CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A symbolic groundbreaking happened Tuesday in the city’s Mt. Greenwood neighborhood for an $8 million Streetscape project.
19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea said the new, wider sidewalks, better lighting and improved crosswalks and more will go a long way towards making more people want to shop and do business along 111th Street between Homan and Sacramento.
“I’ve always said that, if you invest in the street and you invest in the community, businesses are going to want to come here,” he said.
Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biaggi said the project will make 111th Street more walkable and inviting.
“We’ll have new, wider sidewalks, new curving gutter, upgraded ADA disability ramps, upgraded crosswalks that are shorter and better aligned, new lighting, hooray! Full-width roadway resurfacing, pavement markings, trees and landscaping.”
She says there are more than 15 Streetscape projects in the city that range from the planning and design stage to construction and that they’ll spruce up neighborhood main streets and help invigorate communities.
Jamie Berten, executive director of the Mt. Greenwood Community and Business Association said businesses are ready for the project despite some of the short-term inconveniences there’ll be with construction.
“They’re so excited for the facelift. They’re so excited. It’s just revamping the whole entire down 111th Street.”
Sabrina Barksdale owns Chicago’s Beauty Boutique along 111th Street in Mt. Greenwood.
“As a business owner, we are absolutely ecstatic about the economic development that’s taking place. This is great for the community," she said. "It’s also great for the residents."
State Rep. Mary Gill agrees with Barksdale.
“It will help keep the businesses that are here and attract new businesses and this is an uplift that Mt. Greenwood really needs.”
Tentative completion for the 111th Street project is early next year.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!