Revitalizing the Chicago Pedway

“The Pedway, the useful but intimidating underground passageway, could use some help. May we have some more words and arrows, please?”-Chicago Tribune Editorial Board

Better Navigation, Better Coordination, Better Activation

The Chicago Pedway is an already-built, yet currently underutilized, civic asset in Chicago, but with improved navigation, coordination, and activation it would benefit both Chicagoans and visitors. The Environmental Law & Policy Center, with partners Broadway in Chicago and the Chicago Loop Alliance, commissioned a study team to identify a series of opportunities to revitalize the “Main Stem” area of the Chicago Pedway, running from the Metra Station at Millennium Park through Block 37 and City Hall and on to the Clark/Lake CTA Station.

Revitalizing the Chicago Pedway Includes:

Better wayfinding and easier navigation tools, both above the Pedway and along it, would likely lead to more repeat visits and induce new users to experience the Pedway.
Upgrades to the Pedway corridors in terms of basics such as paint, lighting, signage and clearly stated hours of operation, as well as improved coordination.
Better placemaking has tremendous potential to draw in new users, achieved through modest architectural and design interventions to the Pedway corridors to make visits memorable and enjoyable.

DOWNLOAD our Chicago Pedway Revitalization Map

DOWNLOAD our full report on the Chicago Pedway Main Stem Revitalization

With limited investment in better wayfinding and navigation, upgrades and coordination, and placemaking and activation, the Chicago Pedway can be transformed from an underutilized asset to a more vibrant part of downtown Chicago better used by Chicagoans and visitors alike.