UPTOWN — It's been just over three years since the Chicago Department of Transportation first introduced designs for the Argyle Streetscape, and Uptown residents will finally get to see the completed project Thursday.
At 5 p.m., Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) will lead a walking parade of the shared street for business owners and residents, according to his weekly newsletter.
The parade will start at Broadway and Argyle Street, travel through the streetscape to the final Argyle Night Market of the year, where a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place, the newsletter said.
While construction began in July 2015, Osterman has been working with the city, community groups and residents to bring Chicago's first shared street to Uptown for about five years, as well as talking about the project for 16 years.
The goal of the $3 million shared street project was to blur the lines between the sidewalk and the road so cyclists, motorists and pedestrians can co-exist.
The concept, which is mostly popular in Europe, has worked in other cities, including Bell Street in Seattle, Exhibition Road in London and Market Square in Pittsburgh.
In addition to the festivities marking the end of construction, the Argyle Night Market will again honor Uptown poet, activist and rapper John "Vietnam" Nguyen, who died in 2012 while saving a drowning friend. This marks the second year the market has concluded with a celebration of Nguyen's life.
The market is held every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. through Aug. 25 and is located along Argyle Street between Kenmore Avenue and Sheridan Road.
This Thursday night will feature performances by the Chinese Mutual Aid Association's dancers, Elephant Rebellion, Kuumba Lynx and Connect Force.
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