I had the chance to meet him in-person a few times. He was so generous with his knowledge and he loved to spend time with other history/architecture/urbanism buffs. He will be missed.
__________________ la forme d'une ville change plus vite, hélas! que le coeur d'un mortel...
He had a dry-as-heck sarcasm, but he knew as much about the fine details of this city and its history as anyone I read or heard. I feel fortunate to have read his insights on this forum many times like all the long-timers here.
He made great contributions to the planning and discussion of the city, he will indeed be missed.
Not only did Mr. Downtown know more about Chicago than any other person I "knew", he know more about Chicago than any other person I know knew about any topic. His opinions were always worth reading and I won't forget him.
Mr. Downtown, wow that brings me back. Not having grown up in Chicago I always appreciated his contributions to our discussions. Agreed, he will be missed.
I read of Mr. Downtown's passing this morning and immediately recalled my first time interacting with him on this forum. I was regarding One Museum Park and the towers of southern Grant Park and the South Loop.
Thinking back, the first time I think I met him was for a community meeting at Prairie Avenue Bookstore regarding the Legacy at Millennium Park nearly two decades ago.
The last time I saw him was for a Central Area Update event.
His knowledge was vast and intentions good.
I didn't always agree, bit he was a solid dude and will be greatly missed.
Really sad to hear about the passing of Mr Downtown. As others have said his knowledge about all things Chicago was vast and his contributions to this forum over the years was always a benefit. He had a way of making many of us see things from a different perspective and context and really evaluate our opinions and concepts to evolve and be more rigorous.
Very sad to hear about Mr Downtown. Like many, I've been reading his posts for years and appreciated his facts and insight. Looks like he last posted on July 24
This may be private info and I don't want to pry, but can anyone say what happened?
Few were more knowledgeable about our fine city than Mr. Downtown. The guy also had an amazing radar for BS and was never afraid to speak his mind. Rest in peace.
Very sad to hear about Mr Downtown. Like many, I've been reading his posts for years and appreciated his facts and insight. Looks like he last posted on July 24
This may be private info and I don't want to pry, but can anyone say what happened?
A mutual friend said it was cancer & had only been diagnosed a few months. I believe he was with family when he passed
Sad news, indeed. I met him randomly about three years ago. My wife and I were dining at Umai at Clark/Polk and after a few drinks, we struck up a conversation with the table next to us. It was a gentleman from Berlin and Mr. Downtown, but I didn't know it at the time. It wasn't until I started talking about developments around Printer's Row that he asked how I knew so much about Chicago real estate.
"Oh, I follow a forum of development/architecture nerds."
"Which one?"
"Skyscraper page."
"I'm Mr. Downtown."
I swear I fanboy'd at hearing that while my wife rolled her eyes. The last time I saw him was a few months ago at a hearing for some local dollars being spent on upgrades to Dearborn Park. Quite the character with institutional knowledge of our great city. I'll toast to his honor the next time I'm out and about in the South Loop.
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