Chicago Commercial
Corridor Managers Pitch and Project Showcase
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April 25th
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
5100 W Harrison St
LISC CHICAGO’s MISSION:
LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) is a national organization that has been working for over 40 years to create resilient and inclusive communities across America. They partner with residents to transform communities into great places to live, work, visit, do business, and raise families by empowering people, supporting local economies, and fostering leadership and innovation.
PROJECT SHOWCASE OVERVIEW:
The Corridor project showcase highlights the innovative community development initiatives being led by local corridor managers in nine neighborhoods across Chicago's South and West sides. These projects aim to revitalize key commercial corridors, celebrate the unique history and culture of each community, and create new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and residents. By leveraging art, historic preservation, and small business development, the corridor managers are working to build more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient neighborhoods for all.
Corridor Projects
Neighborhoods
79th and Halsted
The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation is spearheading a series of public art and placekeeping initiatives to enliven the 79th and Halsted intersection. These projects include vibrant murals on the exterior walls of the reimagined Save-A-Lot store, thought-provoking mini-murals to repurpose the boarded-up windows of the former Bank of America building, and the restoration of the damaged Adinkra symbol interpretive signage at 79th and Morgan. To further beautify the area, GAGDC will also implement a corridor-wide flower pot project, bringing a touch of nature to the urban landscape.
Ask: The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation is seeking $246,000 in funding for three transformative art projects along the 79th Street Corridor to foster social cohesion, community building, and economic revitalization by incorporating large-scale art installations, floral landscaping, and community-engaged murals.
Austin African American Business Network Association
Chicago Avenue
Austin African American Business Network Association is transforming a vacant storefront at 5601 W Chicago Avenue into a unique, temporary art installation that will capture the imagination of the community. By engaging local artists and involving community members, especially youth, in the design process, this project aims to create a sense of ownership and pride in the space. The installation will serve as a catalyst for conversation, creativity, and potential future development, drawing attention to the untapped potential of the site.
Ask: The AAABNA is seeking $1.25 million in funding to establish the Soul City Oasis, a cultural revitalization project designed to foster artistic and economic growth in Chicago's Austin neighborhood through the development of diverse art exhibitions and a cultural center, enhancing community engagement and opportunities.
47th and Ashland
Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council is tackling two critical projects to revitalize the community. First, they are collaborating with developer Matanky and national retailer Burlington to retain the store in the neighborhood, preserving 65 jobs and $10M in annual revenue. Second, BYNC is installing small-scale art pieces on 5-7 vacant storefronts along Ashland and 47th, working with local artists and property owners to create visually appealing and thought-provoking displays that will generate interest in these underutilized spaces.
Ask: The Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council is seeking technical assistance with construction, architecture, and permitting, along with financial support of 250K-500K for each building through loans, guarantees, and subsidies. This support will help property owners rehab their building transforming the Back of the Yards 47th and Ashland corridor into a vibrant, walkable community hub featuring local art installations and holistic neighborhood revitalization strategies, enabling residents to live, work, heal, learn, and build community.
The Greater Roseland Chamber and Calumet area Industrial Commission is undertaking a multi-faceted approach to celebrate the historic significance of the Michigan Avenue commercial corridor. They will identify 3-4 buildings or locations of historic importance and install informative markers to showcase their unique stories. Additionally, the team will work towards securing official landmark status for the corridor, helping to preserve its rich heritage for future generations. Throughout the process, they will also provide support to two ongoing Neighborhood Opportunity Fund projects at Old Fashioned Donuts and Bass Furniture.
Ask: The Greater Roseland Chamber and Calumet area Industrial Commission is seeking $40,000 in funding to revitalize the Historic Michigan Ave Corridor through the installation of identity banners and digital interpretation projects, aiming to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural history of the area.
Michigan Avenue
Ogden Avenue
The New Covenant CDC’s North Lawndale Retail Revitalization Project is pioneering an innovative approach to small business development by creating pop-up retail spaces within repurposed shipping containers. This project will provide local entrepreneurs with affordable, low-risk opportunities to test their business concepts and grow their customer base. By conducting a feasibility study, identifying optimal locations along the Priority Corridor, and designing a supportive retail programming strategy, the team aims to foster a thriving small business ecosystem that aligns with the community's economic goals.
Ask: The New Covenant CDC’s North Lawndale Retail Revitalization Project is seeking $800,000 in funding to transform underutilized spaces along the Ogden Corridor into a dynamic retail environment with modular, cost-effective units made from retrofitted shipping containers, enhancing local commerce and community engagement.
West Humboldt Park Development Council is undertaking an ambitious project to purchase and renovate a vacant building, transforming it into a new home for local restaurant Straightlaw's Cooking & Catering. This endeavor will not only provide a permanent location for a beloved community business but also serve as a catalyst for further economic development along the corridor. The Corridor Managers will work closely with the restaurant owners, providing regular updates and support throughout the renovation process.
Ask: The West Humboldt Park Development Council is seeking $371,000 to fund the construction and buildout of the Straightlaw Cooking & Catering restaurant, the first dine-in establishment along Chicago Ave in West Humboldt Park, aiming to support community wealth and provide unique, authentic dining experiences in the area.
Chicago Avenue
North Avenue
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center will build on its success in the development and operation of the Mercado del Pueblo business incubator by adding a shared kitchen component. This will lower barriers for small food entrepreneurs, foster culinary innovation and diversity, and provide space for community events.
Ask: The Puerto Rican Cultural Center is seeking $440,000 in investment capital to establish a community shared kitchen that empowers Latino street vendors and food entrepreneurs with training and industry support, facilitating legal operations and fostering economic vitality in the area.
The Greater Roseland Chamber and Calumet area Industrial Commission is developing a unifying brand identity for the 111th Street corridor through the creation of eye-catching light pole banners. To ensure community buy-in, the design process will incorporate input gathered through surveys and digital marketing campaigns. Once installed, these banners will serve as a powerful visual representation of the corridor's unique character, instilling a sense of pride and belonging among residents and visitors alike.
Ask: The Greater Roseland Chamber and Calumet area Industrial Commission is seeking $40,000 in funding to revitalize the Historic Michigan Ave Corridor through the installation of identity banners and digital interpretation projects, aiming to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural history of the area.
Michigan Avenue
93rd and Commercial Avenue
The Southeast Side Community Business District are employing a two-pronged approach to revitalize the community. First, they will host three Thrift & Thrive events in vacant commercial spaces, providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services while highlighting the potential of these underutilized properties. Second, the team will focus on beautifying a vacant lot at the southern entry point of the corridor, transforming it from an overgrown eyesore into an inviting gateway that sets the tone for the entire commercial district.
Ask: Southeast Side Community Business District is seeking $26,500 in funding to rehabilitate and enhance the area around a historic pine tree on 93rd and Commercial Avenue, integrating local art and indigenous history to foster economic revitalization and community pride.
79th Street Corridor
The Southeast Chicago Chamber is focusing on two key initiatives to drive economic development and community engagement. First, they are embarking on a large-scale, cooperatively-owned commercial development project that will create new opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Simultaneously, they are implementing small-scale, visible interventions along the corridor to maintain momentum and foster community involvement. These interventions include installing public art pieces on vacant storefronts and hosting pop-up events in underutilized spaces. The Corridor Managers will provide regular updates on both the development project and the smaller interventions, ensuring that the community remains informed and engaged throughout the process.
Ask: The Southeast Chicago Chamber is seeking $1.8 million in funding to close the gap for their comprehensive development and community engagement initiatives along the 79th Street Corridor.