Experience

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce

Director of Community Development, August 2016- present

• Manage the Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue Special Service Areas (SSA) including: creating and sending out RFPs, hiring and managing vendors for landscaping, snow removal, sidewalk power washing, litter abatement, and holiday decorations
• Head steering committees that collaborated with the Lakota Group and local stakeholders to ensure completion of the Lincoln Avenue Revitalization Strategy and the Lincoln Park Wayfinding Plan
• Lead the implementation of the completed Lincoln Avenue Revitalization Strategy by working with the Alderman, local stakeholders, and real estate developers
• Manage a project to enhance an important alley in Lincoln Park with a mural, festoon lighting, re-paving, and dumpster enclosures
• Manage a design firm to enhance the space underneath the CTA train tracks that cross Lincoln Avenue to create a better pedestrian experience along the street
• Volunteer with the Small Business Advocacy Council to meet regularly with City departments in order to draft, introduce, and pass legislation that is beneficial for small business owners
• Create and implement annual budgets for Clark Street and Lincoln Avenue SSAs using Quickbooks, which are approved by  Chicago’s Department of Planning & Development
• Utilize CoStar Demographic Software to assist prospective and established business owners with finding available commercial space
• Assist business and property owners with applications for public way use permits, facade enhancement rebates, vandalism repair rebates, and safety enhancement rebates
• Provide input and feedback as a member of the North Lakeshore Drive Reconstruction Task Force and other initiatives such as the North Branch Framework Plan
• Worked with a consulting firm and the Department of Planning to redraw the boundaries of the Transit TIF by projecting the Equalized Assessed Value increases for 27 PINs associated with a major development in the Lincoln Avenue SSA
• Created a Lincoln Park Safety Program which includes an annual safety seminar, security enhancement rebate program, and a safety tips sheet for businesses in the neighborhood
• Partner with the Chicago Association of Realtors to host an annual commercial broker/ property owner breakfast

Six Corners Association

Special Service Area 28 Program Manager, January 2016- August 2016

• Oversaw SSA services such as landscaping, snow removal, streetscaping, litter cleanup, panhandling abatement
• Surveyed business owners, property owners, and residents
• Maintained database of properties
• Developed relationships with business and property owners
• Member of Active Transportation Alliance’s Transit Coalition
• Researched demographics and other trends and data
• Coordinated with 45th Ward and property owners to achieve infrastructure and beautification enhancements such as bike corrals, people spots, plazas, bike lanes, and public art

Metropolitan Planning Council

Transportation and Housing Research Assistant, September 2015- December 2015

• Assisted with community outreach for public meetings
• Collected and analyzed data
• Visually represented data using GIS such as transportation changes in the Chicago region over time
• Qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed policy and zoning
• Wrote various content such as blog posts
• Helped author Transit Oriented Development FAQ

The Chicago Loop Alliance

Urban Planning Intern, February 2015- June 2015

• Inventoried businesses and vacancies in the Loop
• Wrote agendas and minutes, and participated in meetings for State Street Commission, Special Service Area #1 Renewal Committee, and Placemaking Committee
• Worked directly with local businesses and stakeholders to set up and program events and placemaking initiatives throughout the Loop
• Filled out applications and obtained permits
• Created maps of businesses and vacancies in the Loop
• Helped with the Renewal of Special Service Area #1
• Gathered data of properties using GIS

 

City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development

Sustainable Development Intern, December 2014- February 2015

• Assisted in the implementation of the Green Healthy Neighborhoods Program
• Handled day-to-day duties for the Large Lots Program
• Assisted local people in purchasing vacant lots for $1
• Organized information on spreadsheets
• Handled real estate documents

 

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Enterprise Zone/Transit Future Intern, October 2014-December 2014

• Coordinated and scheduled public and management meetings
• Compiled information from various municipalities
• Created reports for Enterprise Zone applications progress
• Maintained Excel spreadsheets
• Worked with South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and other area leaders

 

Beverly Area Planning Association

Commercial Corridor Revitalization Intern, May 2014- September 2014

• Created detailed report of six priority redevelopment sites
• Personally inventoried over 3 million square feet of commercial space
• Gathered data, environmental records, transaction history, and taxpayer information for parcels of land
• Analyzed and synthesized various planning documents
• Presented research and findings at committee and community meetings
• Created maps, charts, and graphs to help visualize data
• Calculated vacancy rates for commercial corridors
• Researched and compared data regarding office space uses
• Organized data into a concise, readable format