DOWNTOWN — In a bold proposal aimed at rejuvenating Downtown Chicago, a group of University of Chicago graduate students has suggested banning cars along a stretch of Michigan Avenue to create a pedestrian-focused cultural corridor.
This innovative idea was presented at the Harris Policy Innovation Challenge, a competition that encourages graduate students to use their knowledge and skills to tackle pressing local public policy issues.
The contest, established during the 2023-24 academic year, offers a $10,000 prize for the top solution.
Last year, participants addressed the city’s pension liability, with the winning presentations reaching city financial leaders and the Civic Federation of Chicago.
This year, the challenge was to develop strategies for creating a thriving Downtown over the next 20 years, with the competition beginning with 17 teams that were later narrowed down to four finalists.
On Wednesday night, these finalists delivered 10-minute pitches to a panel of judges, showcasing their creative solutions.
The winning proposal, dubbed “Activating the Cultural Mile,” focuses on transforming a segment of Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Roosevelt Road into a vibrant cultural corridor that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, thereby boosting economic activity, enhancing safety, and nurturing the city’s creative community.
The team, consisting of members Samantha Anderson, Krista Brown, Ashton Mayo-Beavers, and Uchenna Offorjebe, outlined plans to convert a segment of Michigan Avenue between Monroe Street and Wacker Drive into a pedestrian, cyclist, and bus-only zone.
This strategic move aims to reduce car traffic and encourage foot traffic in an area already rich in cultural landmarks like Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center.
In addition to the pedestrian-focused zone, the winning proposal emphasizes revitalizing Chicago’s underutilized pedway system, which stretches over 40 blocks.
Their plan includes improving accessibility, adding murals, and activating commercial spaces with year-round programming, particularly to attract visitors during the winter months.
One of the standout elements of the students’ proposal is the introduction of a Cultural Mile Creative Residency program.
This program aims to provide live-work housing and professional development opportunities specifically for artists, addressing the pressing concern of artist displacement while fostering a more inclusive Downtown community.
The team envisions reserving affordable units in LaSalle Street Reimagined buildings for creatives, thereby enhancing the cultural fabric of the area.
To finance their ambitious plan, the students proposed leveraging a combination of federal transportation grants, a Business Improvement District, and transit-oriented tax increment financing.
They estimate the total cost of this comprehensive initiative to be just under $300 million.
Alongside the winning team, three other groups presented compelling proposals that also aimed to reshape Downtown Chicago.
The first runner-up, under the title “Residence, Greenery and Life,” proposed a three-part strategy to make Downtown a greener and more livable area.
This initiative suggests extending the Bloomingdale Trail by three miles, connecting the West and South sides to the Loop via the Chicago River.
The team argued that this extended trail would encourage foot traffic, connect neighborhoods, and support local businesses, fostering community engagement.
Moreover, they also recommended converting underutilized office floors into co-living units with shared kitchens and bathrooms.
This affordable housing model would cater to young professionals, offering rents below $500 to meet the growing demand for budget-friendly living options.
Lastly, the proposal called for repurposing a Downtown parking garage into a vertical farm and full-service grocery store, addressing the area’s food desert while potentially generating $4 million annually in produce sales.
Another finalist, named “Urban, Not Suburban – The Loop for Families,” advocated for reimagining Downtown as a family-friendly neighborhood.
Highlighting the lack of schools, amenities for children, and larger housing options, the team emphasized that such deficiencies are pushing young families to suburban areas.
Currently, only 2 percent of Loop housing consists of three-bedroom units, and there are no public elementary schools in the vicinity, a significant drawback noted by student presenters.
Their plan proposed requiring more family-sized apartments in new developments, converting a landmark office building into family housing, and establishing a community center managed by the Park District.
To make the Loop more livable for families, they also suggested creating public restrooms and hosting local community events like “Sundays on State.”
The students emphasized the necessity of public-private partnerships to activate underused spaces and attract family-friendly businesses, warning that failure to address these issues could result in a decline in residents, tax revenue, and civic life.
Finally, the proposal titled “Young Professional Housing Network” sought to establish a public-private partnership to transform underused office spaces into micro-units with shared amenities, including kitchens and coworking areas.
The plan aimed to create a network linking these buildings with accessible amenities like gyms, rooftops, and community spaces, fostering a connected urban living experience.
Presenters asserted that this initiative could respond to urgent urban challenges, such as the high office vacancy rate of 26 percent in Downtown and the increasing social isolation among Gen Z residents.
They also highlighted that such a model could be expanded to cater to retirees, remote workers, and essential employees, thereby diversifying the urban demographic.
The proposal predicted a 90-percent occupancy rate for converted buildings, which would generate increased foot traffic, support local businesses, and stimulate new tax revenue.
Additionally, ground-floor spaces would be revitalized into cafes, art galleries, and event venues, enhancing the neighborhood experience and cultural vibrancy.
As the competition concluded, it was evident that the creative minds of these University of Chicago graduate students have begun to shape the future of Downtown Chicago, paving the way for innovative policy solutions to enhance livability and cultural engagement in the heart of the city.
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/04/17/could-closing-michigan-avenue-to-cars-be-the-key-to-revitalizing-downtown/
