Chicago State University

Chicago State University (CSU) and the City of Chicago Department of Planning (DPD) entered a partnership to study 95th street and future development of the corridor. The goal of the study is to leverage the presence of the university to drive investment and economic development along 95th Street through community engagement and urban design.

Bordered by the expansion of the 95th Street Red Line station to the west and the Chicago State Metra Station to the east, the study focused on addressing challenges in areas of economic and social distress through empathic design at the sidewalk, building, and block scale. The urban design objectives for the area included creating a new landmark and promoting connectivity to transit, nature, and entrepreneurship. The project involved four stages that included analyzing existing conditions, engagement with the community, urban design, and creating implementation resources. The proposed development concepts propose commercial and university programming fronting 95th Street with student housing and apartments above alongside public realm improvements for all to enjoy.

Latent, in partnership with CSU and DPD, faciliated engagement workshops and focus groups to hear community members to share their visions for the future of 95th street including community needs and ways to maximize the CSU campus to generate long-term investment and spur economic activity.