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Uptown United

The mission of Uptown United is to provide technical assistance to businesses and economic investors located in and serving Uptown, initiate and participate in strategic planning, encourage economic development to strengthen the community's economic base, address broad issues pertaining to the quality of life for Uptown's diverse population, and be a network to encourage partnerships.

Development Partners

The mission of the Development Partners is to initiate and participate in strategic planning, promote appropriate land use, and encourage development projects that provide employment opportunities, a strengthened economic base, and an enhanced quality of life for Uptown's diverse population.

Community Partners

The mission of the Community Partners is to initiate and participate in strategic planning and discussion to address broad issues of community development including balanced growth, social diversity, and economic vitality. Community Partners will be a network promoting productive interaction and will serve as a catalyst to effect partnerships among businesses and community organizations to enhance the quality of life for Uptown's diverse population.

Business Partners

The mission of the Business Partners, the Chamber for Uptown, is to provide comprehensive support services and access to technical assistance programs to businesses and economic investors located in and serving Uptown. The assistance furnished by the Business Partners will insure that Uptown businesses have the opportunity and tools to thrive, and that the needs for goods and services in the community are met.

Also please visit our
Uptown partner UptownBusinessPartners.com

Uptown United

Initiatives & Achievements
CURRENT UPTOWN UNITED INITIATIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Wilson Yard – We are a member of the Wilson Yard Community team which assisted in bringing much needed user-friendly retail and commercial services to Uptown.  Wilson Yard will give a tremendous boost to the commercial streets.  It is our goal that from Wilson Yard, shoppers will walk north and south on Broadway to revitalize the commercial streets.  We will be working with the master developer, Holsten Real Estate, to identify and attract retail and commercial tenants so serve all sectors of our community.  Additionally, Uptown United is on the Oversight Committee for JUMP UP referred to below.

Model Redevelopment Project – To encourage improvement of commercial properties on the 4600 block of North Broadway, UPTOWN UNITED purchased a three story mixed use building at 4619 North Broadway in July 1998.  We have spent in excess of $65,000 improving this property, while we maintain the two large apartments on the second and third floors as affordable, family housing.

Corridors of Vision – Corridors of Vision is a long range planning program designed to vision and plan for growth on Uptown’s commercial streets.  To date, corridor planning sessions have been completed for Lawrence Avenue, Sheridan Road, Broadway and Wilson Avenue.  A session was also completed for Uptown as a whole relating to public art.  Participants in these sessions include professional architects and planners, residential, business and institutional neighbors.  These sessions have contributed not only to planning, but also to neighborhood collaboration and the formation of working partnerships among community groups.  Please see our website www.corridorsofvision.org

Creative Alliance of Uptown – In cooperation with the City of Chicago Departments of Planning and Development and Cultural Affairs, Uptown United has led and partnered with local agencies including Hull House Art Center, Kuumba Lynx, Serendipity Children’s Theater, Alternatives, Pegasus Players, Urban Art Retreat and Truman College to form the Creative Alliance of Uptown.  This group was organized in response to the City’s initiative “Advancing Chicago’s Civic Agenda through the Arts” which is based on the belief that communities rich in the arts are more successful in community development, including creating community landmarks, beautification, conveying the culture of community, creating a sense of place, finding common ground, attracting people to the neighborhood, and supporting local businesses.  Goals of the alliance are to make the arts more visible on the commercial corridors and to involve the community in beautification and identity. 

Argyle Mural Project, The Roots of Argyle - This project came about with the cooperation of a number of neighborhood groups whose focus is to improve the aesthetics and safety of Argyle Street from Sheridan Road to Broadway.  Through participation in the Corridors of Vision on public art, Br. Mark Elder of DePaul University proposed a mural for the southwest corner of Argyle and Winthrop.  This project was planned by the neighbors and businesses.  The theme is centered on the diverse ethnic groups that have entered Chicago through Argyle Street.  Neighbors have also participated in the creation of a website about the mural which will be housed on Uptown United’s website.  This project is 90% complete and a grand opening is planned for Spring 2006.

Growing Uptown – Uptown United is working with Heartland Alliance’s Pathways program, Alternatives, and Winthrop Townhome Association to acquire two vacant lots and an unused alley through the NeighborSpace program.  This long-term vacant and neglected property in the 4600 block of North Winthrop Avenue will be transformed into a garden and the open space preserved to provide relief from the density on this very narrow street.

Marketing Not for Profit Businesses -  As the organizer and an active participant in Senator Carol Ronen’s Advisory Council, Uptown United is participating with other Uptown not for profit and other human service organizations to market their products, locally, and perhaps more broadly.  These products include soap products, industrial sewing and catering services.


NEW AND ON-GOING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

Development Services/Technical Assistance – Uptown United offers professional services including community marketing, promotion of specific properties to investors, community planning and development review, inventorying property data, loan packaging, collaboration and facilitation assistance.

“Energize Uptown” – A Comprehensive Business Improvement Program – To help manage the up-coming changes accelerated by the opening of Borders Books at Uptown Square and the future Wilson Yard project, Uptown United and the Business Partners, the Chamber for Uptown will offer a comprehensive business improvement program.  This program began in the winter of 2003 and will continue to provide services to existing businesses in Uptown, including assistance with façade rebate, business planning, training, marketing and automation signage design and window display.  Many of these services already exist but are not marketed or packaged to the community.  We feel it is important to support our existing business owners as they compete for customers and employees.  This program also includes work with existing businesses on planning for services to be added under the planned Special Service Area.

Uptown Special Service Area – Uptown United is the sole service provider for Uptown SSA #34.  Established in December, 2005, the SSA covers the major commercial corridors including Broadway from Foster to Irving Park, Sheridan Road from Foster to Montrose, the commercial areas just north of Irving Park, as well as the commercial areas on Argyle, Lawrence, Leland, Wilson and Montrose.  The largest portions of the SSA budget address cleanliness, including sidewalk snow removal, additional street and sidewalk cleaning and power washing of sidewalks. 

Join Us to Market People in Uptown (JUMP UP) – Modeled on Upcorp’s successful Youth Employment Program, this project will train and prepare local residents to enter pre-apprenticeship programs in order to qualify for construction jobs at Wilson Yard.  Uptown United and Project Jobs are participating with many local agencies, Dawson Tech and Chicago Women in Trades to provide intake and assessment, hard and soft skills training and continuing case management.

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