City In Review: Chicago

Grand Boulevard · Then vs Now

Grand Boulevard: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

A side-by-side look at how Grand Boulevard shifted between two periods.

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 19 22 +16%
Construction value ($) $3,327,676 $3,986,851 +20%
New business licenses 16 16 0%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 468 818 +75%
Reported crimes 225 281 +25%
Violent crimes 82 71 -13%
Failed food inspections 0 1 +1

2025-03

Grand Boulevard permit value drops 80% to $3.3M

Permit value in Grand Boulevard fell from $16.9M in February to $3.3M in March, an 80% drop. The neighborhood issued 19 permits, down from 31 the month before. Express permits accounted for 11 of those. Service requests ticked up 9% to 468, led by 36 pothole complaints, 32 street light outs, and 28 traffic signal failures. Crime reports rose 9% to 225, with violent offenses up slightly to 82. No new business licenses were issued.

2026-03

Grand Boulevard permit value jumps to $4 million

Though permit count fell by a third in March, total construction value rose 47% to nearly $4 million. Six new-construction permits led the way. The neighborhood added 16 new businesses, more than doubling February's seven. New licenses included Migos Fine Foods, a Subway, and Small Shop Cycles & Service. Residents filed 818 service requests—up 21%—with 267 tagged to tree trim before that category was retired. Crime ticked up 13% to 281 incidents, though violent offenses dropped 11%. One food inspection failed, down from three.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • CARLA ANTOINETTE CHANDLER (Peddler License)
  • QUEEN'S QUALITY CLEANING (Regulated Business License)
  • Open Arms Medical Supply Company (Limited Business License)
  • JOHN EARL RUFFIN (Peddler License)
  • CHICAGO COMMONS ASSOCIATION (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BOBBIE JONES GRAYER (Shared Housing Unit Operator)
  • PROVIDENT CAFE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • 43RD FOOD & TOBACCO, INC. (Tobacco)
  • NEW YORK DELI, INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • 43RD FOOD & TOBACCO, INC. (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • MIGOS FINE FOODS LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LAZ PARKING (Commercial Garage)
  • EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCARE CENTER (Children's Services Facility License)
  • S & A MINI MART (Tobacco)
  • S & A MINI MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SMALL SHOP CYCLES & SERVICE (Limited Business License)
  • PARKER HOUSE SAUSAGE CO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • She Sells Solar (Regulated Business License)
  • PINKY'S TREATS (Retail Food Establishment)