The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA), the City of Evanston and the City of Chicago are excited to announce the launch of One Howard Street, a unified corridor plan for Howard Street between Sheridan Road and Western/Asbury Avenue. Made possible by a near $100k grant from the State’s Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Program, this inter-municipal project aims to engage the community in designing a commercial revitalization plan that fosters economic recovery, employment, public safety, affordable housing, public transit and traffic infrastructure, education resources, cultural development, and inclusive community for diverse residents, on both sides of the street that border the two cities. For plan updates, go to www.rpba.org/one-howard.
The community-supported plan will be completed and shared in September 2023. The plan will include clear and actionable steps toward equitable economic recovery on Howard Street. The implementation is estimated to unfold over several years, with measurable impacts within three years.
A Steering Committee consisting of local stakeholders is currently seeking public input. The community is invited to share their vision for the future of Howard Street with the project team at a community meeting and park cleanup Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. - 12 noon, at Willye B. White Park, 1610 W Howard St. The event will include hands-on activities, snacks, and more information about the One Howard Street planning process.
Sandi Price, Executive Director of Rogers Park Business Alliance, shares the significance of the joint effort to strengthen the Howard Street corridor: “This is the first time that Evanston and Rogers Park are working on creating a joint corridor plan. Howard Street shouldn’t be a boundary, it should be a neighborhood, and has long played an important role in bringing together the economy and culture on Chicago’s far north side; being home to many legacy businesses, Loyola University and the popular Chalk Howard Street festival. Over the past decade, RPBA has been creating and implementing corridor plans for other vital streets in the area including Clark Street and Devon Avenue. Together with Howard Street, the three corridors will form a strong bridge connecting the north and south ends of Rogers Park as well as the cities of Chicago and Evanston, creating a thriving environment for businesses and community.”
Paul Zalmezak, Economic Development Manager for the City of Evanston, continues to emphasize the effect the plan will have on both sides: “Markets don't abide by municipal boundaries! One Howard Street is our greatest opportunity to capitalize on the entrepreneurial spirit of our independent businesses on both sides of Howard Street by formalizing a unified planning and investment effort between two world class cities. This is a rare but much needed example of regional collaboration in a region known for rugged individualism.”
Daniel Biss, the Mayor of Evanston, expresses how unique this opportunity is: “As the only recipient in the Chicagoland area, I am honored to announce the start of the One Howard planning process. We are confident that by conducting an inclusive planning process with key stakeholders – those who live, work, and are invested in Howard Street – we can establish a strong vision for the corridor that ensures its long-term resiliency, business growth, and vibrancy.”
Alderwoman Maria Hadden, first elected in 2019, who represents the 49th Ward on Chicago’s City Council shares: “I am truly excited by the prospects of what the One Howard initiative will mean for our community - for the first time in decades we will have a strategic plan for the Howard corridor that will include both sides of the street. As the only Chicago community to receive a RISE grant from the State of Illinois, I look forward to the unique opportunity to partner with the City of Evanston and the Rogers Park Business Alliance to address the challenges facing the Howard corridor while also highlighting all the wonderful amenities that already exist. Together, our respective communities will work together on issues such as affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and a thriving business environment that will result in a strong and inclusive long-term vision for the Howard Street corridor.”
In 2022, the RISE Program provided $3.5 million to 42 communities and economic development organizations to accelerate long-term economic recovery; RPBA was the only grantee from Chicago.
Rogers Park Business Alliance is a nonprofit organization that has served Chicago’s diverse Rogers Park neighborhood for 30 years. RPBA works to cultivate and sustain a thriving economic environment in Rogers Park, serving businesses and residents with a variety of public events and business initiatives. RPBA programs include the GROW/PROGRESANDO entrepreneurial training program, the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Rogers Park Business Alliance, annual Best of Rogers Park awards, Chalk Howard Street Festival, Taco Crawl, and the Glenwood Sunday Market farmers market. In addition to Elevate Devon, RPBA has led numerous Rogers Park strategic planning efforts in its 30-year history, including development guides for commercial corridors along Clark Street, Morse Avenue, Howard Street, Western Avenue and Sheridan Road. For more information, visit RPBA.org.
The City of Evanston is home to approximately 75,000 residents and is located just north of Chicago. Bordering Lake Michigan and home to Northwestern University and Rotary International, Evanston’s unique beauty and character delights visitors and residents of all ages. With a vision to create the most livable city in America, Evanston celebrates the diversity of its opportunities and residents. For more information, visit www.cityofevanston.org.