Will Milwaukee Ave. become the next Michigan Ave. and State St.? (2015, shop)

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by NealIRC

I was going to say Lincoln avenue too, but is there any development there though, that's what this thread is also about.

There's some action at Lincoln/Belmont. Lincoln Ave up through Lincoln Sq. has a great streetscape. It's still nice up through Skokie/MG, just nowhere near as vibrant. Lincoln Ave. through Lincolnwood is VERY suburban.

[Urbanist928]

Originally Posted by NealIRC

I was going to say Lincoln avenue too, but is there any development there though, that's what this thread is also about.

There are some developments, but the thing about Lincoln is that they are kind of hit or miss. The two most vibrant areas of Lincoln Ave, which I would say are Lincoln between Fullerton and Webster and Lincoln between Belmont and Roscoe, can be vibrant but not always. For example Lincoln between Fullerton and Webster, only gets real busy at night. During the day its quieter and vice versa for Lincoln between Belmont and Roscoe.

Compared to Milwaukee between Division and North and Milwaukee between California and Fullerton, that those strips be it 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 11pm or 1am, are always vibrant and busy. So in that regard I think Milwaukee has surpassed Lincoln.

Only thing missing is a Marianos and Whole Foods on Milwaukee Ave, once those happen game over! Haha.

[Urbanist928]

Originally Posted by Freefall18

I don't think it'll be synonymous with Chicago like State and Michigan, because those are tourist destinations whereas Milwaukee is (mostly) where locals go.

I see what you're saying though. Milwaukee from Division to the 606 is pretty much already there. Further north it can be a bit patchy but in 5 years it'll be very different. This map is dated, but gives you a sense of the Milwaukee boom: Mapping the Development Boom Along Milwaukee Avenue - Curbed Chicago

What's cool about the latest Google Maps update is it shows you what the interesting roads are by highlighting them in orange.

Yup. I saw that too recently. The new Google Maps highlight major commercial districts in orange. So when you look at Milwaukee almost all of it from Division to Belmont is in orange. I couldn't find any other street in Chicago via those maps that has so much orange at that length.

[MassVt]

I guess things have changed on Milwaukee Avenue. From my frequent visits, I guess I had overlooked it, as I thought that it was a bit outdated, and quite worn, like a 60s-70s shopping district with no appeal in the 21st century..

[Freefall18]

Originally Posted by NealIRC

I was going to say Lincoln avenue too, but is there any development there though, that's what this thread is also about.

Several between Webster & Wrightwood.

Elevate at Lincoln & Altgeld adding 191 units:
Transit-Oriented Lincoln Avenue Rental Project Ready to Move Forward - Curbed Chicago

Childrens Memorial Redevelopment is adding another ~600 units to Lincoln & Fullterton. Webster Square at Lincoln & Webster is adding 170 more units. And there's a smaller development proposed for Lincoln & Montana adding 22 units:
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016...or-lincoln-ave

[Urbanist928]

Originally Posted by MassVt

I guess things have changed on Milwaukee Avenue. From my frequent visits, I guess I had overlooked it, as I thought that it was a bit outdated, and quite worn, like a 60s-70s shopping district with no appeal in the 21st century..

When was the last time you went down Milwaukee Ave? And what parts?

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Urbanist928

When was the last time you went down Milwaukee Ave? And what parts?

In recent years, I haven't been on that street much at all. I remember it more as a fading retail section, with signs in both Spanish and Polish, more intent on providing local shoppers with bargains than being a shopping destination.

[NorthSideSoxGuy]

Originally Posted by MassVt

In recent years, I haven't been on that street much at all. I remember it more as a fading retail section, with signs in both Spanish and Polish, more intent on providing local shoppers with bargains than being a shopping destination.

I suppose it depends where you are on Milwaukee Ave. Everything south of Logan Blvd. is getting redeveloped and heavily gentrified. You still see some shops with the signs in Polish and Spanish, but they're being replaced quite fast.

In my opinion, the stretches of Milwaukee that look the most outdated and worn are between the Jeff Park Transit Center and Devon. There are just a lot of dated-looking buildings and not a lot of vibrancy. A lot of it has to do with the lousy streetscape (two lanes each way and a center turn lane). But, then again, I suppose Jeff Park and Gladstone Park are more suburban than urban.

But between Division and North, it's hard to beat in terms of vibrancy and activity.

[jwaiter]

The problem with Milwaukee Ave is the pedestrian walk ways are too narrow, not accomodating for large groups of people like, say Michigan Ave.

[beb0p]

They are trying to revitalize the Six Corners in Portage Park as well. Anyone thinks that part of Milwaukee can somehow be tied to the more southern Milwaukee?
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