West Central Association

CHICAGO, IL (August 3, 2022)

Contact: Carla M. Agostinelli

Director of Community Partnerships & Development

carla@wcachicago.org

– West Central Association presents “ Madison Row Fest, a community block party” as part of the Central City Recovery Program (CCRP). The intention of the Madison Row Fest,

a community block party, is to invest back in the community, help develop diverse

programming, enhance the vibrancy of the Madison Row retail corridor, and inspire safer

passage with art installations.

In collaboration with the Department of Business Affairs Consumer Protection, District

Advisory Council of the 12th District Chicago Police Department, the West Central

Association’s Madison Row Committee Co-Sponsors (Moon Rabbit Acupuncture, Leaders

1354 & Viet Five) and Strength in the City, West Central Association will present the

inaugural Madison Row Fest on Saturday, September 17th, 2022. - The event is Free and

open to the public.

“We are excited to be part of an opportunity to rebuild & showcase the small businesses

within the community!” says Liezyl Ribiero of Move the World Operations/Strength in the

City. We look forward to working with each business for the activation of Madison Street,

including examples of lifestyle of health and wellness, all hyper local - Invest Local. Shop

Local. Dine Local.

“Madison Row Fest has been a long time aspiration” said WCA President ”. “We are excited

about the opportunity to continue to work closely with our businesses to enhance foot

traffic to their shops and websites. We are also very excited to see our community come

together on a street frequented by our local residents who define our neighborhood. This

event is also about improving public safety. We at WCA continue to reflect on ways to

reimagine the Madison Row streetscape in ways that improves the pedestrian experience,

increases foot traffic for our local businesses, and improves pedestrian safety. And, who

doesn’t like a street festival highlighting their community?!”

The intention of Madison Row Fest is to help celebrate a world post pandemic. Says

Gudrun Wu Snyder, Founder Moon Rabbit ”When I opened Moon Rabbit during the

Pandemic summer of 2020, the first people in the door were our West Loop neighbors.

The community was the first to support us. We are excited to engage and give back to the

neighborhood.”

Cultural programming from our local schools, musicians and artists will be showcased

throughout the day. “As a new business on Madison Row we share an authentic

multicultural experience with our neighbors and now new friends. We will continue to

support the community and maintain a safe space as we build blooming relationships.” -

VietFive Team.

“Having been a part of the Central City Recovery Plan, since inception, it has provided us

an opportunity to further develop our relationship with the City’s administration yet more

importantly serve as a stronger advocate for the community. says Carla M. Agostinelli,

Director of Community Partnerships & Development at West Central Association. We are

very excited at the opportunity to incorporate Asphalt Art, as a form of urban tacticalism,

into the Fest.”

WCA has proposed the following intersections to CDOT: Madison at Morgan; Madison at

Aberdeen; Madison at Peoria and Madison at Throop. We are hopeful that the Asphalt Art

will inspire behavioral change, encouraging safer passages and ultimately strengthening

our community” says Agostinelli.

Madison Row Fest will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

On Madison between Halsted and Racine; 10am-8pm. Free.

For more information: wcachicago.org

Email: carla@wcachicago.org

About The WCA:

Established in 1918, the West Central Association - Chamber of Commerce (WCA)

represents over 400 member businesses, institutions and organizations across 13

geographic areas in the city of Chicago located immediately west of downtown. The WCA

is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of its members and the communities they serve

by advocating for business and property owners on legislation, taxation, transportation,

architectural treatment and model plans for the area.

For more information, visit wcachicago.org.

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