Ribbon Cutting for New Outdoor Curbside Cafes on Clark Street Thursday, June 23 at 4 p.m.

WHAT: Alderman Tom Tunney and Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce host a ribbon cutting and reception in honor of the new curbside cafes

WHERE: El Nuevo Mexicano, 2914 N. Clark St, and Duke of Perth, 2913 N. Clark St.

WHEN: Thursday, June 23 from 4 to 5 p.m.

INFO: The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce unveiled a strategic plan for the redevelopment of the Clark Street commercial corridor in 2014. The plan, designed by the Lakota Group, included bump outs and curbless streets to help increase pedestrian traffic and strengthen the economic vitality of North Clark business district. The plan is now on CDOT’s list for future development. Current conditions do not allow enough public space for local restaurants to operate a sidewalk café. During this waiting period, the Chamber experimented with people spots (public spaces that occupy a parking space) and strategically placed them in front of restaurants to help increase vibrancy and economics for local businesses. Although the people spots have added character to the street, it did not allow restaurants to fully operate like a sidewalk café.

Alderman Tom Tunney, in order to stimulate economic development in this area, spearheaded and wrote an ordinance , which would allow the creation of curbside cafes for pedestrian business districts that have sidewalks with less than eight feet of width in front of the immobile retail food establishment. Lakeview East is the first in Chicago to host this program at two local restaurants, Duke of Perth, 2913 N. Clark Street and El Nuevo Mexicano, 2914 N. Clark Street.

A special ribbon cutting and reception will include refreshments from both restaurants, as well as the unveiling of the two new curbside cafes designed by Latent Designs and DCR Builders/Sohl Architects.

Alderman Tom Tunney said, “I’m proud to bring this innovative pilot program to Clark Street and the 44th Ward. We believe these cafes will add a fresh boost of energy to this commercial strip which will in turn support our current businesses, invite new entrepreneurs and, most importantly, attract new customers. I want to thank the Lakeview East Chamber and Maureen Martino for their partnership and vision for this program and I look forward to a lively summer on Clark Street.”

“We are grateful to Alderman Tunney for this initiative to revitalize commercial districts that may be challenged with limited sidewalk space for cafes and proud to see it launched in Lakeview East. We look forward to monitoring the results this summer and seeing the community take advantage of these spaces for socializing and dining,” said Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maureen Martino.