About Us

Uptown Community Development Corporation (UPCORP) was created in 1995 to address Uptown's economic and community development issues. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are working to plan, promote and guide revitalization of Uptown's commercial districts and to assist in training and encouraging an up-to-date and prepared workforce. Upcorp works in cooperation with the Uptown Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations located in and serving Uptown's residential and commercial populations. We participated in the sponsorship of the Lawrence/Broadway, Wilson Yard and Lakeside/Clarendon TIFs and were one of the sponsoring agencies for the public process Wilson Yard Redevelopment.

MISSION

The mission of UPCORP is to initiate and facilitate strategic, land use, and economic planning and development projects that promote a strengthened economic base and an enhanced quality of life for Uptown's diverse population.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

  • Attract investment to Uptown's commercial properties
  • Attract, create and provide training for jobs and business opportunities
  • Provide quality retail and commercial services for local residents
  • Preserve Uptown's historic architecture and unique urban character
  • Build upon our community's role as a center of culture and ethnic diversity
  • Improve the quality of life for Uptown's ethnically and economically diverse population

CURRENT UPCORP INITIATIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Goldblatt's/Borders Redevelopment - This project brought renovation to a long-neglected architectural jewel, new customers and new jobs to our community. We introduced the developer, Joseph Freed & Associates to this project, and continue to work with Freed and Borders Books, to make the new store reflective of our history and cultures. We are also working with Freed to find tenants for the remainder of the project to serve our community's needs. Upcorp also led the training program for new Borders hires.

Wilson Yard - We are a member of the Wilson Yard Community team which will assist in bringing much needed user-friendly retail and commercial services to Uptown. Wilson Yard will give a tremendous boost to the commercial streets. It is our goal that from Wilson Yard, shoppers will walk north and south on Broadway to revitalize the commercial streets. We will be working with the master developer, Holsten Real Estate to identify and attract retail and commercial tenants so serve all sectors of our community. Additionally, Upcorp is on the Oversight Committee for JUMP UP, referred to below.

Model Redevelopment Project - To encourage improvement of commercial properties on the 4600 block of North Broadway, UPCORP purchased a three story mixed use building at 4619 North Broadway in July 1998. We have spent in excess of $45,000 improving this property, while we maintain the two large apartments on the second and third floors as affordable, family housing.

Corridors of Vision - Corridors of Vision is a long range planning program designed to vision and plan for growth on Uptown's commercial streets. To date, corridor planning sessions have been completed for Lawrence Avenue, Sheridan Road, Broadway and Wilson Avenue. A session was also completed for Uptown as a whole relating to public art. Participants in these sessions include professional architects and planners, residential, business and institutional neighbors. These sessions have contributed not only to planning, but also to neighborhood collaboration and the formation of working partnerships among community groups.

Creative Alliance of Uptown - In cooperation with the City of Chicago Departments of Planning and Development and Cultural Affairs, Upcorp has led and partnered with local agencies including Hull House Art Center, Kuumba Lynx, Serendipity Children's Theater, Alternatives, Pegasus Players, Urban Art Retreat and Truman College to form the Creative Alliance of Uptown. This group was organized in response to the City's initiative "Advancing Chicago's Civic Agenda through the Arts" which is based on the belief that communities rich in the arts are more successful in community development, including creating community landmarks, beautification, conveying the culture of community, creating a sense of place, finding common ground, attracting people to the neighborhood, and supporting local businesses. Goals of the alliance are to make the arts more visible on the commercial corridors and to involve the community in beautification and identity.

Argyle Mural Project - This project came about through the cooperation of a number of neighborhood groups whose focus is to improve the aesthetics and safety of Argyle Street from Sheridan Road to Broadway. Through participation in the Corridors of Vision on public art, Br. Mark Elder of DePaul University proposed a mural for the southwest corner of Argyle and Winthrop. This project was planned by the neighbors and businesses. The theme is centered on the diverse ethnic groups that have entered Chicago through Argyle Street. This project will be completed in fall 2005.

Growing Uptown - Upcorp is working with Heartland Alliance's Pathways program, Alternatives, and Winthrop Townhome Association to acquire two vacant lots and an unused alley through the NeighborSpace program. This long-term vacant and neglected property in the 4600 block of North Winthrop Avenue will be transformed into a garden and the open space preserved to provide relief from the density on this very narrow street.

NEW AND ON-GOING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

Development Services/Technical Assistance - Upcorp offers professional services including community marketing, promotion of specific properties to investors, community planning and development review, inventorying property data, loan packaging, collaboration and facilitation assistance.

"Energize Uptown" - A Comprehensive Business Improvement Program - To help manage change in the commercial community, Upcorp and the Uptown Chamber of Commerce offer a comprehensive business improvement program. This program began in the winter of 2003 and will continue to provide services to existing businesses in Uptown, including assistance with façade rebate, business planning, training, marketing and automation, signage design and window display. Many of these services already exist but are not marketed or packaged to the community. We feel it is important to support our existing business owners as they compete for customers and employees.

MOVE UP !! - This combination networking and informational session is a collaboration with the Uptown Chamber of Commerce. Neighborhood businesses (chamber and non-chamber members) along with folks interested in opening businesses in Uptown, are invited to networking sessions which often include a speaker on a topic relevant to small businesses. Venues are different each quarter to highlight businesses in Uptown. Also, sessions are held at different times of the day to accommodate different schedules.

Youth Employment Partners (YEP) - Upcorp led a project in cooperation with the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, Alternatives, and Inspiration Corp. The collective goal was to secure a large portion of the newly created jobs at the Borders Books/Uptown Square development for community residents aged 18-30. This project included intake and assessment, hard and soft skills training, and where needed, continuing case management for up to two years after hiring. Upcorp hopes to use this as a model for a larger initiative at Wilson Yard. We want Uptown residents to be the best-qualified and most prominent group among the new hires.

Join Us to Market People in Uptown (JUMP UP) - Modeled on Youth Employment Partners, this project seeks to train and prepare local residents to enter pre-apprenticeship programs in order to qualify for construction jobs at Wilson Yard. Upcorp is part of the Community Oversight for JUMP UP.

back to top