The public will get a chance to voice their opinion on Plaza Guadalupe—about the fence that surrounds it at night, about the programming, and any other aspect they may choose—during a listening session 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at El Progresso Hall, 1306 Guadalupe St.
Since the summer, community members have been fighting to take down a fence that had surrounded the plaza since 2016. The Avenida Guadalupe Association, the nonprofit that leases the near-West Side public space from the city, erected the fence for a Diez y Seis de Septembre event, but decided to leave it up to combat the heroine addicts it says frequented the plaza. But opponents of the fence argued that while the fence may have denied drug addicts access to the park, it also denied the rest of the community access, as well.
The city held three public meetings in response to the protests. It also opened up the plaza during the day, and started a movie night series, which continues with “Instructions Not Included” on Dec. 7, and “The Polar Express” on Dec. 21.
In the last two meetings—held “>Sept. 26 and Oct. 30—audience members broke out into group work sessions and brainstormed ideas for how to reactivate the park.
At tomorrow night’s meeting, attendees will share their opinions and ideas with the group.
A more thorough and permanent solution is being crafted with the help of the local chapter of a group called Latinos in Architecture. The city did not say when the final plan would be released, but did say tomorrow night’s meeting will be the last before the plan is released.
Contact Ben Olivo: 210-421-3932 | ben@saheron.com | @rbolivo on Twitter
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