Soul City Corridor Shines with $8.7 Million Transformation Bringing New Life to Austin’s West Side

CHICAGO — A Community-Centered Vision Comes to Life

A vibrant chapter has begun for Chicago’s Austin neighborhood as city officials and community leaders celebrate the completion of a transformative $8.7 million infrastructure project along the Chicago Avenue corridor, now known as the “Soul City West” streetscape. This milestone marks a major step forward in the city’s commitment to revitalizing historically underserved neighborhoods, creating safer streets, and laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

A Partnership Rooted in Community Investment

Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson, joined by local alderpersons and members of the community, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the first completed section of the Soul City streetscape. This initial phase stretches from Austin Boulevard to Central Avenue and sets the tone for future expansions.

“This project shows what can be achieved when government and communities work together,” said the Mayor. “The Soul City Corridor is not just about roads and sidewalks—it’s about honoring the pride of the people of Austin and creating lasting opportunity.”

Redesigning the Streets for Safety and Beauty

The redesigned streetscape features a host of upgrades that emphasize safety, walkability, and neighborhood aesthetics. Wider sidewalks, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions make pedestrian travel more comfortable and secure. New landscaping, street trees, and accent pavers breathe life into the corridor, while updated lighting and full-width road resurfacing modernize the area’s infrastructure.

Highlights of the Soul City West Streetscape Project:

Wider, safer sidewalks featuring parkway pavers with bold colors

Raised pedestrian crosswalks and curb extensions to slow vehicle traffic

New street trees and lush landscaping

Improved street lighting and stormwater drainage

Bus boarding islands to enhance transit accessibility

Bicycle lanes separated from vehicle traffic for safer cycling

Custom-designed circular benches called Peace Circles created with input from local youth

High-visibility crosswalks and refreshed pavement markings

A Future Fueled by Collaboration and Vision

The Soul City initiative was not designed in isolation. Residents played an active role in shaping the improvements. Through public meetings and workshops, the community voiced concerns about traffic safety, inadequate amenities, and narrow walkways—issues that are now directly addressed in the updated design.

“This isn’t just a beautification project,” said Malcolm Crawford, Executive Director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association. “This is about investing in people. It’s about showing that the Austin community matters.”

Local youth partnered with Territory, a community-based design organization, to contribute creative ideas and help design features such as the Peace Circles—bench installations intended as welcoming public gathering spaces that reflect the neighborhood’s culture and spirit.

Looking Ahead to Soul City Central and Soul City East

This $8.7 million investment represents just the beginning. Two additional phases are on the horizon:

Soul City Central: Extending improvements from Central Avenue to Laramie Avenue

Soul City East: Final phase pushing the corridor from Laramie to Cicero Avenue

Each phase will build on the momentum of Soul City West, bringing consistent design, safety, and economic benefits across the entire stretch of Chicago Avenue in Austin.

Building Stronger Neighborhoods Through Infrastructure

As the Soul City Corridor takes shape, it stands as a powerful example of how thoughtful infrastructure investment can fuel community pride, support small businesses, and create safer, more livable streets. With continued collaboration between city officials, residents, and grassroots organizations, Austin’s transformation is just beginning—and its future looks brighter than ever.