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31 <br />Portage Avenue Neighborhood Node <br />The Portage and California Avenues intersection is a <br />natural node within the neighborhood. It is centrally <br />located on the Portage Avenue corridor and is the <br />location of neighborhood assets Near Northwest <br />Neighborhood, Inc. offices and community space as <br />well as The Local Cup coffee shop. This node, which <br />spans from Golden Avenue to Van Buren Street, has <br />opportunity for development. The former Ward Bak- <br />ery building has been underutilized since the closing <br />of the bakery and more recently has sat empty for <br />several years. The building needs significant repairs <br />and improvements but could be redeveloped into a <br />true neighborhood asset. Concepts that have been <br />discussed include housing as well as a mixed-use de- <br />velopment providing business incubator space, small <br />commercial space, and some housing. <br />In addition to the Ward Bakery, there are several va- <br />cant lots south of California Avenue owned by either <br />the City or a neighborhood small-scale developer. <br />Thoughtful infill development - focused on walkable, <br />neighborhood scale, a mix of uses, and a variety of <br />housing types - can help to reinforce the neighbor- <br />hood node. <br />Portage and California Avenues intersection conceptual improvementsExisting Portage and California Avenues intersection <br />Portage and California Avenues conceptual plan for improvementsCottage Grove AvenueCushing StreetPo <br />r <br />t <br />a <br />g <br />e <br /> <br />A <br />v <br />e <br />n <br />u <br />e <br />California Avenue <br />Rex Street <br />Van Buren Ave <br />n <br />u <br />e <br />NORTH