CHICAGO | One Central
I wanted to create a thread for anything 'One Central'. This may or may not be something, but it'll be fascinating nonetheless.
Help contribute thoughts and ideas..... https://s3-prod.chicagobusiness.com/...ral-main_0.jpg https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg...op-megaproject GREG HINZ ON POLITICS May 31, 2019 06:48 PM UPDATED 10 HOURS AGO State makes multibillion-dollar commitment to South Loop megaproject Illinois could be on the hook for billions if a provision aimed at speeding up construction of a megaproject near Soldier Field is approved this weekend by lawmakers. GREG HINZ On Politics Quote:
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https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg...ront-lawmakers
GREG HINZ ON POLITICS June 04, 2019 11:39 AM UPDATED 14 HOURS AGO One Central megaproject draws fire from south lakefront lawmakers Officials cite local concerns about the real estate development west of Soldier Field that's in line to receive up to $5.1 billion in state funds—and demand a voice. But the developer insists locals will be fully involved. https://s3-prod.chicagobusiness.com/...0c7f73_o_0.jpg GREG HINZ On Politics Quote:
https://s3-prod.chicagobusiness.com/...48.35%20AM.png |
Based on the little I know about this project, the fact that the state is willing to throw $5 billion at it is terrifying..
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What is terrifying is how the developer wanted Legislative approval to be fast tracked for this Spring Session.
So much happened this weekend but language associated with this project was tucked into the BIMP: https://capitolfax.com/2019/05/31/me...into-the-bimp/ Quote:
The bill gives the current administration the ability to negotiate with Landmark: https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2019...ate-lawmakers/ Quote:
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Anyone going to the meeting tonight? It's unclear if there's going to be new info presented or if it's just a resident "workshop" where everyone sits in circles and puts concerns on notecards...
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It's interesting how quickly this developer is moving to get the pols pushing their agenda. I actually don't have an issue with the state throwing money at this if it's going to upgrade transit in the area. Honestly this would be the perfect opportunity to "Gray Line" the Metra Electric...
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I think if we have $5 billions for transit an actual Circle line would be alot more useful. Or a transit tunnel from the west loop to Millennium park. Or extending the brown line to Jefferson Park. ect.
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I’d rather see that $5b spent on the Connector or Clinton-Larrabee subway.
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This will be a fun argument starter for years to come... if the innocuous Lucas Museum could have such virulent and vociferous opponents, something that could be even more beneficial to the city will get even more rich white people complaining about losing their views! Because let's be honest, the majority of the complainers will be those losing their lake views, not people concerned about finances. They'd be quiet if the it was a few blocks behind them....
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Went to the meeting, as as expected, total NIMBY shit fest.
There was nothing new at all. The developers wanted to have some brainstorming/charrette and ideas from the neighborhood, but they were so bitchy, out never got that far. The developer said he's had meetings with RTA, Metra and a chat with CTA. Nothing solid, just conversation. There was one funny thing tonight, the alderman mentioned that there are already entitlements in place, so the developer could do something now. She told the crowd that saying no, is not an option with this... She's telling people they have an opportunity to help craft things, but with said entitlements, something gonna happen... They weren't pleased one bit. They were hoping she was just gonna shut the whole thing down.. |
I was at the meeting too. It was worthless.
Alderman Dowell didn't tell the whole story. The current entitlements are not currently economically viable. Fogelson knew they wouldn't become so in his lifetime, which is the only reason Landmark/Dunn is now the developer. Dowell also mentioned old PDs. If that's true, then they have to go through the PD amendment process to build the transit hub unless it's already in there. Somehow I doubt that very much. 'No' may not be an option, but 'not in the next 15 years' is, and if Dunn isn't careful that's what he's going to get. This is the community that drags out lawsuits until you give up (winning is unimportant). That's what they did to X/O at 18th and Prairie, that's what they did to Lucas, that's what they did to the high school at NTA... Connecting Metra BNSF to the site requires work outside Dowell's ward and outside the site that Landmark controls. Connecting CTA Orange Line to the site requires work outside Dowell's ward and outside the site that Landmark controls. Dunn has never mentioned anything about the South Shore railroad, which uses the tracks and is significantly impacted by the project. You've got 3 or 4 congressional districts outside of Illinois that have an interest here. I would really like to see this site developed, but dear lord are they screwing it up. |
I'm proud of my prediction being correct already :haha:
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Glad that Lightfoot seems to get it. If Illinois was left to be on the hook for this underperforming transit center it could derail PT in the city and region for decades. We can't waste valuable resources on this hot mess of an idea.
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Also attended the meeting. It was painful how non-committal everyone was trying to be.
I spoke to one of the planners from Perkins+Will, and he was unaware that Amtrak had plans to re-route all trains away from their site, nor that the Grand Crossing project which would build that new route was just funded in the very same bill that also promised funding for One Central. I don't fault Dunn for going to the state first; as brian_b mentioned, building the platform with private funding just isn't viable given the expected rents from South Loop development. Given the rancor around Lincoln Yards, it's just too much of a risk these days to spend millions performing design work and due diligence if there is no guaranteed funding for the public infrastructure. Sterling Bay at least had Rahm in their corner, but Dunn cannot count on the unwavering support of Mayor Lightfoot to ram anything through. The only thing I did take away is that the project team is open to ideas concerning the infrastructural piece of the development, so long as they can hit their target FAR. The problem is, this site really could be a great transit hub but that would require changes to our transit network on a regional level and its governance. The arrival of a private partner and up to $5B in funding doesn't change the fact that Metra hates the idea of running Metra Electric like rapid transit, CN owns the only line connecting Metra Electric to the rest of the rail network and doesn't want to share, and CTA is too narrowly focused on state-of-good-repair projects or social-justice based projects like Red Line extension. That's sad, because $5B is more than enough to establish a CrossRail service that would link One Central directly to O'Hare, Union Station and Hyde Park. |
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says ‘jury’s out’ on whether One Central megadevelopment will proceed
https://www.chicagotribune.com/polit...613-story.html Quote:
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From my 3D model:
https://images2.imgbox.com/86/c5/f7pFQdOj_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/f9/57/XgRpcmZ6_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/90/21/2aZKtXPQ_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/9b/78/afpjLbyF_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/92/ce/ofcfXXDT_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/f6/96/XIve52Rf_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/4b/9f/iAlUXiXy_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/10/38/qqN4Hcp1_o.jpg |
While I'm 99% sure this all will never happen, that is breathtaking. I wonder how long our skyline would be compared to Manhattan's...
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