Rogers Park Comprehensive Retail Study
Summer 2004 - Summer 2005
DevCorp North, a community and
economic development organization
in the Rogers Park neighborhood of
Chicago, represents many of the
neighborhood businesses on Howard
Street and Morse Avenue. Parts of
these retail corridors were facing difficult
challenges like high vacancy
rates and deteriorating appearance.
In the summer of 2004, DevCorp
North requested technical assistance
from the City Design Center to create
a comprehensive study to revitalize
these Rogers Park commercial corridors.
By identifying key neighborhood
assets and development obstacles,
the City Design Center identified
realistic and feasible strategies
that the community organization
could use to improve the retail districts.
Over the course of a year the City
Design Center held community meetings,
conducted surveys and gathered
data about the retail districts.
The planning process relied heavily
on the participation of Rogers Park
residents. DevCorp North drew
together a committee of resident volunteers
to guide the planning process
and participate as facilitators for several
large community meetings.
Rogers Park residents provided their
ideas and concerns about the future
of the neighborhood shopping areas.
The City Design Center’s final study
outlined priority areas for intervention
and a practical approach to attracting
new stores to the district. The City
Design Center proposed cooperative
efforts to create a safe and welcoming
shopping environment and to
market vacant space to new retailers. |
Map of Morse Avenue commerical district
Rogers Park has rich transit options
One of three community meetings held in Rogers Park
A popular neighborhood restaurant
|
City Design Center Affiliated Faculty
Brent D. Ryan, Assistant Professor, Urban
Planning and Policy Program, and
Co-Director, City Design Center
Rachel N. Weber, Associate Professor, Urban
Planning and Policy Program
Collaborating Organizations
DevCorp North
Northeastern Illinois Planning Commision
Funding
DevCorp North |
