Art, Benches & a $200K Boost: McKinley Park's 35th Street Corridor Is Getting a Glow-Up — And Local Artists Can Help Shape It

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Mckinley Park · June 27, 2026

McKinley Park neighbors, your main street is about to get a serious upgrade — and the community gets to help design it.

The McKinley Park Development Council has announced a $200,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust earmarked specifically for West 35th Street. The investment will fund public art installations, new seating, and trash receptacles along the corridor — the kind of streetscape improvements that make a commercial strip feel like a true neighborhood gathering place. Best of all, local artists are being encouraged to apply and put their stamp on the project, meaning the art that ends up on 35th Street could come straight from the people who call McKinley Park home.

It's a timely win for a corridor already buzzing with energy — from beloved dining spots to independent shops that define the Southwest Side's character. Beautification projects like this don't just make streets prettier; they signal to residents, shoppers, and visitors alike that McKinley Park is a neighborhood that invests in itself. If you're a local artist or creative, now is your moment to shape what your block looks like for years to come. Keep an eye on mckinleypark.news for application details and deadlines — and start sketching.

Sources:
1. https://mckinleypark.news/
2. https://mckinleypark.news/news