The Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association (MASA)
These exceptional tulip gardens are made possible by the substantial investments of our district’s business and property owners who help make The Magnificent Mile neighborhood an extraordinary experience for Chicago residents, area employees and visitors.
Fourteen years ago, the median planters were constructed by Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago as part of a Michigan Avenue streetscape improvement project. The landscaping, including the magnificent tulips, is funded by the Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association, an organization comprised of retailers, commercial businesses, office buildings, hotels, condominium and apartment buildings, social clubs, museums, churches, and universities and colleges in The Magnificent Mile district.
The Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association (MASA) is a not-for-profit corporation formed to contract and fund annual landscape maintenance and plantings. Formed 13 years ago at Mayor Daley's request, The Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association was developed to help the City implement a streetscape improvement program for Michigan Avenue , from Oak Street to Roosevelt Road . MASA consists of a Michigan Avenue family of retailers, commercial businesses, office buildings, hotels, condominium and apartment buildings, social clubs, museums, churches, and universities and colleges. In exchange for a commitment from this Michigan Avenue family to fund the annual cost of maintenance, flowers and plants, the City agreed to construct precast concrete planters in the median of Michigan Avenue . The planters were completed in 1992, and 1993 was the first full blooming season. Every season since the inaugural planting has grown more beautiful than the previous.
- Spring features tulips and muscari plantings.
- Summer welcomes colorful annuals, perennials and tropical foliages.
- Fall includes late blooming perennials, grasses, kale and vibrant asters and mums.
Without the private contributions to The Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association that make these plantings possible, Michigan Avenue would simply not be the same Magnificent Mile. The Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association plays a critical role in the beautification of The Magnificent Mile. To continue the success of The Michigan Avenue Streetscape Association, The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, owners of The Magnificent Mile, accepted management responsibility of MASA in 2003.