Stony Island Avenue

The City of Chicago is initiating a cultural and entertainment-oriented study to revitalize an approximately two-mile section of Stony Island Avenue in the South Shore and Woodlawn communities. 

Pending a community engagement process starting in early 2023, the study will consider opportunities to leverage the corridor’s strengths and amenities between 63rd and 79th streets as a potential Stony Island Cultural and Entertainment District that improves local tourism, enhances economic vitality, increases employment options, and supports public realm upgrades.

 The community-driven process will:

• Assess the area’s potential for new cultural and entertainment related investment.
• Evaluate opportunities to enhance existing neighborhood cultural facilities, such as the Stony Island Arts Bank, and underutilized amenities, like the Avalon Regal Theater.
• Leverage major public and private investments that are underway in the area, such as the Obama Presidential Center and Regal Mile Movie Studio.
• Determine best practices for urban design themes that catalyze successful cultural and entertainment-related growth.
• Develop economic development and funding strategies to support private and public partners.
• Consider the potential roles of future performance and event spaces, nightclubs, restaurants, movie theaters and other potential cultural and entertainment uses.
• Incorporate resilient and sustainable design principles in a reimagined public realm.
• Initiate a holistic approach that maximizes the potential impact of strategic planning within the study area.

Part One: December 2022 - May 2023

• Initiate dialogue with elected officials and neighborhood organizations.
• Perform technical and market studies
• Host interviews with area stakeholders

Part Two: Spring - Summer 2023

• Continue virtual public outreach
• Host in-person meetings and workshops
• Expand surveys of corridor-adjacent neighborhoods