Clark Street Building, Streetscape Ideas to be Revealed Thursday

Organizers behind the North Clark Street Task Force say they’re ready to reveal some ideas and plans developed since gathering feedback from residents in May, both in person and online.

Project managers The Lakota Group and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce are moving into the second phase of their plan to overhaul the dilapidated stretch of Clark between Diversey and Barry Avenue.

The second open house for residents is scheduled for Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at 2865 N. Clark St., a vacant storefront next to McKillip Animal Hospital. And according to Lakota Group Vice President Kevin Clark, ideas like widening the sidewalks are at the top of the list. 

“That was it. Almost everyone wanted those physical improvements,” Clark said. “People across the board just said, ‘Nobody’s going to want to put a business here,’ so we’ll be showing ideas on how we plan to widen the sidewalk, be it temporarily, permanently, and in once case, redoing the whole street. 

Clark says the physical improvements are the main focus by popular demand. The Lakota Group is planning to show ideas for building improvements and general physical improvements to the street.

Plans for signage will also be presented at the meeting, Clark said, as well as aesthetics like greenery.

But what about the street cars? It was proposed during May’s open house to get neighbors thinking about the possibility, but to some, it was seen as an unnecessary expense. For now, those neighbors need not worry.

“I personally like the idea, but we can’t start from there,” Clark said. “We need to build from the progress of the streetscape ideas, like, ‘This is how that would fit in the big picture.’”

Similar to the open house in May, area residents are being called to give their input on the newer, more specific ideas the Lakota Group and chamber of commerce have developed. That means, neighbors, mark your calendars.