ULI Chicago’s Technical Assistance Recommendations Yielding Positive Results Along North Avenue

In December 2018, ULI Chicago convened a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to prepare revitalization strategies for North Avenue between Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard. Through this 1.6-mile-long stretch, North Avenue straddles two municipalities—City of Chicago to the north and the Village of Oak Park to the south. It is a major east-west arterial roadway so large numbers of cars and trucks speed along the corridor daily, but development opportunities vary.

A key ULI Chicago recommendation was to focus on development opportunities within strategic nodes and to embrace multi-family residential development. New residents can infuse the corridor with a new energy and demand for goods and services, further strengthening the overall development environment. Since the TAP, several multi-family residential developments have broken ground along the corridor; as this news article says, North Avenue is experiencing an apartment boom.

We are excited to see our TAP recommendations and the community’s revitalization efforts come to fruition along North Avenue! We are also grateful for our member volunteers and sponsors whose support allows ULI Chicago to make a positive impact in the community.

Read the North Avenue TAP Report and email us if you want to get involved in future projects!