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“The Future of Western Ave”

“The Future of Western Ave”. A community survey project of West Rogers Park Community Organization & Lakeside Community Development Corporation June 30, 2009. About the Partners.

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“The Future of Western Ave”

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  1. “The Future of Western Ave” A community survey project of West Rogers Park Community Organization & Lakeside Community Development Corporation June 30, 2009 Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  2. About the Partners • The Community Planning Board of the West Rogers Park Community Organization, a resident led membership organization whose mission is “to give residents a strong decision-making role in education, civic involvement, and community planning that preserves and enhances the unique diversity of the greater West Rogers Park community.” • Lakeside Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit housing and community development organization serving West Ridge and 7 other north side community areas. • Other participants included Loyola University students, volunteers from WRPCO, and neighborhood organizations, which promoted the survey. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  3. Background • Residents’ concerns over redevelopment of Western Ave., vacancies, and future of auto-related businesses specifically. • WRPCO Community Planning Board, in its effort to foster resident involvement in community planning, adopted Western Ave. as a project. • Lakeside CDC contributed volunteer resources and project planning and supervision. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  4. Methods • Data collection on Western Ave. properties to assess conditions, occupancy, and related information (March 2008). • Interview with businesses located along Western Ave. using standard questionnaire (April-May 2008). • Online and paper survey of residents using standard questionnaire (May-June). Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  5. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  6. Conditions on Western • Reviewed 193 businesses. • Average exterior conditions rated 2.8 on a scale of 0-4, where 4 is excellent. • 38 of 193 locations (19.6%) had at least 1 vacant business site, which could include 1 storefront or an entire business. • 14 locations had graffiti and 15 locations had window grate security bars. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  7. Conditions on Western • In terms of signage, surveyors collected information on 161 businesses. Of these… • 23 had hand-printed signs and 53 had hand-painted board signs • 42 had printed paper signs • 46 had a plastic lighted box sign • 48 had neon signs • 18 had no signs visible at all. • 19 locations used 4 or 5 different kinds of signs. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  8. Conditions on Western • Surveyors counted 678 off-street parking spaces along Western Ave. between Peterson and Howard. Of these, 70 were at Warren Park and 200 were at the mall at Howard and Western. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  9. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  10. Perspectives from the Businesses • 40 business surveys, located the length of Western Ave. from Devon to Howard. • Average length of time in business was 13.5 years. • 7.5% a year or less • 27.5% between 1 and 5 years • 17.5% were 6-10 years • 22.5% were 11-20 years • 17.5% were more than 20 years • 12 of 40 respondents lived in the immediate neighborhood. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  11. Perspectives from the Businesses • Respondents included: • Auto (3) • Business services (3) • Discount retail (4) • Financial/banking (5) • Personal services (3) • Real estate (2) • Restaurants (7) • Retail (8), and • Specialty foods (1). Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  12. Perspectives from the Businesses • Majority reported business has gotten “a little worse” (42.5%) or “much worse” (25%) in the last 12 months. • Majority reported business is “about the same” (25%), “a little better” (17.5%), or “a lot better” (15%) in the last 24 months. • Respondents were “satisfied” (55%) or “very satisfied” (35%) with their present location. • During the next 24 months, respondents planned to “maintain business” ( 45%) or “expand business” (22.5%). • 27.5% said they were not sure of their plans and 2 said they would close or relocate. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  13. Perspectives from the Businesses • Majority reported business has gotten “a little worse” (44.4%) or “much worse” (25%) in the last 12 months. • Majority reported business is “about the same” (22.2), “a little better” (19.4), or “a lot better” (13.8) in the last 24 months. • Respondents were “satisfied” (55.5%) or “very satisfied” (36.1%) with their present location. • During the next 24 months, respondents planned to “maintain business” ( 44%) or “expand business” (25%). • 25% said they were not sure of their plans Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  14. Perspectives from the Businesses • In terms of what would influence their future decisions, respondents rated the following as important or very important (4 or 5 out of 5): • the overall condition of the local economy (54%) • the general condition of the neighborhood (51% • costs of doing business (58%) • trends in my industry (57%) • 37% of respondents rated “redevelopment of Western Ave” only 1 or 2 on a scale of 1-5. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  15. Perspectives from the Businesses • 65% said customers come from inside and outside the immediate neighborhood. • 32.5%respondents said customers were mostly from the immediate neighborhood. • 52.5% said customers drive and 12.5% said customers bike/walk. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  16. Perspectives from the Businesses Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  17. Perspectives from the Businesses Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  18. Perspectives from Business • 62.5% had never heard of West Rogers Park Community Organization prior to taking the survey. • 67.5% were interested in learning more about the results of the survey. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  19. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  20. Perspectives from Residents • Respondents were mostly homeowners (89.8%) who have lived in the community for a long time. • Most lived close to Western Ave. • 49% lived 0-2 blocks • 40.0% lived 2-6 blocks • 13.4% lived 6-12 blocls Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  21. Perspectives from Residents Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  22. Perspectives from Residents • 26.2% work in the immediate community. • Of those who work outside the community, • Chicago downtown 22.32% • Other Chicago 27.04% • Work outside City limits 29.61% • Do not work outside home 21.03% • Survey did not ask about age, race, or other demographic information. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  23. Perspectives from Residents Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  24. Perspectives from Residents Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  25. Perspectives from Residents Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  26. Perspectives from Residents • Residents most frequently identified restaurants, retail locations (i.e. hardware store), pharmacies, or banks as main reasons for visiting Western Ave. • Residents liked specific locations, but did not see those locations as part of a larger destination area or as generally related. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  27. Perspectives from Residents Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  28. Perspectives from Residents • In their comments, people mentioned improving the look of the street with landscaping/green elements and improved shops and building exteriors. • Many residents offered specific suggestions for types of businesses. • Restaurants (64) • Grocery store (53) • Coffee/ice cream/bakery (35) • Book store (22) • Also department store, movie theater, clothing stores Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  29. Perspectives from Residents • Rest • Residents also commented that business owners could do more to make their shops and locations more appealing and inviting. • Many residents offered specific suggestions for types of businesses. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  30. Perspectives from Residents Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  31. Perspectives from Residents “In a perfect world…”, Western Ave. would: • Have a diverse mix of businesses reflecting ethnic and economic diversity of the community. • Be “Clean”, “green”, and aesthetically appealing. • Be pedestrian/bike friendly, with slowed traffic and improved mass transit options. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  32. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  33. Shared Values Residents and businesses emphasized… - Community diversity • Family-oriented/“neighborliness” • Community support for locally-owned business… …as reasons they liked and remained in West Ridge. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  34. Shared Values Residents and businesses emphasized… • Location and accessibility • Relative affordability (residents) …as reasons they liked and remained in West Ridge. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  35. Shared Values Residents and businesses emphasized… • Cleanliness • Safety …as things to improve on Western Ave. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  36. Shared Values • 62.5% of businesses and 45.7% of residents had not heard of WRPCO. • 70.3% of residents had not heard of the WRPCO Community Planning Board. • 81.4% of residents and 67% of businesses were interested to know more about the survey results. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  37. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  38. Credits Special thanks to: • Loyola University LUC 291 students, for helping design and implement the survey project. • West Rogers Park Community Organization volunteers for distributing it. • WRPCO Community Planning Board members Peggie Chavez, IvahUrbanski, Peter Levavi, Sharon Walsh, and Gabriela Canavati of DevCorp North for helping compile open-ended responses. Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  39. Questions and Comments Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

  40. For More Information West Rogers Park Community Organization www.wrpco.org Lakeside Community Development Corporation www.lakesidecdc.org Lakeside CDC and WRPCO "Future of Western Ave"

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