From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
City Replaces Homemade Benches
Chicago city to replace two Ukrainian-made benches with ADA-compliant seating after residents built them without permission.
In brief
Chicago city to replace two Ukrainian-made benches with ADA-compliant seating after residents built them without permission. Chicago will replace two resident-built benches with ADA-compliant seating at bus stops after the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance installed them without city permission, with plans to build more…
City replaces resident-built benches
Chicago will replace two handmade benches at Damen Avenue and Thomas Street bus stops with ADA-compliant seating this week.
“The two benches, at Damen Avenue and Thomas Street, as well as Division Street and Oakley Boulevard, were placed without seeking permission from the city”
Residents built benches without city permission
Sam Kovnar, founder of the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, said the benches were placed without seeking permission from the city.
“The two benches, at Damen Avenue and Thomas Street, as well as Division Street and Oakley Boulevard, were placed without seeking permission from the city”
1st Ward office supports bench program
The 1st Ward office told Kovnar the city was expected to place benches up to specifications but offered to work with the group on more decorative benches.
“the city was expected to be placing ones up to specifications at the bus stops, but offered to work with him to get more "decorative" benches down the line”
Bench colors match Ukrainian flag
The current resident-made benches bear colors of the Ukrainian flag.
“the current resident-made benches bear colors of the Ukrainian flag”
Kovnar hopes for more benches
Kovnar said the group was encouraged by the ward office support and wanted to build more benches, but needed to know how many and how soon.
“It’s very encouraging to have the support of the ward office”
Northwest Neighborhood Alliance plans three more benches
The group voted to build three additional benches with public help to design and paint them for Humboldt Park by next month.
“At a meeting Thursday, the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance voted to build three additional benches”
1st Ward Alder says benches improve neighborhoods
1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata said having residents care about their neighborhood is inspiring and hopes to help build on these efforts in 2027.
“To have residents who care so much for their neighborhood is inspiring”
Kovnar wants direct city dialogue
Kovnar hopes the city will work with his group to identify places across Chicago where people need seating.
“We’d love to be able to work with [the city], since we’re already going through this the roundabout way”
Bench benefits for transit users
Kovnar said benches help elderly and disabled riders wait comfortably and beautify neighborhoods, making them feel like places rather than roads.
“It’s what makes a neighborhood feel like a place as opposed to a road”
Chicago has 11,000 bus stops
The Chicago Transit Authority has almost 11,000 bus stops in Chicago, but many lack benches as part of a city push to deter loitering.
“The Chicago Department of Transportation didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment”
Kovnar expects benches to be destroyed
Kovnar said he hasn’t heard if the benches will be returned and expects them to be destroyed, though he is hesitant to remove them without a timeline.
“Kovnar said they haven’t heard if the benches will be returned to them, and expect them to be destroyed”
What to remember
Chicago will replace two resident-built benches with ADA-compliant seating at bus stops after the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance installed them without city permission, with plans to build more benches in 2027.
