[VivaLFuego]

^ I thought the garage was to be behind the new Prentice. Last I heard, NW wanted this VA site for unspecified future hospital space. Maybe I am wrong.

They also recently tore down that beautiful SOM building on Ontario (former VA space too) for who-knows-what. And they tore down that D. H. Burnham building on Ohio. Boy are they doing a number on that neighborhood.

Where is there room for a garage behind Prentice? That area is pretty built up....or is the footprint of the new Children's smaller than I thought?

[VivaLFuego]

^Also from that Roeder column, the Congress Hotel is suing because its expansion was denied. Good for them. Not that I necessarily support the expansion, but the reasons given for denying it by Fioretti were pretty spurious and arbitrary in the context of whether it represented an appropriate land use change. Maybe if Fioretti costs the city enough money in lawsuits by property owners there will be a decent chance of him getting ousted.

[Marcu]

^ The denial seemed to be completely 'arbitrary and capricious' (apologies for the legalism). He denied it simply b/c of the bargaining agreement issues. Expect a positive outcome for Congress on this one.

[trvlr70]

^ The denial seemed to be completely 'arbitrary and capricious' (apologies for the legalism). He denied it simply b/c of the bargaining agreement issues. Expect a positive outcome for Congress on this one.

I hope not. The current owners of the hotel are trash who care nothing about the hotel's rich architectural history. The property has good bones, but there's no interest by the owners to renovate. The place is a DUMP and an embarrassment to Chicago. Read some reviews in TripAdvisor.com. Also, the owners pay peanuts to the staff which is why they've been striking for years.

[honte]

Honte, that Goldberg structure currently houses a psych ward, no? My sister works at the dental center of NMH and has to go to a "weird, ugly concrete thing" to see psych patients that need dental work, and I am assuming that her description is referring to the Goldberg creation (albeit a decidedly SHITTY description at that, but to each their own). It would be a real shame to lose that one. The logistics solutions for patient care he was able to design with the shell structure for this particular hospital as well as all of his other hospital designs is nothing short of groundbreaking.

Yeah, they would move them out. The building is supposed to revert back to NWU when they are done with it. This was their way of passing the buck and skirting around the reuse issue, IMO. It also might indicate that they would prefer not to just level the thing, fingers crossed.

The building is so remarkable in so many ways (design, engineering, planning, history), there is no conceivable way it does not qualify as an official landmark except for its age, which is not a legal barrier but a kind of unwritten rule. In any case, it is a one-of-a-kind structure in every sense of the word. I've never encountered public support for the preservation of a modern building like I've seen for that one, and I say that even though no one has really done any work on a true campaign in that regard.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^Whenever I pass by that Goldberg with my friends and point it out and how it is in trouble they say things like "hey that kinda looks like the corncobs" and usually say it looks good and less boring than all the shit around it. Most of the people in the neighborhood know that building as a land mark and immediately know what you are talking about if you bring it up. Its surprisingly popular for a building that one would think people would lump in with all the brutalist crap around.

[VivaLFuego]

^ Goldberg had a way of making concrete brutalism appealing to a very broad audience, as evidenced by Prentice and Marina City (and even his understatedly elegant tower up on Astor). River City is somewhat less universally adored, but I think people would like it more if the full context had been built as planned rather than the single building. He was definitely one of the mid-century masters, though, up there with Weese; unlike a multitude of landmark crusades for pretty but unimportant Victorian-era buildings, which often rest on comically spurious significance ("half of the facade was designed by _____ who studied under _______, who once worked in the same firm as {insert marginally accomplished but otherwise fully derivative architect here}, while the first residents of the building included the son-in-law of period vaudeville star ____...." etc.), a Goldberg is the "real deal" in terms of historical architectural significance, up there with a Sullivan, Jenney, Mies, or Burnham. As honte brings up, Prentice should be a relatively strong preservation case, but will clearly bump against some heavy hitters looking to redevelop that land for a higher use, further complicated by it already being an institutional property (so tax incentives for preservation aren't much of a carrot).

[Steely Dan]

goldberg's prentice hospital simply must be preserved. it's one of the finest works by a true master of his craft. what can i, a lowly private citizen, do to ensure its fate? i hold no position of power or sway in this city, but i am just so damn passionate about this building. i mean if it came right down to it, i might even be crazy enough to chain myself to it to prevent its senseless destruction. yes, the building is THAT important.

[honte]

^ So, I should pack lunch for two along with the shackles?

I'll keep everyone posted about anything I hear. Both of the major preservation agencies in Chicago have gone on record for this building; Preservation Chicago did so way back in 2001 or so, I believe. This leads me to believe that there would be a pretty strong showing, if it came down to it, and if they don't sneak this under the radar in some fashion.

Meanwhile, despite the constant bitching about Reilly on this forum, one good thing about him is that he has been very receptive to the concerns of the average guy when they relate to matters of this sort. I think it would be very good to write him and remind him that this building is of major importance. The more he hears this, the more likely he will do something about it (as opposed to Natarus, where it wouldn't have mattered if everyone in the whole ward knocked on his front door).

[Loopy]

I learned today that Russland Capital has retained Smith+Gill as architect for their Franklin Point parcel. So, the big question (to me) is whether D2 will partner with them and join their corner parcel into a unified design resembling the scheme that Smith created for Rokas.

[VivaLFuego]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-wed-wrigley-field-cubs-apr30,1,6345789.story

"We are working on a proposal to present to Tribune Co. that will allow ISFA to acquire and fully restore Wrigley Field, as well as add parking and neighborhood improvements, without using any public tax money, either state or local," said former Gov. James Thompson, chairman of the agency.

Uh-oh...

[honte]

I learned today that Russland Capital has retained Smith+Gill as architect for their Franklin Point parcel. So, the big question (to me) is whether D2 will partner with them and join their corner parcel into a unified design resembling the scheme that Smith created for Rokas.

Very interesting! I'll have to pat myself on the back for predicting that one. :D

Great news.

[Marcu]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-wed-wrigley-field-cubs-apr30,1,6345789.story

Uh-oh...

No surpises there. The money has to come from somewhere and doing it through taxes is political suicide.

[the urban politician]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-wed-wrigley-field-cubs-apr30,1,6345789.story

Uh-oh...

^ It's probably related to that parking/retail building that's been planned for the past few years

[jjk1103]

goldberg's prentice hospital simply must be preserved. it's one of the finest works by a true master of his craft. what can i, a lowly private citizen, do to ensure its fate? i hold no position of power or sway in this city, but i am just so damn passionate about this building. i mean if it came right down to it, i might even be crazy enough to chain myself to it to prevent its senseless destruction. yes, the building is THAT important.

....well, your brother "foremers" are all going to chain ourselves with you !! ...just give us the word !!! :tup: :notacrook: :D :D :D :banana: :banana:

[jjk1103]

...in looking at the Art Institute web cam.....it appears that they are installing the main bridge section (over Monroe St) right now (11PM) !! :notacrook: :notacrook: :banana: :banana: :banana: :tup: :tup: :tup: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[the urban politician]

4/30/2008 10:00:00 PM
Reilly getting threats (http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=139&ArticleID=4734&TM=82936.28)
Alderman says he has votes to deny Children’s Museum

By Micah Maidenberg and Ben Myers, Staff Reporters


If the Chicago Children's Museum's controversial application to move to Grant Park is approved by the city's Plan Commission this month, it will then go to the Zoning Committee before a full city council vote.

But if the proposal went to the Zoning Committee today, that's where it would die, said 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly. And, he said, even if the Zoning Committee didn't kill it, the full city council would.

"They do not have 26 votes to pass this through city council and as it stands today they don't have the votes to get it out of the zoning committee. That's accurate," Reilly said. "That said, this is a fluid issue. Every day, the vote count changes one way or another."

If Reilly is correct, and the votes remain as they are, it would be the first time in 2008 that the city council denies the wishes of Mayor Richard Daley, the most important supporter of the museum's move.

That kind of defiance carries certain risks, and Reilly publicly acknowledged Tuesday night that he is receiving threats to his political future, although he didn't say who is issuing them. Reilly also said his colleagues in the city council are feeling heat from a professional team of lobbyists hired by the museum.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I'm on your side on this one Ald. Reilly. I think most of the city is with you on this, Daley can't have his way all the time. Despite the fact that we willingly make him our near dictator, we still want to retain democracy in the larger more important issues, LIKE NOT DESTROYING OUR PARKS...

TAKE IT TO PRITZKER PARK!

Speaking of places for the CCM and Franklin Point, why not try and convince the developers to include a small park with a K+S designed CCM fronting it in exchange for giving them increased FAR?



I'm with you Honte and Steely I'll go over there and chain myself with you guys if they try and tear it down!

[alex1]

goldberg's prentice hospital simply must be preserved. it's one of the finest works by a true master of his craft. what can i, a lowly private citizen, do to ensure its fate? i hold no position of power or sway in this city, but i am just so damn passionate about this building. i mean if it came right down to it, i might even be crazy enough to chain myself to it to prevent its senseless destruction. yes, the building is THAT important.

absolutely. Easily one of my favorites in the city. It's such an odd building that you'll probably never see anything like that again.

[Jibba]

I know this is sort of anecdotal and could be seen by many as hearsay, but my sister who is employed at NMH has heard more than once from her superior (head of the dental department) that the plot of land where the VA hospital is currently occupied is set to become a parking structure. Probably no surprise there, but I thought I would just set out what I know for anyone interested.

[nomarandlee]

^ It's probably related to that parking/retail building that's been planned for the past few years

The last few reports have had the idea of an above ground parking structure kicked to the curb. It was going to go to retail and now they are just talking about offices and amentities for the Cubs. I am thinking they don't want to deal with the NIMBY's like the Hyatt people have had to do since the stadium itself will likely be a much bigger and important battle.

I think they should build the lots across the street and build some underground parking if need be. Maybe tear up a piece of Clark St. and connect an underground garage between the triangle parcel and those lots. Parking is going to have to be a part of a future deal somewhere around there and may as well put it underground.

[spyguy]

I am thinking they don't want to deal with the NIMBY's like the Hyatt people have had to do since the stadium itself will likely be a much bigger and important battle.


Speaking of which, did anyone post this projects website yet?

http://www.addisonparkonclark.com/

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6038/afterqd8.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1769/clarkaddisonsouthviewlgbc2.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5365/clarkaddisoneastviewlgyo5.jpg

[cbotnyse]

^^ cool renderings. The development looks rather average, but great for the neighborhood. That is some prime real estate right there, damn.

[the urban politician]

^ That McDonald's needs to go

I'm really beginning to resent how McDonald's develops land. Here are the worst land developers in America:

1) McDonalds
2) Walmart
3) Chain pharmacies (ie Walgreens)
4) Hospitals

For crying out loud, even grocery stores are beginning to catch on that you can build urban and still have parking. Either grow up or get the hell out of my prime real estate, McD's!

[jstush04]

^ does anyone here remember when they put that mcdonalds and parking lot in initially? its been there as long as i can remember

also, I don't like the parking structure there at all, but I guess whats there isn't much better. But I just don't like the idea of a parking structure for wrigley. The way it is now is just way too classic!

[mcfinley]

^ That McDonald's needs to go


Seriously! But, it's only a matter of time. The questions is whether a private developer will build mixed use condos there like those planned for the southeast corner or whether the current or next owner of the Cubs will put up a family-friendly tourist trap. I can just see it now, Mark Cuban's Fun Zone.

[VivaLFuego]

I wouldn't mind the McDonalds getting replaced with some parking.

There's a serious road capacity issue, though. Hopefully someone with even rudimentary experience in transportation planning will explain to the bozos like Thompson what will happen if you try sending thousands (or even merely hundreds) more vehicles to/from that location, at the same time, on existing city streets. It's not like there's any excess capacity as-is. It would snarl the entire frickin' north side.

[VivaLFuego]

I know this is sort of anecdotal and could be seen by many as hearsay, but my sister who is employed at NMH has heard more than once from her superior (head of the dental department) that the plot of land where the VA hospital is currently occupied is set to become a parking structure. Probably no surprise there, but I thought I would just set out what I know for anyone interested.

For once, being right doesn't give me a smug sense of self-satisfaction. Sigh.

[Taft]

I'm really beginning to resent how McDonald's develops land. Here are the worst land developers in America:

1) McDonalds
2) Walmart
3) Chain pharmacies (ie Walgreens)
4) Hospitals


How about banks? Seems like a new chase is going up every day in this city, complete with parking and a drive through. Puke.

Taft

[cbotnyse]

I wouldn't mind the McDonalds getting replaced with some parking.:koko: :shrug: say what? I agree with the idea/theory that more parking here would just encourge more people to drive to the area, when there is no need for them to. A parking garage here makes no sense. Any sort of commercial or residential development would thrive at at that location. A parking garage of what, 1000 cars? maybe? I am really shocked to hear you say that actually.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Yeah, people all ready take the train and bus as their primary mode of transit to Wrigley, there just is no capacity whatsoever for anything but a handful of cars.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1769/clarkaddisonsouthviewlgbc2.jpg

:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:
LOOK AT THAT SEXY DENSITY!!!
:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:

[cbotnyse]

LOOK AT THAT SEXY DENSITY!!!that is sexy, and pretty sad for me being a Sox fan. Will someone please build a development in Bridgeport near the cell!!! please!

[shaberko]

:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:
LOOK AT THAT SEXY DENSITY!!!
:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:

That view is going to look much cooler once the Spire goes up. :yes:

[VivaLFuego]

:koko: :shrug: say what? I agree with the idea/theory that more parking here would just encourge more people to drive to the area, when there is no need for them to. A parking garage here makes no sense. Any sort of commercial or residential development would thrive at at that location. A parking garage of what, 1000 cars? maybe? I am really shocked to hear you say that actually.

Well, the statement immediately following that one was pointing that the street network is physically incapable of handling significantly more cars; adding more would gridlock a several mile radius because the road capacity just aint there for thousands of cars heading to/from the ballpark at the same time. And McDonald's is already a surface parking lot, so even just bulldozing the ugly sprawlburban McDonald's and landscaping the surface alot would just improve the aesthetics. I guess I'm saying, if they gotta try to slip in a few hundred parking spaces somewhere, then a redeveloped McDonald's with some ground floor retail and a couple floors of parking above, and some decent accompanying streetscaping, would be an improvement over existing conditions.

Either that, or the similarly laughably awful Taco Bell on the other side of Addison.

[cbotnyse]

^^ if the street network is physically incapable of handling significantly more cars, then why build a parking garage to encourage more cars to the area?

[Chicago3rd]

Really like it. Man we need to ban those humongus billboards we have around there. And hopefully a new tourist trap for the cubs will be build in the retail space below the awful parking "triangle" garage and drive the bastard at the corner of Clark and Addison out of business so a nice fountain and plaza can be built there when they tear down his 1 story cinderblock chain window building down.

[honte]

For once, being right doesn't give me a smug sense of self-satisfaction. Sigh.

For once, I am extra, extra pissed about being wrong. ;)

[BWChicago]

As a reminder, here are the renders of that garage expansion from http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/expansion.jsp . The garage proposal was only like 400 spots, and it may or may not be built with office and training facilities instead of parking. And it does include proposals for a memorabilia store at Clark and Newport.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/images/ballpark/563x314_exp_aerial.jpg

[ardecila]

Man we need to ban those humongus billboards we have around there.

I love the billboards outside the park, so long as they don't encroach into the stadium. It's a really cool experience to walk out of Wrigley and see several 50-foot billboards staring you down - like Times Square, but a bit smaller and less neon. :D

[Saber925]

^ does anyone here remember when they put that mcdonalds and parking lot in initially? its been there as long as i can remember

In the 60s, it was the site of a "Franksville" - 10 or 11 diifferent types of hot dogs!

[AdrianXSands]

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6038/afterqd8.jpg

wow, that's amazingly bad! and what would happen with IO?

[Marcu]

^ Kind of has that should be near Minute Maid Park in Houston look to it.

[AdrianXSands]

^ Kind of has that should be near Minute Maid Park in Houston look to it.

yeah, they might as well call this 'lofts at the ballpark'

[StatenIslander237]

ignore.

[VivaLFuego]

I dunno, it's an improvement over the parking lot it will replace. And the ugly architecture is the result of the "community", not the developer/architect who wanted to build a ~25 story glass highrise.

[BVictor1]

I couldn't help myself:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/05/burts-back-nata.html
Burt's back: Natarus now lobbying City Hall

Posted by Dan Mihalopoulos at 4:30 a.m.

Former 42nd Ward Ald. Burton Natarus is officially back at Chicago City Hall –-- this time as a lobbyist for a real estate developer.

Natarus has remained a frequent visitor to the halls of local power in the year since he grudgingly closed his 36-year run as the City Council's most talkative member. On at least one occasion, he appeared in the glass-enclosed spectators' balcony of the council chambers during a meeting, grinning and waving down to his former colleagues.

[Marcu]

I dunno, it's an improvement over the parking lot it will replace. And the ugly architecture is the result of the "community", not the developer/architect who wanted to build a ~25 story glass highrise.

I would almost rather take some standard Chicago three flats over this proposal even if that does result in less density. Who knows. Maybe it'll turn out better than the rendering suggests.

[Taft]

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6038/afterqd8.jpg

wow, that's amazingly bad! and what would happen with IO?

Wayyyyyyyyy too high of standards, dude.

Density? Good.
Replacing fugly billboards and parking? Great.
Architecture? Meh.

Good + Great + Meh = a good development in my book.

Taft

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

I dunno, it's an improvement over the parking lot it will replace. And the ugly architecture is the result of the "community", not the developer/architect who wanted to build a ~25 story glass highrise.

Although it's built at a smaller scale, Center on Halsted managed to be quite glassy and modern only a few blocks away.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ You know what, I'm glad that everything that gets built is not glassy and modern, do you know how shitty this city would be if everything that we built was a glass box? Didn't we learn our lesson after people started rejecting glass boxes after the 60's and 70's that a city full of only glass boxes leads to a sterile, empty, inhuman street scape? Sure this architecture is "meh" but guess what, so is the architecture of 90% of the buildings in this city. You need all the Meh so the good ones stand out. Its just like the glass boxes, the reason Mies was so shocking at the time was not because it was a glass box, but because it was a glass box in a sea of brick buildings.

Then everyone copied Mies and now the common person often laments a Mies buildings because everyone dumbed down the message of Mies. Maybe we need some more cement crap to make the glass stand out again?

Another example of this, the new army surplus store on Belmont, its completely stainless steel, and blows you away when you see it. Why? Because its a shiny wall in the middle of a bunch of brown and beige. If there was a whole row of those buildings, then it would look just as Meh as this building does...

[Taft]

^^^ ++++

What he said.

Taft

[BWChicago]

Green Exchange/Cooper Lamps/Vassar Swiss Underwear Building
Something has always looked kinda off to me about the tower, namely the signage part. Like they remodeled it in the 30s with ashlar terra cotta or something... it just doesn't seem to fit in.

Looks like I was right about this; there is scaffolding up and the terra cotta has been removed, revealing what appears to be an old clock face flanked by a pair of pilasters on either side. This could look great restored - It gives it a more Arts and Crafts kinda feel- I hope they can alter their signage proposal to fit the clock face. The parapet looks a bit different, too. Below is a shot I took from my windshield (I was a passenger)

Now:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2459294715_7d62024be5.jpg
Before:
http://www.toistudio.com/blog/uploaded_images/cooperlamp-742220.gif
Rendering:
http://www.cooltownstudios.com/images/chicago-greenexchange.jpg

[Chicago3rd]

Wayyyyyyyyy too high of standards, dude.

Density? Good.
Replacing fugly billboards and parking? Great.
Architecture? Meh.

Good + Great + Meh = a good development in my book.

Taft

Its not high enough...being that it is located next to the el and two major bus routes. Density bubbles need to be created around all such prime public transportation cores throughout the whole city.

[Taft]

Its not high enough...being that it is located next to the el and two major bus routes. Density bubbles need to be created around all such prime public transportation cores throughout the whole city.

Hey, I agree with you. And (to an extent) I agree with Adrian as well.

But my wishes and the reality of the world are rarely the same. Given that, I look at developments like this as a stepping stone to the reality I would like to see.

Is it perfect? Nope. Does it have to be to make a positive impact on the city? No way.

Taft

[AdrianXSands]

but will it replace the IO building??? if so then i'm %100 against this; if not, then whatever. the density is a nice addition.

[VivaLFuego]

Its not high enough...being that it is located next to the el and two major bus routes. Density bubbles need to be created around all such prime public transportation cores throughout the whole city.

Again, blame the tyrannical community and their representative alderman....the developer wanted to build a 250+ ft glass tower with twice as much residential density as currently proposed in addition to the hotel.

[the urban politician]

Suburban rail acquisition likely to meet little federal opposition (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29282)
By: Bob Tita May 02, 2008
(Crain’s) — Canadian National Railway Co.’s planned purchase of a suburban rail route is expected to face few obstacles from federal regulators, industry observers say.

[BWChicago]

but will it replace the IO building??? if so then i'm %100 against this; if not, then whatever. the density is a nice addition.

As posted in November, these properties encompass Pizza-ria!, Red Ivy, Mullen's, Goose Island, Salt & Pepper Diner, Improv Olympic, Bar Louie, a smallish souvenir shop, Starbucks, and 7-11.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4620/og111207maw4.gif

[wrabbit]

I couldn't help myself:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/05/burts-back-nata.html
Burt's back: Natarus now lobbying City Hall
.....

No surprise there! Pretty funny, though.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6038/afterqd8.jpg

Time was, these high-profile corner buildings would put exclamation points at the intersections; I'm still waiting for a modern take on the old turret buildings.

[AdrianXSands]

.

[AdrianXSands]

As posted in November, these properties encompass Pizza-ria!, Red Ivy, Mullen's, Goose Island, Salt & Pepper Diner, Improv Olympic, Bar Louie, a smallish souvenir shop, Starbucks, and 7-11.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4620/og111207maw4.gif

LAME!!!!!

what a great way to destroy wriglyville! the rent on the new spaces will probably be so high that half those shops will have to relocate! not only that, the IO building is nostalgic!!! ugh! i hate this city sometimes.

i REALLY don't get this 'new and shiny' mentality here!





i don't care about the starbucks and 711 and all of that or the empty lot. i just wish we could hang on to the texture of wriglyville that is ALREADY there:

it'd be a shame to lose this:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/ersatzzeal/WRIGLEYVILLE.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/ersatzzeal/WRIGLEYVILLE2.jpg
*from google

[schwerve]

LAME!!!!!
it'd be a shame to lose this:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/ersatzzeal/WRIGLEYVILLE2.jpg
*from google

you gotta be kidding me....

it'd be such a shame to lose such a great group of horrible yuppie bars... I mean, bar louie is such a mom & pop place, won't somebody think of the children!

[Taft]

LAME!!!!!

what a great way to destroy wriglyville! the rent on the new spaces will probably be so high that half those shops will have to relocate! not only that, the IO building is nostalgic!!! ugh! i hate this city sometimes.

i REALLY don't get this 'new and shiny' mentality here!

i don't care about the starbucks and 711 and all of that or the empty lot. i just wish we could hang on to the texture of wriglyville that is ALREADY there:



I'm all for working with the flow and texture of existing buildings when there is a stylish or aesthetic texture to start with. I just don't see it here. The majority of those buildings are pretty bland, though consistent with a lot of the commercial stock in Chicago. Those google streetview pics are a pretty common view in Chicago right now.

I, for one, don't want to turn our city into a living museum for the sake of preserving the feel of a neighborhood. The exceptions are when there is truly something special about the neighborhood, feel and building. Again, I don't see it here. Not that the replacing structure is very special, either, but it does have qualities that make it a pretty good upgrade, IMO.

Taft

[honte]

I couldn't help myself:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/05/burts-back-nata.html
Burt's back: Natarus now lobbying City Hall

Former 42nd Ward Ald. Burton Natarus is officially back at Chicago City Hall –-- this time as a lobbyist for a real estate developer.


:haha: :haha: :haha: God, is that funny.

[honte]

Looks like I was right about this; there is scaffolding up and the terra cotta has been removed, revealing what appears to be an old clock face flanked by a pair of pilasters on either side. This could look great restored - It gives it a more Arts and Crafts kinda feel- I hope they can alter their signage proposal to fit the clock face. The parapet looks a bit different, too. Below is a shot I took from my windshield (I was a passenger)



Great catch. The building is going to be landmarked, so there is a chance they will restore it. Generally, this does not happen because owners are not required to make improvements, only maintain. It might be possible that people were not aware of these changes - I haven't read the designation for this one - probably were aware of it though.

It is very possible that in the negotiations the restoration of this element came up. I am excited to see what happens, hopefully something great.

It's always amazing to me to find these incredible gems / historic tidbits hidden beneath something in architecture. Unfortunately, usually people don't take a step back to look at what they've got. Recently, Loyola uncovered a really wonderful Art Nouveau facade on Devon that had been covered for 1/2 century, but unfortunately they went ahead and screwed up the building even worse by ripping it off. Another example that comes to mind was a jaw-dropping cast-iron facade that was on Belmont just west of Ashland. It had been covered by a 1970s fake Mansard roof, and the condo developer (Matanky) built one of their piles behind it. I thought they were actually going to preserve it as some kind of artifact, but then, down it came. :(

_______

Adrian, I went past those buildings in Wrigleyville when this proposal first came up, and I didn't honestly see much that I would miss except the Starbucks building. Nevertheless, I really applaud you for taking this to task: A city is more than the great buildings, and many people forget this. I will miss the urban fabric there too, but hopefully that fabric will be resilient. Wrigleyville of all places seems to manage to retain its character in the face of rampant yuppification.

[AdrianXSands]

Adrian, I went past those buildings in Wrigleyville when this proposal first came up, and I didn't honestly see much that I would miss except the Starbucks building. Nevertheless, I really applaud you for taking this to task: A city is more than the great buildings, and many people forget this. I will miss the urban fabric there too, but hopefully that fabric will be resilient. Wrigleyville of all places seems to manage to retain its character in the face of rampant yuppification.

i'm most upset about the IO. hopefully they relocate somewhere close.

[AdrianXSands]

so i walked over there, checked out the development's website, and decided, meh, the development is not that bad.

Proposed features
Use of environmentally-conscious building materials and practices to seek eligibility for LEED certification.
The Hyatt Place Hotel with approximately 135 rooms
Residential apartments with 150 rental units
500 parking spaces for residents, retail shoppers and visitors
Improved structures for existing businesses, as well as new retail options such as a health club, pharmacy, or grocery store
From the beginning, the development team has been working with the Lakeview community to adapt the project based on neighborhood feedback. The evolution of the development reflects the changes made to address points raised by local officials, community groups and residents. The development team will continue to address practical and viable suggestions offered throughout the process.

The building height has been significantly decreased since the original concept in order to better integrate the development into the existing community. The current proposed height is 57% smaller than originally proposed – from a proposed 245 feet to the building’s current height of 105 feet. The proposed top of the building is only slightly taller than the existing AT&T building at 3532-36 N. Sheffield and is shorter than Wrigley Field’s lights and is significantly shorter than the Chicago Housing Authority buildings at 3920-40 N. Clark Street.

In addition to reducing the height of the buildings, the number of residential units was dramatically reduced from 220 originally to 150 currently. The reduction addresses concerns about density raised in the community.

so my complaint will switch to the awful architecture:

SURPRISE SURPRISE, SCB is the architect (the crappy chicago special continues), and just look at these elevations :yuck::

http://www.addisonparkonclark.com/images/ClarkStreetLookingEastLarge.gif
http://www.addisonparkonclark.com/images/SheffieldStreetLookingWestLarge.gif


though i will admit, it could be WAY worse! this was the original proposal, an out of place, dated skyscraper that would have marred the face of clark street, wrigleyville, and the city:
http://www.addisonparkonclark.com/images/before_drawing.jpg

[spyguy]

http://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/62491_162.htm

Fall groundbreaking slated for Clybourn condos
Eighty-unit mixed-income residence to be built on Near North Side

By Amy Williams Bernstein

An 80-unit mixed-income residential building is planned for vacant land near the corner of N. Clybourn Avenue and N. Larrabee Street on the Near North Side. The Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation owns the 0.81-acre site at 1413-1427 N. Clybourn Avenue and 1414-1426 N. Larrabee Street. CMHDC and the for-profit company Related Midwest partnered to develop the property through Clybourn Larrabee LLC.

Chicago-based architectural firm Brininstool & Lynch has designed a nine story rectangular glass building that will be positioned along Clybourn Avenue.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4169/12ly9.jpg

---------
New assisted living building coming to Lake View

April 15 was a beautiful day when officials broke ground for the new Saint Luke Renaissance Greenview Place on the corner of Greenview Avenue and Melrose Street in Lake View.
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7055/renaissance20st20lukedn4.jpg

[VivaLFuego]

Time was, these high-profile corner buildings would put exclamation points at the intersections; I'm still waiting for a modern take on the old turret buildings.

The property owner-cum-developer couldn't get his hands on the corner parcel, the current owner refuses to sell.

[VivaLFuego]

http://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/62491_162.htm

Fall groundbreaking slated for Clybourn condos
Eighty-unit mixed-income residence to be built on Near North Side

By Amy Williams Bernstein

An 80-unit mixed-income residential building is planned for vacant land near the corner of N. Clybourn Avenue and N. Larrabee Street on the Near North Side. The Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation owns the 0.81-acre site at 1413-1427 N. Clybourn Avenue and 1414-1426 N. Larrabee Street. CMHDC and the for-profit company Related Midwest partnered to develop the property through Clybourn Larrabee LLC.

Chicago-based architectural firm Brininstool & Lynch has designed a nine story rectangular glass building that will be positioned along Clybourn Avenue.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4169/12ly9.jpg



Awesome, this sets a great precedent for density on a "clean-slate" stretch of Clybourn. Looks decent, too.

[the urban politician]

New assisted living building coming to Lake View

April 15 was a beautiful day when officials broke ground for the new Saint Luke Renaissance Greenview Place on the corner of Greenview Avenue and Melrose Street in Lake View.
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7055/renaissance20st20lukedn4.jpg

^ I hope this isn't replacing something nice & historic

[EarlyBuyer]

Photo's taken by EarlyBuyer 5/4/08


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3979/dsc0029zz5.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1516/dsc0003ct7.jpg


http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8336/dsc0005nz4.jpg


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/536/dsc0048on7.jpg

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

^ I hope this isn't replacing something nice & historic

According to Google Maps there's a lone house on the lot; otherwise, it's all surface parking.

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-spindlemay03,0,7042335.story

Berwyn's 'Spindle' dismantled late Friday

Tribune staff report
12:28 AM CDT, May 3, 2008

Under the cloak of darkness, Berwyn's most famous pop icon was dismantled late Friday, skewering any hopes of saving the "Spindle."

[aaron38]

Did the spindle get sold? I heard on the radio a couple weeks ago that it was on eBay. The requested price was pretty low I think, but there was a $50,000 shipping and handling charge, and no refunds.

[i_am_hydrogen]

^Nope. The attempt to sell it on ebay failed.

From Inside Lincoln Park:

Judge partially halts soccer field construction (http://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/62491_162.htm)

[VivaLFuego]

What is the latest word on the Museum of Broadcast Communications?

EDIT: guess my thought was prescient, lo and behold Crain's has a story up about a foreclosure suit on the incomplete building...

[sentinel]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2471779839_a2465afa62_b.jpg
New Art Institute Modern Wing (can anyone spot the Legacy in the background?? Rising fast!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2472594702_43e7ca9b11_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2471769061_9c25a4dc85_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2471772923_cb92095ccb_b.jpg
Bridge to MP under construction

[Mr Downtown]

^ I hope this isn't replacing something nice & historic

If only there were some way to look at a remote location (http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qzpz3h7pv0pz&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=11371171&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1)without traveling there . . .

[jpIllInoIs]

^That's funny!:jester:

[BVictor1]

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/931479,CST-FIN-bronze05.article

Group calls for control over Bronzeville development

1,800 VACANT LOTS | Residents say they just want area to 'maintain its mixed-income character'

May 5, 2008Recommend (7)

BY DAVID ROEDER droeder@suntimes.com
Accusing City Hall of conspiring with private developers in a "land grab," a community group is demanding local control over future development in Bronzeville.

The argument rages over about 1,800 city-owned vacant lots in the historic Near South Side neighborhood. Residents have organized the Housing Bronzeville group to pressure city officials to offer the property as part of a trust fund for affordable housing.

Valencia Hardy, a leader of Housing Bronzeville, said private buyers have grabbed much of the best property in recent years, driving up prices and threatening to make Bronzeville unaffordable for long-time residents.

In the meantime, the city-owned parcels have largely languished, she said. "I just want to see Bronzeville maintain its mixed-income character. It's what makes it a nice place to live," said Hardy, a retired postal worker who has lived in the area since 1995. "Between the developers and the city, it's been like a land grab down here."

The campaign has so far drawn resistance from the Daley administration and from aldermen whose wards include the 1,800 vacant lots. The issue appears to be control over money that the vacant land could produce.

Peter Scales, spokesman for the city's Planning Department, said the organization is trying to duplicate programs already operated by city government. He said the city is committed to housing development under the following allowances: one-third as replacement public housing, one-third at subsidized prices for buyers with moderate incomes, and one-third priced at market rates.

He noted that Housing Bronzeville is asking only for a 26 percent set-aside for below-market-priced homes.

Scales also said many of the 1,800 lots the city owns are committed as sites for public housing units to replace high-rises the Chicago Housing Authority is demolishing. Most of the lots were acquired in tax delinquency proceedings.

Ald. Patricia Dowell, whose 3rd Ward includes most of the targeted lots, said she has withheld support for the Housing Bronzeville proposal because it raises "a host of legal, political and practical issues."

The proposal, which the group hopes to enact via a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot, would have Bronzeville property owners pay an additional tax into a new trust fund.

The fund would be led by a community-elected board, with a minority of mayoral appointees, and proceeds would support land acquisition and housing construction.

Dowell said the proposal is illegal because state statutes "do not give community groups the power to tax and spend." She said she supports the organization's goals and would work with it to refine its ideas.

A community trust fund also would undercut traditional aldermanic authority. While the city often advertises for bids on vacant lots, it accepts only proposals that have explicit support from local aldermen.

Kenneth Williams, another Housing Bronzeville member, said he suspects the aldermen want to preserve their power. "There is a lot of money in our community because of this property," he said.

Since Mayor Daley announced his drive to get the 2016 Summer Olympics, some residents have wondered if City Hall has secret plans for the 1,800 lots.

Two proposed Olympic sites, the athletes' housing and Washington Park, are in or near Bronzeville. But Scales said the Olympics are uncertain and so far off that the priority has to be fostering balanced development in the neighborhood sooner than 2016.

[aic4ever]

:previous:

That is nonsense. People need to understand their own budgets when they buy and allow for future increases in property tax.

[wrabbit]

A couple of R+D659 from 4 May:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/050408chipan5.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/050408chipan4.jpg

[wrabbit]

Allure at K Station, 4 May:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/050408_1152.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/050408_1154.jpg

[spyguy]

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2008/05/musicbuilding.html

New Music Building and Arts Green Committees Formed

Committees have been appointed to advise on the development of the new School of Music building on the Evanston campus and to advise on the development of the new arts green that will replace the existing Arts Circle, it was announced by Provost Daniel Linzer.

...The five architectural firms under consideration include Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. in Milwaukee, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects in Toronto, and three firms with offices in Chicago: Goettsch Partners, Inc., Kreuk and Sexton Architects, and Murphy/Jahn Inc. Architects. Ronald Nayler, associate vice president for facilities management, stated that the Educational Properties Committee of the Board of Trustees, with advice from the Building Committee, will select three firms to participate in a design competition during the summer. A selection of the final design firm will be made this fall.

The target date for the completion of the five-story lakefront music building and the first stage of the arts green has been set for 2012.

The new building will be located south of Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and Regenstein Hall of Music and will connect to Regenstein. It will contain approximately 116,000 gross square feet of space for classrooms, teaching labs, academic faculty offices, teaching studios for choral, opera, piano and voice faculty, practice rooms, student lounges and administrative offices. There also will be a choral rehearsal room and library, an opera rehearsal room/black box theater and a 400-seat recital hall. The cost of the music building and arts green projects will be $90 million.

[VivaLFuego]

:previous:

That is nonsense. People need to understand their own budgets when they buy and allow for future increases in property tax.

You don't understand. Little ol' Granny who's lived in the neighborhood for 58 years will be forced to eat cat food if her (already reduced) property taxes go up. I mean, that $1500/year in property taxes is just KILLER to Chicago households in poor areas, and besides, everyone knows the right to face no future nominal tax increases on real property (and not budget accordingly) is enshrined right there in the U.S. Constitution...

[Mr Downtown]

Well, property taxes are a notoriously bad way to tax wealth, for exactly this reason: value of property owned is not related to current ability to pay. In an agrarian economy, someone with a lot of property brought in a lot of income (from crops) each year. However, Illinois has circuit-breaker grants to help. (http://www.cbrx.il.gov/)

[Loopy]

Yikes!

New committee to vet 2nd Ward development
‘We have to bring them in and reeducate them’

http://chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=4801&TM=83839.72

Developers eyeing construction projects in the 2nd Ward will now contend with a new group connected to the alderman that will consider and critique projects before they are submitted to the broader community.

The Citizen Advisory Committee was formed by the office of 2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti to vet development proposals...

"They basically review the project, they make recommendations, they say their kind of notes or feedback to the alderman, what they think works, what doesn't work, what might work better," Hannah Jubeh said of the committee. "The alderman will take those suggestions and make changes accordingly as part of the overall plan."

The alderman's office created the committee by emailing their 4,000-address email database, asking for participation. Forty people responded. Staff divided those 40 into geographic areas and held a lottery to determine who would join the committee.

[VivaLFuego]

^Private property development by mob rule, fantastic! Any 2nd ward lurkers who can join this circus?


"I don't think the alderman should consider himself bound by its recommendations because often what the good of the city may not be may not immediately please residents around the site," Mr. Downtown said.

I concur... but why am I not optimistic? Why must Aldermanic power be applied to benefit a few to the detriment of others? Why are Fioretti and Reilly, the embodiment of this phenomenon (using government power to benefit a few at the broader populace's expense) in any way shape or form possibly a good thing?

[the urban politician]

"I don't think the alderman should consider himself bound by its recommendations because often what the good of the city may not be may not immediately please residents around the site," Mr. Downtown said.

:tup:

Grammatically poor (certainly the fault of the Journal), but otherwise insightfully rich

[Via Chicago]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-080506-bp-move-to-chicago,0,5166013.story

BP to move 1,200 jobs to downtown Chicago from suburbs

By Robert Manor | Tribune reporter
2:05 PM CDT, May 6, 2008

Oil giant BP plans to move approximately 1,200 workers from the western suburbs to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wacker Drive.
...
Sources familiar with the latest developments say BP is moving jobs back downtown to accommodate the desires of its workers.

[Eventually...Chicago]

I live in the 2nd ward and have sent fioretti an email and several letters regarding land use development and specific projects and i was not contacted to participate in the CAC.

If you read in there, you have to have given him money to be contacted. Talk about pay to play!

Not to list out my resume, but I’d bet a good chuck of change that i'm am eminently more qualified to discuss architectural development and urban issues than anyone on that committee.

[VivaLFuego]

edit

[Bucky]

I also have previously emailed Fioretti and live in the 2nd Ward. I should therefore be on his email list, but I was never contacted either. Of course my
email was in disagreement with some of his positions and I have never contributed money to his campaign. So, no invite.

[VivaLFuego]

^ You guys should write letters to the editor saying as much to the Chicago Journal... so at least there is some written neighborhood record of this whole sham.

[emathias]

^ You guys should write letters to the editor saying as much to the Chicago Journal... so at least there is some written neighborhood record of this whole sham.

Crain's published a letter of mine about the Greektown museum project a few weeks back. :-)

[jjk1103]

..I was talking to a steel worker this morning and he said that the entire bridge section over Monroe would be installed this weekend (starting tonight) at the Art Institute......there should be good viewing from the web cam .they are moving a crane up now.....:notacrook:

[i_am_hydrogen]

Art Institute expansion (taken today):
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4791/aipianoed7.jpg

[the urban politician]

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Ranks No. 1 in the World (http://www.cnbc.com/id/24539508/)
Sofitel Exceeds Expectations on Expedia's Insiders' Select List| 09 May 2008 | 09:42 AM ET
DALLAS, May 9, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Sofitel Chicago Water Tower received top recognition on the second annual Insider's Select(TM) list of the world's best hotels, unveiled this week by Expedia(R). Of the 899 worldwide hotel properties listed, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower captured the No. 1 spot.

[neverdone]

Does anyone know the name of the building being built the is northwest of the intersection of clybourn and division?