Chicago State University (CSU), working in partnership with global real estate services firm CBRE, has officially launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for University Village 95, a transformative mixed-use project on Chicago’s South Side. The development aims to address the university’s growing student housing needs while creating a retail and community hub along the 95th Street Corridor, a key gateway connecting South Side neighborhoods with major employment centers.

The initiative follows the vision outlined in CSU’s 2023 Facilities Master Plan and the 95th Street Corridor Development Framework Plan, both of which highlighted pressing infrastructure and community development needs.

A recent housing demand study revealed an existing waiting list of more than 90 beds and projected demand for 915 additional student beds. On the retail side, market analysis identified unmet demand for approximately 10,000 square feet of traditional retail and an additional 15,000 square feet for CSU-branded or sponsored amenities such as a fitness center, bookstore, and other student-focused services.

To ensure strong local participation, CSU will launch a dedicated project website to serve as a central hub for subcontractors, workforce development agencies, vendors, and service providers interested in contributing to the development.

The proposed two-acre site will accommodate roughly 232,000 square feet of new construction. In its first phase, the project could deliver up to 528 student beds and 25,000 square feet of retail space, with completion and occupancy targeted for 2027.

The 95th Street Corridor has become a focal point for major public and private investment in recent years. Notable developments include:

• A $280 million renovation of the 95th Street Red Line station
• A $5.75 billion Red Line extension project
• $56 million in Metra station upgrades
• A $1 billion expansion by Advocate Health Care

Additionally, the corridor is in proximity to large-scale economic hubs such as the $9 billion Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park and the Roseland Medical District, further amplifying its potential as a growth catalyst.

“This is a generational opportunity to create a vibrant, transit-connected hub that meets the evolving needs of our students and surrounding community,” said CSU President Zaldwaynaka Scott. “University Village 95 will be a new front door to our campus and a catalyst for inclusive growth.”

The RFP signals a major step forward in CSU’s long-term commitment to community-driven revitalization. Once completed, University Village 95 is expected to not only meet critical housing needs but also attract new retail, spur job creation, and strengthen the university’s role as an anchor institution in Chicago’s South Side.

Originally reported by Chicago Construction News.