LINCOLN PARK — When it comes to the redevelopment of the 40-acre Finkl Steel site, one thing is for certain: Neighbors want to see major infrastructure improvements to address traffic.
In May, Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) asked residents to fill out an online survey to help shape the future of Finkl Steel — considered one of the biggest redevelopment opportunities in the city — and the rest of the North Branch Industrial Corridor.
So far, the alderman's office has received 293 responses.
Mina Bloom talks about the results of the survey.
Improving the area's roads, bridges and other facilities to ease traffic is overwhelmingly the number one priority for residents, according to survey results.
Increasing public transportation is a distant second, limiting big box retailers a distant third and providing a mix of office and residential (as opposed to keeping the area industrial) ranked least important to responders.
An analysis of the survey results. [All photos Courtesy/Ald. Brian Hopkins]
In the survey, Hopkins said the city may charge fees to developers who convert industrial sites to commercial or residential. About 81 percent of responders said they'd like to see the money spent on public infrastructure, while 13 percent said the money should be used to help industrial businesses relocate to other sites in the city.
It's not too late to participate in the online survey. Hopkins' office is still accepting responses.
There's been much debate about the future of the 40-acre Finkl Steel site and based on plans revealed earlier this month, big changes are coming.
The city formally threw its support behind bringing a mix of homes, retail and offices to Finkl Steel and other areas of the North Branch Industrial Corridor at a public meeting earlier this month. It was the second-step in the city's six-month process, which will culminate in presenting plans to the Plan Commission.
See more survey findings below:
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