Lincoln Avenue SSA 35 Info

What are the boundaries of the Lincoln Avenue SSA?

The Lincoln Avenue SSA includes all properties fronting Lincoln Avenue from Webster Avenue on the south to Diversey Parkway on the north.

When was the Lincoln Avenue SSA established?

City Council passed the establishment ordinance for the Lincoln Avenue SSA on November 4, 2005.

Why was the Lincoln Avenue SSA established?

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce recognized that businesses on Lincoln Avenue had been increasingly challenged with a decline in daytime foot traffic, inconsistent area marketing, investment and maintenance and increasing competition from surrounding neighborhood commercial districts. Residents and visitors were faced with fewer choices, minimal pedestrian amenities and worsening parking and traffic conditions. The Lincoln Avenue SSA is the product of a concerted effort by business leaders, residents and elected representatives to establish a professional program with dedicated resources to respond to these challenges by procuring private services to improve sidewalks and public spaces, provide new pedestrian friendly amenities and initiate programs to improve retailing, parking and traffic circulation. With the decline of Federal and State resources, the SSA program is the only tool available to property owners, tenants and residents to ensure a higher level of services separate and above basic city services.

After much discussion and research of various options, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce proposed the establishment of an SSA on Lincoln Avenue. The SSA would have the ability to address the issues identified by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and property owners, as well as maintain the streetscape elements installed by the City in 2001.

What other commercial districts have SSAs and are they successful?

Thirty-one SSAs have been established in the city since 1977. Twenty-five SSAs remain active today. Several Northside SSAs include Lakeview, Lakeview East, North Halsted, Lincoln Square and Andersonville. SSA funding has been instrumental in revitalizing and maintaining many of these commercial areas.