City In Review: Chicago

Uptown · Then vs Now

Uptown: 2025-04 vs 2026-04

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

2025-04 2026-04 Change
Building permits 49 52 +6%
Construction value ($) $8,829,865 $55,779,917 +532%
New business licenses 35 14 -60%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,197 1,596 +33%
Reported crimes 344 218 -37%
Violent crimes 105 45 -57%
Failed food inspections 4 2 -50%

2025-04

Uptown pulls 49 permits, mostly express-track work

Uptown logged 49 permits in April, up 32% from March, though their combined value fell to $8.8 million from $10.2 million. Thirty-one of those permits came through the express program — quick jobs that don't need full plan review. Another 13 were renovation or alteration permits. Two new-construction permits rounded out the month. No new businesses registered, and the other metrics came back zeroed out in the data.

2026-04

Uptown permit value hits $55.8M on express work

Uptown logged $55.8 million in permit value in April, up 230% from March, driven by 31 express permits—the bulk of the month's 52 total. New businesses included G&S Supermarket, Wilson Abbey (a public amusement venue), and Dollop Coffee and Tea. Service requests climbed 25% to 1,596, led by 255 graffiti removal calls. Crime dropped 28%, with violent incidents down 48% to 45. Food inspection failures fell from six to two.

New businesses — 2025-04

  • KENNY MAC'S (Limited Business License)
  • CHICAGO NAILS & SPA (Limited Business License)
  • FORTEZA FITNESS & MARTIAL ARTS (Limited Business License)
  • CHARM RICE AND NOODLE (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • Lakeside Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Children's Services Facility License)
  • THE GOOD SHEPHERD ENTERPRISE (Limited Business License)
  • Brock Lane Mettz Design, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • Kimchi Pop Two By Chef Son (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SOLIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-04

  • G&S SUPERMARKET (Retail Food Establishment)
  • WILSON ABBEY (Public Place of Amusement (PAV))
  • MUTUAL GROUND MEDIATION (Regulated Business License)
  • VNTOFU & FAST FOOD, INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Arogya Aesthetics and Wellness (Limited Business License)
  • NALA (Regulated Business License)
  • NALA (Regulated Business License)
  • Dollop Coffee and Tea (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MASSAGE ROMA (Regulated Business License)
  • IRONGATE DISTRIBUTION GROUP LLC (Regulated Business License)