UPDATE: The Bridgeport and Canaryville Priorities Plan was completed in March of 2019. The final plan is available for download below.

Located just south of the Chicago River and nearby the former Union Stock Yards, Bridgeport and Canaryville were home to much of Chicago’s working class in the early 20^th century. Remnants of its storied past are still clearly visible, and today the area boasts many assets, including access to transportation, parks and open space, and strong community and cultural institutions. Long known as a port of entry for Irish, Italian, and Lithuanian immigrants, the study area is one of Chicago’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods.

Bridgeport is bounded on the north by the South Branch of the Chicago River, on the west by Bubbly Creek, on the South by Pershing Road, and on the east by the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Canaryville extends from 40^th Street to 49^th Street between Parnell Avenue and Halsted Street.

11^th District Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley and 11^th Ward Alderman Patrick D. Thompson are partnering with CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program to develop a plan to identify future planning priorities and build upon existing assets. Working with community organizations, businesses, and residents, CMAP and community partners will create a priorities plan that will assess the opportunities, assets, and needs in Bridgeport and Canaryville and determine what actions and type of planning projects to undertake next.

The planning process will consist of several phases to be completed over the course of 10 months, with guidance from a project advisory committee made up of community stakeholders. The beginning phases center on project initiation and background research on existing conditions in the community. Following phases involve extensive community outreach in the form of stakeholder interviews and a public meeting to gather input from the community. The plan will then compile research findings and public input into a key recommendations memo, followed by creation of a draft plan. Lastly, the final phase includes plan review and approval by the advisory committee.

CMAP, in partnership with the Urban Land Institute (ULI Chicago), convened a panel of development experts in July 2019 to provide guidance and advice to Commissioner Daley's and Alderman Thompson's offices on ways to attract new retail and commercial investment at the 35th Street and Halsted intersection and along the nearby Halsted corridor, and how the Ward and District could support existing businesses, preserve the historic architecture along the corridor, and activate underutilized parcels. Download the summary of this discussion. 

Anthony Scalise, Chief of Staff for 11^th District Cook County Commissioner John P. Daley (ascalise@cookcounty.il.gov or 312-603-4400)

Kelly Fitzpatrick, Service Coordinator for 11th Ward Alderman Patrick D. Thompson (kelly.fitzpatrick@cityofchicago.org or 312-254-6677)

Noah P. Boggess, CMAP Project Manager (nboggess@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8668)