Alley Near Jefferson Park Blue Line Station Will Become A Pedestrian Plaza With Stage, Seating

JEFFERSON PARK — In order to boost foot traffic near the newly-overhauled Jefferson Park Blue Line station, a pedestrian plaza is being installed in a Northwest Side alley — and you can help design it.

Neighbors and business owners are being asked to weigh in on what the future plaza at 4870 N. Milwaukee Ave. will look like in online survey being conducted by the city’s department of transportation (CDOT), Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) and the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce.

The $25 million overhaul of the Jefferson Park Blue Line station was designed to make the area safer for pedestrians heading to the train, and officials hope a new plaza would get commuters to spend some money in the neighborhood before heading home.

The plaza would sit between Westons Coffee & Tap Co., 4872 N. Milwaukee Ave., and the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, 4866 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Credit: Google

Commercial property owners have already agreed to have a portion of the alley closed to car traffic for the proposed plaza, Gardiner said in his Friday newsletter.

“This is all part of a bigger plan to make that neighborhood less of a spaghetti ball when it comes to traffic,” said Susan Hofer, a CDOT spokeswoman.

The survey asks residents to weigh in on everything from the design of the pavers to the seating that will be offered.

Credit: provided

Credit: provided

All options include seating and a place for a stage, along with overhead strand lights and a sign to welcome people in to the space.

The survey also asks for feedback on the design of a new arch advertising the Jefferson Park neighborhood at the entrance of the proposed plaza.

You can take the survey here.

Credit: provided

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