Guiding Intelligent Urban Development

Everyone in the 46th Ward – homeowners, renters, and business owners – deserves to have a say in the decisions that affect development and preservation in the community. The architectural character for which this historic neighborhood is known needs to be protected, and the quality of affordable housing needs to be improved and include more opportunities for home ownership. Throughout the 46th Ward, residents seek a greater array of shopping and entertainment choices that keep their dollars in the neighborhood.

The Ward’s ”Invisible” Commercial District

But as thriving commercial districts surround the 46th Ward, they have remained largely invisible along the 46th Ward’s section of North Broadway. Some storefronts have remained empty for nearly a decade, at a time of booming development throughout Chicago. The tax-increment financing (TIF) district at the Wilson Yard that was supposed to jump-start development has largely polarized the community (see separate Wilson Yard policy platform).

Instead of creating a consensus-based master plan that could effectively guide the Ward’s development, Alderman Helen Shiller has kept information out of residents’ hands -- until after decisions that affect them have already been made. You deserve better.

As your alderman, I will:

  • Establish a task force including community residents, business leaders, and neighborhood organizations to create a master plan that will guide development of the 46th Ward. This plan, similar to ones that have been created for the 44th and 48th Wards, will guide retail, housing, and green space development within the 46th Ward.
  • Create a process that is transparent, so residents can easily find out about current and emerging development and planning decisions. Information will be easily available on the Web, and feedback from the community will be required before decisions are finalized.
  • Establish a zoning and development committee that will participate in decisions about current and emerging residential and commercial projects.
  • Ensure that special favors for developers will not be made behind closed doors.
  • Require that development and planning decisions be fair, open, and involve the community.

Download a copy of James' Ward Planning campaign platform.
Download a copy of the recent direct mail piece the need for better urban planning in the Ward.

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Informed planning is a must for the entire 46th Ward.