[the urban politician]

Nothing short of criminal.

I really despise how Chicago sits and lets this happen, especially near mass transit. With this and the Thorek Hospital demolition, Chicago took another step towards becoming Cleveland and Detroit this week.

Chicago: Why are all our retail spaces vacant?

Answer: Because you keep allowing new strip centers with their own parking!

Chicago: Duh.... me no understand

Answer: All of the old retail spaces with no surface parking continue to be at a disadvantage except for in the densest areas, all the while retailers continue to gravitate towards the new strip malls everybody keeps building.

Chicago: Duh....me no understand. Me approve another strip mall. Duh.... What's wrong with strip malls?

Answer: Nobody wants to live in a city full of them. Chicago's whole charm and attraction is its urban, built environment that could only have been built prior to WWII. You are slowly tearing that apart

Chicago: Duh....me no understand. Lets build some cool bike lanes!