The City of Chicago has earmarked $2.5 million in grant funding for storefront and streetscape improvements in the McKinley Park neighborhood’s West 35th Street and South Archer Avenue commercial corridors.
Part of the Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation Program, McKinley Park is one of 12 neighborhoods selected for the project.
Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will provide grants covering up to 75 percent of eligible project costs for qualifying small businesses and property owners who make improvements to vacant or existing commercial spaces.
The colored overlay on the map shows the area eligible for Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation grants.
35th Street and Archer Avenue
In McKinley Park, eligible properties lie on West 35th Street between South Ashland Avenue and West Leavitt Street, and on South Archer Avenue from the 35th/Archer Orange Line El station to South Damen Avenue.
The McKinley Park Development Council is the project’s partner agency and is available to assist businesses with grant applications.
Next Deadline May 15
Of the total $2.5 million in funding, $1.8 million will be dedicated to property improvements, with the remainder used for corridor beautification, marketing and education.
Business and property owners can apply directly using the project’s online submission form. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with the next submission deadline set for 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Locally Owned
A webinar on the Zoom service to assist with the application process is set for 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
“Locally owned businesses catering to everyday needs are preferred,” the development council said.
35th Street Upzoning
As previously reported here in the McKinley Park News, up-zoning of properties along West 35th Street would allow more businesses to open in formerly commercial spaces that were changed to residential zoning in 2004.
Many types of businesses are excluded from consideration for the storefront grants, including national chains, currency exchanges, liquor stores, gas stations, smoke shops, warehouse and yard storage, and more.
Selected projects will demonstrate financial readiness, project feasibility, business readiness and community impact, the DPD said.
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