Lower West Side · 2026-04
Lower West Side permit value drops by half
Permit value in Lower West Side fell 50% in April—down to $2.76 million from $5.56 million the month before—even as the permit count inched up slightly to 41. Most permits came through the Express program. New businesses included Ignotz One Door South, a retail food spot with liquor, and Workshop Apothecary. Crime dropped 34%, with violent incidents down from 58 to 48. Graffiti removal led 311 requests at 329, and pothole complaints took second with 136. Five food establishments failed inspection, up from three.
By the numbers
| Building permits | 41 |
|---|---|
| Declared construction value | $2,759,361 |
| New business licenses | 29 |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 |
| 311 service requests | 1263 |
| Reported crimes | 136 |
| Violent crimes | 48 |
| Failed food inspections | 5 |
New businesses
- 18TH STREET CASA DE CULTURA, NFP (Limited Business License)
- 18TH STREET CASA DE CULTURA, NFP (Limited Business License)
- Clarence Griffin's Windy City Boxing Club (Limited Business License)
- ETAPE HAIR SALON (Limited Business License)
- IGNOTZ ONE DOOR SOUTH (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- IGNOTZ ONE DOOR SOUTH (Retail Food Establishment)
- Workshop Apothecary (Limited Business License)
- MEMO'S HOT DOGS (Retail Food Establishment)
- MINI MAX ELECTRONICS (Limited Business License)
- a.salon (Limited Business License)
Top permit types
- PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM — 23
- PERMIT - RENOVATION/ALTERATION — 9
- PERMIT - NEW CONSTRUCTION — 4
- PERMIT - SIGNS — 2
- PERMIT - WRECKING/DEMOLITION — 1
Top 311 request types
- Graffiti Removal Request — 329
- Pothole in Street Complaint — 136
- Water On Street Complaint — 68
- Traffic Signal Out Complaint — 59
- Garbage Cart Maintenance — 58