[BWChicago]

Also, as far as the deed restrictions, in our other work, it has generally seemed to prove easier to tear down a Landmarked building than it is to renovate it. For instance the planned development process with the Esquire, which was very close to moving forward and hit issues not related to Landmarks, versus the incredibly time consuming Landmark permitting process with the Three Arts Club that eventually gave concerned neighbors enough time to rally the troops and kill the deal even after NDA had long since approved it. While the tear down is one giant hurdle to jump, it is only one hurdle, rather than the many involved in a rehab. Also, considering only parts of the building are landmarked; facade, lobby and executive offices, it seems it would be even easier to do since the whole building is not landmarked.

The Esquire wasn't a landmark, for one thing, Chicago or National Register. There have only been a handful of Chicago landmarks demolished. The Post Office is not locally designated, either. It is on the National Register. And deed covenants are a whole different animal than landmarking, in the Register or local. Also, with the Esquire or Three Arts, you'd be dealing with the Chicago Landmarks Commission, not the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. You run into these deed restrictions particularly since the post office was a federal building. Good luck getting deed covenants struck down.

[wrabbit]

Can Chicago Landmarks and/or Landmarks Illinois even register a federal property on federal land?

(Edit: I meant "Illinois Historic Preservation Agency", not "Landmarks Illinois" - thank you, BWChicago.)

[aic4ever]

The Esquire wasn't a landmark, for one thing, Chicago or National Register. There have only been a handful of Chicago landmarks demolished. The Post Office is not locally designated, either. It is on the National Register. And deed covenants are a whole different animal than landmarking, in the Register or local. Also, with the Esquire or Three Arts, you'd be dealing with the Chicago Landmarks Commission, not the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. You run into these deed restrictions particularly since the post office was a federal building. Good luck getting deed covenants struck down.

Esquire is a "Red" building in terms of demolition, meaning it requires an approved planned development prior to approval for demolition, along with I believe, a 90-Day wait on the demolition permit. Perhaps you are correct that it is not officially designated, but CLC was indeed involved with this process in some respect, whether it was officially designated or not.

As to the Three Arts Club, it is listed with all three agencies. CLC has Landmarked the Facade and the First Floor. The building is additionally listed with both IHPA and NHS. We wrangled back and forth between the City and Landmarks for a year, and never even got as far as dealing with State or Federal levels, though by some respects, they would have been easy enough to deal with by virtue of the fact that most of their restrictions are much more largely design related, whereas CLC has quite a lot of influence in how a building is not only renovated, but also how it is zoned and permitted for its use, the latter issues being the primary hangup, and ultimately probably why a judged deemed CLC illegal not too long ago.

[BWChicago]

Can Chicago Landmarks and/or Landmarks Illinois even register a federal property on federal land?

Hm, good question. But don't confuse Landmarks Illinois (statewide advocacy organization) with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (State Historic Preservation Office).

[aic4ever]

Interesting to hear the insider perspective on this. Ideally the bolded passage would give decision-makers and activists some pause about the need for reconsidering the current procedures in place, since it seems most do-gooder activist types who slow down development would actually prefer the reverse be true - even a less-than-ideal renovation being preferable to demolition.

aic4ever, do you have any thoughts on the amendments to the Planned Development process that Reilly just pushed through that would (allegedly) make it easier to rehab old buildings (landmarked or not) through the PD process?

I'm not familiar with those revisions. Link?

[Patel]

Has this video been posted here yet?

ZaMGqzkNwLY

[J_M_Tungsten]

I have never seen that before, thanks for posting! Its weird to see the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, and the old water tower stand out so well in the sky!

[spyguy]

No clue what is going there though.

http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2009/08/a-blt-for-chicago/

A BLT for Chicago? Not quite…
By David Tamarkin

...News came today that we may get a taste of BLT—but not from chef Tourondel. Instead, his longtime collaborator, chef Stephen Wambach, who was the chef de cuisine at BLT Steak, is beating him to the punch. Wambach is opening an as-of-yet-unnamed restaurant at 112 West Hubbard Street. The concept: “Traditional-meets-progressive.” (We were hoping for “BLT-meets-Chicago,” but we’ll take what we can get.)

[lalucedm]

Do you think there's some way that our new $6 billion west side transit hub could be integrated into the old post office building? The location is 2-3 blocks off, so it's a pie in the sky idea obviously.

BUT, hypothetically... if space in the center portions of the tower were used for ticketing, concessions, and retail, perhaps a few offices (like in the Merchandise Mart), then the taller north and south wings could be used for other purposes - office or residential, most likely - and it all would be connected to the massive underground hub in the same complex. Underground passageways would have to be built to Union Station, of course, as well.

It would, of course, make for the biggest bureaucratic mess anybody has ever seen: a private company would have to deal with 1) the city to develop the complex, as well as 2) the IHPA, due to the covenant, 3) federal landmarks organizations, due to National historic status, perhaps, 3) IDOT, because the Eisenhower runs under the site, 4) the CTA, because the Blue Line subway runs under the site, and 5) Metra? or other railways?, because their tracks run under the site. Not to mention have to deal with these organizations in other capacities in order to integrate the other planned transit routes that are ultimately to be integrated into the new hub, such as the Monroe Street busway.

However, it could be amazing, could it not? It could be something like the old Penn Station, Gare du Nord in Paris, or Grand Central, if completed well.

[Nowhereman1280]

If anyone is in the South Loop and has a camera, you should snag some photos of Studio Gang's shiny new Columbia College Film School, its nearly complete on the outside and looking like its going to be a truly excellent building. Can't wait to see the glass (modeled after the colorful "test screen" we all used to see when stations went off the air at night) lit up from the inside at night.

Also, I am getting really excited because, especially after seeing that Businessweek article, I think Studio Gang may actually make it big and bring a new wave of Chicago design back onto the scene.

Also, I discovered another new Studio Gang project in Chicago today that is already underway. Some of you may have noticed that the entire Lincoln Park South Pond is fenced off. Well Studio Gang I believe are the ones responsible for that. I think they have been commissioned to redesign the pond and include a brand new boardwalk as well as 2 permanent pavilions which will be used for community meetings and outdoor classes. Here is the pavilion design from Gang's website:

http://www.studiogang.net/images/projects/a5_2.jpg

[ardecila]

A wood lamella roof - cool. It looks like this one will be using laminated wood to make those curved shapes, rather than the straight lines of standard lumber, making the pavilion a "laminated lamella". :haha:

[FlashingLights]

Maybe part of the post office could be used as a dance club. I know it's not a prime area for a club but still the floor space is huge. There would have to be some other mixed development in it that would be used in the day. Or some floor could be converted for banquets (although there are large amounts of those in area especially old south loop hotels.)

[wrabbit]

If anyone is in the South Loop and has a camera, you should snag some photos of Studio Gang's shiny new Columbia College Film School, its nearly complete on the outside and looking like its going to be a truly excellent building. Can't wait to see the glass (modeled after the colorful "test screen" we all used to see when stations went off the air at night) lit up from the inside at night.

Also, I am getting really excited because, especially after seeing that Businessweek article, I think Studio Gang may actually make it big and bring a new wave of Chicago design back onto the scene.

Also, I discovered another new Studio Gang project in Chicago today that is already underway. Some of you may have noticed that the entire Lincoln Park South Pond is fenced off. Well Studio Gang I believe are the ones responsible for that. I think they have been commissioned to redesign the pond and include a brand new boardwalk as well as 2 permanent pavilions which will be used for community meetings and outdoor classes. Here is the pavilion design from Gang's website:

http://www.studiogang.net/images/projects/a5_2.jpg

Great - that was fast, too - I didn't even realize that they'd broken ground yet on the Media Production Center. I'm gonna head over there in a couple of hours to see if I can snap a few pics.

Apparently, S/G hasn't needed to lay off any staff during the downturn - a very good sign. Expect their currency to take off exponentially once Aqua opens and the project hits the media circuit.

[aic4ever]

The Core & Shell at Rush & Walton is now done, and Lululemon is beginning their buildout. I know Viva expressed some displeasure while it was still being built. Thoughts now that it's done?

[VivaLFuego]

I'm not familiar with those revisions. Link?
I don't have a link to the actual language of the amendment. Here's a press release I got via Ald Reilly's mailing list:

This past week, the Committee on Zoning voted unanimously to approve Alderman Reilly's ordinance for full City Council passage next month.

Specifically, this proposed ordinance expands the Elective Planned Development Thresholds - Section 17-8-0600 adding an additional category for historic structures, allowing those owners to take advantage of the Planned Development process. Currently, if a historic structure does not meet the elective thresholds, redevelopment is restricted to its zoning classification.

The purpose of the ordinance is to broaden the possibilities for redevelopment and reuse of structures with historic status or actual landmark status. Alderman Reilly has growing concerns over treasured, older building stock in the ward facing high vacancy rates due to their obsolescence. The city cannot afford for these important buildings to ultimately be abandoned and left to deteriorate because their zoning does not allow for the flexibility necessary for redevelopment.

With this amendment, owners seeking to redevelop their property can seek relief from zoning restrictions while providing for public process and community input as these changes to the urban landscape occur. That community process and points negotiated can then be codified in a Planned Development Ordinance providing certainty for the city and community that these structures will be preserved and re-used. In many instances, we do not have opportunity for that level of community input and negotiation, absent the Planned Development process.


The Core & Shell at Rush & Walton is now done, and Lululemon is beginning their buildout. I know Viva expressed some displeasure while it was still being built. Thoughts now that it's done?

When I was down there a week ago, the blank wall along Walton was pretty unpleasant and oppressive - has the trellis system you were describing been installed yet? The landscaping along the wall and in sidewalk planters should help blunt the starkness significantly.
Incidentally, this project, as well as the impending doom of the 2 nice Victorian rowhomes next door, are precisely the sorts of things that I -hope- Reilly had in mind at averting with the ordinance.

[BWChicago]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3884469536_f80ac08d27.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepblueskies/3884469536/" title="Loyola set to demolish two more Rogers Park buildings by deep blue skies, on Flickr)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3883678153_0c86194218.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepblueskies/3883678153/" title="Loyola set to demolish two more Rogers Park buildings by deep blue skies, on Flickr)

In Loyola/Rogers Park News, Loyola is demolishing these two great commercial structures at Sheridan and Albion (across from Chipotle) for some as-yet-unannounced redevelopment. Somehow neither of these buildings were even ON the Chicago Historic Resources Survey.

[wrabbit]

Studio/GANG's Columbia College Media Center, 9/2. I chose the worst possible time (mid-afternoon) to snap these pics, but you get the idea. Despite what these photos might indicate, the project is going to be very photogenic.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3884900404_e3a3d921dd_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3884109189_7cf25332dc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3884878960_d021553e36_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3884882616_9e4ab427be_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3884904614_fee21eb248_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3884886814_73e1399297_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3884894022_aaa8dea840_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/3884874438_7c6b0239ac_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3884173297_d62a2ef9f0_b.jpg

[aic4ever]

I don't have a link to the actual language of the amendment. Here's a press release I got via Ald Reilly's mailing list:




When I was down there a week ago, the blank wall along Walton was pretty unpleasant and oppressive - has the trellis system you were describing been installed yet? The landscaping along the wall and in sidewalk planters should help blunt the starkness significantly.
Incidentally, this project, as well as the impending doom of the 2 nice Victorian rowhomes next door, are precisely the sorts of things that I -hope- Reilly had in mind at averting with the ordinance.

I think easing the ability to rezone is a fantastic step. That was a major hindrance in the reuse of existing buildings.

The landscaping at Rush & Walton, along with the trellis system, all went in on Monday. I think it looks pretty good. Will be a while until the plantings grow up the trellis, but you'll get the idea.

[Nowhereman1280]

In Loyola/Rogers Park News, Loyola is demolishing these two great commercial structures at Sheridan and Albion (across from Chipotle) for some as-yet-unannounced redevelopment. Somehow neither of these buildings were even ON the Chicago Historic Resources Survey.

Its not unannounced, but there haven't been renders released yet. That block is phase two or three of the Loyola Station Project which includes the Morgan, the parking garage with CVS on the block next to the Morgan, that block, and the end of the next block north from the parking garage. Originally Loyola tried to get permission to combine the building they are currently making way for with the Loyola El stop and also bridge across the El to the newly vacant 4th plot where the 4+1 was up until February. However, now the plan is just more buildings similar to the Morgan. There should be a pretty decent density boost over the existing puny structures (both of which are in pretty rough structural shape, the old flower shop on the corner is particularly bad with the whole first floor having been gut-rehabed in the 70's).

Edit: Here is the bid solicitation for the Second Phase straight from Loyola's website:

http://www.luc.edu/tif/PDFs/tif_phase2.pdf

[BWChicago]

Its not unannounced, but there haven't been renders released yet. That block is phase two or three of the Loyola Station Project which includes the Morgan, the parking garage with CVS on the block next to the Morgan, that block, and the end of the next block north from the parking garage. Originally Loyola tried to get permission to combine the building they are currently making way for with the Loyola El stop and also bridge across the El to the newly vacant 4th plot where the 4+1 was up until February. However, now the plan is just more buildings similar to the Morgan. There should be a pretty decent density boost over the existing puny structures (both of which are in pretty rough structural shape, the old flower shop on the corner is particularly bad with the whole first floor having been gut-rehabed in the 70's).

Edit: Here is the bid solicitation for the Second Phase straight from Loyola's website:

http://www.luc.edu/tif/PDFs/tif_phase2.pdf

That bridge idea would have been interesting, but I can't imagine it would have worked too well. I think most of the density is going to be coming from the giant vacant lot behind, these two had a relatively small footprint. Can't speak to the structure, of course, but they don't look like they're falling down. Sheridan around Loyola is turning into a stripmall with apartments above.

[emathias]

Maybe part of the post office could be used as a dance club. I know it's not a prime area for a club but still the floor space is huge. ...

Not prime for a club? Really?

206 S Jefferson is a four block walk from the Old Post Office. For the club-history-deficient among you :-) 206 S Jefferson was the home of The Warehouse, the birthplace of house music. So, in a way, not only is that place prime for a club, but it's quite possibly the best place in Chicago for one, given that the area was home to one of the most important clubs in clubbing history.

[the urban politician]

The best nightclubs are in places a bit off the beaten path, away from any residences, yet still in an area that is not too unsafe. This area of town looks perfect for a bit of nightlife.

[lawfin]

That bridge idea would have been interesting, but I can't imagine it would have worked too well. I think most of the density is going to be coming from the giant vacant lot behind, these two had a relatively small footprint. Can't speak to the structure, of course, but they don't look like they're falling down. Sheridan around Loyola is turning into a stripmall with apartments above.
Agreed ....craptapula...banalatula....

The vanguard of this was the demolition of the stunning Granada theater in the late 80's early 90's....replaced by the hideous Granada center.....shite

[sammyg]

In Loyola/Rogers Park News, Loyola is demolishing these two great commercial structures at Sheridan and Albion (across from Chipotle) for some as-yet-unannounced redevelopment. Somehow neither of these buildings were even ON the Chicago Historic Resources Survey.

It's Rogers Park - how many wealthy Historical Society members really go up there?

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Also, those structures are about as historically notable as the (yeah hate me for saying it) crap hole that is Bruno's. There are much much more historically important and nicer buildings in Rogers Park that are in danger of being demolished or mutilated.

That bridge idea would have been interesting, but I can't imagine it would have worked too well. I think most of the density is going to be coming from the giant vacant lot behind, these two had a relatively small footprint. Can't speak to the structure, of course, but they don't look like they're falling down. Sheridan around Loyola is turning into a stripmall with apartments above.

Come on now guys, lets be fair, the Morgan is not that bad of a building. And its certainly a 1000% improvement over the shit that was there before. And frankly, most of the strip malls and drive throughs were built before Granada Theater was torn down. So I'd blame the desecration of Granada on the systematic decay of the area through surface lots and drive throughs, not the other way around. I view the Morgan as a continued healing of the few rips in the very well preserved urban fabric that is "the jungle" aka Rogers Park.

I only say the corner building is crap because I had friends who lived on the third floor and everything on the inside was sagging or had a hole in it or looked like it was water damaged, the building is in pretty rough shape. The one next to it doesn't look much better judging by the fact that a third of the building is clearly settled about 3-4 inches lower than the rest and there are plants growing in the cracks in the terra cotta...

Also, don't worry about how sterile and new the Morgan and new CVS are, knowing RoPo I'm sure they'll be good and ghettoed up in no time.

On good news relating to Rogers Park, has anyone else noticed all the new restaurants going in on Jarvis by the El? There are a whole bunch of permits in the previously abandoned storefronts that say a new dining establishment is coming.

[spyguy]

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12265

SOM's designs for a revamped public space in the Windy City

This plan also includes conceptual designs for a new focal point feature, activity space and green amenity at the river confluence, a new public market under Wacker Drive and new pedestrian bridge to link both sides of the river east of Columbus Drive.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8910/12265chicagoriverwalk38.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4935/122651chicago20riverwal.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/78/122652chicago20riverwal.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1552/122653chicago20riverwal.jpg

[BWChicago]

^^^ Also, those structures are about as historically notable as the (yeah hate me for saying it) crap hole that is Bruno's. There are much much more historically important and nicer buildings in Rogers Park that are in danger of being demolished or mutilated.

"It's Rogers Park - how many wealthy Historical Society members really go up there?"

About the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, which has nothing to do with the Historical Society or its members:
In the City's words: "An inventory of architecturally and historically significant structures.

The Chicago Historic Resources Survey (CHRS), completed in 1995, was a decade-long research effort by the City of Chicago to analyze the historic and architectural importance of all buildings constructed in the city prior to 1940. During 12 years of fieldwork and follow-up research that started in 1983, CHRS surveyors identified 17,371 properties which were considered to have some historic or architectural importance. The CHRS database identifies each property's date of construction, architect, building style and type, Chicago Landmark status (LM), inclusion in the Illinois Historic Structures Survey (ISS), and property identification numbers (PIN). A color-coded ranking system was used to identify historic and architectural significance relative to age, degree of external physical integrity, and level of possible significance."

Of course it's not that good and followup work hasn't really been done. The Tribune did a whole series on its failure, "A Squandered Heritage". Here's the first in that series: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/custom/landmarks/chi-030113landmarks1,0,7180490.story?page=1 And a follow-up on the result of that series, the demolition delay: http://www.northendsquare.com/paths_of_destruction_a_tribune_i.htm

I would say these two buildings had a lot of architectural quality and detail that gave this stretch of Sheridan, unlike Broadway below it, some pedestrian scale, and could have allowed good small businesses to serve the population, had Loyola decided to rehab the buildings. Those defects sound fixable.

Bruno's is a hole, but who cares, the building itself is one of a kind, amazing, rare Egyptian deco. In any suburb, a building like that would be an instant landmark, but because Chicago has so much Big Important Architecture (and it does), small gems like that, which give a neighborhood interest and character, get overlooked, stuck on the CHRS if we're lucky, and then torn down because the ranking system doesn't work. I don't like the terms historic, or landmark, because they imply either Big Important Events or Big Important Architecture, really it's about the places that give, or have the potential to give, vitality. I think heritage resources is a better term.

And no, I don't really dislike the Morgan. My strip mall comment applied more to the businesses. All-new rows of stores=high rents=chain retailers=strip mall. The tenants in any of the new high-rises on Sheridan and Broadway wouldn't be out of place in any given strip mall.

Chicago's supposed to be a great city for architecture, but if it really was you could do creative solutions like transferable development rights. This project would be perfect for that, keep the street wall intact and get a couple more stories on your transit oriented development.

[Mr Downtown]

^Not sure how TDR would help this situation, which almost certainly is a PD anyway. If Loyola wanted more density or height somewhere, all they have to do is build it.

It's ironic that TDR was basically invented with Chicago's landmarks in mind—in fact, John Costonis called it "the Chicago Plan" in his 1974 book Space Adrift. But because in Chicago you can pretty much build to the limits of federal airspace as of right, there's not much market for development rights.

[schwerve]

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12265
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1552/122653chicago20riverwal.jpg

interesting stuff.

side note: first time I've seen the footprint for wolf point.

[Busy Bee]

^For whatever thats worth. Im shocked that any large scale plan for Wolf Point wouldn't include demolition or at least a massive structural renovation of the Apparal Mart.

As for this riverwalk plan, besides being a bit confused as to how "real" this is, I'm not sure about any of it. At least it looks ambitious. Also, not sure of the raltionship—if any—of this to the current riverwalk work being done by the city?

[museumparktom]

Anyone else catch what looks like a new pedestrian bridge placed between Columbus and LSD. I think that is right at the Water Reclamation fountain. The Calatrava pedestrain bridge looks like its gone.

[Nowhereman1280]

Anyone else catch what looks like a new pedestrian bridge placed between Columbus and LSD. I think that is right at the Water Reclamation fountain. The Calatrava pedestrain bridge looks like its gone.

The Calatrava bridge was never a sure thing even if the CS got built. There will still need to be a new ped bridge at the mouth of the river anyhow since the Lake Shore Path must be rerouted off the LSD bridge because its just ridiculously dangerous.

[emathias]

Anyone else catch what looks like a new pedestrian bridge placed between Columbus and LSD. I think that is right at the Water Reclamation fountain. The Calatrava pedestrain bridge looks like its gone.

The Central Area Action Plan calls for that.

[emathias]

...
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1552/122653chicago20riverwal.jpg

I think they should work on their district names. "Confluence District" doesn't really sound like a winning name. Sounds a little too much like "Effluence District." :)

Also, why do none of these plans call for a bridge/elevated roadway over the railroad tracks to Desplaines or even Halsted. It would really improve access between River North and the River West/West Loop area, being much better than Kinzie.

[orulz]

Also, why do none of these plans call for a bridge/elevated roadway over the railroad tracks to Desplaines or even Halsted. It would really improve access between River North and the River West/West Loop area, being much better than Kinzie.

That's kind of out of left field, care to explain in more detail - is this an idea you thought of or is this on some official plan somewhere?

If I were to guess, I assume you mean taking the road in front of the Merchandise Mart, and extending it over the river and on a viaduct above the railroad tracks to Halsted or wherever. That's an interesting idea, but If that's what you mean, here's my take on why it's not included: high cost, low benefits, extreme impacts. A new bascule bridge would be needed. The viaduct would have to be 40-50 feet high to clear the approaches to Ogilvie station. It would therefore intersect neither Clinton (which will be lowered beneath the railroad tracks) nor Canal.

This would not be nearly the boon to connectivity that you are suggesting. This might be a $200-300 million project, all for what amounts to a bypass route for cars to get from the Merchandise Mart to Desplaines without any stoplights.

[ardecila]

I think they should work on their district names. "Confluence District" doesn't really sound like a winning name. Sounds a little too much like "Effluence District." :)

There's a Confluence Park in Denver that's pretty popular. I don't think there will actually be signs denoting the various districts, but design motifs and strategies will change in each district to create a series of distinct destinations.

[the urban politician]

My biggest concern with the riverwalk plan is that I'm not sure I'd want to see a further narrowing of the Chicago River. Sure, the walking paths are nice, but I like the idea of the city having a nice, big river running through it, instead of a cute little stream. Chicago isn't a city of cute little streams and canals, it's a city built around the economy of industry and shipping, and the river should remain an emblem of that.

[schwerve]

My biggest concern with the riverwalk plan is that I'm not sure I'd want to see a further narrowing of the Chicago River. Sure, the walking paths are nice, but I like the idea of the city having a nice, big river running through it, instead of a cute little stream. Chicago isn't a city of cute little streams and canals, it's a city built around the economy of industry and shipping, and the river should remain an emblem of that.

I agree with the sentiment but using up ~3% of the width of river for a walkway isn't exactly turning the river into a cute little stream.

[the urban politician]

^ It's not 3%, it looks like more than that. Plus, the Chicago River isn't exactly the Hudson. It's already relatively narrow

[BWChicago]

A big river that was dredged, rerouted, and generally manipulated by man to serve his purposes. Why not reshape it again for modern needs?

[J_M_Tungsten]

^^^ Exactly, how often is it used for transporting cargo or things of that nature anymore. All I ever see on it really now is people kayaking and tour boats. How often do they even have a boat big enough to raise the bridges anymore?

[schwerve]

^ It's not 3%, it looks like more than that. Plus, the Chicago River isn't exactly the Hudson. It's already relatively narrow

its ~5 feet out of 200 at its narrowest, so actually 2.5%.

edit: looking at the completed riverwalk again, its probably closer to 10 feet directly out from the bridges, so 5% at its narrowest, the point remains the same.

[mcfinley]

:previous:

Huh..., I've always just assumed that the 200 ft minimum had to do with an old law on the books, like the lakefront being "free and clear."

[schwerve]

:previous:

Huh..., I've always just assumed that the 200 ft minimum had to do with an old law on the books, like the lakefront being "free and clear."

I'm not sure why its 200, I just measured on google earth.

[wrabbit]

:previous:

Huh..., I've always just assumed that the 200 ft minimum had to do with an old law on the books, like the lakefront being "free and clear."

The "Free & Clear" bit is part of the Grant Park charter, but it doesn't apply to the river or to other parts of the lakefront not contingent with Grant Park.

[wrabbit]

.....(B)ecause in Chicago you can pretty much build to the limits of federal airspace as of right, there's not much market for development rights.

Good point!

[nomarandlee]

The Burnham Plan Centennia site has some pretty cool ideas and renders out. Worth a look........

http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu/big_bold_visionary

[VivaLFuego]

Palmolive Building has it's beacon on tonight... sweeping about a 30 degree arc out over the lake. I assume it's just for the holiday weekend.

[J_M_Tungsten]

^^^ really?? why dont they normally keep it on?

[wrabbit]

^ The beacon is like a directional spotlight and is too bright for the taller condos & hotels that have sprouted up around it.

Thanks BTW Viva for the heads up.

[denizen467]

... because in Chicago you can pretty much build to the limits of federal airspace as of right, there's not much market for development rights.
You mean other than local zoning? Am I missing something that prevents me from squaring the above statement with the limitations of zoning...?

[george]

9-03

Restoration outside, the Royal Scam inside.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2950/chicagothea.jpg

[BWChicago]

the page bros. building next door is looking good

[Via Chicago]

^^^ Exactly, how often is it used for transporting cargo or things of that nature anymore. All I ever see on it really now is people kayaking and tour boats. How often do they even have a boat big enough to raise the bridges anymore?

Um, its used for cargo all the time. I know Prairie Cement receives all of their raw materials via barge...I used eat lunch on the north branch of the river and you would see these things come through all the time.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/325132605_e717fb0f62.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/325132605_e717fb0f62.jpg?v=0

Most of the bigger barges have hydraulic control cabins which are able to lower when they pass beneath bridges.

I've also seen barges carrying scrap metal, coal, and other materials.

[J_M_Tungsten]

^^^ Sweet, I guess I'm not on the river enough to notice, but everytime I am there I never see barges like that. Also, where are these barges coming from? Michigan? Wisconsin? Indiana? Seems like railcarts would work just as well. Maybe its cheaper?

[cbotnyse]

^^^ Sweet, I guess I'm not on the river enough to notice, but everytime I am there I never see barges like that. Also, where are these barges coming from? Michigan? Wisconsin? Indiana? Seems like railcarts would work just as well. Maybe its cheaper?I've seen some enormous barges come through, short enough to pass under the bridges. Not sure where they come from. I see one this size about once a month.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/DSC_march082.jpg

[Mr Downtown]

Barges still ply the South Branch and part of the North Branch, mostly bringing aggregate and cement from Material Service Corporation to that yard opposite Goose Island and salt to Morton Salt (a total of 1.2 million tons in 2002, compared to the Sanitary & Ship Canal's total of 17 million tons).

However, there's virtually no commercial traffic on the Main Branch, east of Wolf Point. There are no more customers there. In 2001, Chicago Lock passed 36,000 recreational vessels, 95 commercial vessels, and 107 barges. As barges aren't used on the open lake, I have to wonder if a fair number of those barge passages were related to revetment reconstruction in Lincoln and Burnham parks. Does that blue one^ belong to the MWRDGC?

Just for fun: The Marine Angel, 1953:

http://i27.tinypic.com/2cgmo1u.png
History Image Gallery

[brian_b]

I've seen some enormous barges come through, short enough to pass under the bridges. Not sure where they come from. I see one this size about once a month.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/DSC_march082.jpg


Damn, I wonder where that goes. I have a full view of Wolf Point and the confluence of the 3 branches and see a lot of commercial traffic though it is pretty rare to see any on the main branch. I've never seen the one above, it would be awesome to see it try to turn at Wolf Point!

^^^ Barges are used on the open lake... Every Wednesday and Saturday the Navy Pier fireworks are brought over on a barge from Gary. Last season the barge seemed to pass through the race course every Wednesday night (sailboat racing).

[Nowhereman1280]

However, there's virtually no commercial traffic on the Main Branch, east of Wolf Point. There are no more customers there. In 2001, Chicago Lock passed 36,000 recreational vessels, 95 commercial vessels, and 107 barges. As barges aren't used on the open lake,

No, there are a few commercial barges used on Lake Michigan, its just they are never used for long hauls because they need to be able to scurry back to shore in case a squall is coming. I see them from my window once and a while. I think they are usually just used to deliver materials to large construction sites on the lake from staging areas on less densely populated shorelines. I often see them loaded with riffraff for building piers or erosion control along the shore. Rarely I'll see them lurking way out in the lake riding low with a big load of something, but I'm not sure what those ones are doing. In any case, you are correct, barges are pretty rare out in the open.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Marine Angel,[/I] 1953:

http://i27.tinypic.com/2cgmo1u.png
History Image Gallery

Unbelievable!!! Ok if we still passed ships like this today, they would need every inch of river available, forget the riverwalk then! This is such an amazing picture, it seems so out of place for Chicago. Thanks for posting.

[ardecila]

I often see them loaded with riffraff for building piers or erosion control

:jester: I believe the word is riprap.

[wrabbit]

Something may be going on at VDT's Staybridge (fingers crossed) - noticed lights on Friday pm, & lower portion of tarp off.

[Mr Downtown]

No, there are a few commercial barges used on Lake Michigan, its just they are never used for long hauls because they need to be able to scurry back to shore in case a squall is coming.

In other words, not used on the open lake.

I often see them loaded with riffraff for building piers or erosion control

That's an awfully judgmental thing to say—on Labor Day—about well-paid union workers . . . ;)

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ No, they most definitely are used way out there sometimes, but I have no idea what they are doing. I can see them several miles out maybe once a month or so. Its clearly one or two large barges being pushed by a tug when I look at them through by binoculars. The ones I see the most though are the ones carrying construction materials within a mile of shore.

:jester: I believe the word is riprap.

Haha, yes, that is the word I meant to use. Spell check in Chrome apparently doesn't recognize riprap and changed it to riffraff when I typed it...

[Steely Dan]

as an avid river kayaker and resident of marina city, i can confirm that all branches of the chicago river still see barge traffic, though it is rather rare on the main branch. most barges that i've encountered while paddling also seem to go through downtown in the evening hours. i don't know if that's by design to avoid the busiest times of the tourist boats or if it's just coincidence, but it's a pattern i've noticed.

i've also seen that big blue barge that cbotnyse posted. it's cool seeing a barge that big navigate through the bends at wabash.




As barges aren't used on the open lake,
that's incorrect, there are a number of barges that are used out on the open water of the great lakes' shipping lanes. they are operated as an integrated tug and barge system where the barge actually has a notch in the back end to accommodate the hull of the tug (as seen in the picture cbotnyse posted). from a distance they can resemble a conventional lake freighter, but they are in fact tug and barge set-ups. what you won't see out on the open water of the great lakes are rafted barge set-ups like you see on the mississippi river, where a number of smaller barges are rafted together and pushed by a single tug.

for reference, here's an image of one of the typical great lakes integrated tug & barges (ITB) that routinely ply the open waters of the great lakes.

http://www.boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/thumb/greatlakestrader-10-00-dc.jpg
source: http://www.boatnerd.com/

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Yeah, those are the guys I see way out there every so often. I thought they were just freighters at first, but then one came in close enough for me to get a good look at it with my binoculars and I could see it was far too low in the water and that the tug part was clearly not fully integrated structurally with barge part.

[Mr Downtown]

FWIW, barges are pushed by towboats, not tugboats.

[Nowhereman1280]

There is a drill rig on site at the corner of Sheridan and Foster in the Dominicks Parking lot. Hopefully this means they are doing site testing for that wonderful new Dominicks they are going to build. The sooner they build that the better, it should make a world of difference for that corner.

Also, rumor has it that both the southeast and southwest corners of that interesection are slated for some kind of redevelopment. I don't have any details on it, but I hear that the McDonalds and the dilapidated 4+1 are going to go and be replaced by some midrises.

[Steely Dan]

FWIW, barges are pushed by towboats, not tugboats.

well, i'm no expert on maritime terminology in general, but that little rule does not apply to shipping on the great lakes. the ITBs that ply the waters of the great lakes are pushed by tugs. ITB stands for Integrated Tug & Barge, not Integrated Tow & Barge. i really don't know if there is any substantive difference between a tugboat and a towboat, but on the lakes, the term "tug" is used across the board.


EDIT: doing a little research, it turns out that towboats are a specific type of tugboat. they are flat-fronted, flat-hulled tugs used for pushing barges on rivers and other types of protected inland waters. they are generally not suitable for open water use do to their hull shape.

[sukwoo]

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/1759880,CST-NWS-roeder09.article

The man who bought old Post Office

September 9, 2009

DAVID ROEDER droeder@suntimes.com
The mysterious buyer of the Old Chicago Main Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren, is Bill Davies, a globe-trotting investor who apparently has left a trail of broken promises in his former hometown of Liverpool, England.
.
.
.
According to the Liverpool Daily Post, Davies has tried unsuccessfully to launch several projects in that city. His plan for a shopping complex in a central part of Liverpool called Chavasse Park dragged on for years until the local council pulled his legal right to the property. Davies charged that the action cost him about $160 million in lost profits. He ended up settling with the council in 2008 for what the Daily Post said was a payout worth about $3 million.

[Busy Bee]

Well lets give the man a chance before we assume he will fail. Many a great person failed time and time again before success, remember that.

[ardecila]

Well lets give the man a chance before we assume he will fail. Many a great person failed time and time again before success, remember that.

Tell that to the bank where he's gonna ask for construction financing. :(

[aspiringArchitect]

Sorry this is totally of topic but I didn't know where else I could post this. I just got an email yesterday informing me about this. CBS2 is having a Chicago coffee table type book published, and they are asking anybody and everybody to submit their pics onto their website where other users can vote on which ones they like and eventually pictures will be picked out to be published. I think this is a cool idea; I already uploaded about 20 of my best pics! Maybe i'll even get lucky and get a couple of them published.

Try it. Even if you don't get picked, it's still pretty cool!

http://www.capturemychicago.com/

[the urban politician]

To whom it may concern (and I'm guessing probably not too many), the development u/c on the NE corner of Devon & Rockwell is indeed actively going up.

Unfortunately, from a business nearby I found out that the residential portion has been lopped off. Thus, it will simply be a parking garage with lower level shops.

[whyhuhwhy]

I was passing by a patient room today and for some reason a Chicago Tribune caught my eye. On the front page was a huge plan for extending Chicago's lakeshore bike paths to the south and to the north. The patient offered me the paper but I declined saying I'll just look it up online when I get home. I'm now home and can't for the life of me find the article or anything of this. Does anyone have access to today's Tribune or have access to this article online? I've searched everywhere and don't feel like going to the store to grab an actual paper. It looked like really big and very real plans to extend the lakeshore bike paths and I would very much appreciate someone sharing as I'm sure others would be interested in this.

[VivaLFuego]

To whom it may concern (and I'm guessing probably not too many), the development u/c on the NE corner of Devon & Rockwell is indeed actively going up.

Unfortunately, from a business nearby I found out that the residential portion has been lopped off. Thus, it will simply be a parking garage with lower level shops.

It's still an upgrade as long as the lower floor is primarily devoted to retail. Given how far the Devon district is from the L, it will have a high rate of auto use by default, so best that such use is accommodated in dense urban structures like garages rather than crappy street-killing surface lots.

[denizen467]

Mini update: 1st-floor columns have now been put up for the Clybourn Apple Store.

[ardecila]

I was passing by a patient room today and for some reason a Chicago Tribune caught my eye. On the front page was a huge plan for extending Chicago's lakeshore bike paths to the south and to the north. The patient offered me the paper but I declined saying I'll just look it up online when I get home. I'm now home and can't for the life of me find the article or anything of this. Does anyone have access to today's Tribune or have access to this article online? I've searched everywhere and don't feel like going to the store to grab an actual paper. It looked like really big and very real plans to extend the lakeshore bike paths and I would very much appreciate someone sharing as I'm sure others would be interested in this.

There are several related articles... here's one:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/events/chi-0910-bike-path-subsep10,0,3246023.story

The other articles have links on that page.

[whyhuhwhy]

There are several related articles... here's one:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/events/chi-0910-bike-path-subsep10,0,3246023.story

The other articles have links on that page.

Yeah I saw that, but that wasn't the article that I saw on the front page of the Tribune yesterday. The article I saw had a large diagram showing planned extensions to the south and to the north.

[nomarandlee]

..
http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1764692,CST-NWS-oside11.article


New harbors near pier, 31st St. set to get lots of bells, whistles
$110 MIL. PROJECT | Restaurants, trams, remote parking, shuttle proposed
Comments

September 11, 2009

BY FRAN SPIELMAN AND LISA DONOVAN Staff Reporters

Chicago is getting a sneak peak at two new lakefront harbors that will create more than 1,100 new slips and absorb boaters displaced from Monroe Harbor if Chicago wins the 2016 Olympic sweepstakes.

The 240-slip Gateway Harbor south of Navy Pier includes plans for a new Navy Pier park "to be developed by others," a "transit circulator" serving multiple stations and "on-pier trams" operating in "designated tram lanes," according to a zoning application filed at this week's City Council meeting.

The north dock would be at Navy Pier's Festival Hall; the south dock at the Family Pavilion. New restaurants, kiosks and harbor facilities would be provided in two new buildings on the east and west sides of the new harbor.

Remote parking and shuttle buses would divert traffic away from already congested Navy Pier.

The new 31st Street marina with space for 840 boats would include a new restaurant, lakefront community center and parking for 300 cars. The sleek new building designed by Brook Architecture includes a translucent glass curtain wall.
The two new harbors are the first to be built by the Chicago Park District in nearly a decade -- since Du Sable Harbor opened with 420 slips.

The $110 million project will be financed by a revenue bond retired by 20 years of boat mooring fees................

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=32362

City Hall peddles $40-mil. bike path
By: Paul Merrion September 14, 2009

The Daley administration is reviving plans to build an elevated pathway to keep bicyclists and pedestrians off the streets near Navy Pier, roughly doubling the original cost to $40 million by extending and revamping the route across the Chicago River to fix the biggest choke point in the 18-mile lakefront trail.

The only question is how to pay for the expansion of the 10-year-old plan. Funding will probably come from a big chunk of federal money and a mix of state, local and private dollars.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5085/og091409h.jpg

[ardecila]

Not sure I like the plan to cut a hole through the FDR Bridge towers. Can it be done tastefully without compromising the design? Also, will it require the removal of the bridge stairs?

[spyguy]

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/religion/1766000,st-boniface-church-saved-091209.article#

New plan would save St. Boniface towers
September 12, 2009

An agreement has been reached to save historic St. Boniface -- or, at least, significant parts of the vacant West Town church -- from the wrecking ball, officials said Friday.

Under the deal, four signature church towers would be saved, and the building would be converted into a "senior living" complex.

..."The entire front of the church with the two towers looking toward [a park], that sort of front-entrance look will remain in tact as well the two towers that flank that -- so four towers total," McHugh said.

[the urban politician]

^ Excellent news!

[ardecila]

^^ The Archdiocese demolished St. Boniface School in 2003, but they placed the facade into storage. Hopefully, the new senior home will use that facade as well.

Depending on the resulting design for the senior home, this may be a very good outcome.

[sammyg]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=32362

City Hall peddles $40-mil. bike path
By: Paul Merrion September 14, 2009

The Daley administration is reviving plans to build an elevated pathway to keep bicyclists and pedestrians off the streets near Navy Pier, roughly doubling the original cost to $40 million by extending and revamping the route across the Chicago River to fix the biggest choke point in the 18-mile lakefront trail.

The only question is how to pay for the expansion of the 10-year-old plan. Funding will probably come from a big chunk of federal money and a mix of state, local and private dollars.


If only they'd use some TIF money for a project this great.

[denizen467]

Not sure I like the plan to cut a hole through the FDR Bridge towers. Can it be done tastefully without compromising the design?
Also, although they would be short, the resulting "tunnels" could invite occasional graffiti, filth, and maybe an opportunity for late night muggers. Why go with a design like that if a different configuration is possible? How about cantilevering off the east side of the bridge - if the width is kept limited somewhat then maybe it would be structurally possible?

[ardecila]

They already are cantilevering off the east side of the bridge. But there's a choke point between the bridge truss and the towers. Sending the path to the outside of the towers would probably be even more damaging to the original look of the bridge, and might require the destruction of the beautiful Art Deco stairs.

The best solution would be to split directions on the bike path, so that southbound bikers and joggers take the west sidewalk and northbound on the east. But that would require a more complex structure, and a crosswalk at Wacker for the southbound.

[Busy Bee]

How about a bike/ped tunnel UNDER the river, with a glass/acrylic ceiling and LED lighting, depending on how deep the river is thru that section, light from daytime could stream thru a glass or acrylic celing. Hey, it doesn't sound that crazy to me.

[Busy Bee]

Here's a link to a Lynn Becker article from 2003 about the city/archdioscece deisgn competition at St. Boniface. Not sure I'd ever seen these before. Of course none of these will actually be happening.

http://www.lynnbecker.com/repeat/boniface/boniface.htm

[Via Chicago]

If only they'd use some TIF money for a project this great.

Oh, you mean the magical piggy bank in the sky.

[Via Chicago]

How about a bike/ped tunnel UNDER the river, with a glass/acrylic ceiling and LED lighting, depending on how deep the river is thru that section, light from daytime could stream thru a glass or acrylic celing. Hey, it doesn't sound that crazy to me.

This city has a 1/2 billion dollar budget shortfall. It sounds crazy to me.

[BWChicago]

Oh, you mean the magical piggy bank in the sky.

TIF is supposed to be for infrastructure improvements that increase property values, not just dole to developers... it would be pretty novel to actually use it that way... but I think he was being facetious about the bike habitrail.

[Via Chicago]

TIF is supposed to be for infrastructure improvements that increase property values, not just dole to developers... it would be pretty novel to actually use it that way... but I think he was being facetious about the bike habitrail.

Im well aware of what TIF is "supposed" to be used for. And you are incorrect. TIFs were intended to be established for development improvements in blighted neighborhoods. Explain to me how the Navy Pier/Streeterville area, one of the richest and most development intensive areas in the city, if not the country, qualifies to meet that criteria.

If the OP was being facetious I apologize, although it dosent read that way. But my point remains that this is not the type of project TIF should be financing. Much less should a TIF even exist for that neighborhood.

[BWChicago]

Im well aware of what TIF is "supposed" to be used for. And you are incorrect. TIFs were intended to be established for development improvements in blighted neighborhoods. Explain to me how the Navy Pier/Streeterville area, one of the richest and most development intensive areas in the city, if not the country, qualifies to meet that criteria.

If the OP was being facetious I apologize, although it dosent read that way. But my point remains that this is not the type of project TIF should be financing. Much less should a TIF even exist for that neighborhood.

Of course I know that. And of course you know how blight is defined in Chicago. My position on TIFs is that they're deeply flawed, but if you have them you may as well use them reasonably instead of stuffing developers' pockets.

[whyhuhwhy]

Does anyone know what is going on along the lakefront from about Diversey all the way to Belmont? There has been a fence and construction materials behind this stretch of lakefront, making the shore completely inaccessible, for what seems to be at least 3 years now. I can't find ANYTHING about this project online after an exhaustive search.

[harryc]

A spectacle never seen before in downtown Chicago is heading this way, thanks to Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC).

Stand at the corner of State and Lake on Sunday October 25, 2009 and look upward.

Participants will be rappelling 27 stories (278 feet) down the exterior façade of theWit Hotel’s signature lightning bolt to promote lung health and help to raise more than $100,000 for lung disease research and education. Don't worry, no rappel experience is necessary. On site training will be provided on event day.


For more information visit Skyline Plunge! Chicago headquarters. (http://www.rhamchosting.net/plunge/)

[VivaLFuego]

Does anyone know what is going on along the lakefront from about Diversey all the way to Belmont? There has been a fence and construction materials behind this stretch of lakefront, making the shore completely inaccessible, for what seems to be at least 3 years now. I can't find ANYTHING about this project online after an exhaustive search.

Shoreline revetment reconstruction.

Here's a city link that mostly deals in generalities: http://www.ci.chi.il.us/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?blockName=Environment%2fChicago+Shoreline+Protection+Project%2fI+Want+To&deptMainCategoryOID=-536887205&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Environment&topChannelName=Dept&contentOID=536903374&Failed_Reason=Invalid+timestamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&Failed_Page=%2fwebportal%2fportalContentItemAction.do&context=dept

Obviously, this shoreline reconstruction has been a big bucks multi-year program. When all is said and done and the shoreline totally rebuilt, I'm thinking it will have been about a 20 year project with total burdened cost pushing $1 bn in year-of-expenditure dollars.

Of course, efforts on the south side graced the city with the idiotic "Save the Point" campaign, which briefly was in one Sen. Obama's to-do list before he moved on to slightly more important crap.

http://www.hydepark.org/parks/point.html

Buried in those links, and rarely reported, was how much improvement this project has brought to south lakefront, particularly between McCormick Place and 47th Street. End result was a major expansion of usable, landscaped lakefront parkland.

[Taft]

...

Of course, efforts on the south side graced the city with the idiotic "Save the Point" campaign, which briefly was in one Sen. Obama's to-do list before he moved on to slightly more important crap.

http://www.hydepark.org/parks/point.html

Buried in those links, and rarely reported, was how much improvement this project has brought to south lakefront, particularly between McCormick Place and 47th Street. End result was a major expansion of usable, landscaped lakefront parkland.

There were absolutely benefits to this reconstruction project. However, to call opposition to it "idiotic" is quite harsh, IMO.

Given the design and the materials used, I think a person has a very legitimate reason to oppose the project as executed. From my perspective, this project has turned the shoreline proper into a gigantic landing pad and has sapped almost all of the charm from the shoreline experience. Any and all organic flow between the parkland and the water has been obliterated and we are left with immense and barren concrete stairs to nowhere.

To be honest, from an aesthetic perspective, I have a hard time understanding why anyone would support the project as executed. I was recently in Spain and visited A Coruna where they redid a significant portion of their seafront. Similar to Chicago, they had replaced the older cut-stone shoreline with a more walkable and modern solution. Unlike Chicago, their implementation actually had a bit of class: they lined the walkable portions with either stones or pavers, put in a nice handrail, added access points along the way so people could still interact with the sea, put in nicely styled lighting and put in a tram system along side the entire walk. Now, some of this is obviously not practical in Chicago, but I couldn't help but think of what a missed opportunity the entire project was.

Bland, sterile and uninviting is what I think of when I take in the view at the lake now. It's really too bad.

[J_M_Tungsten]

It appears that they are building a CVS on the southwest corner of Racine and Roosevelt. No idea when it will start but I hope this is leading to a trend in building on the seemingly endless vacant lots in this area.

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/b1f9260a.jpg