Special Service Area #31 is administered by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and managed by the SSA Commission. SSA #31 provides special programs for areas of Clark Street, Damen Avenue, Lawrence Avenue, Montrose Avenue, Wilson Avenue, and the Ravenswood Corridor.
Placemaking design initiatives, such as people spaces, can help connect neighborhoods and commercial streets into socially cohesive places by creating new, vibrant community hubs. The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and Special Service Area (SSA) #31 have initiated a design process to create a series of permanent people spaces in Ravenswood.
GRCC has commissioned The Lakota Group, a Chicago-based urban design and landscape architecture firm, to design and implement a series of “Ravenswood People Spaces.” Working with the Lakota Group design team, we are exploring Ravenswood’s many assets and placemaking needs to identify locations and develop several community-gathering spaces along many of the neighborhood’s key commercial streets.
Well-designed People Spaces facilitate community interaction, support economic development and local businesses, visually enhance our urban environment, narrate a neighborhood’s history, and invite residents and visitors to explore and enjoy a community. When completed, these spaces will create a cultural network that strengthens the connection between people and the Ravenswood neighborhood.
Examples of People Spaces can include, but are not limited to:
Informal Seating Areas
Outdoor Dining Areas
Small Plazas
Pockets of Green Space
Parklets
Questions about the project?Please contact our office. Amy, our project manager, looks forward to your input and feedback.
Concept Renderings Gallery
Project Timeline
The People Spaces design project aims to implement gathering spaces by the end of 2021. This process focuses on three main phases:
Phase 1:
Program Development
February – May
GRCC and the planning team will analyze existing conditions, explore project scope, and engage with stakeholders to establish a strong foundation.
Phase 2:
Design Development
May – August
Based on the analysis conducted, GRCC and the design team will explore People Space design options to enhance the district.
Phase 3:
Implement
September – December
In the final phase, GRCC will implement People Spaces with the planning teams guidance. Completion is expected by the end of December 2021.
Documents and Resources
Our team will post documents as they are ready. Stay tuned!
Public Feedback and Engagement
Engagement is a key component of this design process to ensure that the People Spaces cater to the needs of the Ravenswood community, including residents, business owners, property owners, and visitors.
As part of this initiative, GRCC, SSA #31 and the design team will undertake a meaningful and inclusive public participation process to get valuable input and feedback on the locations and design ideas. Over the coming months, the design team will facilitate a series of engagement activities, starting with the interactive map featured above.
We will provide stakeholders with several ways to engage and share input throughout this process. Contact us with your questions.
We encourage you to sign up for regular email updates about this project!
During the winter, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and SSA #31 provide supplemental snow plowing service for the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor. Our crews clear the street and parking spaces of snow to ensure access for businesses and neighbors.
Our contract for snow plowing runs from Nov. 20, 2022 to March 31, 2023. When snowfall is greater than 4 inches, you can expect to see additional plows out in the neighborhood!
Snowplowing Services for Ravenswood Corridor
GRCC and SSA#31 provide overnight snow removal for parking spaces in the Ravenswood Corridor (Irving Park to Lawrence) to ensure that employees and customers can access parking the following morning. This service is provided between midnight and 4 a.m. when snowfall is greater than 4 inches.
Accordingly, we advise residents and workers not to park overnight in that section of the corridor when snow is anticipated. This ensures that crews can provide the best service possible while also making sure no one gets plowed in.
Not sure if your business is in the SSA boundaries? You can view the SSA boundaries map to determine if your property will receive this service.
Be aware of “No Parking” signs and other suggested restrictions during snow removal season.
You may have noticed vinyl NO PARKING signs posted throughout the corridor. Please note that these are notenforceable. You will not be ticketed or towed if you park overnight. However, these signs are intended to discourage overnight parking so that our crews can access the parking spaces to plow and so that no one gets plowed in.
If you have any questions about snow removal, please contact Megan Bunimovich at 773-975-2088 or megan@ravenswoodchicago.org.
Please note: our snow removal service does not relieve property owners of their legal responsibility to clear the sidewalks in front of their property.
You must shovel snow as soon as possible after it falls seven days a week. Snow that falls between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. must be removed no later than 10 p.m. Snow that falls between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. must be removed by 10 a.m.
You must clear a path at least 5 feet wide on all the sidewalks adjacent to your property, including any crosswalk ramps. Do not shovel the snow into the right-of-way, which includes: transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind.
If you are responsible for a corner lot, you must remove snow and ice from sidewalks on all sides of your building and from corner sidewalk ramps. This applies to residential property and business owners.
SSA #31 provides and maintains a variety of landscaping elements along our streets. We also takes care of litter removal and holiday decorations during the winter. Additionally, the SSA administers special beautification projects like our public art and mural program and our storefront improvement programs for businesses.
Litter Removal, Power Washing, & Sidewalk Sweeping
After numerous requests, the SSA added sidewalk sweeping, litter removal, and power washing services to our area. Some of these services include low pressure sprays to remove dirt, gum and surface debris, as well as rinsing of walls, windows, light poles and other fixtures up to 4ft from the sidewalk.
Cleanslate
To help us with neighborhood beautification, the SSA contracts Cleanslate. As a social enterprise of Cara Collective, Cleanslate transforms communities by finding motivated job seekers to create cleaner, safer streets. As part of this mission, hundreds of their workers can be found in our neighborhoods each year, unlocking their power and purpose. SSA #31 is extremely proud to have them as part of our community.
Landscaping
Each year, the SSA commission contracts a landscaping service beautify approximately 90,000 square feet of corridors throughout Ravenswood. The landscapers take care of over 300 tree beds, more than 30 planters, and the Lawrence Ave medians and bioswales. In 2016, the SSA analyzed curb areas in the Ravenswood corridor that could be landscaped to accommodate picnic tables at which local employees could eat.
Holiday Decorations
During the holiday season, the SSA helps make things festive by decorating our commercial corridors. We add seasonal decorations to our light poles, planter boxes, and other municipal structures. We also add festive plants and landscaping in our planter boxes.
By decorating our commercial corridors, we make our streets more pleasant to walk, our businesses more fun to shop, and our community more enjoyable to explore.
Previous years reports have been collected into publicly accessible Google Drive folders below. Please click on any year to access reports. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Together, the Ravenswood Community Council, Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, and SSA #31 have brought a variety of permanent and temporary works of public art to to our neighborhood. Projects funded, organized, or supported by our organizations include murals, sculptures, textile installations, community landmarks, mosaics, and other creative works.
Ravenswood Sculpture Garden
Established in 2021 by the Ravenswood Community Council, Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, and Special Service Area #31, the Ravenswood Sculpture Garden celebrates our community’s rich history of arts and industry.
Chicago’s newest public art destination is now home to more than ten sculptures, including a few “guerilla” contributions. This magical attraction pays homage to Ravenswood’s creative spirit, delights its residents, and draws visitors to local small businesses. All of the sculptures are located along Ravenswood Ave, between Lawrence Ave and Irving Park Rd. Click here to learn more and plan your visit.
Aside from the Ravenswood Sculpture Garden, SSA#31 encourages the creation of and care for public mural in our community. SSA-sponsored murals currently on display in Ravenswood include: A Squirrel Named Penelope by John Airo; Community by Jamie Lynn Porto, For My Neighbors, With Love by Adrianne Hawthorne; Never More by Yolanda Pilch; and We All Live Here by Rich Alapack.
On View: Public Art in Ravenswood
While not comprehensive, this is as thorough a list of public art in Ravenswood as you’ll find. If you have information about a piece not listed here, please contact gene@ravenswoodchicago.org. Note: not all of the below works were funded by SSA#31. This is a representation of the public art collection in the greater Ravenswood community.
Located at Ravenswood Ave and Warner Ave (west side of the tracks)
Public Artwork Locations in Ravenswood
Request for Proposals: Artist + Property Owner Opportunities
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Ravenswood Community Council are dedicated to supporting local artists and increasing opportunities for artists in our community. If you’re considering a public art project in our neighborhood, we’re here to help! Contact GRCC Associate Director Gene Wagendorf III to talk about your project.
Subscribe to our mailing list here to receive updates on public art projects, construction updates, health and safety alerts, and invites to neighborhood events.
Promote your business and connect with the community with Neighborhood Banners.
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce’s Neighborhood Banner Program offers businesses prime visibility and connects their organizations to the community.
New banner designs are in!
All of the Ravenswood Banners have a different design, representing the diversity of our neighborhood corridors. For Bowmanville, all of the banners share an original design.
Banner Pricing & Term
All banners are available for purchase for a 2-year period starting at $350 each with price cuts at higher order numbers and special pricing for GRCC members.
There are no annual renewal fees! If a banner is damaged within the 1-year period, it will be replaced at no cost to the business. All banners are refreshed every 2 years.
Picture it: Your business on a neighborhood banner, visible over a bustling intersection, a clear blue sky overhead.
All GRCC members are eligible for a $100 discount per banner. In order to purchase a banner, please fill out the form listed below.
The GRCC oversees banners for placement in Ravenswood and in Bowmanville. In Ravenswood, banners are available for purchase on Clark Street, Damen Avenue, Montrose Avenue, Wilson Avenue, Lawrence, and Ravenswood Avenue. In Bowmanville, banners are available on Foster Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Balmoral Avenue.
We cannot guarantee a specific location for your banner, but we will work to get it as close to your preferred location as possible.
Clark Street, between Sunnyside and Ainslie
Damen Avenue, from Argyle to Wilson
Montrose Avenue, between Damen and Clark
Ravenswood Avenue, from Irving Park to Lawrence
Lawrence Avenue, between Leavitt and Clark
Damen Avenue, between Argyle and Bryn Mawr
Foster, between Ravenswood and Western
Balmoral between Damen and Ravenswood
Bryn Mawr, between Ravenswood and Damen
Traffic Data
Clark
#22 Bus – daily ridership
12,431
Damen
Daily vehicular traffic
12,550
#50 Bus – daily ridership
6,131
Damen Brown Line station ridership
1,705
Montrose
Daily vehicular traffic
16,633
#78 Bus – daily ridership
5,030
Montrose Brown Line station ridership
1,656
Lawrence
Daily vehicular traffic
23,700
#81 Bus – daily ridership
8,474
Ravenswood UP-N Metra station boardings
2,630
Ravenswood UP-N Metra station alightings
2,545
Foster
Daily vehicular traffic
24,650
#92 Bus – daily ridership
3,887
Data based off of 2019 reports made by the City of Chicago CDOT, CTA, and Metra.
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and SSA #31’s Ravenswood Façade Rebate Program encourages local small businesses and property owners to improve the physical appearance of their storefronts
By providing local businesses and property owners financial assistance, these programs improve the appearances of the neighborhood buildings, resulting in increased attractiveness, business retention and marketability.
Before and After
Façade Rebate Program
One of the storefront improvement programs that we offer is the Ravenswood Façade Rebate Program. This program encourages local small businesses and property owners to improve the physical appearance of their storefronts. By improving the physical appearance of storefronts, the program strengthens Ravenswood’s standing as a commercial destination for shoppers from across the city. This funding assists local small business owners looking to upgrade, preserve or restore their storefronts while also aiding those who would not otherwise be able to complete aesthetically beneficial projects.
Program Eligibility
Businesses interested in the Facade Rebate program must be within the publishedSSA #31 boundaries. Eligible projects can receive a rebate of up to 50% of the total cost, with a maximum rebate of $5,000.
To apply for the Façade Rebate Program, you must complete the application form. Once completed, the application is reviewed by the SSA Commission. If the application has been approved, you will be notified with an approval letter. Construction should be complete within 180 days of the issuance of the permit. After the project is complete, you must notify the SSA of its completion. We will then issue you the rebate!
Please Note:
Applications for the program are considered in the order they are received until all available funds have ben distributed for that fiscal year.
Prior to beginning construction, you must receive an approval letter from the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. If you begin work on the project without written approval, you will not be eligible for the program.
Rebates are given only after all work has been approved, completed and paid for, and all documentation has been received by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.
All proposed improvements must meet the design guidelines set forth in facade rebate program document and are subject to review and approval by the SSA #31’s commission.
Façade Rebate Application Prep-List
A completed application form, including the Summary of Costs Estimates and signed statement of understanding
$50 non-refundable application fee (credit card, check, or money order)
Photographs of the existing building and the proposed project area
Detailed plans and specifications for the proposed project
Detailed cost estimates from at least three contractors for each improvement task
Owner’s deed and tenant’s lease, if applicable
Current lien report policy showing the property is free of liens (except mortgage liens)
Certificate of Good Standings from the state of Illinois
Any applicable permits form the city
Written consent from and contact information for the property owner, if the applicant is not the owner.
Storefront Improvements In Action
Past Façade Rebates Issued
2023: $5,950+ awarded
Bold Ventures 1448 W Montrose Ave
Haitian American Museum of Chicago 4410 N Clark St
2022: $1,650+ awarded
Mindful Baking Cafe 1942 W Montrose Ave
2021: $5,300+
KOVAL Distillery 4241 N Ravenswood Ave
O’Shaughnessy’s Public House 4557 N Ravenswood Ave
Pick Me Up Cafe 4882 N Clark St
2020: $9,000+ awarded
Beyond Design 4515 N Ravenswood Ave
Dollop Coffee Co. 1636 W Montrose Ave
2018: $15,000+ awarded
Foremost Cleaners/Hayes Properties 4701 N Damen Ave
Ravensgoods/Hayes Properties 4703 N Damen Ave
Ravenswood Nail Party 1716 W Lawrence Ave
T Salon/Hayes Properties 4705 N Damen Ave
2017: $6,635+ awarded
Spoken Cafe 1812 W Montrose Ave
Suvarna Chiropractic 1827 W Montrose Ave
2016: $5,975+ awarded
Anna’s Asian Grill & Sushi 1804 W Irving Park Rd
Empirical Brewery 1801 W Foster Ave
Kinetic Lofts 4846 N Clark St
2015: $9,650+ awarded
Band of Bohemia 4710 N Ravenswood Ave
Japanese American Service Committee 4427 N Clark St
Michael Hart
Salon Elan Vital 4737 N Damen Ave
2014: $6,050+ awarded
Brew Camp 4639 N Damen Ave
Dolce Casa Cafe 4947 N Damen Ave
Noktivo 4831 N Damen Ave
Tuan B/Naturally Yours Events 1946 W Montrose Ave
Connecting business and community.
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is committed to building a Ravenswood that connects business and community, one member at a time. Won’t you join us?