CHICAGO | General Developments

[emathias]

Originally Posted by joeg1985

I think that is the complete opposite of what XIII is saying. Walkability is an ideal we all share but the reality is putting this TJ's on Division will make for a less walkable Division Street. If, however, Trader Joe's decided to go for the fold and put zero parking spaces in at this location, then it would be totally welcome and increasing the walkability of the neighborhood.

I totally agree that a grocery store with parking should not go in at that location. How about put it on the Wendy's location next to the Tower of Pizza Hut.

When I lived in Cambridge, there was a small Whole Foods on Prospect Street near Inman Square which was about the size of most Trader Joe's I've seen. Prospect Street there was a little smaller scale than Division, but functionally very similar, and the Whole Foods didn't add much to traffic despite it have a side parking lot. Like Division, there were buses that went along that part of Prospect, and there were other businesses not far from there.

That grocery store worked, on a street comparable to Division in use and scale, and I see no reason why a Trade Joe's on Division wouldn't function in a similar way. The majority of drivers tend to drive to easy-to-park locations or come from nearby and are sensitive to their own impact on the area because they live there. A lot of people would walk, parking or not.

How many of you have actually lived in areas with the kind of store Trader Joe's is proposing for that location and seen how they function? I'm guessing very few, because if you had you would almost certainly know that areas can function just fine with small grocery stores that are walkable but still have some parking attached, just like that Whole Foods on Prospect Street in Cambridge does.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Some further north side development news.

1) Two vacant lots at Clark & Lawrence will be developed. They've been vacant for a long time and sit halfway between the new Mariano's and Ravenswood Metra stop and the Wilson Red Line stop. The scale is not known, but it will be mixed use.

http://www.uptownupdate.com/2014/04/...enceclark.html

Looks like the developer is wasting no time getting started on this and is already clearing out the site. It will be 19 new condos starting at $450K each. Summer 2015 completion

[Link N. Parker]

Originally Posted by ChickeNES

New Townhouse Development Coming to The South Loop

April 16, 2014 - AJ LaTrace - Curbed Chicago



http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...south-loop.php

Actually, I like these...not everything in the city has to be a high-rise; as long as this new construction hugs the street and the sidewalk appropriately (which it does), then I think it will work well. I believe that there is room for residential at this level, on residential streets. I think having a variety of different types of residential buildings is a good thing for our city.

[the urban politician]

^ Interesting that townhome and condo development in the city is coming back via a small trickle...

If that ever forms into a wave, things are going to get really exciting again..

[rigby]

Originally Posted by Link N. Parker

Actually, I like these...not everything in the city has to be a high-rise; as long as this new construction hugs the street and the sidewalk appropriately (which it does), then I think it will work well. I believe that there is room for residential at this level, on residential streets. I think having a variety of different types of residential buildings is a good thing for our city.

Honestly, I enjoy seeing mid-rise developments being constructed in the downtown area . Downtown ( River North ) which is a desirable and vibrant area, still has too many vacant and parking lots for me. Every development does't have to be high-rise. I rather see a dozen mid-rise development take up them lots than a few high-rises developments.

[Skyguy_7]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Interesting that townhome and condo development in the city is coming back via a small trickle...

If that ever forms into a wave, things are going to get really exciting again..

It's more than just a trickle. I took a 3 mile drive to downtown today from 3000 W Chicago and must have seen twenty new 4-flats going up. Small empty lots west of the Kennedy are being developed like crazy.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Skyguy_7

It's more than just a trickle. I took a 3 mile drive to downtown today from 3000 W Chicago and must have seen twenty new 4-flats going up. Small empty lots west of the Kennedy are being developed like crazy.

Yeah there's tons of it. You can see that from my new construction building permits map (although I haven't updated it in a week or two). There's a hell of a lot more than 20 though. Since January 2013 there's actually close to 400 new construction building permits that have been issued in West Town. A few of these may be summer fest tents and new decks or something, so I'd estimate that at closer to 325-350 which is still a lot of shit.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Man that just completes that corner.

Yeah its design is dull, but I'll take it over a windswept lot

[Skyguy_7]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yeah there's tons of it. You can see that from my new construction building permits map (although I haven't updated it in a week or two). There's a hell of a lot more than 20 though. Since January 2013 there's actually close to 400 new construction building permits that have been issued in West Town. A few of these may be summer fest tents and new decks or something, so I'd estimate that at closer to 325-350 which is still a lot of shit.

I'm saying that there were at least 20 down Chicago Ave alone! Your map definitely reflects what I saw today

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yeah there's tons of it. You can see that from my new construction building permits map (although I haven't updated it in a week or two). There's a hell of a lot more than 20 though. Since January 2013 there's actually close to 400 new construction building permits that have been issued in West Town. A few of these may be summer fest tents and new decks or something, so I'd estimate that at closer to 325-350 which is still a lot of shit.

Marothisu, do you mind creating a signature with a link to that map? Otherwise we'd have to look for the last post of yours where you linked it. Just thought that might be a good idea

[Mr Roboto]

Yes, I agree, we need more townhomes and four flat developments near the core, and yes even new and refurbished SFHs in surrounding neighborhoods, to keep more families in the city. Id rather see many of the empty lots filled with these first, then the condo building boom can resume again - preferably with more 3+ bedroom units.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by Link N. Parker

Actually, I like these...not everything in the city has to be a high-rise; as long as this new construction hugs the street and the sidewalk appropriately (which it does), then I think it will work well. I believe that there is room for residential at this level, on residential streets. I think having a variety of different types of residential buildings is a good thing for our city.

Agree. The highs and lows and change of scale and architecture design add variety to the neighborhood and create exciting visual landscapes. Otherwise, it would just be oppressive glass canyons.

[harryc]

moved the reply here (from 111 W Wacker) as it is a general thing.

Originally Posted by Mikemak27

No, I wasn't trying to be humorous. As a prospective future renter, I plan to sell my condo this fall (don't want to be caught holding the bag with large property tax increases for the pension problem), ......

It is not a pension problem - it is a budget problem - a failing of government - calling it a pension problem makes it sound like those who are owed a pension are the problem.

</RANT>

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Skyguy_7

I'm saying that there were at least 20 down Chicago Ave alone! Your map definitely reflects what I saw today

Oh yeah - it's good stuff!

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Marothisu, do you mind creating a signature with a link to that map? Otherwise we'd have to look for the last post of yours where you linked it. Just thought that might be a good idea

Great idea - I will update the map tonight after I'm home from work and do it! There's some interesting new stuff in there that isn't reflected that hasn't been shown here

[munchymunch]

Possible the biggest casino in the u.s.a. in downtown chicago

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sec...ews&id=9505536


who knows mabye old chicago post office gets a tentant....

[wierdaaron]

I still think that might be why the city is trying to eminent domain that giant lot at Roosevelt and Clark. The post office still seems like a viable option, I just can't think of any other reason the city would go through the effort to secure that massive piece of land.

[munchymunch]

Also i meant biggest in the world not usa

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by Jibba

This is a heinous monstrosity. Way, way too massive for that stretch of Broadway. And every elevation is too monolithic at that. 280 cars driving in and out of there? No way. This is terrible.

Agreed. I hope something is done. It's an abomination. A bastardization of the previous design. (Wasn't that VDT? Or am I thinking of a different development?)

[marothisu]

nm

[wierdaaron]

According to Chicago Tonight, the chamber of commerce's three recommendations for casino locations were the Thompson Center, the top 3 floors of Macy's on State, or the Congress Hotel. All of those sound pretty terrible.