South Chicago Street has reopened following the completion of streetscape improvements that enhance both the appearance and accessibility of the corridor.
New brick pavers and decorative columns now mark the entrance to the street, creating a welcoming gateway. Crews from the Foley Public Works Department and Horticulture Department completed the project Thursday, including planting trees along the route between U.S. 98 and the site of the city’s new public library and community center, currently under construction.
The project features new pedestrian walkways, landscaped green spaces and additional street trees. These improvements are designed not only to beautify the area, but also to help calm traffic in the downtown district.
The South Chicago Street enhancements build on earlier improvements completed on North Chicago Street near Heritage Park. That project, which opened in May 2025, included the extension of East Jessamine Avenue and the addition of a new gateway entrance to the park.
Decorative lighting installed by Riviera Utilities adds to the updated look and functionality of the corridor.
Together, the improvements create a more attractive and pedestrian-friendly connection to the city’s new library, which is scheduled to open this summer. The new facility will include approximately 40,000 square feet—about twice the size of the current library—providing expanded space and resources for the community.