To evoke the rich history of the neighborhood through art + contribute to the growth of local businesses, our primary focus was to attract patrons + encourage shop owners to take pride in their storefronts. The concept of the corridor design captures the essence of the neighborhood’s history at every level. The South Chicago neighborhood, once characterized by its poor environmental + economic conditions due to the steel industry, has now witnessed a reinvestment in public space. Referencing the murals along the corridor, we aimed to illuminate + celebrate the resonating heritage of the area. Considering the nearby Invest SW site + SSA activation site, this block proves to be the perfect location for this transformative intervention. By collaborating with South Chicago Parents + Friends, we were able to develop a diverse range of options + create new opportunities within the corridor. Our proposed designs range from tall vertical frames that provide artists with unique creative opportunities to more substantial infrastructure that can accommodate artisan marts, pop-ups, + youth programming along the sidewalks. The geometries for the project have been influenced by the historic structures + manhole covers produced by the steel industry that once thrived / polluted this neighborhood. The colors + patterns we incorporated reflect the vibrant ethnic street art that adorns the side walls of vacant lots. Through this project, we wanted to enhance the neighborhood’s identity, promote economic growth, + create a welcoming + visually captivating environment for all who visit + reside here.