Elevated Chicago is a collaboration of 17 public, private and nonprofit organizations, including CMAP, that have come together to build equity into transit-oriented development in Chicago by improving health, safety, climate resilience, and cultural vitality indicators of people of color living and working near transit. For the Garfield Green Line South station, CMAP is working with community groups and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to update the Community Work Plan with the specific goal of continuing the progress of turning the station into a community asset. The project seeks to understand the impact that decades of disinvestment have had and work to change the narrative around a community with strong, positive amenities – including Washington Park and DuSable Museum. 

A more equitable approach to TOD is needed, one that prioritizes the retention of residents and businesses, and allows for more inclusive growth around transit. Following Elevated Chicago’s work, this project will establish a set of community-driven priorities targeting People, Places and Process in support of equitable TOD (eTOD).  

Elevated Chicago started its work around seven CTA train stations, establishing eHubs (equitable hubs), within the ½-mile radius circle around each station. The eHubs are generally grouped into four geographies: Logan Square Blue Line station, California Pink Line station, Kedzie/Lake Green Line and Kedzie-Homan Blue Line (Kedzie Corridor) stations, and 51^st Street, Garfield, and 63^rd Street Green Line stations. This LTA project will be working specifically with the Garfield Green Line South station.

February 21, 2020

The project team is developing the written agreement to formalize the partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority and Elevated Chicago. CMAP staff are also researching the history of the area from the 1860s through today. The consultant team from Muse/CNT, who is developing a Guidebook to Equitable Development, while shadowing the Garfield Green Line project, has scheduled a meeting with CMAP to discuss the proposed project process and assess the first kick-off meeting that was held on January 23rd with CMAP, RTA, Elevated Chicago, Green Line South Community Table Representative, CNT, and Muse.

The public will have several opportunities to participate in the planning process. The Green Line South Elevated Community Table, RTA, and CMAP will embark on a series of meetings and activities with residents and community stakeholders to solicit and incorporate local input to the planning process. Please reach out to the project manager if you have activities or events that you think we should attend, or people we should connect with. We encourage you to visit this web page regularly for updates and opportunities to participate in the development of the plan.

The project had its first kick-off meeting with the working group partners in January 2020. CMAP staff are researching previous plans conducted in the community and will provide a summary document in the summer. The overall project schedule is two years, with extensive outreach and engagement planned for summer and fall of 2020, and continuing into 2021.

Leslé Honoré, Green Line South Community Table Representative

Ghian Foreman, Green Line South Community Table Representative

Lindsay Bayley, CMAP Senior Planner (lbayley@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8826)

Michael Horsting, RTA Local Planning Manager, (HorstingM@rtachicago.org or 312-913-3159)