Officials Look to Pedestrians for Help Making Clark 1 of CDOT's 'Complete Streets'

When it comes to all things Clark Street, officials are asking residents to speak up.

Bike Walk Lincoln Park is joining forces with 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith and the Active Transportation Alliance to encourage residents to envision pedestrian-friendly improvements for Clark Street by way of an interactive Aug. 20 community meeting.

The Lincoln Park stretch in question is between North and Armitage avenues, according to Bike Walk Lincoln Park—a neighborhood committee that strives to create bicycle and general pedestrian safety in Chicago's 43rd ward.

Led by ATA representative Brenna Conway, those attending this month's meeting will walk along the street to observe, discuss and brainstorm ways to improve the corridor that can be included in initial recommendations to city officials.

Bike Walk Lincoln Park has noted several issues in the past, including: 

• Wide lanes of car traffic moving at speeds that exceed the speed limit.
• Poorly marked pedestrian crossings that span six lanes of street with no safe havens.
• Long distances between safe crosswalks.
• An absence of bike lanes.
• A lack of historic signage, as well as places to sit in the park.

" … We want to hear from you," says a BWLP blog post, announcing the upcoming meeting. "We'll also be reaching out to residents, commuters, neighborhood groups, businesses, schools, cultural institutions and more to encourage them to participate so we can work together to make this part of our city better."

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The Chicago Department of Transportation will receive recommendations from the community workshop. Those from the organization hope, based on CDOT's push for "complete streets", that they will gain support for proposed improvements.

Those interested in helping with the effort should meet at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Green City Market site, 1791 N. Clark St. A happy hour with a cash bar will follow at the J. Parker rooftop lounge.