Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot has made bringing investment and opportunity to the city’s historically underserved South and West Sides a top priority through her Invest South/West initiative. The multi-year, multibillion-dollar effort aims to spur economic growth and real estate development in these communities through strategic public and private investments. Key strategies include affordable housing construction, commercial corridor revitalization, small business support, and major infrastructure upgrades. Early wins demonstrate meaningful progress, though sustained engagement and resources will be necessary for transformational, equitable change. Thoughtful implementation of Invest South/West provides a roadmap for directing capital to overlooked areas while lifting up residents.
Affordable Housing is a Cornerstone of Invest South/West
Affordable housing construction is foundational to the Invest South/West plan. Developing mixed-income communities provides stability and opportunity. Lightfoot has committed over $1 billion to projects creating or preserving 10,000 affordable units citywide through 2024. New transit-oriented developments near CTA and Metra stations, adaptive reuse of vacant buildings, and mixed-use projects all expand affordable options in target areas. For example, the city is transforming a vacant former nursing home in Englewood into 68 affordable apartments and ground-floor retail. Intelligently-designed affordable housing uplifts the surrounding neighborhood through positive spillover effects.
Business Development Supports Economic Mobility
Small business growth expands jobs, ownership and services in divested areas. Lightfoot’s administration is directing hundreds of millions toward South/West Side entrepreneurs through grants, incubators and funding for commercial projects. The $10 million Chicago Recovery Plan created the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, awarding city grants to 1,300 small businesses since 2017. Invest South/West will accelerate this support through micro-lending, mentoring programs, pop-up incubators and commercial corridor revitalization. Thriving local enterprises bring jobs, nourish communities and generate taxes to fund further investment.
Infrastructure Investments Enable Safety and Connectivity
Run-down infrastructure has isolated many South/West Side neighborhoods. Large-scale rebuilding projects through Invest South/West will spur connectivity and growth. The initiative has already funded road, pedestrian, park and trail improvements to increase mobility and safety. Major upcoming projects include extending the city’s Divvy bike share program, renovating the 59th Street Metra station, reconstructing the Lake Shore Drive bridge, and modernizing parks and transit in Bronzeville/Washington Park. Better transportation access and renewed spaces encourage residents, visitors and investment.
Public-Private Partnerships Spread Resources
Chicago’s strained municipal budget can’t transform neighborhoods alone. Public-private partnerships allow for greater scale and financial sustainability. Invest South/West syncs government streams with corporate, philanthropic and community partners. Google’s recent $2.5 million grant for small business growth aligns with city support. Nonprofits like Equitable Transit-Oriented Development provide expertise. If creative partnerships are sustained, Invest South/West can reinvent Chicago’s spatial and economic landscape.
Community Voice and Equity Drive Change
For initiatives led without local voices, revitalization can displace and exclude. Invest South/West only succeeds if rooted in community needs and aspirations. The mayor formed a resident-led advisory council to inform all spending. Investments must generate opportunities accessible to South/West Side residents, not just attract outsiders. If development boosts land values, measures like rent controls and property tax relief should follow, letting neighborhoods prosper while protecting affordability and ownership.
Mayor Lightfoot’s Invest South/West initiative takes a multifaceted approach to equitably rebuilding overlooked areas of Chicago. Directing public and private capital toward housing, businesses, infrastructure and more can ignite inclusive growth when guided by communities themselves. Sustained commitment and accountability will determine if the bold vision transforms segregated geographies and enables shared prosperity.