Give Your Regards to Broadway

Broadway, Sheridan and Montrose Intersection Redesign Highlights Alderman Cappleman’s Participatory Budgeting Proposals

Participatory budgeting is a democratic    process; community members directly decide how to improve their neighborhood. Alderman Cappleman has invited residents of the 46th Ward to decide how $1 million of this year’s menu money is to be spent through participatory budgeting in the 46^th Ward.

One of the highlights of the Alderman’s participatory budgeting process is the redesign project of the Broadway, Sheridan and Montrose intersection, named 

SherMon Plaza.

Broadway was originally called Evanston Avenue and got its current name on August 15, 1913. Broadway is the only street in the city of Chicago that does not have a suffix. It is not a Street, Avenue, Road, Boulevard or Parkway but is simply known as Broadway. For the past 100 years Broadway has been a problem where it intersects Sheridan and Montrose, one of the most accident prone intersections in the city.
Pedestrian safety is a concern, as crossing lanes are too long and poorly marked which puts pedestrians in the streets for too long. Bicycle lanes are nonexistent and cyclists face bewildering choices. For cars turning lanes are poorly marked or absent, traveling straight through is confusing and turning is even worse.

So, the SherMon Plaza is a proposal to stop a century of danger, calm the intersection, decrease accidents, lower road rage, increase the safety for buses, cars, pedestrians and bicyclists, create more open space and improve the local business district with increased foot traffic.
And, in the process the 46^th Ward can create a new people plaza for residents to relax, read, grab a snack, enjoy a coffee or quash a thirst. It can also become the 46^th Ward’s welcoming park and signature display point for its branded image.

This is a graphic of the current Broadway, Sheridan and Montrose intersection. 

The next graphic is Stage 1 of 3 stages for the redesign of the Broadway, Sheridan and Montrose intersection that is now named SherMon Plaza.

Stage 1 will paint the street and close off SherMon Plaza to traffic with fixed or flexible bollards, concrete planters that will be welcoming to pedestrians and rubberized curbs.  The 151 bus will be rerouted onto Broadway and signals at Broadway/Sheridan, Broadway/Montrose, Sheridan/Montrose and Broadway/Sunnyside will be retimed.  The 151 bus stops and signage will be moved slightly.

Stage 2 will add curb bulbs at Broadway and Sheridan to narrow the pedestrian crossing and tighten the vehicle turning radius to enhance safety.  The traffic light will be re-angled to line up with traffic.

Trees, shrubs, benches, tables and brick paving will be added to the plaza.

Stage 3 will provide for a covered snack and refreshment shack. A sculpture, fountain, or other identity-creating landmark could be added.  If necessary SherMon Plaza could be permanently closed off with concrete curbs and additional trees and planters. This new People Plaza could be part of a holistic plan that encourages the reuse and rebuilding of other property in the area.

SherMon Plaza is loaded with benefits for the entire community, as almost everyone uses this intersection at some point: The intersection calms down,

accidents decrease, road rage lowers, there is increased safety for buses, cars, pedestrians and bicyclists, more open space is created and it is a cool space for residents to gather and visitors to see. SherMon Plaza increases foot traffic to the area, increases retail sales by retaining resident dollars, gains new spending from visitors and becomes an additional economic engine to attract new businesses. This safer area requires less in emergency services which saves the city money and deploys services where they are needed more. And, the 46^th ward gets a new park and events venue.

You can participate in the upcoming Participatory Budgeting Project Expos in the 46th Ward and help select which projects will appear on the ballot with a public vote this May.

Project Expo

Saturday, April 6th, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Uplift High School

900 W Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640

Project Expo

Monday, April 8th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Preston Bradley Center

941 W Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60640

Public Voting

The public vote will take place April 27th through May 5th. 

There will be a Participatory 46th Ward Voting Assembly on Sat.,

May 4, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Uplift High School, 900 W. Wilson

Ave., Chicago, IL 60640

In-person voting will be at the Alderman's office, 4544 N Broadway,

Chicago, IL, April 29 to May 3, during office hours: Mon., Tue. and T

hu.: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wed.: 9:00 a,m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Fri.

and Sat.: 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

Visit www.james46.org or www.pbchicago.org for times and locations.

And, remember to give your regards to Broadway ... vote for SherMon Plaza.