LOGAN SQUARE — What's more important to make the neighborhood better: parks, schools, lighting?
For the first time in the 35th Ward's history, voting on how the alderman should allocate discretionary funds to improve the neighborhood kicks off this week.
Residents of the ward who are 14 years old and older can vote on the proposals to spend roughly $1 million.
The ideas were work-shopped over the past few months and whittled down to nine general categories that each have a few specific improvements that would be funded.
The categories include: lighting, ADA accessibility, road resurfacing, parks and outdoors, schools, transportation and pedestrian safety.
"I think we are going to continue it moving forward," said Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th). "I think we’ve had a strong inaugural year and as people begin to see projects implemented, we will see more people get involved in the next two to three years.”
Residents will be able to vote on three of the nine categories.
Ramirez-Rosa said hundreds of ward residents attended brainstorming meetings and that more than 100 ideas were submitted.
The final number of actual projects on the list is 21.
Residents who want to vote must show proof of an address within the ward.
Schedule of voting dates and locations
Monday, May 2:
Location: 35th Ward office, 2708 North Sawyer
Times: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tues-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3:
Location: Athletic Park, Athletic Park Field House 3546 W. Addison
Times: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4:
Location: Aspire Haugen/ Jensen Park, 3729 West Leland
Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 5
Location: Avondale Park, 3516 West School
Times: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, May 6:
Location: Nixon, basement of school, 4150 West Dickens
Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 7:
Hermosa: The Levee Bar, 4035 West Fullerton
Times: noon to 4 p.m.
Logan Square: Paseo Boricua, Kedzie and Logan
Times:10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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