Chairs, tables to be replaced at ‘people spot’ at Six Corners in time for concerts, fundraiser
by BRIAN NADIG
Chairs and tables at a “people spot” along the public way in the Six Corners commercial area were removed Friday, Sept. 15, but are expected to be replaced later this week for scheduled outdoor concerts.
The Six Corners Chamber of Commerce installed the outdoor gathering space earlier this year at 4032 N. Milwaukee Ave., but the furniture was removed last week as part of the transition to a new service provider for the the Six Corners Special Service Area, a local taxing body that purchased the furniture.
The city Department of Planning and Development, which oversees service areas, reportedly recommended that the furniture being taken into possession by the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, the new service provider. The Portage Park chamber plans to explore options for using the chairs and tables next summer in the business district.
The Six Corners chamber, which has a permit for the people spot, was the service provider until last fall and had possessed the chairs and tables and placed them on the sidewalk in April of this year as part of the gathering space. This summer the space, which includes flower boxes, has been home to ice cream socials hosted by the Six Corners chamber.
The Six Corners chamber plans to install temporary furniture at the people spot by Thursday, Sept. 21, when the Six Corners Association plans to hold a “Social After 6” musical event at 6:30 p.m. The association has held several free events there during the summer.
In addition, the Six Corners chamber plans to hold a people spot rededication ceremony and free concerts starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, as part of a fundraiser to pay for new chairs and tables, which the chamber said have been ordered and will be installed once they arrive.
Performing at 5 p.m. Friday will be pianist Scott Grube, with his blues/boogie-woogie stylings, and at 6 p.m. will be Mitch and Lee of Reverie Stone, with guitar and fiddle playing.
Online donations also can be made at www.sixcornerschamber.com. The chamber is hoping to raise $600 and is about halfway toward its goal.
At one time the people spot was located in the parking lane on Milwaukee but this year relocated to the sidewalk.
There have been four different service providers for the Six Corners SSA since December of 2020.
A service provider manages the funds and implements programs at the direction of a local commission that creates an annual budget and sets a tax levy. The SSA covers an approximate two-block radius around the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Cicero Avenue and Irving Park Road, and the vast majority of the affected properties are commercial.
(photo by Rob Mandik)
