Uptown United

4753 N. Broadway Suite 822
Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773) 878-1064
Fax (773) 878-3678
www.uptownunited.org
info@uptownunited.org

Uptown United's component groups, Business Partners, Development Partners and Community Partners, work together toward the revitalization of the commercial community. When we restructured our organization three years ago, our object was to have three groups at the table:

We believe that this congregation of interests has improved communication and facilitated more balanced conversations around local development issues. New alliances have been formed and existing relationships enhanced.

Join us in "Working together for the future of Uptown..."

Special Service Area #34

In 2004, Uptown United and Business Partners, the Chamber for Uptown recognized the utility of forming a "Special Service Area" or SSA to address funding for additional needed services and improvements for Uptown†s commercial district. Special Service Areas are targeted taxing districts funded via a very small percentage of additional property tax. In essence, property owners choose to tax themselves in order to provide extra services. A group of 16 SSA Commissioners - consisting of property owners and/or businesspeople from the district - oversees the SSA's scope of services & budget and select a Service Provider to administer its programs.

Uptown's Special Service Area—also called SSA #34—began providing services in June 2006 throughout Uptown's major commercial corridors including: Broadway from Foster to Irving Park, Sheridan Road from Foster to Montrose, the commercial areas just north of Irving Park, as well as the commercial areas on Argyle, Lawrence, Leland, Wilson and Montrose.

By far the largest portions of the Uptown SSA #34 budget address clean and orderly streets—namely sidewalk snow removal, regular street/sidewalk cleaning and power washing of sidewalks. SSA #34 has partnered with Chicago-based non-profit The Cara Program whose Cleanslate Chicago unit performs the bulk of these essential activities. Cleanslate was chosen not only for their street cleaning and beautification skills but also for their success in helping its trainees and workers learn and apply new skills, and improve their long-term job prospects. Cleanslate also recruits from local Uptown agencies to give people in Uptown the first chance to participate in the program. For more info on their work in Uptown and other communities, visit www.cleanslatechicago.org.

Proceeds from SSA #34 also fund decorations throughout the Uptown commercial corridors for the holidays and address safety issues throughout the area.

The SSA Commission meets regularly and encourages community feedback. The Commission's goal is to get the maximum benefit from the SSA program while keeping the additional property tax rate as low as possible. Meeting times/dates are posted on the Uptown United website at www.uptownunited.org, or you are welcome to contact Uptown United's SSA Administrator Wally Rozak at 773-878-1064 or ssa@uptownunited.org.