LAKEVIEW — A sign of warmer weather is returning to Lakeview — the neighborhood's people spots will be popping back up soon.
Lakeview's two people spots at 2959 N. Lincoln Ave. and 3553 N. Southport Ave. are scheduled to be reinstalled in the first two weeks of April, said Heather Way Kitzes, executive director of Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.
"As long as it's not snowing, they're going to go up," Way Kitzes said.
The chamber manages the spots, which are meant to provide outdoor spaces for pedestrians to hang out, and they're paid for by property tax money from a special taxing district designed to fund improvements for local business corridors.
The Lincoln people spot in front of Heritage Bikes has been up for two seasons with its bright green tables and chairs. The Southport one in front of Uncle Dan's debuted last summer with undulating custom benches that attracted the attention of the corridor's children.
This will be the first time the spots are going up so early in the year, Way Kitzes said — maximizing the opportunities pedestrians will be able to use them.
Spots stay up until Dec. 1, weather permitting.
"They're both ready to go," she said.
People spots are part of city-wide program "Make Way for People," an effort to "cultivate community and culture" in public spaces. They take up either parking spots or loading zones in the street and transform into hangout spots.
The Lincoln Avenue spot takes up 1-1/2 parking spaces and a loading zone, and the Southport space uses Uncle Dan's loading zone. Eliminated spaces are replaced in other areas of the street.
Just remember, Southport parents — your kids may love that people spot bench, but make sure they're not jumping on it.
