- Credibility:
FULTON MARKET — The second phase of the $20 million Fulton Market streetscape project, which aims to improve infrastructure along the busy, historic corridor, is officially underway.
On Monday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and West Loop leaders came together to break ground on the second phase of the project, which targets work from Carpenter Street to Ogden Avenue.
“The new streetscape is a major milestone in the redevelopment of Fulton Market, an area that was Chicago’s economic engine in the 19th Century that has been reborn and is now powering the city’s tech and cultural boom,” Emanuel said in a statement.
Credit: Mayor Rahm Emanuel/ TwitterAld. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) said the upgrades will create a safer environment on Fulton and make the historic corridor more walkable for pedestrians, a move that will help businesses along the corridor.
The veteran alderman said he’s excited about the possibility of closing the stretch of Fulton during the summer months to make way for a large farmers market.
“It’s going to be exciting for the neighborhood and the city,” Burnett said. “It will attract lots of folks and more retail to the area.”
In November, officials came together to unveil the completed first phase of the streetscape project, which focused work from Halsted to Carpenter Streets.
Credit: Mauricio Pena/Block Club Chicago As part of the streetscape work, the city installed reclaimed granite at intersections, sidewalks were widened, shorter pedestrian crossings at intersections were created and separate parking zones for trucks were created. New bike racks, energy-efficient LED street lighting and ADA-compliant ramps were also installed.
The same improvements will be made on the second-phase stretch, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Credit: Mayor Rahm Emanuel/ TwitterDuring the planned work, Fulton Market will remain accessible to pedestrians and residents accessing businesses and shops but may temporary close to cars and trucks, officials said.
The City Council designated the Fulton-Randolph Market District as a Chicago landmark in July 2015, and the streetscape project was introduced and approved in the same year.
Among the first improvements was the $500,000 gateway arch at Fulton and Halsted, which debuted in February 2015.
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