September 28, 2012

Mayor Emanuel Announces More Than $65 Million in Infrastructure Projects and Developments to Help Revitalize Communities in the Near South Side

Community to Benefit from Coordinated Investments from City and Sister Agencies

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel was joined by City officials to announce that more than $65 million is being invested by the City of Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools in infrastructure projects to encourage economic growth, revitalize businesses, increase school options and improve the quality of life for those that live and work in the Near South Side. 

“We are making an unprecedented investment in schools, parks, public transit and private businesses in the Near South Side, which will help revitalize the area and positively impact the lives of people who live, work or go to school in the community,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “These developments will continue to transform the Near South Side into diverse, vibrant neighborhoods and allow it to continue as a mixed-use community.”

Generally defined as the area bounded by Congress Parkway, the lakefront, the Stevenson Expressway and the Chicago River, the Near South Side will benefit from following projects expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY

  • Harrison Red Line Station: Comprehensive renewal of a 1943 subway station in 2014.  Funding: $10 million (TIF)
  • 18th Street Connector: Rehabilitation of CTA Orange Line elevated tracks between Clark and State Streets starting in 2013 and completed in 2014. Funding: $25 million total project cost ($11.5 million TIF)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

  • Motor Row Streetscaping: Streetscape improvements along Michigan Avenue, 23rd Street and 24th Street will foster neighborhood identity and improve connections between Motor Row, the future Cermak Road CTA station and McCormick Place. Construction started and completed in 2014. Funding: $5.8 million (TIF)
  • Roosevelt Road CTA Transfer Station/Streetscape: Station frontage enhancements will promote safety, beautify the streetscape, and facilitate pedestrian connections between trains, buses, and bicycles, from State to Columbus. Construction started and completed in 2014. Funding: $7 million (TIF)

PARK DISTRICT

  • Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens Field House: Improvements to Park District field house recently converted from commercial uses. Construction started in 2013 and completed in spring 2014.  Funding: $3 million (TIF)
  • Grant Park Southern Expansion: Construction of a public open space on City-owned land to be transferred to the Park Construction started in 2013 and completed in fall 2014. District. Funding: $3 million (TIF)

HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  • Big Shoulders Brewery: Rehabilitation of a three-story building in historic Motor Row for the manufacture of malted beverages. Construction starting in 2012 and completed in 2013. Funding:  $2.5 million total project cost ($628,000 TIF)

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

  • Chinatown Branch Library: New branch facility would provide modern technology resources and expanded space for children and community programs.  Construction expected to start in 2013.  Funding:  $12 million (TIF)

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  • Regional Gifted Center at National Teachers Academy: New school for exceptional and advanced Chicago Public School students. Completion and funding to be determined. 

“The number and scope of these projects will have an immediate and long-term positive impact on residents and businesses in the Near South Side,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “From grocery stores and businesses to new transit stations and parks, the broad array of improvements will touch every neighborhood in this community.”

In addition to the new projects, the City has announced more than $200 million in funding to help develop the following ongoing or recently completed projects:

  • New Jones College Prep High School
  • Cermak Green Line Station
  • Improvements to Congress Parkway Mark Twain Park
  • 16th and Wabash Park
  • Ping Tom Park Fieldhouse and Boathouse
  • Northerly Island Restoration
  • Truong’s Enterprise II
  • Chicago Oriental Wholesale Market
  • Mariano’s Grocery (land sale)
  • Hillshire Brands (Headquarter relocation)

 

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