The 606 trail and park system on Chicago’s Northwest Side will be rezoned to reflect its $91 million redevelopment for public use under a zoning amendment approved today by City Council.

The proposal will change the zoning designation for the 2.7-mile trail to a Transportation (T) district and the zoning of four adjacent Chicago Park District properties to Public Open Space (POS).

The 606 is being constructed by the City of Chicago on top of a former railroad viaduct along Bloomingdale Avenue between Ridgeway and Ashland avenues. The adjacent Park District properties are being planned as access points to the trail.

The previous zoning for the trail and parks reflected a variety of manufacturing, business, and residential zoning district designations that no longer reflect their new uses for public recreation. The zoning amendment will also modify outdated district designations for select private properties along the line to more accurately reflect their current residential (R), manufacturing (M) and business (B) uses.

Named for the 606 prefix for all Chicago ZIP codes, The 606 construction is being funded by $50 million in federal funds, $36 million in private funds, and $5 million in City of Chicago funds. Planned since 2004, the first phase of the project is expected to open to the public later this year.

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