Join us in revitalizing Commercial Avenue. We have collaborated with South Chicago residents, businesses, and organizations to craft a plan for the corridor’s revival. We have mapped out strategies to attract new businesses and breathe life back into the area. Together, let us transform Commercial Avenue into a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and leisure, boosting the local economy and creating job opportunities.
Project Information
The Great Cities Institute worked with South Chicago residents, businesses, and organizations to plan the revival of Commercial Avenue. The focus area of this plan is Commercial Avenue from 83rd Street to 93rd Street and all of 92nd Street from South Chicago Avenue to Harbor Avenue. This corridor has suffered since the decline of the steel industry during the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, leaving many vacant shops and empty lots. Through a year-long process in collaboration with the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce and the Special Service Area (SSA) #5, we gathered ideas from the community (including residents, business owners, community organizations, service providers, and elected officials) and used our expertise to create a plan for revitalization. We held meetings and design sessions to develop a vision and strategies for the corridor’s future. By combining community input with data analysis, we created a roadmap to attract new businesses and bring life back to the area. Our plan aims to make Commercial Avenue a bustling hub for shopping, dining, and leisure activities, benefiting the local economy and creating job opportunities. With continued support, we envision a vibrant and thriving corridor that will attract visitors from across the region, providing essential services and enhancing the quality of life for South Chicago residents.
Currently the project team is conducting outreach to develop a community stewardship and governance plan for the site. If you would like to participate in this project and/or provide your thoughts and feedback, please contact GCI or fill out the form.
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