Related Midwest’s Chicago Quantum Computing Campus Gaining

Related Midwest’s quantum computing campus on Chicago’s Far South Side could start construction early next year, as it heads for a final City Council vote.

The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday approved the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, an ambitious redevelopment to transform the long-vacant U.S. Steel South Works site into a cutting-edge research hub anchored by California-based PsiQuantum, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Unlike other projects that often struggle to attract capital, Related Midwest President Curt Bailey and development partner CRG see the quantum computing campus as a magnet for investment. Backed by $500 million in state funding, the project has earned high praise from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who called it a vital step for Illinois’ future economic success.

“We intend to drive innovation on a history-altering scale and provide unprecedented economic opportunity for the people of this great city and state,” he said over the summer.

About $600 million in construction could be underway by next fall, Bailey said.

Construction is expected to start within months of receiving final City Council approval, expected next month; a groundbreaking on PsiQuantum’s first building could come early next year, Bailey said.

“I want this to look like what U.S. Steel was — a massive engine for employment.” Bailey told the outlet.

The park will initially occupy 128 acres of the 440-acre South Works site at 8080 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, with plans to eventually expand into the surrounding area. The broader vision includes additional research facilities, an industrial cryogenics plant, walking trails and residential development.

The project has garnered significant support, but it also faces challenges. Environmental advocates and local residents have expressed concerns about its rapid pace and the potential impact on wildlife and affordable housing. Groups like Friends of the Parks worry that without agreements in place for the entire 440 acres, future development could harm migratory bird populations at the site.

To address these issues, developers have held three community meetings and plan more discussions to ensure the project aligns with local needs. “We’re committed to working with the community to ensure this development benefits everyone,” Bailey said.

— Andrew Terrell