City In Review: Chicago

West Town · 2026-03

West Town permit values spike to $597 million

West Town's construction permits jumped from $11.4 million in February to $597 million in March—a 5,116% surge driven by large-scale projects. The neighborhood issued 104 permits total, with 47 filed through the express program. New businesses included Roost Biscuit Co. and Soccer House, which picked up food, patio, and amusement licenses. Graffiti removal requests led 311 calls at 725, while total service requests climbed 40% to 3,127. Crime rose 17.5% overall but violent incidents dropped 6.5%. Six food establishments failed inspections, down from nine.

By the numbers

Building permits104
Declared construction value$597,298,991
New business licenses77
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests3127
Reported crimes558
Violent crimes100
Failed food inspections6

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

Automated draft · verified against source · confidence 0.95. Spot a problem? Tell us.