notes from the January 31 workshop

We had a well-attended workshop on January 31st 2005. After a wide-ranging discussion on ideas for improving the area of 38th and Chicago, we asked the question "what do you like about 38th and Chicago" and "what would you change" or "what do you think needs improvement." You can read the answers below.

I like ...

• the chicken strips at Cup Foods.
• Angel's restaurant.
• the variety of things you can find in the area: the dollar store, the fish sandwiches at Cup Foods, the fact that I can get keys made there for the keys that say "do not duplicate."
• the aesthetics of the area, and what the area could be.
• the diversity of the area.
• "because it's near" - it is close to many things.
• the history of the area, knowing all the changes that it has gone through.
• the TCF ATM at Cup Foods (there are not many of them around). I don't like the mess, the broken glass everywhere. It is not friendly to walking.
• the diversity, and the area's potential.
• the architecture in the area.
• SA is convenient for a cup of coffee and to get the paper on Sunday.
• the proximity to things.
• the Park (Phelps) it is nice to walk by and see people, and the activity of the activity of the kids in the park.
• the Aliveness Project behind SA. It serves people with HIV AIDS. We do a lot of good things in the area, we put in the bike racks and the planters, they are not big things, but there a lot of small things we can do. We need more police presence.
• I'm a farm girl and I like the farm mural on Cup Foods. Also, the convenience of the corner - it is easy to get to the bus, etc. I also like the art deco buildings in the area, there are a lot of them around here.
• I like the convenience, and knowing that there are things we could do to improve the area. I also like the convenience of the buses, the area could be very pedestrian friendly. We need things that are not that expensive to do.
• the businesses, all the quirky businesses that there are in the area - I walked around the area a lot, and had the chance to meet with most of the business owners.
• the architecture. It gets really interesting starting at around 32nd. I like that there is lots of potential - it could be very nice here. I don't like the filth you see, and how the spirit of the area, the atmosphere drops after 5 pm, it's too dark. We need light, trees - it's too scary.
• I don't live here, but I work here. I don't like driving to 38th - it's too dark. I like Angel's, and more north, Jakeeno's. 38th is not clean, trees would be nice, it needs more light.
• I like the proximity - to 35W, LRT, Lake Street, there's major development all around - I hope the neighborhoods can help start the process so that it works for all.
• I like the idea for lighting the area , and for new designs.
• the potential - I like the potential, and seeing that there are good spaces available for businesses - I sometimes feel I could get one for starting a business - "maybe I can rent this."
• the architecture, there are really neat buildings that have great potential. I wish there would be a coffee shop, a place where you can stay for hours - a place to linger - It reminds me of how things were ten years ago at 43rd when Anodyne came in, or how it was at 30th and Grand.
• "we bought our house because of the potential" - we should refuse to accept loitering in our area.
• the business association is an asset. Also they are supportive of the businesses against the prevalence of loitering.
• I like that people have stuck with 38th and Chicago for all this time. 10 years ago it was a whole different thing - I like how things are now at this meeting because I feel that we share a feeling of optimism for this area.