At the CTA UIC / Halsted Blue Line Station there exists a loose connection between the city (to the north) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (to the south). This precarious link if further exacerbated by the chasm that is the Eisenhower Expressway. The goal of this preserve scenario is to strengthen the connection of these two communities through the enhancement of the existing infrastructure present at this site.

The CTA Blue Line Station sits between the two directions of expressway, with the main entrances at Peoria and Halsted Street occurring in the middle of bridges. With confidence that public rail transportation will become highly efficient and universally accessible in 2040, the CTA station will be expanded and modernized to meet the substantial increase in future ridership. The focus of this transportation hub rests at the two main entry points at Peoria and Halsted, where accessible vertical circulation brings riders to the CTA platform.

Peoria Street Bridge is the main link between the city to the North and university to the South. This connection is strengthened as the bridge widens and shifts, aligning the street grid North to the university paths South. This new procession provides clear direction towards both sides, acting as a gateway connecting two parts of the city.

The Community Field at the North end of the UIC campus is a rare commodity in such an urban area. This large field offers magnificent views to the Chicago skyline as well as providing a canvas for the community to engage in a great diversity of activities. This space is enhanced through the landscaping of a terraced berm. This creates a bowl where the terraced landscape presents seating areas, forming an open air gathering space. The berm and trees also block the noise pollution from the expressway and CTA station.

Adaptive Use Landscape and Hardscape is a new type of ground cover introduced to the site. Featuring a flexible combination of permeable paving, pedestrian paths, and green spaces, this system accommodates changing car parking volume. High car volumes will fill these areas with parking, while times of low car volume will open the space for recreation and increased pedestrian use.

Commercial Development of the West Loop will be stimulated by the development of wide, landscaped pedestrian paths. Through the use of the adaptive use landscape and hardscape, every building facade is open toward pedestrian areas, allowing for ground level commercial opportunities at every building.