With the Obama Library anchoring other developments in Woodlawn (residential units, grocery stores, renovated Green Lines, small businesses), it makes a lot of sense why UC would build a dorm near, I assume, the library. The real estate there will be in a prime location once everything settles in five years. New academic buildings in that vicinity are likely next as there are few viable alternatives left. What was unthinkable years ago is going to become reality – the area immediately south of campus will be considered “safe”.
Washington Park is a different story. It’s huge, poorly lit, difficult to patrol, and unsafe. And it borders the western part of campus. Think of the layout of the campus surroundings. 53rd is now a commercial and entertainment district, and north of that is Kenwood, a relatively wealthy residential area. Further north is Bronzeville, which is independently gentrifying. East is the lake. South will soon be a “new” Woodlawn anchored by the Obama Library. All that is left to develop is west of campus, which is most challenging given the huge park that serves little utility at the moment besides acting as a buffer, as well as the extreme conditions just beyond it.
That UC chose to place its arts programming west of campus is deliberate. Its gentrification 101.