An initiative created by the Neighbors of West Loop community organization that aims to improve West Loop’s overall living conditions has been in draft form since being first written in 2016.
Referred to as the “Neighborhood Plan,” the initiative stresses priority West Loop issues that were introduced to them by nearby residents. This includes topics that range from development and land use, traffic and parking, infrastructure, parks and green space and public safety.
“Chicago’s West Loop is a neighborhood in rapid transition,” the plan sates. “With a rich and dynamic history, the area is experiencing unprecedented growth in population, and influx of commercial enterprises and associated development.”
The Neighborhood Plan outlined its vision for West Loop as: “To preserve and enhance the high quality of life for residents and neighbors of the West Loop, allowing the neighborhood to remain a desirable place for residents to live work, and play for decades to come.”
Neighbors of West Loop supports opening up more public space for available use, promoting and preserving local businesses, provide affordable housing on-site that meets city requirements, introduce new design elements to historic West Loop buildings while continuing to observe their architectural style, implement building height requirements for new properties that alter zoning rules, and fix traffic congestion issues caused by construction.
The group also wishes to implement a neighborhood-wide traffic study that records responses on improvements needed for pedestrians, public transportation and cyclists. The plan hopes to expand proposed resident parking permits and promote shared parking during the week.
For infrastructure, the plan seeks to speed up the infrastructure repair process and improve street lighting in certain dark areas, all while continuing to support public art.
It was then proposed that a strategic plan be put in place that addresses West Loop’s green space deficit. On top of that, the group asks for better management of local parks, more dog-accessible areas, improved Union Park pedestrian access, a new fieldhouse in Skinner Park, and Heritage Green and Fulton River Parks advisory councils.
Finally, the Neighborhood Plan insists resident participation in the Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Program, neighborhood watch programs, heavy police patrols, a new police state in West Loop that splits the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) 12th District, and sharing security camera footage with law enforcement.
When fully complete and approved, the Neighborhood Plan advises the Neighbors of West Loop Development Committee (NoWL), as well as property developers and city officials, how to effectively provide safety and security to all West Loop residents.
“Neighbors of West Loop will use this plan as a guidance for the comments that we provide to developers on their projects, the positions that we take in letters to local aldermen about development, and the neighborhood improvements for which we advocate at every opportunity,” as stated in the Neighborhood Plan.
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