What is WPB?
WPB is the special service area for the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods. A special service area is a taxing district, usually centered on commercial districts, where the tax money collected is administered locally. For more information on WPB (including its mission, boundaries, and Commissioners) visit our home page. If you browse the “News” page, you’ll get an idea of the types of projects WPB has been working on.
What is WPB up to now?
WPB is in the midst of a master planning process. The overall goal of the master plan is to assess the current status of the neighborhood, and to make recommendations for the future. The master plan will answer questions like:
- How many people are riding their bikes in the neighborhood? Are there enough bike lanes and bike racks? Could biking in the neighborhood be made safer? What about walking and transit? Are there any intersections that are difficult to navigate as a pedestrian? How could they be improved?
- What is the mix of retail on the commercial corridors of Wicker Park and Bucktown? Is this a sufficient mix to serve the needs of the neighborhood? Are there certain demands that are not being met? Does the neighborhood attract enough outside shoppers/diners/patrons to continue to thrive?
- What is the current zoning of each parcel? Does the zoning allow for an appropriate mix of land uses? Does the zoning match the character of the neighborhood?
- How much green space is there in Wicker Park and Bucktown? Is this enough, as compared to established standards? Are there any parcels that could be developed as park space in the future?
What’s the point of the open houses?
At this point in the master plan process, we have conducted several interviews and focus groups with local residents, business owners, and community leaders. The next phase in the process (this is where you come in) is to open up the process to the community at large. We want to know what you think about the future of the neighborhood. What are your big ideas? What would you like to see preserved into the future? What would you like to see undergo drastic change?
What will the open houses be like?
The WPB Open Houses will provide an opportunity for area residents, business owners, and visitors alike to weigh in on the future of Wicker Park and Bucktown. At any time during the open houses (Saturdays March 29, April 5, April 12 from 10am - 4pm at 1275 N. Milwaukee) you can stop in and partake in a variety of activies. You can participate in as many or as few activities as you like, but remember, your input can help shape the future of the neighborhood and the projects that WPB will take on. Some of the activities include:
- A photo exhibit titled Inside is Outside, curated by WPB resident Jessica Cochran. The photo exhibit will include work by neighborhood photographers, including Ron Seymour and Carlos Flores.
- A storytelling booth, run by BulletProof Film. In the storytelling booth, you will be asked a series of questions about the neighborhood, and then you can tell a personal story about the neighborhood. Your answers and story will be video and audio recorded as an archive of the neighborhood. We also hope to use the audio in the future to punctuate mp3 walking tours, adding some local flavor.
- A mapping exercise, on a really really big map of the neighborhood. This is a pretty standard master plan element. You’ll be asked to indicate where you live, where you favorite place is in Wicker Park and Bucktown, and what area you think needs the most attention.
- Postcards from the Future. Pretend it’s the year 2028, and you just visited Wicker Park and Bucktown. What did you do? What was the neighborhood like? This is your opportunity to describe how you see the neighborhood in 20 years.
- Photo suggestion box. What’s your big idea for the neighborhood? In the other activities, we’ve asked you to answer questions and write about your vision for the future, but what are we missing? Write it down on our thought-bubble chalkboard, and we’ll take a picture of you with your big idea. (Check out some of the suggestions people have given so far by visiting our flickr page.)
- DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Budget. WPB has to submit a budget to the City of Chicago each year for approval. How would you spend the money? We’ll give you fake money to deposit into 8 different piggy banks, representing the 8 categories of WPB’s budget.
- Panel discussions. At 1pm on each Saturday there will be a panel discussion. The first panel discussion, March 29, will feature three local business owners whose businesses have grown over the years. The panel will include: Noam Frankel, Greener Cleaner; Sue Daly, Renegade Craft Fair; and Bill Jacobs, Piece Brewery and Pizzeria. The panel will be moderated by Suzanne Keers, Co-founder of Local First Chicago. The details of the other two panel discussions will be posted soon, so check back for details.
What’s in it for me?
You get to help shape the priorities of WPB and contribute your ideas for the recommendations that will be a part of the final master plan. You’ll also feel great that you took the time to stand up and be counted. You’ll also have a really good time, and maybe you’ll have a chance to meet some of your neighbors. If that’s not enough, there will be food provided by Cooking Fools, door prizes, and everyone who participates will receive “Wicker Bucks” which are good for promotions at local businesses.
What if I don’t live within WPB’s boundaries? What if I don’t even live in Wicker Park or Bucktown?
That’s okay! If you’re reading this, then you have some interest in our neighborhood, and we want to know what you think, too. The commercial streets of Wicker Park and Bucktown are home to world class shopping, dining, and entertainment, which attract local, national, and international visitors. We need to consider visitors in our plan for the future, so we welcome you to come and participate.
Where are the Open Houses again? And where are they at?
The Open Houses will be held three Saturdays in a row, March 29, April 5, and April 12. They will be open from 10am until 4pm each Saturday. They will be held at 1275 N. Milwaukee, next to Radio Shack. If you have questions, please call 773.235.6385.
We look forward to seeing you at the Open Houses!
