Plan represents the community’s vision to leverage numerous planned public transit improvements coming to 95th Street for inclusive economic growth and development without displacement, providing benefits for the entire Far South Side
After an 18-month planning process centered on robust community engagement, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today is pleased to announce the adoption of the 95th Street Corridor Plan for equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD), one of its most ambitious planning efforts to date. The Chicago Plan Commission has adopted the Plan, a community-informed blueprint by the CTA and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) for a two-mile stretch of 95th Street between Halsted Street on the west and Cottage Grove Avenue on the east.
The Plan was initiated as a result of community advocacy and in recognition of numerous major public transit improvements coming soon to the area. The Plan will leverage the opportunity provided by these public transit improvements for sustainable and inclusive community growth in the form of ETOD -- a planning approach that promotes walkable, mixed-use development near train stations and major bus lines that provide amenities for nearby residents to live, work and play in the community without needing a car, while prioritizing investment in disinvested communities and preventing displacement.
"The 95th Street Corridor Plan lays the foundation for how we will equitably develop and strengthen our communities so that all residents can access vital opportunities, services, and the ability to thrive," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. "I am grateful that community engagement and collaboration was at the heart of this planning as nothing great can happen in our city without the involvement and input of all Chicagoans. I look forward to implementing this plan and continuing our investments in the safety and vibrancy of our communities."
Throughout the planning process, the CTA and DPD engaged with hundreds of community stakeholders through many in-person and virtual events and meetings. These engagements directly informed the content of the final Corridor Plan, which outlines the community’s vision for ETOD along 95th Street including illustrative ETOD development concepts and recommendations to address needs identified from community feedback and technical analysis.
“This plan underscores the CTA’s shared commitment with the City that every Chicagoan, regardless of their background, should be able to live in a healthy, walkable, vibrant community connected to transit,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “This engagement process has been invaluable to creating a plan that is reflective of the community.”
With the adoption of the 95th Street Corridor Plan, the City now has an overarching guide for future community and economic development in the area. The Plan’s Implementation Guide provides community goals and strategies across six key focus areas: Empowering Community Voices, Mobility and Safety, Community Wealth Building, Equitable Development, Environment, and Health and Wellness. Additionally, for the first time in a CTA or DPD comprehensive planning effort, the Plan utilized a Health and Racial Equity Impact Assessment lens to thoughtfully consider the lived experiences of current community members and consider nuanced tradeoffs of proposed Plan recommendations.
"The 95th Street Corridor Plan is a testament to the power of collaboration and vision,” said DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright. “By embracing equitable transit-oriented development, strengthening community assets, and fostering economic growth, this plan lays the foundation for a more vibrant, connected, and equitable future for the study area."
Many community organizations and local stakeholders contributed to the planning and advocacy for equitable growth along the 95th Street Corridor. Project community partners The Endeleo Institute and the Far South Community Development Corporation were invaluable in leading the robust engagement efforts conducted and will continue to play a key role in the Plan’s implementation.
The major transit investments that will benefit the 95th Street Corridor include the CTA’s 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line Station & Terminal Improvements completed in 2019, CTA’s Red Line Extension (RLE) from 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street, Metra’s rehabilitation of the 95th Street/Chicago State University Metra Electric station, the CTA/Pace South Halsted Bus Corridor Enhancement Project and Pace Pulse South Halsted Line, and the Pace Pulse 95th Street Line. Collectively, the improved regional mobility resulting from these projects offers the potential for the 95th Street Corridor to serve as a residential, commercial, and institutional hub for the entire Far South Side.
An electronic copy of the Final 95th Street Corridor Plan will be available at Chicago.gov/95th. The Final Plan reflects many public and stakeholder comments submitted during the Draft Plan public comment period between November 16, 2024, and January 17, 2025.
The 95th Street Corridor Plan follows the success of CTA’s award-winning Red Line Extension (RLE) Transit-Supportive Development Plan, a guide for the future development of the long-disinvested communities located near the RLE project, which was similarly adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission in May 2023 and was another successful collaboration with the Chicago DPD.
The 95th Street Corridor Plan was funded through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning.