Near North Side · Then vs Now
Near North Side: 2025-02 vs 2026-02
A side-by-side look at how Near North Side shifted between two periods.
| 2025-02 | 2026-02 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 166 | 181 | +9% |
| Construction value ($) | $45,010,137 | $60,937,006 | +35% |
| New business licenses | 154 | 577 | +275% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 1,228 | 1,502 | +22% |
| Reported crimes | 685 | 698 | +2% |
| Violent crimes | 158 | 146 | -8% |
| Failed food inspections | 28 | 10 | -64% |
2025-02
Near North Side permits drop but value jumps to $45 million
Permit count fell 10% in February—166 this month versus 185 last—but total value shot up 52% to $45 million. Express permits led the way with 98 filed, followed by 25 renovation jobs. The spike in dollar value suggests a handful of big-ticket projects landed this month, though the specifics aren't in the data. Sign permits and elevator work each clocked 18 filings.
2026-02
Near North Side permit value doubles to $61 million
Permit value in Near North Side more than doubled in February, hitting $61 million—up 118% from January's $28 million. The 181 permits leaned heavily on express work (116 of them), with another 28 for renovations or alterations. New business licenses jumped from 85 to 577, though that spike likely reflects a data quirk or seasonal batch processing rather than a sudden retail invasion. Among the fresh names: Chicago's Dog House and Waffle Vibes 1, both retail food setups. Graffiti removal led 311 requests (258), followed by pothole complaints (197). Crime dropped 11%, with violent offenses down 18%. Ten food establishments failed inspections, up from eight the month prior.
New businesses — 2025-02
- STAR OF SIAM (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- LAKEFRONT WINDOW CLEANING (Regulated Business License)
- PROSECCO (Food - Shared Kitchen - Supplemental)
- G3 Global Service, LLC (Limited Business License)
- RESTORATION THEORY LLC (Regulated Business License)
- Bentley's Pet Stuff (Limited Business License)
- MOVEMENT MED (Regulated Business License)
- PORTILLO'S HOT DOGS (Special Event Liquor)
- LaPerior Foot Spa (Limited Business License)
- DOG HOTEL AND DAYCARE LLC (Animal Care License)
New businesses — 2026-02
- CHICAGO'S DOG HOUSE (Retail Food Establishment)
- Waffle Vibes 1 (Retail Food Establishment)
- CHICAGO ESTATE ADVISORS (Limited Business License)
- LIZZIE MCNEILL'S (Pop-Up Retail User)
- Boguslaw (Regulated Business License)
- LIZZIE MCNEILL'S (Special Event Liquor)
- Sugaring NYC (Limited Business License)
- US VALET PARKING LLC (Valet Parking Operator)
- CONTRACTOR 360 LLC (Regulated Business License)
- LAUREN COLLANDER INTERIORS (Limited Business License)