Print ArticleMetro Jacksonville takes a brief visual tour of this city's street scene in an effort to find applicable lessons for Jacksonville's downtown revitalization efforts: Chicago
Sidewalk Cafes and Outdoor Dining
As a part of Chicago's Sidewalk Cafe Program, restaurants featuring outdoor seating must cover a minimum of 50% of the seating area's boundary with live plants.
As a part of the Chicago Cultural Mile initiative, several head-shaped potted plants where installed along Michigan Avenue as a beautification project and a way to raise environmental awareness. Each sculpture stands 12 feet tall and weighs around 3,000 pounds. The pots are the brain child of the not-for-profit group, Plant Green Ideas.
Bike Sharing
Bicycle sharing is Chicago's latest mobility option. Funded by a federal 2011 TIGER grant and Tax Increment Financing from taxpayers, the $22 million program started in July 2013. Daily rental rates begin at $7 and an annual pass can be purchased for $75. Operated by Oregon-based Alta Bicycle Share, plans for the system include expanding to 375 stations and 3,000 bikes by Spring 2014.
The Divvy bike sharing system also generates revenue through advertising. For example, Sprint, a global provider of voice, data and internet services, has purchased advertising space at 75 stations for a three-month period.
6 Comments so far
Jump into the conversation