People Spot Opens on Lincoln, Southport's Coming End of June

For the second year in a row, the Chicago Department of Transportation has helped construct a unique People Spot in front of Heritage Bicycles, and it's now open for business. 

Sitting at 2959 N. Lincoln Ave., the seating area acts as an outdoor cafe built into the street as not to obstruct pedestrians on the sidewalk.

It’s all a part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CDOT’s “Make Way for People” program, launched in June of 2012. The space in front of Heritage Bikes General Store was one of the first two People Spots in Chicago, and in 2013 officials added another in front of Uncle Dan’s on Southport.

And rather than a cafe vibe, the new People Spot at 3551 N. Southport Ave. will have a more sculpted, lounge feel.

“While the Lincoln Avenue people spot has bistro tables that get locked up every night and looks more like a café, this is more of a place for people to sit and relax,” said the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Heather Way in May. “It’s not so much of a café experience. … It will look exactly like this. Everything on it is custom made.”

Way says the new location on Southport is on track to be completed the in about two weeks, and weather permitting, come down Dec. 1. Coming in at 20 feet longer than the one on Lincoln, Lake View’s new People Spot will create 600-square-feet of new pedestrian space.