St., and feature presentations, audience questions, individual issue group discussions and interactive displays.

The plan is multifaceted with a focus on business, but a few key elements will be most obvious:

Low Line pedestrian path connecting Southport and Lincoln Avenue business districts --
Underused and uninviting space beneath the Brown Line El tracks from Southport to Paulina offers no public benefit currently. An envisioned pedestrian path beneath the tracks would incorporate native landscaping, decorative lighting and other aesthetic elements to connect the community, offer new business opportunities, and make the area safer and more robust.

Making the intersection at Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland more inviting to pedestrians, cyclists and outdoor activities - Modest changes including staggered signal lights in phase one, later a traffic dampening bean, a sidewalk extension and Belmont and Lincoln, a pedestrian island and an improved bus stop and plaza at the northwest corner of Ashland and Lincoln .

A dedicated space for farmers' markets - Based on successful regional examples, this adds community activity as well as access to healthier food.

A re-imagined triangle plaza at Lincoln and School - Added bike amenities, temporary bollards for the occasional closing of school street for performances and fresh produce markets in front of Whole Foods are complemented by the use of sidewalk space by retailers for cafes.

In short, the plan will create reasons for people to spend time in Lake View, encourage property owners to highlight historical elements of key buildings at street level, emphasize public art through competitions, and offer alternative uses for vacant land and businesses.

Developed with extensive community input over the last 18 months, LAMP research and development cost less than 23 cents per resident. The plan was written by Place Consulting and Moss Design.

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