Interesting Facts about Chicago Illinois
Mayor Richard M. Daley launched the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative
in September 2000. An innovative and comprehensive program, the
Initiative was developed to ensure that Chicago Bungalows remain a solid
foundation for family life and for the neighborhoods they constitute.
The Chicago Bungalow is a recognized and essential essential element of
the city's housing stock. During the city's biggest building boom eighty
years ago, approximately 80,000 brick, one and one-half story residences
were built in an arc that surrounds the city center and is often
referred to as the "Bungalow belt". Today, many of the houses in this
ring, despite being sturdy and well-crafted, are in need of
rehabilitation and preservation so that they can be used by current and
future generations of Chicagoans.
Bungalows were the first homes for hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans,
and for many, their only homes. It was in these homes that children were
raised and parents retired. Compact in size, efficient in lay out,
well-crafted and solid with then modern utilities and amenities -central
heating, electricity, full-basement, and a garage - these beautiful
structures today stand out due to their careful planning, fine
architectural details and ability to endure. They stand, in fact, as a
testament to the tenet that simplicity and fine architecture is not a
function of unlimited dollars but of good design.
Today, these homes remain a solid foundation - for family life and for
the neighborhoods they constitute. The Chicago Bungalow Initiative
intends to help preserve this housing, help its owners adapt to today's
family needs and lifestyles, and in celebration of it, strengthen
Chicago's Bungalow neighborhoods.
Since Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Historic Chicago Bungalow
Initiative, the enthusiasm for the program continues in Chicago and
around the nation. From as far away as Boston and as near as Berwyn, IL,
Historic Chicago Bungalow Association has received inquiries from
preservation planners and municipal housing officials seeking advice on
the use of a particular housing type as the basis for rebuilding
neighborhoods. National publications, including American Bungalow,
Metropolis, Governing, and Midwest Living have recognized the Historic
Chicago Bungalow. This is just the beginning as people see the quality
and simplicity of Chicago's contribution to Arts and Crafts housing.
Chicago Bungalow Initiative Goals -
The strength of Chicago has been and remains its neighborhoods. The
millions who live here and the tens of thousands who are choosing to
make Chicago their home need a variety of housing styles and
neighborhoods. At a time when the lake front communities are booming it
is important to ensure that the historic bungalow neighborhoods receive
the recognition and resources needed to remain vital and energized as
they go through generational, ethnic and income changes. The Chicago
Bungalow Initiative intends to 1) strengthen Chicago Bungalow housing as
a housing option of choice by providing needed resources and
recognition, 2) maintain the quality and integrity of the structures by
providing guidelines and resources to assist owners and 3) strengthen
Chicago's Bungalow neighborhoods by providing the planning, visibility
and financial resources needed to strengthen them.
To this end, the initiative will:
- Provide bungalow owners with ideas and guidelines to adapt their
home to current needs while preserving the integrity of the Chicago
Bungalow.
- Educate the Chicago Bungalow homeowner of appropriate preservation
methods and techniques to maintain the character of the Historic Chicago
Bungalow.
- Provide opportunities to restore and rehab bungalows through
provision of loans and grants.
- Improve the physical condition of bungalows and increase their
functionality.
- Strengthen Chicago Bungalow neighborhoods as destinations and
neighborhoods of choice.
- Educate the public to the history and importance of the Chicago
Bungalow.
- To increase community stability by rebuilding bungalow
neighborhood infrastructure.
- Market Chicago Bungalows and Bungalow neighborhoods.
- Present the bungalow as a modern housing option of great value.
- Present the bungalow as a historic structure of great significance
and craftsmanship.
- Increase the stability of neighborhoods and strengthen the tax
base of Chicago.
The audience that the Chicago Bungalow initiative will target includes
homeowners, potential buyers, banks and financial institutions,
retailers and developers and opinion makers, including real estate
writers, social scientists and critics, and the public at large. The
intention is to influence the choices of consumers by increasing their
knowledge and options regarding the Chicago Bungalow. By influencing
financial institutions it is hoped that more resources will be made more
readily available to both homeowners and enterprises in the bungalow
neighborhoods.
Strategies - In order to accomplish these goals a concerted and integrated campaign
that involves the communities in education and planning, educates the
public and target audiences in order to enhance awareness and increase
the available resources; provides incentives, resources and education to
existing home owners and employs smart marketing and public relation
strategies to enhance the market for both individual houses and
neighborhoods are necessary.
The elements of the campaign there require five concurrent activities:
A. Data Collection B. Architecture, Planning and Design C. Resource
Development (both technical and financial) D. Marketing/Public
Relations/Advertising E. Community Outreach/Education
Phasing - In order to accomplish the goals of the Chicago Bungalow Initiative, an
integrated program of action will be undertaken. The campaign will
follow five concurrent paths in the areas of data collection/marketing
research, architecture and planning, resource development, public
relations, and community-outreach marketing.
Phase I will entail the development of a framework for forward movement
through public education, a web page with information and guidelines,
and creation of technical and organizational framework for the future,
including The Historic Chicago Bungalow Association and a financing
program for homeowners.
Phase II will entail the marketing of the Chicago Bungalow (begun in
phase
I) and the actual implementation of a repair and landscaping program
aimed at individual homeowners. Additionally, a legislative agenda,
including historic district designation and tax incentives will be
initiated to encourage private investment.
Phase III will build on previous phases and entail the designation of
certain areas of Chicago as bungalow districts and provide for
streetscape, landscaping and other city amenities to enhance the
activities of individual owners.
Chicago content reprinted with permission from
City of Chicago gov
Click here for HomePage
