What are the challenges facing Milwaukee Avenue?
The Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, along with many long-standing organizations and dedicated volunteers, serve as advocates for the neighborhood and local businesses. However, resources and staff are limited and needs along Milwaukee Ave are growing. The online retail marketplace has affected business sales, small shops are getting pushed out due to rising rents, while other areas along Milwaukee Ave are experiencing vacancies. Maintenance, trash pick-up, and safety/surveillance are also of growing concern.
What is an SSA?
Special Service Areas (SSAs) are an economic development tool that brings businesses and local organizations together to collectively decide how tax dollars can be spent locally to maintain and promote a shared business district. Today’s retail environment is challenging. Now more than ever, business owners understand the need to have a strategic and collaborative effort to identity common priorities and coordinate efforts. An SSA can fund these goals.
What is the process for creating an SSA?
The Logan Square Chamber has created a community outreach process that goes above and beyond what is required in state legislation. The process is ongoing and has featured several engagement events, including: coffee chats with local business leaders, a survey of local business needs, and community-wide meetings. We want to hear from you outside of these events, too—so please reach out! Property owners within the proposed SSA boundary will be notified about community meetings via mail. The Chamber will submit a formal application to the City, after which another mailing will notify property owners of a public hearing. City Council will vote on whether to establish the SSA. If approved, an ordinance will delineate the boundary and set a tax rate for the SSA.
What types of services do SSAs provide?
SSAs provide a wide variety of services within their individual boundaries. Common service categories and programs include but are not limited to:
- Business Marketing
- Trainings + Workshops
- Vacancy Reduction
- Small Business Rebates
- Facade Improvements
- Public Art + Murals
- Holiday Lighting + Decor
- Community Grants
- Corridor + Plaza Maintenance
- Trash Clean-Up / Recycling
- Sidewalk Snow Plowing
- Landscaping + Maintenance
- Street Pole Banners / Signage
- Cultural Events
- Food + Music Festivals
- Community Programming
What are the impacts of SSAs?
The City of Chicago has over 50 active SSAs. The photo gallery below highlights real examples of how other SSAs have applied funds to support their needs.
SSA #19 in Rogers Park created the Howard Street Chicago website to support and market their small business owners, cultural roots, murals and local experiences.
Here are some examples of other SSAs:
How do SSAs determine which services to provide?
The types of services SSAs choose to provide is up to their Elected Board/SSA Commission. Why? The needs of business districts vary and this allows the local folks who know their neighborhood best — i.e. businesses, property owners, and residents — the ability to decide how to channel their funds.
What is the SSA Commission/Commissioners, how are they appointed?
SSA commissioners are the local governance for SSAs. They are created in each SSA establishment ordinance. Their powers are three-fold: to recommend the annual services, budget and service provider. Candidates should represent the SSA district, local property owners/lessees, land use, and demographics. While they are Mayorally appointed, the recruitment process can differ amongst SSAs. (See the SSA Commissioner Application for further details.) With a commissioner recruitment process in place, the slate of nominees prepares the SSA Commissioner Application to submit to DPD. Once vetted, nominee applications are submitted to the Mayor’s Office for appointment, which in turn introduces these appointments to City Council for confirmation. Please visit the City’s DPD webpage for more information.
Do SSAs get involved in zoning or overlay districts?
No. SSAs are service providers and do not get directly involved with zoning issues. The Milwaukee Avenue Special Character Overlay District is a separate process. More information is here.
What will the SSA cost?
To raise funds for critical services such as litter removal, public space maintenance, and marketing local businesses in the proposed area, the maximum tax rate would not exceed 0.70% of the Board Certified Equalized Assessed Value (EAV)of individual properties. This would raise a total budget of approximately $450,000 to invest in the corridor annually.
Example: A typical storefront, commercial building with a $100,000 EAV would contribute no more than $58 per month, or $700 annually, toward the Milwaukee Ave SSA.
Milwaukee Ave SSA 