About the Corridors

The Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, as defined by the City of Chicago, extends along both sides of the METRA tracks (Ravenswood Avenue) from Irving Park to Foster, north of Foster along the METRA right-of-way to Balmoral, west to Hoyne, north  to Bryn Mawr and back to Ravenswood.  The area includes parts of both the 47th and 40th wards.

Total payroll in the corridor is estimated at $150 million, total sales at $450 million and economic impact at $375 million. The area incorporates 450 businesses, employing about 5200 people. Tempel Steel alone employs 800 people and Newark Electronics 500; however, most companies have under 100 employees and many under twenty. Substantial and successful efforts have been made over the past ten years to reconfigure older buildings to make them suitable for multiple tenants.

The northern portion of the Addison Industrial Corridor extends along Talman and Rockwell between Addison and Berteau.  The area is a part of the 47^th Ward.  There are over 50 industrial and service companies in this corridor, including WGN Television.

In addition, there are a number of industrial and service firms adjacent or in close proximity to the Ravenswood and Addison Industrial Corridors.  These companies are also eligible for membership within the Ravenswood Industrial Council. 

Throughout the area, the natures of the companies vary widely.  Traditional metalworking companies are mixed with high quality garments and furniture makers, industrial designers and web developers share buildings with nonprofit organizations and architectural firms.  The corridors serve as a valuable source of jobs in a multitude of skill levels for residents of nearby communities, such as Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, Andersonville, Albany Park, Uptown and Edgewater.