El Paseo Trail Project Revived: Pilsen Residents Weigh in on Transforming Abandoned Railway

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Pilsen · October 24, 2025

The City of Chicago has recently revived discussions about transforming an abandoned railway in Pilsen into the long-awaited El Paseo Trail. According to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), officials held a community meeting on November 13 to gather feedback from residents about developing the BNSF rail line that runs through the neighborhood.

The project, which would convert the unused tracks between West 16th Street and South Sangamon Street to West Cermak Road and South Laflin Street into a pedestrian and bike pathway, has sparked mixed reactions. While many residents expressed excitement about the potential for additional green space, others voiced concerns about gentrification similar to what occurred along the 606 Trail on Chicago's North Side. "Our opportunity as a Mexican community is to have a Paseo where you can walk," said Teresa Praga, a 58-year Pilsen resident and board member of the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council. "It's gotta be historical, like a historical marker of Pilsen."

CDOT spokesperson Erica Schroeder emphasized that the city is "closely collaborating with the Department of Planning and Development as well as the Department of Housing" to ensure community needs remain central to the project while implementing measures to prevent displacement. The November meeting marked "the first of many" public discussions, according to Alderperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who noted that "all options are on the table" as the community decides what they want to see in this space. Residents interested in contributing to the project's development should watch for announcements of future community meetings.

Sources:
1. https://news.wttw.com/2024/11/21/plan-transform-abandoned-railway-pilsen-sparks-gentrification-concerns-some-residents
2. https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/11/19/is-the-city-reviving-efforts-to-build-el-paseo-trail-in-pilsen/
3. https://chi.streetsblog.org/2024/11/20/concern-about-el-paseo-trail-proposal-raising-housing-prices-suggests-that-606-like-greenways-are-needed-all-across-the-city