Choose Chicago - Chicago Alfresco

Entered by: Choose ChicagoIn 2020, Chicago’s Expanded Outdoor Dining programme was one of the first to launch during the COVD-19 pandemic in an effort to help restaurants and protect workers. The City worked to ensure equity in this program, focusing on diverse neighbourhoods, but because of disparate levels of community investment (and available spaces), the team saw the wealthier and whiter North Side and Downtown fully taking advantage of the programme while the South and West Sides had fewer options for residents to enjoy.Recognising a need to level the playing field, Choose Chicago developed the Chicago Alfresco programme with the Chicago Department of Transportation. Local non-profits, such as chambers of commerce, were invited to design community spaces on closed roads and sidewalks, with an emphasis on outdoor dining and entertainment. This placemaking initiative was also designed to serve as an integral part of increasing tourism in neighbourhoods, promoting open streets, and creating outdoor spaces for dining, public life, community, arts, culture, walking and biking.By transforming these areas into bustling micro-community hubs, the project aimed to not only support local businesses but also foster a renewed sense of identity, pride, and unity among residents.Engaging citizens and stakeholders was paramount to the success of the initiative. Recognising the importance of community driven placemaking, the team collaborated closely with neighbourhood organisations, chambers of commerce, and local residents.Open forums, town hall meetings, and interactive workshops were organised to gather insights, preferences, and aspirations from the very people who would inhabit and benefit from these revitalised spaces. The involvement of citizens not only shaped the physical and artistic design but also instilled a sense of ownership and pride in the newly transformed areas.In order to provide funding to participating communities, a partnership was established with Diageo North America, which generously provided a $2.5 million grant to support the project's implementation. This collaboration underscored the private sector's commitment to community betterment and resonated with Chicago's narrative of unity and resilience. Public entities, namely the City of Chicago's Department of Transportation, played a pivotal role in approving the communities’ plans and coordinating infrastructure support to facilitate the project's execution.The chosen approach for the Chicago Alfresco project reflected the city's brand of inclusivity, creativity, and progress. By combining urban design, community engagement, and cultural programming, the initiative embodied the essence of Chicago's neighbourhoods—diverse, dynamic, and welcoming.The focus on cultivating spaces for outdoor dining, art exhibitions, live performances, and other community activities harmonized with Chicago's identity as a city of culture, innovation, and collaboration.From 2022 to 2023, the "Chicago Alfresco" project was brought to life, enriching the charm and allure of Chicago's neighbourhoods through vibrant placemaking. The initiative's core vision was carefully communicated and delivered through a well-crafted strategy that encompassed comprehensive community engagement, culturally resonant activations, earned media, and strategic partnerships.The initiative's vision was conveyed through various channels, including public announcements, press releases, and engagement with local media outlets. Regular updates on social media platforms and community newsletters kept residents informed about the progress and upcoming activations, fostering excitement and anticipation.Cultural activations played a pivotal role in delivering the initiative's essence. Collaborations with local artists, performers, and cultural groups infuse each site with a unique identity, reflecting the neighbourhood's distinct character. From live music performances to art exhibitions, these activations breathe life into the public spaces, attracting visitors and creating a sense of place. The collaborative efforts with organisations like the Rogers Park Business Alliance, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, and Greater Chatham Initiative, for instance, showcased the value of local stakeholders' contributions in shaping the project's success.The Woodlawn neighbourhood invited jazz musicians to this space, a testament to the community’s connection with Black history and the Chicago Blues. The residents of Little Village (affectionately known as the “Mexico of the Midwest”) brought vendors selling Mexican-inspired food and crafts. Furthermore, the strategic collaboration with Diageo North America and the Chicago Department of Transportation emphasised the role of public-private partnerships in funding and realizing impactful placemaking endeavours.Chicago Alfresco has helped support local neighbourhoods by attracting more residents and visitors to businesses. Based on GPS-based visitor data, the 16 Alfresco sites have seen an increased length of stay, on average. In 2021, the sites had an average length of stay of 10.8 minutes. In 2022, it increased to 17 minutes. This indicates that people were staying longer, which translated to more sales for businesses and more vibrancy in the neighbourhood.The project's careful execution, coupled with cultural activations, amplified the attractiveness of neighbourhoods, drawing in residents and visitors. This initiative demonstrated the potential of inclusive placemaking to reshape urban landscapes, sparking a ripple effect of positive change. 76% of the funds were spent on predominantly Black and Brown communities on Chicago's South and West Sides.The enthusiastic community response demonstrates this initiative's success in laying the foundation for future placemaking plans. The lessons learned and the strategic partnerships formed have armed the team with valuable insights for future initiatives. The enduring legacy of "Chicago Alfresco" lies not just in its physical transformations but in the collective spirit it has ignited, empowering communities to actively shape their environments and ensuring a brighter, more vibrant future for the city.

Choose Chicago - Chicago Alfresco

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