Workshop participants then broke out randomly into small energetic group discussions. Groups elected discussion leaders, note takers and presenters. Each group was assisted by Vision Committee facilitators to ensure input from each participant. In the first breakout session, seven groups of 7-10 persons assessed existing land uses and designs including commercial / retail, residential and institutional / community land uses. Groups then presented “flip chart” summaries of their likes and dislikes to the larger workshop and gave their reasons for these perspectives. As presentations proceeded, many shared perspectives became apparent. New ideas and perspectives also came to the fore. New breakout groups were formed and a second breakout session followed addressing six aspects of the functional and social environment of the Irving Park Corridor. Topics included traffic, parking, safety, cleanliness and beautification, sense of community and the importance of historic preservation. Again, each group presented their consensus views to the general workshop. Val Zillig of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development presented the status of the City’s Zoning Reform initiative as a prelude to a working lunch / third breakout session focused on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and priorities for the Irving Park Corridor. Brisku’s Bistro; Chief O’Neill’s, Cousins and Leona’s Restaurants; Jewel Foods, Regency and North Community banks contributed a tasty variety of quality luncheon dishes and refreshments for this session. After final breakout presentations, each participant voted on issues, concerns and priorities by affixing stickers to the various sets of flip chart summaries posted on the walls around the room. The complete set of workshop materials is being consolidated and summarized by the 33rd Ward and MCIC for a report available later in the year. Workshop materials will be augmented by individual business surveys now being conducted by KEBIC and 33rd Ward staff. For more information on the Vision for Irving Park choose a topic al left or click on one of the links below.
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