1st Ward Newsletter | April 6, 2026
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Dear neighbors,
This is Victoria, the 1st Ward’s Associate Urban Planner. This week, I’m sharing an update on the Grand Avenue Reconstruction, as we’ve received a preliminary timeline for construction staging. Below are the details available at this time. Contractors are expected to confirm the timeline and staging plan in the coming weeks. We will continue to share any updates or changes in future newsletters.
Stage 1: Grand Ave from Damen Ave to Ashland Ave (2026)
The 1st Ward portion of this stage includes the north side of Grand from Wood St to Ashland Ave. Construction will include larger project features like sidewalk, curb & gutter, drainage, underground utilities, pavement replacement, etc.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and will shift from the north or south sides of Grand Ave to create space for construction work zones. Due to the size, materials, and equipment needed for these projects parking will be fully restricted during the duration of this phase. Our office will be working with the Department of Finance (DoF) to allow customers of impacted businesses to access permit parking zones in the surrounding area. This stage is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Stage 2: Grand Ave from Ashland Ave to Ogden Ave (2027)
The 1st Ward includes the north side of Grand from Ashland to Armour, and both sides of Grand from Armour to Ogden. This stage will include the same project features as Stage 1 and parking will also be fully restricted.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and will shift from the north or south sides of Grand Ave to create space for construction work zones. Stage 2 is set to begin in 2027 to ensure that the Chicago Ave and Halsted St detour route is not to be disrupted.
Stage 3: Grand Ave from Damen Ave to Ogden Ave (TBD)
Construction during this stage includes concrete islands within the road, street lighting, traffic signal upgrades, landscaping, asphalt paving, permanent signage and pavement markings. This stage will include more localized parking restrictions and lane shifts for construction work zones.
Since the completion of reconstruction on the initial segment of Grand between Chicago Ave and Damen Ave, CDOT has recorded:
- 3.3 times fewer pedestrian injuries
- Injuries across all modes of transit have decreased by 13%
- Zero severe crashes (compared to an annual average of four severe crashes before reconstruction)
We understand that this project will be disruptive for businesses and residents alike, and we appreciate your patience as work moves forward. We know these improvements are wanted by the community and needed by all Chicagoans!
Sincerely,
Victoria
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P.S. Click here to open this newsletter in another tab!
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In this week's newsletter, you'll find:
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Join the 1st Ward Office and the Wicker Park Advisory Council for a day of service this Saturday! Help us clean and care for local parks across the ward so they remain safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. Volunteers will kick off the day at Wicker Park, where you’ll pick up supplies like gloves and garbage bags before heading out to your assigned park.
Volunteers are then invited back to Wicker Park for greenfest, an eco-friendly, sustainability-focused festival with vendors, live music, and more!
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Join Ald. La Spata and Cook County Commissioner Degnen for our annual Spring Bike Tune-Up event! We’ll be at Pulaski Park with mechanics from The Recyclery generously volunteering their time to get 1st Ward/12th District bikers ready for the warm weather. All appointments have been filled, but walk-ups will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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greenfest is a family-friendly celebration of sustainability happening on April 11 from 12 – 3 p.m. in Wicker Park. Join the community for an afternoon filled with sustainability-focused vendors, music, hands-on activities, delicious food, and a fun! With activities for all ages and plenty of opportunities to learn, shop, and connect, greenfest is a joyful way to celebrate the planet and greener living together.
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Registration for Chicago Park District summer camp programs will open on Monday, April 20. To assist parents/guardians with the process, the Park District will host two registration webinars next Tuesday, April 14, at noon and 6:00 p.m. The hour-long webinar will discuss how to create an account and navigate our registration website, utilize the new searchable map feature to find a camp, and add programs to your wish-list to facilitate registration.
Register here. You can submit questions and suggestions for the webinar when registering.
Note: The webinar will be recorded and posted at the link above after April 14.
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In Case You Missed It
The 1st Ward Office hosted a 1st Ward First Look for 1619 North Artesian, on March 30, 2026; you can watch the video at the video archive and provide feedback on the proposal. This case is expected to be referred to our local neighborhood group for review, along with preliminary feedback from our First Look meeting.
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Virtual 1st Ward First Look - Monday, April 13, 2026
- 1028 North Ashland A zoning attorney reached out to request a zoning change for an existing vacant lot, to establish a four-story, mixed use building with 3 units and 3 parking spaces. As a Transit-Served Location, this lot is not suitable for 1:1 parking, so alternate proposals are under discussions with the attorney.
As of March 2026, it is expected that a 3-story, 6 dwelling unit development will be presented at this First Look meeting (received November 2025; request renewed January 2026 and updated March 2026)
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Recent Policy Feedback
The 1st Ward Office regularly provides zoning policy recommendations to inquiries about properties. Here are recent inquiries received in March 2026:
- VIABLE ALTERNATIVE EXISTS - 2423 W McLean: A developer reached out about a proposed demolition upzone, to replace an existing two flat with a three flat. The real estate listing suggests property is a two flat, and the predominance of the block matches this building, therefore 1st Ward Office recommended preserving existing two flat. (received March 2026)
- EXPECTING ZONING INTAKE PACKET - 2831 - 2845 W Diversey: (Numerous inquiries; updated March 2026) Numerous zoning attorneys and real estate professionals are reaching out regarding rezoning options for an existing vacant lot. 1st Ward Office is providing zoning intake packet and awaiting more information. As of March 2026, it is expected that this property is under contract, and the 1st Ward Office is awaiting updated zoning packets. (received January 2026; updated March 2026)
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