Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Eyes on the Street

The Heart of Italy Cafe Street on Oakley. Photo: John Greenfield

Newest car-free Cafe Streets mostly appear to be doing booming business

By John Greenfield | Jul 14, 2020 | No Comments

Taking away space from cars and making it available to people is providing a shot in the arm to the struggling hospitality industry, while allowing pandemic-weary residents to enjoy some nightlife.

Parents pushing babies and tots riding bikes in the roadway: good signs that a Slow Street is working as intended. Photo: John Greenfield

Eyes on the Street: The Dickens Slow Street is getting great use

By John Greenfield | Jul 10, 2020 | No Comments

There were plenty of adorable kids riding scooters and bikes, an indicator species of a successful Slow Street.

Ida B. Wells Drive / Congress Parkway as it typically appears, and being repurposed for human-scale use (below). Images: Google Maps, Maudlyne Ihejirika/Chicago Sun-Times

Protests are placemaking

By Olivia Grenzebach | Jul 8, 2020 | No Comments

These instances of road repurposing and placemaking are born from pain and anger, and yet they have brought communities together and created beauty.

Toriano Sanzone speaks to the crowd before the ride. Photo: Cameron Bolton

Black Rides for Black Lives uses cycling to highlight the need for police reform

By Cameron Bolton | Jul 6, 2020 | No Comments

The goal of their recent protest ride was to demand the creation of a Civilian Police Accountability Council, as well as reducing or eliminating funding for the CPD and reallocating money to social services.

The service drives on Randolph in the West Loop have been pedestrianized for cafe seating. Photo: John Greenfield

Eyes on the Streets: Car-free Cafe Streets Open on Randolph and Taylor

By John Greenfield | Jun 29, 2020 | No Comments

Randolph Street was bustling at 7:30 p.m. on a Saturday night, while at 9:30 p.m. on Taylor Street relatively few restaurants had tables out.

The South Shore Slow Street loop. Photo: CDOT

Chicago’s newest Slow Street is a 0.6-mile loop in South Shore

By John Greenfield | Jun 26, 2020 | No Comments

This loop is perfect for local residents who'd like to get physical activity by walking or jogging laps, and a good set-up for children and families to go on bike rides.

Show More Stories