Chicago Construction News staff writer
A major $8.7 million streetscape improvement project has transformed a section of Chicago Avenue in the city’s Austin neighborhood, bringing new life to the area’s developing “Soul City” corridor.
The redesigned stretch between Austin Boulevard and Central Avenue now features wider sidewalks, raised bike lanes, new landscaping, and safety upgrades aimed at improving walkability and mobility for all users. It’s the first of three planned phases that will eventually extend east to Cicero Avenue.
Construction along the corridor includes curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and bus boarding islands intended to slow vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian safety. Other upgrades include upgraded street lighting, full roadway resurfacing, new drainage infrastructure, and high-visibility crosswalks.
The initiative also incorporates public art and community input. A notable feature is a series of circular benches called Peace Circles, designed in partnership with Territory, a youth-led design organization based in Austin. Local youth contributed artwork and prototypes as part of the project’s emphasis on community identity and inclusion.
The Chicago Department of Transportation led the project, working closely with residents and local groups through a series of meetings and workshops to gather input on priorities like sidewalk width, traffic calming, and green space.
The Soul City West segment is part of a broader vision to revitalize Chicago Avenue as a cultural and economic hub on the West Side. Future phases—Soul City Central and Soul City East—will continue improvements between Central and Laramie avenues and from Laramie to Cicero Avenue.
