LOGAN SQUARE — A residential block near a bustling nightlife strip in Logan Square is set to become a one-way street to curb unruly behavior and parking issues.
A portion of Richmond Street will be converted into a one-way street going south between Milwaukee and Altgeld. The ordinance was introduced this month and passed City Council Wednesday along with a slew of other traffic signal changes.
The change comes after neighbors complained to Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) and police officers about problems their block has faced for a few years, which they say have worsened this year.
Neighbors said the issues in the 2400 block of North Richmond Street stem from late-night patrons who frequent nearby bars on Milwaukee Avenue.
Their block has become a “never-ending pre- and post-partying” spot with drinking, fighting, loitering, urination, loud music and voices, several neighbors previously told Block Club. There are at least 14 bars and restaurants on the Milwaukee block.
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Some neighbors and business owners said they think the one-way change will help alleviate the illegal parking and crowds, while others said it doesn’t go far enough.
“I think it’s a great idea and will drop traffic down dramatically [on Richmond] and keep everyone on Milwaukee,” Esam Hani, owner of La Victoria at 2447 N. Milwaukee Ave., previously said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”
Other neighbors aid they want to see a different traffic pattern and more parking enforcement on their block, which has permit parking.
“The one-way block will not fix the problem with traffic. People will just go in a circle,” a neighbor named Shirley previously said. “What I proposed was a one-way on Altgeld to Logan Boulevard going westbound. That would be a better route.”
La Spata said the one-way Altgeld proposal is a relatively new ask from neighbors that would be a more challenging re-route to approve and implement.
La Spata previously said the Richmond Street conversion is a first step in seeing how a one-way can quiet the block and alleviate some of the congestion.
Traffic signs need to be changed, and the area will get an assessment from Department of Transportation officials, but the change on Richmond Street will go into effect soon, La Spata said Wednesday.
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