What made Lincoln Park go from a "bad" area to a "yuppie" area? (Chicago: for sale, lease)

[SonySegaTendo617]

Originally Posted by latikeriii

Anyways, it was a pretty rough area but had nothing on the West and South Sides. A lot of Cabrini's residents used to come and cause trouble over there. As I remember, that area started to transition in the mid-80s and it really took off in the late 80s when the Webster Place movie theater and complex was built up the street and new housing popped up everywhere.

Wasn't the opening of the former 1800 N. Clybourn indoor mall(before it was torn down, and transformed into a strip mall with Bed Bath and Beyond, and a few other shops) in I guess the late 80s, also a part of the beginning of the transformation of the Clybourn corridor into what it is today(a shopping area with a mix of big box stores, some independent shops, and restaurants)? IIRC, the Goose Island Brewpub is about THE only original business left from the days of the 1800 N. Clybourn indoor mall. I remember when there were a lot of interesting shops inside that mall, including a miniature golf course.

During the age in the early 90s when video game arcades were exploding in popularity, there was a great arcade(can't remember the name of it sadly) on Southport Ave. south of Clybourn, and was just as good as Diversions Arcade was in the Lincoln Village shopping center area. Per Google Street View, Bellini Baby Furniture and some fencing company office are both in that space today.

So thankful Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, IL just opened, since it's a great arcade that has more older arcade games than many of the ones I patronized up to my teen years ever did. I won't sidetrack this thread away from Lincoln Park any more, but if you're curious to know more, here's both their regular site and fb one:
GALLOPING GHOST ARCADE Brookfield, IL 60513
Galloping Ghost Productions | Facebook

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by paytonc

Oh, you'd be surprised at how much better the mid-south side (particularly closer to the lake) has gotten compared to 10 years ago -- and largely because the projects disappeared. This sociologist's book goes into great detail about how North Kenwood has changed:
Mary Pattillo: Black on the Block (http://www.press.uchicago.edu/presssite/metadata.epl?mode=synopsis&bookkey=205649 - broken link)

Definitely. Proximity to LSD, U of C, and Metra/Green Line/90+94 definitely help that area. The OP was pretty vague in their description of the area they were talking about (between Cermak and U of C with no indication of how far west). Bronzeville has definitely improved a lot as well. Most areas further west than Pilsen don't really have a lot of potential right now, and while there are some beautiful old buildings along the Boulevard system in the West Side I would not recommend that anyone invest in those areas right now.

[urza216]

Didn't the infamous Saint Valentines Day Massacre happen in Lincoln Park? Yeah, it did. And Bugs Moran (a.k.a "Scarface") ruled Lincoln Park in the days of Al Capone..

This was a long time ago, of course. In 2010, Lincoln Park is home to Lincoln Park Zoo which is a common destination for school children on field trips.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by urza216

...In 2010, Lincoln Park is home to Lincoln Park Zoo which is a common destination for school children on field trips.

In 1929 Lincoln Park Zoo was a common destination for school children on field trips as well.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by SonySegaTendo617

During the age in the early 90s when video game arcades were exploding in popularity, there was a great arcade(can't remember the name of it sadly) on Southport Ave. south of Clybourn, and was just as good as Diversions Arcade was in the Lincoln Village shopping center area.

son, you have got to be pulling my leg.

video arcades reached their heyday in the early 80s, see the movie Tron for a good representation.

best surviving arcade is in Lake Geneva...

[supportyourschools]

The arcade in Lake Geneva is closed

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by supportyourschools

The arcade in Lake Geneva is closed

booooooo. when did that happen? it was open earlier this year...

[Chicagoland60426]

Lincoln Park progressed into a fully gentrified neighborhood because it was never really that bad to begin with and it wasn't truly blighted. The same can be said for Wicker Park and Logan Square in the future. Yes part of it being very close to downtown and adjacent to the lake front boost its appeal, but still the primary reason why it successfully gentrified is because it was never that bad. But why isn't Bronzeville having the same progression as Lincoln Park? Its close to downtown too and its about as far south to downtown as Lakeview is north of downtown. Well Bronzeville was pretty bombed out with vacant lots everywhere and gang invested projects stretching for 2 miles. As much as people claim Lincoln Park was sketchy, at least it wasn't a decaying neighbrhood. Bronzeville is still recovering from its gang warfare days.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

Lincoln Park progressed into a fully gentrified neighborhood because it was never really that bad to begin with and it wasn't truly blighted. The same can be said for Wicker Park and Logan Square in the future...

No. Wicker Park and Logan Square were pretty bad. A good portion of Logan Square is still bad.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

...video arcades reached their heyday in the early 80s, see the movie Tron for a good representation...

Yeah they did, but they still remained strong until the mid 90's.