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.
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.