Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Departments of Planning & Development (DPD) and Transportation (CDOT) have unveiled "A Vision for LaSalle Street," a framework aimed at revitalizing the area between Wacker Drive and Jackson Boulevard. This initiative focuses on public realm improvements and neighborhood-oriented enhancements.

The plan includes 11 planning principles designed to support over 1,400 residential units across five adaptive re-use projects. Additionally, it encompasses $1 billion in commercial rehabilitation projects within the central Loop. These principles were developed with input from community members through various engagement methods, including meetings and surveys, as noted by DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright.

“The goal is to make LaSalle more of a neighborhood Main Street that serves a dynamic mix of users, versus solely a finance-oriented workday population that largely defined the corridor’s last 100 years,” said Commissioner Boatright. “The formal vision provides a roadmap for future enhancements in support of new and ongoing public and private investment.”

Investments include five residential conversion projects valued at $750 million, with Google and Chase each investing approximately $500 million in headquarters projects. Additionally, several restaurants and a museum are utilizing DPD grant funding for interior developments.

A CDOT engineering assessment set for completion in 2025 will inform the city's approach to funding, design, and construction efforts. “This vision plan complements CDOT’s ongoing engineering assessment," stated CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. "We are exploring a range of potential improvements, including streetscape amenities, landscaping, and roadway upgrades."

Future upgrades may also introduce "character zones" to enhance the identity of individual blocks along LaSalle Street.

For further details on the vision plan, visit Chicago.gov/LaSalleStreet.