Design Concepts
Image: Site Design
We began the design work using the following six overarching concepts, which emerged from our analysis of past planning efforts and outcomes of the community engagement process. Downtown Traverse City, Michigan
Small Town Main Street We asked community members to
describe a street they like, which could potentially serve as an aspirational model for the future development of 35th Street. One theme emerged consistently – the look and feel of a small town main street. Planning wise, this is appropriate for McKinley Park, where the residential density is comparable to that of a first-ring suburb like Evanston or Oak Park founded around the turn of the 19th century. Further, results of our community engagement process indicated that attracting small businesses and filling vacant storefronts were top neighborhood improvement priorities. Thus, 35th Street should evolve into a walkable corridor housing a variety of shops, restaurants, and other small businesses. 58
Wynwood, Miami
Joe Louis Greenway, Detroit
Cultural District Extend the Park
McKinley Park is located almost at the geographic center of Chicago and has consistently welcomed waves of new immigrants over time. In this sense, the centrallylocated 35th Street could serve as a “big hello” to the neighborhood by acting as a cultural district. We heard from community members that they hoped for more community events such as markets, festivals, and live music performances. Murals, venues for live performance, and live/work spaces could draw visitors from McKinley Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Through intentional, adaptable design, 35th Street should be updated to reflect the neighborhood’s changing ethnic makeup, and should offer creatives opportunities to live, work, and showcase local culture through a variety of mediums including food and art.
One of the most popular sentiments heard in our community engagement was civic pride and deep appreciation for the neighborhood park. During our community engagements, we also heard about the ways the namesake park acts as a third place for many individuals and families and that many residents wanted more green spaces and landscaping throughout the community. Thus, we propose extending the nature and feel of the park throughout the entire neighborhood. McKinley Park could be a city leader for providing augmented tree cover, park access, and stormwater management. Given the area’s vulnerability to flooding and water pooling, it is essential to prioritize sustainable, climateconscious interventions in McKinley Park.
