UPTOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (UPCORP)

CORRIDORS OF VISION

3rd FACILITATED SESSION
Tuesday, September 26, 2000
4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
4753 North Broadway
1st Floor Conference Center

Study Area:

Lawrence Avenue - Marine Drive to Ravenswood
See attached map.


Participants:

  • Rev. Dr. Sid Mohn, Heartland Alliance (Facilitator)
  • Tomas Bissonnette, Spanish Speaking Bookstore
  • Marguerite Boyd, Truman College
  • Mary Laura Bushman, Institute of Cultural Affairs
  • Solomon Chu, Uptown Chamber of Commerce
  • Rodrigo del Canto, Macondo Corp. Architects
  • Bob Ford, Peoples Church of Chicago
  • Judy Gall, Alternatives Inc.
  • J.R. Graves, CMS Consolidated
  • Dr. Phoebe Helm, Truman College
  • Liz Holland, Abbell Credit Corporation
  • Judy Reed, Uptown Chamber of Commerce
  • David Wejroch, LaSalle Bank
  • Erku Yimer, Ethiopian Community Association
  • Mimi Slogar, UPCORP Executive Director
  • Jennifer Connors, UPCORP Project Coordinator
  • Bruce Kahn, UPCORP Volunteer


Executive Summary:

At the September 13 session, participants continued the visioning process begun in April. The September session focused on the Lawrence Avenue corridor, from Marine Drive to Uptown's western border, Ravenswood Avenue. A couple weeks before the session, each participant received an assessment workbook with thought-provoking questions centered on five values: accessibility, safety, goods and services, aesthetics, and community diversity. Each participant was asked to visit the study area preferably more than once to observe activities during several different times of day.

Based on their notes and observations, the session participants shared their current impressions and visions for the future of the study area. With the guidance of facilitator Sid Mohn, the group shared their ideas for a revitalized Lawrence Avenue corridor, then developed those ideas further by grouping them and discussing potential next steps for each vision category. The group articulated themes for the distinct sections of Lawrence Avenue, adding them to a map that visually summarized some of the ideas from previous sessions. In particular, the group focused on the themes of movie industry history, then and now, and the global character of Uptown.

"In the past we saw the world through the movies.
Today we see the world through our neighbors."

This session was the third in a series of Corridors workshops. The workshop series represents Phase 1 of the Corridors of Vision process. In later stages, UPCORP will share their draft vision for the corridors of Uptown with other community groups, incorporating input and inspiring discussion among community leaders. With each refined iteration, the corridor visions will grow into a tool with which the community can evaluate future development, identify and attract new businesses and development, and guide the revitalization of the Uptown community.

The process used at this session was based on the first session led by Mary Laura Bushman of the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). Sid Mohn, an experienced facilitator and UPCORP Vice President, donated his time and materials for the session. Catering by Reza's Restaurant was donated by the Broadway-Clark Building Corp.

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