CSU Economic Development Project: Reimagining 95^th Street

Project Overview

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:

1. Student and family housing
2. Street-level commercial space for restaurants, grocery stores, and retail
3. Celebration of the local identity by highlighting elements of Black culture
4. Maintain much of the campus’ existing natural greenery

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.

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.

About Chicago State University & the 95^th Street Corridor

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 95^th Street. The campus sits along the 95^th 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 95^th 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.

Project Milestones

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.

• 2019: CSU & Metra entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for re-development of the 95^th Street – CSU Metra Station.
• 2020: CSU & the Chicago Department of Planning & Development (DPD) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for facilitating local development.
• 2023: CSU & DPD released the 95^th Street Corridor Development Framework. Feedback from hundreds of community and campus members found significant support for CSU using the institution’s campus to build amenities that benefit the campus and neighborhood.
• 2023: CSU completed its Facilities Master Plan.
• 2024: CSU received philanthropic and U.S. Department of Transportation grants for CSU’s 95^th Street Corridor Plan’s pre-development activities.
• 2025: The 95^th Street Corridor Plan that was adopted by the City’s Planning Commission and led by the Far South Community Development Corporation, Imani Village, and others. The plan calls for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (eTOD) in the 2-mile stretch of 95^th between Halsted Street and Cottage Grove Avenue that is anchored by CSU and Imani Village on the East.
• 2025: Metra broke ground on a $56 million rehabilitation of the 95 Street – CSU Metra Station. 
• 2025: CSU conducts housing and market need studies and seeks development team – more information here. 

Maximizing Local Participation in the University Village 95 Project

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.

Our Commitment

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.

For Prospective Developers

As CSU moves forward with plans for University Village 95, we invite prospective development teams to use this platform to:

• Identify potential local partners for joint ventures or subcontracting opportunities
• Connect with community-based organizations offering workforce development and job training
• Explore a talent pool of qualified workers and service providers who are eager to contribute
• Demonstrate alignment with CSU’s vision for equity, community wealth-building, and South Side reinvestment

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.

An initial list of local providers can be found on the City of Chicago Identified Agencies site. Additional local providers that have expressed specific interest in the University Village 95 project include:

 

For Local Developers, Contractors, and Workforce Organizations

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.edu with a request to be added to this page. Please include:

• Organization name
• Link to website
• Primary contact's name, email, and phone
• Short description of your areas of expertise and desire to partner with the ultimate developer for University Village 95

Listings will be updated periodically and made available to any development teams exploring opportunities with CSU.

Please note:

• Inclusion in the listing does not constitute prequalification, endorsement, or a guarantee of work. All partnerships or contracts will be subject to separate evaluation, due diligence, and agreement between the parties involved.
• Chicago State University does not vet, screen, or certify the qualifications or capabilities of any listed entities. Developers and firms engaging with listed individuals or organizations are solely responsible for conducting appropriate background checks and contractual negotiations.
• CSU is not liable for any agreements, disputes, or outcomes that result from interactions or engagements initiated through this platform.

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.

More Information 

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.