2020 Uptown Year-in-Review

Dear neighbors, visitors, and partners,

2020 was a year unlike any other. Uptown United and the Uptown Chamber of Commerce spent much of the year working closely with our local businesses and organizations to face the challenges presented by COVID-19. We increased our communications to keep our community informed on new restrictions, critical funding opportunities, and unique programs to assist neighborhood businesses. Our team became a one-stop-shop for information, guidance, resources, and hands-on support. We had to reimagine the in-person events we typically host. What did we learn from last year? That we’re better together: strong relationships keep communities strong.

Download our 2020 Year-in-Review.

Here are a few highlights:

• Helped secure more than $1,600,000 in funding for local businesses and organizations hit hard by the pandemic.
• Added 25 pieces of public art to Uptown for everyone to enjoy, including one with a unique story that was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Dozens of positive media stories featured Uptown, including on WTTW discussing the pandemic’s impact on local businesses, several features on NBC5 during the Uptown Art Weekend, and TimeOut naming Uptown the #24 coolest neighborhood in the world!
• Launched the first-ever Uptown Art Weekend that featured more than 40 artists painting murals across the neighborhood.
• Launched an innovative new expanded outdoor dining program on the 4800 block of Broadway and helped about a dozen businesses set up new sidewalk cafes.
• Reimagined our events into virtual ones, like the DIY Argyle Night Market, Winter Warmth in Uptown, Virtual Restaurant Week, and many virtual networking events.
• Published the State of the Area Report as part of our Central Uptown Planning Study.

Read our complete 2020 Year-in-Review.

A huge thank you to our staff, our boards of directors, our members, our volunteers, our supporters, and everyone else who helped us through 2020. It takes community to keep a neighborhood strong.

We need your support to continue our important work. Consider a tax-deductible donation to Uptown United or becoming an annual sponsor of our organizations’ work.

Visit our website at exploreuptown.org for news, events, and more information about our programs.

Here’s to a bright 2021!

Cheers,

Martin Sorge
Executive Director
Uptown United & Uptown Chamber of Commerce