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Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. Anthony Quezada, CDOT, and Logan Square Community Celebrate Completion of Logan Square Redesign and Milwaukee Ave Streetscape Project

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CHICAGO – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) today joined Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th) and members of the Logan Square community to celebrate the completion of the Logan Square Redesign and Milwaukee Avenue Reconstruction project. The project transformed Milwaukee Avenue from Belmont Avenue to Logan Square through a comprehensive reconstruction of the corridor, anchored by the redesign of Logan Square itself. The result is new public spaces, enhanced safety for all road users, and improved infrastructure throughout the corridor.

"The Logan Square Redesign transforms one of Chicago's most iconic public spaces into a safer, more welcoming place," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This project creates new opportunities for community gathering, improves how people move through the neighborhood, and represents the kind of investment our communities deserve. Our administration is committed to building safer streets and expanding vibrant shared spaces in communities across our city."

"This long-awaited project reflects years of planning, design, and community engagement," said CDOT Commissioner William Cheaks, Jr. "This was a major undertaking, and we are especially grateful to neighbors and local businesses for their patience and partnership throughout construction. The improvements we're celebrating today will create lasting benefits for the Logan Square community, making it safer, more accessible, and more welcoming for decades to come."

The completed reconstruction delivers a wide range of benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors, including expanded public space and significant traffic safety improvements throughout the corridor.

"I am thrilled to celebrate the completion of the historic and transformative Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape Project," said Ald. Anthony Quezada. "This investment honors the rich heritage of Logan Square and Avondale while creating new public gathering spaces that will serve our communities for generations to come. I am especially proud of the pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety improvements that will make it easier and safer for everyone to move throughout our neighborhoods, strengthening connections between residents, local businesses, and community institutions. I am deeply grateful to the many community members and organizations who participated in the planning process, as well as the workers who spent the last two years bringing this vision to life."

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Expanded Community Space
The centerpiece of the project is the redesign of Logan Square that creates new space for people while preserving the area's historic character. By pedestrianizing the portion of Milwaukee Avenue that once cut through the Square and reconfiguring surrounding roadways, the project created new green space and opportunities for community gathering and neighborhood events, like the Logan Square Farmers Market and other programming.

The project also created La Placita, a new public plaza adjacent to the Logan Square CTA Blue Line Station. Its design was based on feedback from local residents and community groups, and celebrates the community's Latin American heritage.
The project also restored eight historic globe light fixtures surrounding the Centennial Monument, returning them to their original design by architect Henry Bacon. The restoration, advocated for by Logan Square Preservation, preserves an important piece of the Square's architectural heritage and historic character.

"Our community and Logan Square Preservation have been advocating for this space, the namesake of our community, as far back as the Harold Washington administration and we are beyond grateful to see this investment in our city and neighborhood," said President of Logan Square Preservation, Andrew Schneider. "From the Farmers' Market to the up-coming art fest we have already seen the creative activations that it has made possible and we thank CDOT, Mayor Johnson, Ald. Quezada and all the former elected and local leaders that helped bring us to this moment."

A Safer Corridor for All Road Users

The redesign addresses longstanding traffic safety challenges at one of Chicago's most complex intersections. The project simplifies traffic movements, reduces conflict points, and creates a safer and more comfortable experience for people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving.

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Other traffic safety improvements along Milwaukee Ave from Logan to Belmont include:
  • Raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian refuge islands to improve visibility for pedestrians, shorten crossing distances, and encourage safer driving speeds.
  • Accessible Pedestrian Signals, which help people who are blind or have low vision cross the street.
  • Raised off-street bicycle paths around Logan Square and new bike-specific traffic signals to increase safety for people riding bikes.

Infrastructure improvements also included full roadway reconstruction, modernized traffic signals, new street lighting, wider sidewalks, and new parkway trees.

Continued Investments in Logan Square

The completion of this project represents an important milestone in ongoing infrastructure investments in Logan Square.

This summer, construction will begin on the rehabilitation of the Logan Square CTA Blue Line Station canopy. This is the first major renovation of the station since it opened in 1970. The project, led by CDOT in coordination with the Chicago Transit Authority, will modernize the station and improve the surrounding public realm, including the area adjacent to La Placita.

The City is also beginning construction on a new public plaza at the southeast corner of W. Logan Blvd and N. Milwaukee Ave., transforming a vacant lot into an additional community gathering space in the heart of the neighborhood.

These projects represent a continued investment in Logan Square's public spaces, transportation network, and long-term vitality, building on the complete reconstruction project celebrated today.

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