The Loop is "the largest college town in Illinois"

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Jan 24, 2005 2:20PM

A study has of colleges and universities in the Loop was released today and it's revealed that with 52,000 students attending classes at more than 41 separate locations and nearly 7.5 million total gross square feet of Loop real estate, the Loop is "the largest college town in Illinois." Of course, having so many students in the Loop is having an impact on the area's retail, restaurant, real estate and construction industries. It's also changing the way people think about downtown - as less of a place only to work and more of a place to work, live, and play.

So, how about this? How about some affordable restaurants and parking in the Loop? And how about some places to hang out past 5 pm? Students downtown are now demanding these things, and as someone with not a lot of dough who works in the Loop, Chicagoist would like to get in on that too. Students spend about $25 million annually at businesses in the Loop - mostly at places like McDonalds and Walgreens and on liquor - but students still reported that what's available is too expensive. Also, most female students said they felt unsafe walking around the Loop at night.

So let's see it. Let's see these student's dollars do some talking. Let's see more some coffee shops (that aren't Starbucks), some bookstores, some places to gather, more security at night, some new bars, and let's see some good and affordable restaurants that don't shut down at the close of business.