City In Review: Chicago

Lower West Side · 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.

By the numbers

Building permits27
Declared construction value$2,303,243
New business licenses35
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests1406
Reported crimes211
Violent crimes83
Failed food inspections5

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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