Division Street from Ashland Ave almost to Western Ave – a stretch that divides Wicker Park from East Village and Ukrainian Village – is one of the most vibrant, attractive, pedestrian-friendly strips in Chicago. The vitality of Division Street comes to an almost complete halt just east of Western Ave at the border of Humboldt Park.
Division’s broad sidewalks host a wide array of sidewalk cafes, restaurants, bars, nightlife, boutiques and neighborhood service establishments.
Join me for a look at this part of Division Street, and at a new 11-story apartment building that’s nearing completion at the corner of Division and Ashland.
Nice video, although I’m not sure I agree with your commentary towards the end where you say that there is ‘nothing really like this in Chicago’ and nothing with the same ‘density of uses’.
To the contrary, I think there are several corridors which are just as active if not more active than this one. Ones that come to mind are 26th St, 18th St, Milwaukee south of North Ave, Damen north of North Ave, several sections of north Broadway and Clark, many sections of north Halsted, Devon Ave around Western, (increasingly) 53rd st in Hyde Park, Lawrence ave, many parts of Lincoln Ave, long sections of Belmont, North Ave itself, parts of Diversey, increasingly parts of Fullerton, Armitage, (and as you mentioned) Southport Ave, among others.
tup,
I’ve been everywhere you list many times.
Cite one of those where you can see as many outdoor dining venues as you can on this stretch of Division – a point I didn’t apparently express clearly enough. I don’t think you can.
When was I talking specifically about outdoor dining venues? I was simply quoting you, as you had used the term ‘density of uses’
tup,
I didn’t suggest you were talking about outdoor dining venues – I suggested that was what was uppermost in my mind.
Joe – I hope you were about to have a late lunch!