The long-awaited DuSable Park is a step closer to fruition after the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday gave the project its first city approvals.
Plans call for a boardwalk, educational pavilion and an abundance of green space at the 3.4-acre peninsula. The Chicago Park District anticipates starting construction in spring 2026 and believes the park could open to the public by mid-2027.
The park, bound by the Chicago River, Ogden Slip and Lake Michigan, has been a yearslong effort to honor Chicago founder Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, who set up shop as a tradesman just west of the park.
The land was gifted to the Chicago Park District in 1987 by former Mayor Harold Washington. In April, lead designers Ross Barney Architects and Brook Architecture submitted design plans to the park district.
Because the park is a bit isolated, the park district wants to better connect it to the surrounding Streeterville neighborhood. A bridge will connect the park to Navy Pier’s Flyover, in addition to under-bridge connections at the Chicago River.
The site plans outline 12 distinct features at the park. Chicago Park District Director of Planning and Development Heather Gleason said the park is arranged to tell the story of DuSable and his Potawatomi wife, Kitihawa.
“The timeline is envisioned to … talk about DuSable’s legacy, his journey, his relationship with Kitihawa and the native tribes in the area, and then how the history kind of comes alive,” Gleason said. “The intent is that you walk through the park to do that.”
The park’s pavilion, situated toward the western end, will feature more of DuSable’s personal history, Gleason said. The park district envisions the plaza at the park’s center as a space where lectures could be held, especially for summer field trips and other school excursions.
Other features of the park will include a mural wall, a boardwalk that frames the property and an open lawn. There’s also expected to be public art, Gleason said — including a statue of DuSable himself.
The park district estimates the project will cost $13 million, down from its originally projected $15 million.
The park has the backing of Related Midwest, the local developer that’s building two residential towers at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive and sits across from the park.
Related will contribute $10 million to the park’s development and will lead the construction. The park site is currently being used as a staging area for Related’s 400 N. Lake Shore project, whose first tower is now almost entirely clad in windows.
Gleason said the next step for the park will be securing city permits. The project still needs City Council approval.
Plan Commission also approved plans for a new six-story apartment building at the corner of Clark Street and St. James Place in Lincoln Park.
Developer Jason Vondrachek, principal of Quest Realty Group, is pitching the new construction at 2501 N. Clark St. The brick-clad structure calls for ground-floor retail space and 20 apartments, according to development plans.
Earlier plans for the project included event space and fewer units. But after neighbors said they wanted a bigger building, the project grew from five stories to six, and plans for the event space were axed.
The building would contain a mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, all with two bathrooms. Plans also include an amenity roof deck.
Four affordable units will be provided on site.
The $9 million project will take 18-24 months to complete, if approved.