The term "Vancouverisation" is kind of misleading in this case considering the fact that many of these new towers are twice the height of anything in Vancouver. . . but what do I know. . . I'm no Blair Kamin. . .

I have an appointment tonight and won't be able to attend either, but perhaps we could all get together after the meeting to suss out what transpired. . . any takers?

apparently you ain't no good old american either, as any flag-waving yank knows that any word that ends with the suffix "-ization" is ALWAYS spelled with a "Z"*. ;)


* - and we also know that the letter in question is always pronounced "zee".

zed?

Blair Kamin is no Blair Kamin; at times his reputation precedes his abilities as a genuine critic of architecture. He's no Muschamp.

Just what sort of architectural wonders do these preservationists expect to find inside of a 100 year old flophouse?

That actually sounds like a good idea. By a stroke of luck, I will be attending the NIMBY circus tonight, and will likley need a couple of stiff drinks to calm my nerves.

It funny how blair says that Vancouver has tall thin buildings and chicago is trying to somewhat imitate that recently ...but since vancouver only has a few skyscrapers over 500ft it just seems so funny how they use vancouver as a comparison to chicago...kinda of mind boggling :koko: :shrug:

Another email from a southloop resident against the proposal. I believe the man is also quoted in the Journal article above.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Dennis McClendon <dmcclendon@rcn.com>
To: southlooplist@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:10:33 -0500
Subject: Re: [southlooplist] What are you doing Thursday night?
pinemanor401 wrote:

> Hay – If you have been thinking about going to Weather Mark Tavern in
> South Loop Chicago… this Thursday night June 29th is the night to go.


I don't care what folks do afterward, but at 6.30 tonight I hope all
South Loop residents will be at Jones HS to let our alderman know
what we think of a planned 80-story building looming over the 7-store
YWCA building at 830 South Michigan. That's TWICE the height the
Near South Community Plan and the Michigan Avenue Design Guidelines
say should be allowed there

Look before you leap... I think his comments about the interior were called for. The exterior makes it evident that this is no ordinary "flophouse." (I realize you have apparently been inside, which I have not. But almost certainly Jim Peters has not either. He's a very level-headed guy.)

LPCI got burned with their opposition to the Legacy project; I doubt they'll make the same mistake here. And with the 1000 S. Michigan project, they were calling openly for a thinner, taller building "in keeping" with the existing tall point towers on Michigan. Well, with this project, they got what they wanted, and I do not think you'll find an enemy there.

As far as Peters' comments about the exterior of the building and its terraces, that's hogwash. I don't think preservationists should be architecture critics.

A link to the SOUTHLOOP PLAN: look over it


http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/w...OID=-536886455



A link to the STATE, WABASH AND MICHIGAN PLAN

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/w...OID=-536886455

Well, THAT was interesting.

Tonight's community comment meeting regarding Park Michigan was a smashing success! I just want to let everyone know that this project is definitely on the rails. We'll pick apart the details later when the rest of our soldiers return to their keyboards.

There was a modest turnout, maybe 150 people. New renderings were displayed on easels in front, but no model yet. The meeting began on time and with a very positive vibe. Warren Barr was applauded after being introduced and applauded again more vigorously when he finished his presentation.

Q and A was pretty positive and uneventful, except for when the South Loop Neighbors representative, Peter Ziv, appeared to have some sort of seizure. There were also some wingnuts from a Board of Directors of one of Renaissant's other developments, protesting a leaky roof or something (if I was their attorney I'd be sending them their retainer back in the mail tommorrow).

Alderman Madeline Haithcock delivered the coup de grace, offering more or less total support for the project.

Not a bad night.

Kick ass! Thanks for the update, Loopy, and to all in the audience for helping get this thing off on the right foot.

Thanks for the update, Loopy. I'm guessing the lack of posts from the others is due to after-party socializing.

Wrap it up guys, I need some photos!!!!

The renderings look great, and its a well thought-out project.....this one is on a fast track to get built, I hope they can start sales ASAP.

good news.

build it!

Thanks for the updates on tonight's meeting. I am wondering if the developer provides the description on 830 S. Mich's exterior. I am assuming it will be glassy.

Glassy, yes. But they said that there has been no decision yet whether it will be curtainwall or exposed frame.

True. However, I think in color, height, and profile, this building will balance the Legacy project very nicely.

Here is the rundown from tonight's meeting...
 

...