Lincoln Park Conservation Association records

Biographical / Historical

The Lincoln Park Conservation Association (LPCA) was formed in March of 1954 to combat the physical deterioration of Lincoln Park. As an umbrella organization, LPCA connected neighborhood associations to one another as well as to the Lincoln Park Community Conservation Council (LPCCC) and the Department of Urban Renewal (DUR). Organized efforts to combat the physical degradation of Lincoln Park began in 1948 with the establishment of the Old Town Triangle Association (OTTA) followed by the Mid-North Association (MNA) in 1950. However, the local neighborhood associations did not include all areas of Lincoln Park and their limited coverage and efforts were not sufficient to coordinate urban redevelopment for the entire geographic area of Lincoln Park. The availability of federal funds for redevelopment required umbrella organizations to channel and coordinate the flow of those funds to agreed upon community projects. LPCA provided a single voice to funnel requests for improved city services for the redeveloping community. In the early 1960s, the General Neighborhood Renewal Plan was collaboratively developed with neighborhood associations, the LPCA and the Federal Department of Urban Renewal (DUR). In 1962, it was approved by the newly formed LPCCC whose main task was to serve as the intermediary between the LPCA and DUR to assist in the federal and state routing of resources into Lincoln Park Urban Renewal. The operating structure of the LPCA includes committees dealing with such substantive issues as code enforcement, parks, and schools, as well as internal issues such as finance, membership, and publicity. In addition to sponsorship of a wide variety of community based programs and services, the LPCA and the local neighborhood organizations provided a forum for sharing information, the ability to mobilize resources to respond to problems in Lincoln Park, and the opportunity to develop pride in and commitment to the neighborhood.