On Wednesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel kicked-off Chicago's “Make Way for People” program, an effort to "promote economic development and make Chicago streets safer for pedestrians," by transforming the city's paved surfaces into people places.
Fran Spielman reports on the recently launched effort that is "actually four separate initiatives under the same umbrella:"
- People Spots - "temporary decks" that replace parking spots with public seating during the spring, summer and early fall.
- People Streets - temporarily closing streets with "excess asphalt" and turning them into public spaces.
- People Plazas - "plazas and malls in various states of upkeep that could be 'activated' to create space for farmers markets and other retail opportunities."
- People Alleys - transforming alleys in off-hours by filling them with tables and chairs, and live music or art exhibitions.
FULL STORY: City wants to turn streets, alleys, plazas into outdoor fun spots
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