The 79th Street Corridor Plan was created by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) in collaboration with Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and community organizations seeking to improve properties adjacent to the 79th Street corridor in Auburn Gresham.  The corridor plan is the product of community meetings led by the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation and a team of consultants led by Houseal Lavigne.

Feedback collected from design exercises, roundtable discussions, steering committees and neighborhood presentations informed the proposed land uses and public space improvements. DPD thanks the hundreds of meeting participants who contributed their time and ideas to this process.

Plan Background

The 79th Street Corridor Plan is a community-led vision to revitalize commercial activity along 79th Street and complement a series of catalytic investments in the area including a new Metra station at 79th and Lowe Avenue, the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub at 839 W. 79th St. and two mixed-use affordable housing developments at 757 and 838 W. 79th St.

The plan envisions commercial, community, and residential uses for vacant land surrounding the corridor. The study area generally consists of the area between Ashland Avenue and Vincennes Avenue and down Halsted Street from 77th to 83rd Street.

The plan includes goals, objectives and zoning recommendations for six land use categories:

• Housing Infill
• Neighborhood commercial centers
• Commercial transition
• Public/semi-public/institution
• Parks and open space
• Transportation utilities

The properties included in the plan include a mix of City-owned and privately owned sites that are largely vacant. Certain properties along the corridor have the potential to be used for commercial, mixed use and residential purposes that were envisioned in the Auburn Gresham Quality of Life plan published in 2016.

The plan also addresses additional issues including streetscape and transportation improvements, support for existing businesses, interim uses for vacant lots and other local needs.

The public outreach process involved nine community meetings, with more than 100 participants providing feedback throughout. The plan reflects residents’ ongoing efforts to promote commercial resilience while also accommodating the needs of future residents and businesses.