Chicago State University (CSU) is committed to using the campus land to bring amenities that enhance the quality of life for our students and community members. CSU proudly generates $1.6 billion in income for the Illinois economy every year and is in the top 4% for graduates’ economic mobility among all colleges and universities nationwide. Extensive feedback from campus and community members revealed excitement for the creation of a “university village experience” with the following resources:
Grants from the Chicago Community Trust and U.S. Department of Transportation have allowed CSU to hire a project advisor (CBRE) who is supporting the institution in bringing on a development firm to build student housing and commercial space. Project Overview
The vision: a mixed-use University Village that supports both the CSU campus and surrounding neighborhoods—promoting education, economic development, community connection, and cultural vitality. According to an economic impact analysis by World Business Chicago, the project could generate over 450 jobs and inject more than $14.2 million in new consumer spending into the local economy.
CSU is well positioned to anchor economic and real estate development with CSU’s strategic plan, location, and assets of the property. CSU serves as a vibrant civic hub on the South Side, offering educational, cultural, athletic, and recreational resources for students and surrounding residents. The campus includes 167 acres of land, with open land along 95th Street. The campus sits along the 95th Street corridor, a State of Illinois thoroughfare, which is a major connector between Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods, key commercial areas, and the surrounding region.
Its strategic location and accessibility via multiple public transit systems—including a rehabilitation project for the 95th Street-CSU Metra Station, CTA, and the upcoming Red Line Extension—position CSU as a natural anchor for regional redevelopment. Nearby burgeoning employment and development hubs include the Discover Financial Services Call Center in Chatham, the Pullman Neighborhood commercial district, Imani Village, and the Roseland Medical District.
CSU has recently led several efforts to identify how the campus can enhance the quality of life for our students and community members and supported efforts for holistic vibrancy for the broader region.
CSU is committed to ensuring that the University Village 95 project becomes a catalyst for inclusive growth, equitable development, and strong community partnerships on the South Side of Chicago. This page has been created to support that vision by serving as a clearinghouse for local participation in the project.
CSU is intentional about promoting opportunities for local developers, contractors, vendors, workforce development organizations, and individuals who are invested in the success of our neighborhoods. We believe that local expertise and community-rooted solutions are essential to building a development that reflects our values and meets the needs of the surrounding community.
As CSU moves forward with plans for University Village 95, we invite prospective development teams to use this platform to:
We encourage all developers considering participation in University Village 95 to proactively review and engage with the local ecosystem presented here. Local connection and inclusion will be considered a significant asset in project evaluations.
If you are a local business, nonprofit, or individual interested in participating in the University Village 95 project—as a subcontractor, workforce partner, vendor, or service provider—we invite you to submit your information to be included in our publicly accessible listing.
To be included, please email externalaffairs@csu.com with a request to be added to this page. Please include:
Listings will be updated periodically and made available to any development teams exploring opportunities with CSU.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dps/supp_info/city-of-chicago-assist-agencies.html
Please note:
This page is intended as a resource to facilitate connection and opportunity, not as a procurement tool or contractual commitment. All official procurement and contracting processes will continue to follow CSU’s established policies and procedures.
Sign up for more information and stay engaged with the progress of the study. You can also complete this survey to weigh in on the project’s goals. Email externalaffairs@csu.edu for any questions.