WPB (SSA #33)

SSA #33, also known as WPB, is located at 1414 N. Ashland Ave., their phone number is 773.384.2672. Program Manager is Eleanor Mayer.

Special Service Area #33 which includes the major commercial streets in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods brands itself as the WPB. It is unique among Chicago’s Special Service Areas* (SSA) for its size and eclecticism. It covers thirteen miles of sidewalk, 1,399 parcels, 734 businesses, about 30 institutions, and roughly 2,750 dwelling units.

A City of Chicago program focused on districts of contiguous industrial, commercial and residential corridors, the SSA is governed by commissioners who are selected from among the people within the district and then must be approved by the City Council. The WPB was established in 2005 for a ten year period, the twelve person commission has six working committees.

To further define their mission and determine priorities, they decided to develop a Master Plan. The planning process was an opportunity to develop a collective vision for the future of Wicker Park and Bucktown’s commercial corridors, a chance to bring together the active, but often uninvolved constituency of neighbors, business owners, artists, institutions, investors, and visitors who enjoy and identify with the culture and social life along Western, Damen, Ashland, North, Division, and Milwaukee to think about the effects of change, and how best to integrate old with new.

Based on research and community input the Commission in 2007 determined that they faced the following challenges:

To preserve, encourage, and enhance the qualities of Wicker Park and Bucktown that make the neighborhoods and their corridors distinctly Wicker Park and Bucktown
To balance the needs and desires of all residents, visitors, and businesses in the allocation and expenditure of their tax dollars.

The resulting plan is intended to balance the good that comes from increased prosperity along the corridors and within the neighborhoods, with the strong desire to preserve local attitude and diversity and reinforce local arts, ecology, heritage, affordability, and values.

Since their inception they have presented The Wicker Park Halloween Prowl, RedMoon Bombastic Carolers, Free Bike Valet at various street festivals; sponsored a number of community events including the Wicker Park Fest and Kids Fest, the Do-Division Fest and Holiday Walk, the Renegade Craft Fair; and funded grants for niche events such as the Sound of Silent Film Festival, The Chicago International Movies and Music Festival and the Pritzker School Birdhouse fundraiser.

*SSA is a Chicago program that facilitates a localized property tax levy that remains in the designated area for funding services and programs.

The SSA is a sponsor of Our Urban Times.