ROGERS PARK — A massive Black Lives Matter mural has been painted on Paulina Street — and neighbors can more easily check it out thanks to the city’s “shared streets” program.
Rogers Park-based nonprofit A Just Harvest organized artists and neighbors to paint a mural saying “Black Lives Matter” along Paulina Street near its headquarters. The mural was painted during the community group’s Juneteenth celebration.
Paulina Street from Howard Street to Jonquil Terrace is now part of the city’s shared street programs, with car traffic on the street restricted so pedestrians have greater access to the road.
Paulina will be open to northbound traffic only between roughly Howard and Jonquil. Barricades and signage indicating the road is now a shared street have been erected. Northbound and southbound traffic will be open from the Post Office south to Howard Street, according to Ald. Maria Hadden’s (49th) office.
Hadden said her office is working with the community groups on Paulina to use the street space for programming and events.
“This shared street will allow us to create community and reclaim a part of our neighborhood as we reemerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hadden said in an email to constituents. “Community-based organizations in the area are already brainstorming on ways they can collaborate to activate the area and offer community programming opportunities.”
The city’s shared streets program seeks to curb car traffic on side streets, allowing for more pedestrian uses in the street including walking, running and biking. It was first rolled out last year, as the city sought to give neighbors more space to socially distance while outdoors.
The program is back this year, debuting once again with Leland Avenue from Clark Street to Lincoln Avenue. Shared Streets have also been installed in Hyde Park and Grand Crossing.
On top of the Paulina shared street, Rogers Park is also getting two expanded outdoor dining areas: one in Jarvis Square and one on Glenwood Avenue.
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