Illinois Tech Students Design Dream Homes for West Englewood — and the Agro-Eco District Breaks Ground This Summer

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Englewood ·

West Englewood is attracting some fresh creative energy this spring — from the drawing boards of architecture students to the shovels of a long-awaited green district.

A collaboration between Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture students, Englewood-raised nonprofit leader Kenny Smith of the Wholistic Community Development Association, and Alderman Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward) is taking exciting shape. The group has been designing attractive, affordable homes for middle-income families — targeting more than 20 empty lots southwest of the intersection of South Halsted and West 63rd Street. Just across the street, the

3.9 million Englewood Connect development, part of the city's INVEST South/West initiative, is poised to become a culinary and business hub. As Alderman Coleman put it: "Once we develop a community where customers are, businesses will come."

Meanwhile, the Englewood Agro-Eco District — a visionary community-led project converting a former Norfolk Southern rail corridor into green space, small business plots, and recreational amenities — has announced that construction starts Summer 2026. It's a landmark milestone years in the making. And on April 21, R.A.G.E. (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) holds its next Members Meeting at Honeycomb, keeping neighbors at the center of every decision. Visit ragenglewood.org to get involved.

Sources:
1. https://www.iit.edu/news/architecture-students-push-englewood-development-critical-mass
2. https://www.agroecoenglewood.org/
3. https://ragenglewood.org/