Clark/Morse/Glenwood Special Service Area #24

Clark/Morse/Glenwood Special Service Area (SSA) #24 includes Clark Street from Birchwood Avenue to Devon Avenue, Morse Avenue from Sheridan Road to Clark Street and Glenwood Avenue from Greenleaf Avenue to Pratt Avenue. The SSA has provided programs and services in the commercial district since 2004.

Vision Clark Street Facebook
Link to SSA #24 Map

SSA #24 Renewal:

We are proud to share that the renewal process for Clark/Morse/Glenwood SSA  #24 was completed and approved by city council for another 15 years. In 2022, RPBA led an extensive outreach and engagement process to learn from local businesses about what services they want to continue seeing from the SSA, what can be improved upon and what ideas they have for new Clark/Morse/Glenwood initiatives. You can learn more at, ssa24renewal.org.

SSA #24 Provides:

• Accessibility: In 2011, we installed 6 BigBell Max Alert Systems to help businesses become accessible to people with disabilities as part of the ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliance.
• Advertising and Promotion: We develop promotions, campaigns and business retention and attraction materials.
• Business Improvement Program (BIP): We promote and revitalize the commercial buildings within the SSA by providing financial and technical assistance to the owners and tenants who wish to improve their storefronts. Through this program, owners and tenants are eligible for a 50% rebate of up to $5,000 on improvements made to their façade. Download the application here.
• Criminal Damage Repair Program: We provide assistance to businesses making emergency storefront repairs in response to criminal damage
  or vandalism by offering a rebate of 50% of repair expenses not covered by insurance, up to a maximum of $2,000. Download the application here.
• Marketing: We market the business districts within SSA #24 by organizing and providing funding to events and public art programs such as Celebrate Clark Street World Music Festival, Glenwood Sunday Market, Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival and Mile of Murals.
• Outreach: We visit businesses within the SSA to provide technical assistance and ensure that business owners are aware of all the programs, services and resources available to them.
• Public Art: The SSA runs the Mile of Murals project on Glenwood Ave. between Prat and Estes. The project’s intention is to nurture, promote, and celebrate the arts-centered identity of Rogers Park. In addition, the SSA has sponsored murals on Clark St. as part of the Vision Clark Street Master Plan, more info here.
• Public Way Aesthetics: We mulch, weed and plant seasonal plantings. In addition, we install holiday decorations, maintain street pole banners and purchase streetscape elements, as needed.
• Public Way Maintenance: We regularly conduct field checks of the public way and maintain the Big Belly Solar Trash Compactors and planters.
• Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF): We promote and revitalize the commercial buildings within the Tax Increment Financing District by providing financial advice and technical assistance to the owners and tenants who wish to improve their storefronts. Through this program, owners and tenants are eligible for a 50% rebate up to $150,000 on improvements made to their building/business.
• Tenant Retention/Attraction: We hold business attraction workshops and give presentations to recruit new businesses to the commercial corridors and support current businesses. We also provide technical assistance to businesses and property owners including on-site visits.

Documents

2015 SSA #24 Audit
2016-2017 SSA #24 Audit
2017-2018 SSA #24 Audit
2018-2019 SSA #24 Audit
2020-2021 SSA #24 Audit
2022 SSA #24 Service Provider Agreement
Business Improvement Program Application
Commissioner Application
Criminal Damage Repair Program

Commissioners

All Special Service Area Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor and determine the budget, workplan and sole service provider each year.

Wallace Andersen (Chair) – Staff; Rogers Park Social
Al Golberg (Secretary and Treasurer) – Property owner
Ilesa Duncan – Artistic Director; Lifeline Theatre
Irene Bermudez – Community Engagement Coordinator; Chicago Math & Science Academy
Nick Kosiek – Business owner; State Farm Insurance

There are currently 2 vacant seats. Commissioners must live and own property or a business within the boundaries of Clark/Morse/Glenwood SSA #24. To see a map of the boundaries click here. To apply to be a Commissioner click here. For questions contact, cjuarez@rpba.org.