James Cappleman, aldermanic candidate for the 46th ward, discusses the problems along North Broadway in a recent story in Inside Publications.
“We need better planning, especially on the retail corridor of N Broadway [near Lawrence Ave]. I walked over there last weekend and counted 54 empty storefronts. Lots of stores close early and have gates on the door. People don’t feel comfortable there. We need a better plan,” he says.
Cappleman (when elected) should propose an ordinance banning all businesses from using gates on their doors.
Just what we need — a different alderman with no planning background making sweeping planning decisions for the neighborhood. When will we learn?
As long as we have aldermanic privilege, it would be nice to at least see some of the neighborhoods hire planning consultants to work with them. Lakeview’s master plan is an example of what happens when you don’t work with a professional — it has no legs, meaning it won’t actually affect development in the neighborhood, and it makes a number of misguided suggestions.
I think part of the problem on that stretch of Broadway/Lawrence is that it’s a very “Mixed Use” district. In addition to retail we have the Riviera and Aragon concert halls, the Green Mill and other nightclubs. It could be that the local store owners are suspicious (whether or not it’s justified) of all the “outsiders” coming into the neighborhood at night, and either take extraordinary means to protect their properties or just move away.
I think he’s just showing off – no one knew he could count that high.
Oh Joe,
that was funny. The funnier thing was that Shiller disputed his count and said that only a few storefronts don’t have plans for something to go in. They debated on WTTW last night.
Alderman are amazing creatures. There are always plans……….just wait till after the election.
Reminds me of Nixon’s secret plan to get us out of Vietnam………….only a lot less costly in terms of blood or lives.
For my next adventure in hyperbole…….
You’d think an Alderman since the 80s would perform better on WTTW. You’d think. It was embarassing. How can you not handle yourself on that platform… what the heck is she like in day to day operations?
What is the hold up really? How can a stretch near the lakefront and transportation be so bad, uninviting and sketchy? Especially when it has reluctantly squeaked out new development homes and is adjacent to the sucess of the Lakeview neighborhood as a whole.
We didn’t get that the other night on Chicago Tonight… just bickering about a stretch of retail and one (albeit major) housing development that was made to sound like a new public housing project destined for the old results.