Lower West Side · Then vs Now
Lower West Side: 2024-08 vs 2025-08
A side-by-side look at how Lower West Side shifted between two periods.
| 2024-08 | 2025-08 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 40 | 27 | -32% |
| Construction value ($) | $11,159,050 | $2,303,243 | -79% |
| New business licenses | 60 | 35 | -42% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 1,546 | 1,406 | -9% |
| Reported crimes | 227 | 211 | -7% |
| Violent crimes | 96 | 83 | -14% |
| Failed food inspections | 4 | 5 | +25% |
2024-08
Lower West Side permit value drops $3.8M
Permit activity fell to $11.2 million in August, down from just over $15 million the month before. The neighborhood issued 40 permits, three fewer than July. Express permits led the count at 17, followed by 13 sign permits. Renovation work accounted for seven permits. No new businesses registered and no businesses closed during the month.
2025-08
Lower West Side permit value drops 58%
Permit value in Lower West Side fell from $5.5M to $2.3M in August, a 58% drop. The neighborhood issued 27 permits, down from 40 the month before. Most were express permits—16 total. Graffiti removal requests led service reports with 346. Crime fell 10% overall to 211 incidents, though violent offenses rose from 79 to 83. Five food establishments failed inspections, up from four. No new businesses or closures were recorded.
New businesses — 2024-08
- SMOKE HAVEN (Tobacco)
- DEAF PLANET SOUL (Indoor Special Event)
- Mosy-Posy the Poet Clown (Peddler License)
- VON LISE BRAND (Limited Business License)
- HALEY OSTROWSKI (Peddler License)
- AURIS PRESENTS LLC (Pop-Up Retail User)
- BRAINTRUST COLLECTIVE (Regulated Business License)
- MIKE'S ELECTRONICS, INC (Limited Business License)
- NEW CITY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (Regulated Business License)
- Mexikito (Limited Business License)
New businesses — 2025-08
- PALETERIA LOS MAGOS (Special Event Food)
- AURIS PRESENTS LLC (Pop-Up Retail User)
- PILSEN ARTS & COMMUNITY HOUSE (Pop-Up Retail User)
- New Rose (Retail Food Establishment)
- DOOM STREET EATS (Special Event Food)
- THALIA HALL CHICAGO, LLC (Special Event Liquor)
- THALIA HALL CHICAGO, LLC (Pop-Up Retail User)
- LAS HAYAS (Mobile Food License)
- Dunkin Donuts (Retail Food Establishment)
- YOSHITAKA CHICAGO PILSEN (Children's Services Facility License)