CITY LEADERS BREAK GROUND ON INVEST SOUTH/WEST COMMERCIAL AVENUE CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT


 CITY LEADERS BREAK GROUND ON INVEST SOUTH/WEST
COMMERCIAL AVENUE CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT


CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined the Chicago Department
of Transportation (CDOT) and local leaders to break ground
on a $43 million streetscape improvement project in South Chicago
as part of the INVEST South/West initiative to revitalize historically
underserved neighborhoods. The CDOT-led project will transform
Commercial Avenue between 83rd Street to South Chicago Avenue
and 92nd Street between South Harbor Avenue and Anthony Street to
provide safe, walkable, and attractive streets that will foster community
and economic growth.

“Our goal with INVEST South/West is to transform our historically
underserved communities through place-based investment,
which is why we’re not only investing in mixed-use development
projects but thoughtful streetscaping as well,” said Mayor Lightfoot.
“That’s why I am especially thrilled to break ground on the Commercial
Avenue Corridor Improvement Program in South Chicago. This
effort will not only upgrade aging infrastructure with the community,
but also create a more livable and vibrant commercial corridor for
residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

The Commercial Avenue Corridor Improvement Project is the
second INVEST South/West streetscape project to break ground,
following last week’s groundbreaking on Chicago Avenue in the
Austin neighborhood. In total, CDOT is implementing $280 million
in streetscape improvements along 12 key commercial corridors on
the South and West Sides that incorporate infrastructure, pedestrian
safety, and placemaking improvements. Encompassing 20 miles of
arterial streets, these projects represent more than twice the mileage
of all streetscapes completed in the 10 INVEST South/West neighborhoods
since the 1990s.

“The Commercial Avenue streetscape project we are breaking
ground on today goes hand in hand with the public and private investments
being made in South Chicago as part of INVEST South/West.
Creating a safer, more walkable, and inviting street is good for South
Chicago residents and good for the local economy,” said CDOT
Commissioner Gia Biagi. “Thanks to Mayor Lightfoot’s leadership,
CDOT is implementing a dozen of these transformative streetscapes,
and we look forward to continuing to work closely with community
stakeholders to bring these projects to life.”

Improvements along Commercial Avenue will include:
Full width resurfacing.
Curb extensions that create safer and shorter crossing distances
for pedestrians.

Bus bulbs that allow buses to pick up and drop off passengers
without leaving the travel lane, which helps save time for transit
riders.
Raised bike lanes.
Street lighting.
Tree planting and landscaping.
ADA ramps and crosswalks.
Traffic signal upgrades and improved signage.

Light pole identifiers and sidewalk plaques that highlight the
history and culture of the South Chicago community.

Construction is expected to be completed in phases with full
completion expected by the end of 2025.

These improvements will complement other investments being
made in South Chicago as part of INVEST South/West. The flagship
development project, Galleria 89, is expected to break ground next
year on Commercial Avenue. Galleria 89 is a $36.4 million project
from 548 Development, planned for approximately .6 acres of
underutilized properties on the 8800 block of South Commercial
Avenue. The project will create a four-story building with 48 affordable
apartments and rehab an existing, three-story building with 10
affordable apartments.

INVEST South/West launched in fall 2019 with a $750 million
City commitment toward priority commercial corridors in Auburn
Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Greater Englewood, Greater Roseland,
Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, New City, South Chicago,
and South Shore. Since then, it has generated more than $2.2 billion
in public, private, and philanthropic investment commitments.

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