City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development

Mayor Johnson joined CDOT and community advocates today to celebrate the completion of restoration work on the Little Village Arch on 26th Street. The project restored the arch's granite bases, limestone cornices and stucco walls.

The original clock, installed upon the arch's completion in 1991 as a gift from the president of Mexico, was updated in collaboration with manufacturer Relojes Centenario. Passersby will also notice a new metal banner with the same greeting as the original, "Bienvenidos a Little Village."

City Council landmarked the arch in January 2022.

Looking to build or grow your business?

DPD is holding Grant Information Sessions for business owners, property owners, community developers and entrepreneurs to learn more about Community Development Grants up to $250,000.

Attend the Forest Glen info session at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the Edgebrook Public Library. Register at Chicago.gov/CDG.

Grants support commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects and may cover construction or renovation costs.

DPD staff will be available to answer questions about grant eligibility and application requirements.

Can’t make it on Friday? Attend another session online or in-person — learn more at Chicago.gov/CDG.

DPD is accepting applications for Medium & Large Community Development Grants for more than $250,000. Grants provide capital funds for commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects. Learn more at Chicago.gov/CDG.

The next Medium & Large grant deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

South Shore Cultural Center is now the home of Community Development Grant recipient Nafsi. Nafsi is serving up a full service menu of delicious soul food, along with grab-and-go bites for beachgoers during summer months.

Read more:https://bit.ly/4dcfjyp
Check it out at nafsisouthshorebeach.com

The DPD Corridor Ambassadors celebrated their third year supporting neighborhood commercial corridors at their annual pep rally today.

Since 2022, Corridor Ambassadors have created a welcoming presence across the city. They serve local businesses, actively engage residents and visitors, address public safety concerns and help share information on community programming.

The Corridor Ambassador program employs more than 150 people in 13 commercial corridors and is part of Mayor Johnson’s Road to Recovery.

¿Buscas construir o crecer tu organización? ¿Interesado en aplicar a la subvención de fondos de la ciudad?

Únete al Departamento de Planificación y Desarrollo de Chicago para una Sesión de Información de Subvención de Chicago, transmitida en español para conocer a sobre cómo aplicar para fondos por desarrollo comunitario hasta $250,000 para negocios pequeños.

está aceptando aplicaciones hasta el 8 de noviembre. Más información en Chicago.gov/cdg

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Looking to build or grow your organization? Interested in applying for city grant funding?

Join the Chicago Department of Planning and Development for a Chicago Grant Information Session, presented in Spanish, to learn about how to apply for community development funding up to $250,000 for small businesses.

is accepting applications until November 8th. Learn more at Chicago.gov/cdg

Looking to build or grow your business?

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development is hosting Grant Information Sessions citywide for business owners, property owners, community developers and entrepreneurs to learn more about Community Development Grants up to $250,000.

Grants support commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects and may cover construction or renovation costs.

DPD staff will be available to answer questions about grant eligibility and application requirements.

Attend a session online or in person. Register at Chicago.gov/CDG.

Apply by November 8, 2024.

Save the date for the second annual on Sat. Nov. 9, 2024! Thanks to for hosting the DPD street team on their first day of classes. Learn more and sign up for updates at Chicago.gov/CityCivicsDay.

🎉 NOW OPEN! 🎉 Congratulations to the team at Austin Harvest on opening the new permanent, year-round location!

The youth-led market began operating in open-air seasonally, and with the support of a $250,000 Community Development Grant has officially re-opened in Austin.

Austin Harvest provides fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers to the Austin community at affordable prices. The market is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12-6 pm at 423 N. Laramie in Austin.

Learn more about Community Development Grants at Chicago.gov/cdg.

The Department of Planning and Development is accepting applications for Community Development Grants up to $250,000, which help support small businesses, nonprofits and property owners for local commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing development. Apply by Nov. 8, 2024!

Learn more and apply today at chicago.gov/cdg.

NOW OPEN! 🎉 DPD's newest POP! -- the South Side Sanctuary -- opened today at 4702 S. King Drive with Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Boatright, and hundreds of Bronzeville well-wishers. The $850K project will support local events, food trucks, skateboarding, and overall community cohesion. Congratulations to the team at South Side Sanctuary!

NOW OPEN! 🎉 Commissioner Boatright joined Bronzeville community members today to cut the ribbon at Overton Exchange Plaza, a new public open space on the grounds of former Anthony Overton Elementary, 221 E. 49th St.

Overton Exchange Plaza features three unique neighborhood amenities including a market area for vendors and community members, a garden and a seating area for picnicking and relaxation.

Led by community partners Borderless Studio and the Washington Park Development Group, the project was made possible by a $600,000 DPD grant through the Public Outdoor Plaza (POP!) program.

“It has the potential to reverse decades of parking lot expansion … it’s a sea of asphalt… When you take the economic development perspective, I think it’s an exciting opportunity.” - DPD Comm. Ciere Boatright on $7B United Center mixed-use proposal

United Center owners planning massive $7 billion mixed-use campus around the arena Plans call for a music hall, housing, park and pedestrian-friendly spaces as part of a 10-year development project that could start as early as 2025.

On July 18 join DPD from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Intentional Sports, 1841 N. Laramie, for the Armitage Industrial Corridor Plan Kickoff Meeting. It's an opportunity for business owners and residents to help shape the new framework plan. Learn more at Chicago.gov/Armitage.

This Sunday from 11 am - 6 pm visit DPD's booth at to learn more about the Central Area Plan Update! Share your thoughts and help shape the future of downtown Chicago.

"The effort to keep food in their own community has led to a $5 million grant from the city to expand the Englewood farm at 5814 S. Wood St. to include a cafe, retail store and teaching and commercial kitchens."

$5 million city grant will help Englewood farm keep its food in its community Wood Street Urban Farm in Englewood hopes to expand to include a cafe, retail store, commercial kitchen and food processing facility to keep produce that had been sent to markets in North Side neighborhoods closer to home.

Residents, business owners, students, and families are invited to participate in the fourth meeting for the 95th Street Corridor Plan from 6 - 8 p.m., Wed. July 10 at the CSU Jones Convocation Center.

Attendees will reflect on the history of the area, imagine a vision for the future, provide input on community priorities, and discuss draft scenarios for new housing, businesses, and different neighborhood improvements. Learn more and register to attend at Chicago.gov/95th

"The four projects up for TIF assistance include a plan for a hotel and more than 1,000 new apartments with at least 319 expected to have affordable rents. The city projects 1.3 million square feet of vacant space will be converted.

Architects and developers said it will help re-cement La Salle’s status as a historic district and contribute to a wider transformation of the Loop."

La Salle Street is getting 1,000 new apartments, but first comes navigating conversions and code Plans to add housing in the downtown corridor will help reinvigorate the district, architects and developers said, but there are still construction challenges with turning office spaces into residential units.

DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright joined to cut the ribbon at Englewood's Go Green Griot Plaza, a new community gathering space at Racine Avenue and 63rd Street that opened with the support of a $500,000 DPD grant.

Community partner Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) led the project to revitalize a previously vacant lot as an outdoor arts and culture venue that will host neighborhood events.

Go Green Griot is part of DPD’s Public Outdoor Plaza (POP!) program. Learn more and check out the other POP! projects at https://bit.ly/4ekizJF

DPD is wearing orange today in recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Day. Our staff is committed to advancing public safety through initiatives that promote economic development, put eyes on the street, and contribute to a safer, stronger Chicago.

It’s National Small Business Month, celebrate by checking out some small businesses that received DPD grants!

Natural Roots Kids Hair, Spas & Parties
Urban Luxe Cafe
Thattu
Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar
The Revival

DPD offers, multiple funding opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs including, the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, Small Business Improvement Fund and Community Development Grant which support new and expanding businesses citywide.

Learn more about DPD small business programs and additional funding opportunities at

Chicago.gov/DPD

Reminder—join DPD and from 4 - 6 p.m. next Wed. May 29 for the LaSalle Street Visioning Public Open House. RSVP: Chicago.gov/LaSalleStreet

On May 18, DPD hosted the first Chicago Preservation Expo to celebrate . 30 organizations working in historic preservation shared their work with attendees and WTTW's Geoffrey Baer gave a special keynote presentation. Thank you to everyone who joined us including Ald. Brian Hopkins and DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright!

Apply by August 9th! is accepting applications for Community Development Grants more than $250,000, which help support small businesses, nonprofits and property owners for local commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing development.

Learn more and apply today at bit.ly/chicagocdg.