The Gateway

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The Gateway

The intersection of Paulina and 35th is activated to serve as the “Big Hello” into the community: an entry point and a place for shopping, gathering, and passing time. The roadway is redesigned to include planters, a wider sidewalk, and spaces for sidewalk cafes.

The Gateway

While the residential zoning along 35th Street is a challenge, it offers an opportunity for additional housing, including live/work pptions for artists. Development pressure from Pilsen to the North and Bridgeport to the East might be offset by a housing preservation ordinance, to ensure that housing prices are affordable for existing residents.

The buildings on 35th Street, many of which have been vacant due to zoning changes, can be restored to house small businesses and homes. To create more small businesses, community members might advocate for a Planned Development rezoning.

A ‘road diet’ including wider sidewalks, additional parking lanes, and reduced travel lanes, discourages high speeds and truck traffic, and will reroute trucks to their intended path on Pershing, making it safer for pedestrians, bikers, and other drivers. Community members might also pursue a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Amazon to enforce the reduction in truck traffic.

The reduction in truck traffic will make walking safer and more pleasant. Landscaping and sidewalk cafes will add visual interest. Native landscaping and the use of permeable pavers will improve drainage and stormwater management. The sidewalk width is ADA compliant and will allow comfortable movement for all residents regardless of age, size, ability or disability. Universal design will be considered in selecting sidewalk pavers.

Portions of 35th Street will be shut down for community marketplaces and events throughout the year. In the short-term, shared storefront marketplaces will allow small businesses to thrive, and vacant storefronts will be activated by local artists.