What’s the best way to stimulate retail development in Edgewater? A good way to start is by improving the appearance of the neighborhood’s four el stations and encouraging new retailers to move into those stations’ commercial spaces and nearby shopfronts, according to a local community group.
Residents are being asked to participate in “Revving up the Red,” (PDF) a series of workshops seeking input on how to improve the red line stops of Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Thorndale and Granville stations. Personally, Yo’s truly thinks Brywn Mawr station and the surrounding area have made remarkable strides in the last year or two.
The workshops will be convened by the Edgewater Development Corporation and the University of Illinois’ Center for Neighborhood Technology. Planners and residents will tackle the Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stations in two sessions, the first of which will be held from 7 – 9 pm on March 5 at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N Sheridan Road.
The first of two workshops focusing on the Thorndale and Granville stations will take place from 7 to 9 pm on March 12 at Loyola University, 6333 N Winthrop Ave. The organizers are urging attendees to RSVP to the Edgewater Development Corporation, which can provide more specific information about the location of the meetings at Loyola University.
We understand that the organizers plan to make public their recommendations in August. We hope to give you mored information soon about how the improvements would be funded and a timetable for implementing them.