Stretch Of Rogers Park's Glenwood Avenue Reopening To Cars After 3 Years As Pedestrian Space

Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park will reopen to car traffic in early 2026 after being designated as a pedestrian space since spring 2022. This closure was part of the city's Alfresco program, which aimed to assist businesses during the pandemic by expanding outdoor dining. Improvements to the space included a gazebo, seating, and colorful barrels, but community feedback raised concerns about public safety and the area's low usage. Ald. Maria Hadden's office confirmed that only the nearby Jarvis Avenue alfresco site would be renewed for another two years.

During the summer, Glenwood Avenue will still temporarily close for the Glenwood Sunday Market, a local farmers market. The Alfresco program, launched in 2021, allocated $2. 3 million to revitalize city streets for outdoor dining. While supporters believed these plazas would boost local businesses, critics raised logistical issues. The debate over the Alfresco spaces reflects ongoing tensions between community needs and business interests in Rogers Park.