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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTH WATER MARKET
WHEREAS, Cook County has long stood as a national center of commerce, innovation, and cultural vitality-its markets serving as lifelines between regional farmers, independent grocers, and millions of residents; and
WHEREAS, established in 1925, the South Water Market emerged as the nation’s largest and most advanced produce terminal, designed to address the public health, transportation, and economic challenges of a rapidly modernizing Chicago; and
WHEREAS, located in the Valley District of the city’s Lower West Side, the South Water Market comprised six monumental warehouse buildings designed by architects Fugard & Knapp, featuring 166 merchant stalls equipped with modern refrigeration, loading docks, and rail access-marking a transformative leap forward in the safe and efficient distribution of fresh food; and
WHEREAS, its creation was guided by the visionary principles of the 1909 Plan of Chicago, relocating commerce away from the congested downtown riverfront to a purpose-built industrial corridor that became a national model for urban planning and food logistics; and
WHEREAS, throughout much of the 20th century, South Water Market served as a cornerstone of Cook County’s economy-employing thousands of workers, supporting local farms, fueling restaurants and corner stores, and anchoring the food infrastructure that sustained generations of families and neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the market’s relocation to the modern Chicago International Produce Market in 2001 marked the end of an era, yet its legacy continues to shape Chicago’s identity as a global transportation and distribution hub; and
WHEREAS, through visionary redevelopment and community advocacy, the original South Water Market complex was transformed into University Commons, an award-winning example of adaptive reuse that preserved its iconic architecture while ushering in a new century of residential life and urban renewal; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, the South Water Market was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring the preservation of its story as a symbol of Chicago’s industrial innovation and resilience; and
WHEREAS, the South Water Market Centennial offers a fitting opportunity to honor the generations of merchants, tradespeople, laborers, architects, civic planners, and families whose hard work and vision helped feed our region and shape Cook County’s shared prosperity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the South Water Market and celebrates its lasting contributions to the County’s economic, architectural, and cultural heritage; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the University Commons Association and the Near West Side community in grateful recognition of this remarkable milestone in Cook County’s living history.
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