A portion of Chicago’s Lincoln Avenue could take on a new look with colorful murals, more greenery and bicycle lanes as the city seeks feedback from residents for a streetscape improvement project.

       The 40th Ward, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation and Chicago Department of Planning and Development, will host a virtual community meeting to discuss the project with community members at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

       The project aims to focus on increasing pedestrian safety, plantings and business attractions along Lincoln Avenue, according to Geoffrey Cubbage, spokesperson for Ald. Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward office.

       “It basically focuses on making the corridor a safer place to walk and a more pleasant place to visit businesses,” Cubbage said.

       The improvements will be along Lincoln Avenue from Western Avenue to Catalpa Avenue and on Catalpa Avenue from Lincoln to Western.

       Officials will introduce the project to the community, review the existing condition of the infrastructure, discuss potential improvements and seek feedback from attendees at Tuesday’s meeting, Cubbage said.

       Officials are considering options such as widening sidewalks, planting trees and shortening crosswalks. They are also seeking feedback on whether residents would like traffic lanes, designated bicycle lanes and the option for businesses to have streetside dining, according to Cubbage.

       “They’ll run through some slides that show those different options and ask folks to give feedback on where their priorities are. Is it most important for them to slow traffic down? Is it most important to them to have safer crossings? Is it most important for them to have bike infrastructure? Things like that,” Cubbage said.

       A person walks a narrow sidewalk along North Lincoln Avenue near West Winnemac Avenue in Chicago on July 23, 2021. The city is seeking feedback on improvement options such as widening sidewalks, planting trees and shortening crosswalks. (Vashon Jordan Jr. / Chicago Tribune)

       The project builds off the 2019 Lincoln Square Master Plan, which aimed to improve the Lincoln Square area through murals, bike racks and a market street, among other things. It is funded by tax increment financing — specifically, the Lincoln Avenue TIF and the Western Avenue (North) TIF, according to Cubbage.

       “The alderman is hoping to encourage more arts-themed design and create an arts district walking vibe,” Cubbage said.

       The public meeting is the first of three, possibly more, about the project and is open to all Chicago residents, not just residents of the 40th Ward, Cubbage said.

       “We don’t want people to feel like it’s limited to the 40th Ward. There are lots of neighbors who live near here, who come and work, recreate, shop and dine on Lincoln Avenue. It is open to all. We certainly want everyone to come and make their voices heard,” Cubbage said.

       Residents will also be able to provide their feedback through an online survey that will be posted on the project website after the community meeting through Aug. 11.

       Those interested can register for the virtual meeting here.

       nagupta@chicagotribune.com

       Twitter @itznavyag

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