Could Some Streets Around Palmer Square Park Be Closed To Traffic?

LOGAN SQUARE — The city will look at whether portions of the streets surrounding Palmer Square Park can become more pedestrian friendly or even closed to traffic. An ordinance introduced by Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) instructs the city s Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study and prepare conceptual design alternatives for a pedestrian-focused redesign of the public ways immediately surrounding the park was approved at last week s City Council meeting. The study will look at whether nearby streets and public ways should be restricted to traffic or be redesigned with more pedestrian space, La Spata said. The study is similar to traffic studies the city conducts around busy or dangerous intersections. It will explore the potential safety benefits of reconfiguring the boundaries of Palmer Square Park, including eliminating traffic lanes that currently go through it, the alderperson said. The study will examine the potential impacts of any changes on emergenc