Walgreen Co. has signed an agreement with

Walgreen Co. has signed an agreement with the City of Chicago to follow new urban design guidelines in the construction of 35 Walgreens drugstores in the city during the next two years. The guidelines are designed to prevent construction of suburban-type, auto-oriented stores. Quoted in the Chicago Tribune, assistant commissioner of planning David Doig explained: “Our concern with Walgreens is that they typically come into neighborhoods on commercial strips and build stores that don’t fit into the context of the urban fabric.” The guidelines stipulate that the building should abut the property line along at least one principal street, have an articulated roof line in context with surrounding commercial buildings, and have front entrances adjacent to the sidewalk. Facades should be street oriented and “articulated with rhythm and texture” through use of pilasters or columns and clear glass. “Decorative elements such as brick patterns, cornices, precast moldings, and spandrel glass shall be used to increase the building character,” the guidelines say. Exceptions will have to be negotiated through the planning department.