$2.3 million street infrastructure improvements coming to Tri-Taylor
By Dolly Duplantier
What was
just an idea about ten years ago now is a reality. Residents and business
owners on Taylor Street in the Tri-Taylor area, known in the community as
the "West End" of Taylor Street, will finally get their new sidewalks. The
$2.3 million project will renovate street infrastructure with upgrades like
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility ramps and improved curbs
and gutters. It also will provide decorative elements such as ornamental
streetlights and landscaping.
Work, which began briefly in October 2006, resumed at the end of March. Parking and construction issues aside, most business owners are pleased with the project and believe the benefits of the end result will far outweigh current construction hassles.
So why did it take so long for the much needed project to begin? According to Alderman Danny Solis (25th), who lives nearby, funding was the major issue. "It's taken a long time," he said. "My question when I became Alderman was, 'Why can't we have the same type of streetscaping as the east end of Taylor Street?'
"Every Alderman gets about $1.2 million for special projects," Solis continued. "It's supposed to go to the entire ward. We have many neighborhoods with many needs."
Solis reached out to Tri-Taylor community groups, representatives from the Medical District, and Congressman Danny Davis. Solis said they supported the project enthusiastically.
"I've been pushing for this thing for the last ten years," said Joe Airdo, owner of Granddaddy's Subs at 2343 W. Taylor St. "The business association had been asking for it. The main thing was the funding."
While Solis said he would pitch in some money from his budget, he wanted funding to come from the City. "I had architect drawings done to show how it would improve the area. We showed the City how it would improve business and bring in more tax dollars, and we complained a lot."
Finally, the City committed to funding the project with a government obligated (GO) bond.
According to Maria Castaneda, spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Transportation, community meetings are held before any project starts. Planning involves evaluating the area and what upgrades are possible. "We work closely with community groups and the Alderman to determine their needs and concerns. Throughout the design phase, we have public meetings to get community input."
Solis believes business owners support the project for the most part. Most are concerned construction’s effect on parking, and some have individual concerns.
"We are trying to arrange actual construction so it will have the least impact as possible," said Castaneda.
Crews first remove the old sidewalk, curb, and gutters. Then they pour the new sidewalk. Lights, decorative elements, and landscaping are added last.
"We will work in four-block increments," said Castaneda. "Parking will be prohibited in active construction zones. Typically the work will be done on one side of the street at a time."
Nella Davy, owner of Ferrara Bakery at the corner of Taylor Street and Ogden Avenue, was especially worried when construction began at the end of March. What used to be parking in front of her store now is a lane of traffic. "I was worried about my Easter business. It's a big holiday for me."
Davy, however, was pleasantly surprised. "We had a wonderful Easter," she said. "Business was good. The construction crew doesn't work on Saturday and Sunday, so it didn't bother me. The foot traffic was fine."
She also was concerned about customers who do not live in the area. "We are a very old business," Davy explained. "My older customers may not come in if they have to park far away. They're not going to walk, and it's been cold. I'm sure my business suffered a little, but in the long run it will be a good thing for the area. It's worth it."
Davy did indeed see some customers drive by the bakery. "They would slow down as they drove by," she said. "I would point down the street towards the alley, but many just kept on going. Some didn't come in, but that's okay. It's something that really needed to be done. It will look pretty when it's done. I hope improvements will continue to bring more people to this end of Taylor."
As of this writing the south side of Taylor from Western to Ogden Avenues is blocked off. While the project started last October at Western, it halted around the beginning of winter after completing approximately 126 feet of upgrades. Work resumed this year near Claremont Avenue.
Construction crews will continue working on the south side of the street and move east toward Ogden. Castaneda hopes to switch to the north side of the street and work toward Western next. If construction is delayed due to weather, crews might make up the time on weekends. Castaneda urged residents and business owners with concerns to contact the numbers listed on flyers that have been passed around the neighborhood.
Damenzo's Pizza owner Dominick Mannino supports the streetscaping but is disappointed with its slow progress. "It's going to be beautiful," he said. "West of Ashland has always been an eyesore. Anything to beautify it will be nice. My only complaint is that it's moving awfully slow. Seems to me it could move quicker."
Access to businesses remains open. "You will still be able to drive and walk on Taylor Street," said Castaneda. "We have a resident engineer on site that works closely with local business owners and the schools. We try to find out what their needs are and try to meet them. If a business is expecting a big delivery, we work with them to make sure they have access. We try to pour concrete at times when business is slow, not during high traffic times."
When active construction began, Castaneda said CDOT went door to door with flyers and posters to alert everyone about the project. "We are there letting the people know what is happening," Castaneda continued. "The local community groups and business owners are involved in the entire process."
Davy agreed, noting her husband was invited to a meeting before construction began. "We were aware of what would happen," she said.
Airdo is pleased with the City's performance. "They did everything they could to help us," he said. "There were some issues in the beginning, but they sat down with us, listened to us, went over the plan, and made changes. I didn't think they would do what they did, but they were very helpful. When it's all said and done, it will be a much better community. It will be very nice."
Mannino has accepted he cannot do much about parking but is encouraged by positive communication between the City and business owners. "They did notify us about construction," Mannino said. "They want to please you. They do a good job."
Once streetscaping is completed, Castaneda is confident the neighborhood will draw more foot traffic. Plans to widen the sidewalk at Taylor and Oakley will allow for landscape planters. In addition, new trees with tree grates as well as decorative benches and waste receptacles will be placed throughout designated areas.
Castaneda also pointed out new crosswalks will be stamped asphalt that gives the appearance of brick and identifies the pedestrian crosswalk clearly. "The improvements tend to draw more people to the area," Castaneda explained. "It's a more pleasant place to shop with improved lighting, better sidewalks, and decorative elements. It's a great investment for the neighborhood and it also helps establish a community identity."
Solis encouraged everyone to be patient. "It will be a long construction phase," he said. Everything should be done by August or September at the latest. When it's done, people will be happy with the final product. It will improve the neighborhood and help businesses. It will give residents a more beautiful neighborhood with a nice business strip down the middle of Tri-Taylor.
"This is a very nice neighborhood," added Solis. "Tri-Taylor is a secret in the city."
