Chicago's First Shared Street Planned for Uptown's Argyle Street

Following one failed attempt at a similar plan, a popular neighborhood for shopping will soon become a shared street project. The effort is part of a trend in Chicago looking for ways to transform streets into pedestrian friendly destinations.

1 minute read

October 7, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rachel Cromidas discusses Chicago's plans to transform some of its streets into pedestrian friendly environments by focusing on a proposal to create a shared street on Argyle Street in Uptown from Sheridan to Broadway. The plan would transform the street, according to Cromidas, "into a kind of public plaza, like those more common in Europe, where pedestrians, cyclists and motorists must co-exist in one broad lane elevated to the same height as the sidewalk." 

"Construction on the street is set to begin this winter," reports Cromidas, with delivery targeted for summer of 2015.  "The construction will involve raising the street level between Sheridan Road and Broadway to be flush with the sidewalk curb in hopes of helping drivers distinguish Argyle from a typical neighborhood street. The project will also bring the speed limit down to 15 miles per hour and eliminate up to 10 parking spots."

Cromidas compares the Argyle Street a similar proposal in Lincoln Park last fall, where DePaul University proposed converting a section of Kenmore Avenue between Belden and Fullerton avenues "into a landscaped walkway for students and other pedestrians." That plan ran into concerns over parking. 

Monday, October 6, 2014 in Chicago Tribune

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Vacant storefront in historic building on Powell Street in San Francisco, California

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax

Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

2 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

4 hours ago - Greater Greater Washington

Graphic for '1000 Joys of Planning' with The Planning Commission Podcast

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning

The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.

6 hours ago - The Planning Commission Podcast

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.