Absolutely, yes. The Near North Side has known what it wanted to be and has established a reputation that is World famous. That's what is needed for the Near South Side as well. And you've identified some nice pieces that already exist which can form the basis of that new unified identity.
The Near West Side around the UC is building its own new development identity right now. Already, I miss the old glass-strewn and deeply rutted parking lots that used to surround old Chicago Stadium while the weeds poked through where they could find an opening. And trying to local your car on a freezing cold night after the game and cursing to yourself all the while. That was some real local flavor there!
It's strange that Futbol has not gained a strong presence in the City. Of course, the Fire have not been very good for one thing. But Chicago has always been a mix of ethnic communities... from the English and Poles and Italians of the Ellis Island migration to today's large Latino population. Probably if the Fire ever got competitive this would ignite the local Futbol community as they will retain their old favorite franchise identities from where they came from until the local team gives them a reason to care.
And just maybe... Jerry takes the money and runs while the Fire end up with the entire 78 project for themselves.