CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[BVictor1]

[swipyfox]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Nope, they're leaning pretty heavily into the existing Roosevelt CTA stop for any and all public transportation. Which is not a bad thing, it's a major transfer station with 3 rail lines and it's only 1700' from the station to the stadium gate, this is a third of the current walk to Soldier Field. They also mentioned in the Q+A that Phase I will have ~2000 parking spots in an underground garage, with more available across the street in Roosevelt Collection.

I think Related is terrified that if they ask for any serious taxpayer money for transportation, they'll get completely rejected. In the presentation I don't think they identified any a single project they would use the TIF for, except maybe the seawall along the river.

Curt Bailey kept bringing up water taxis, but that isn't a serious transportation option considering their largest boat only holds 150 people, which is less than two CTA articulated buses. Apparently Mansueto loves the idea that fans can have a rally at Pioneer Court/Wrigley Building (also owned by Mansueto ofc) then float down the river to a game... nice idea, but just not practical for more than a handful of fans.

If there's one things TIFS should be used for, its for transit. A red line stop here would be major.

[sentinel]

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

[swipyfox]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

We should be grateful of any new development in this city...plus no tax payer funds. Not much room to complain

[Cress3803]

I was kind of undecided on this but that looks great. Might be what we get if any of us wants to see this land developed in our lifetimes

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by swipyfox

We should be grateful of any new development in this city...plus no tax payer funds. Not much room to complain

That’s a horribly defeatist attitude. Yes, I’m glad something is being built there, and yes, I’m glad no new taxes required for it. But to say that we shouldn’t be critical of mediocre designs when it really takes no additional effort to make something unique, is really sad.

[Randomguy34]

An on-site CTA or Metra stop can always be built later, so I'm not stressed. Plus the green space on the southern end of the site leaves open the possibility of realigning the St. Charles Airline ROW. Stadium design is meh unfortunately. The highrises look great, plus I love how clustered they are!

My only major complaint is the site access. There are limited ways to enter and exit, so any potential bus routes can only use Wells St. It'll be impossible to connect the rest of the site to Clark without bury the Metra tracks, which of course will cost $$$. Even burying the tracks will only do so much cause Dearborn Homes prevents east-west access. Worried that on non-games days, the area will feel like Lakeshore East.




https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/related-midwest-and-chicago-fire-detail-stadium-plans-78

[BuildThemTaller]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

Be grateful that the side facing the river isn't a wall of LED screens. That's what is passing for "sleek, contemporary" for some new stadia.

[lakeshoredrive]

I think the lack of access to Clark street is concerning. I understand it’s complicated because of Metra, but I am a little bit worried about traffic jams on game days. Traffic on Roosevelt is already bad.

[left of center]

I'm also concerned about lack of access to Clark, as well as condemning Clark to an auto-sewer fate with no access east or west for a half a mile. I understand that moving the Metra tracks is very expensive, but I think that it will be worth in in the long run. Having retail and a friendly pedestrian presence there will help better integrate the 78 with the remainder of the South Loop. Moving the tracks would also allow the 78 to have access to Clark at 15th instead of 13th, which would provide for direct access to State St and improve overall connectivity.

It definitely does not help my case however that the other side of Clark is literally walled off by Dearborn Park, with zero pedestrian presence and zero street connectivity, just a 6 foot cinderblock barrier.

That said, I think the overall layout is decent. The stadium design, while uninspired, is not terrible. I would like to see the developers apply for TIF funding to better improve the rail/street infrastructure of the area, but I understand why they aren't touching that hornet's nest considering the drama with the Bears and Sox.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by left of center

I'm also concerned about lack of access to Clark, as well as condemning Clark to an auto-sewer fate with no access east or west for a half a mile. I understand that moving the Metra tracks is very expensive, but I think that it will be worth in in the long run. Having retail and a friendly pedestrian presence there will help better integrate the 78 with the remainder of the South Loop. Moving the tracks would also allow the 78 to have access to Clark at 15th instead of 13th, which would provide for direct access to State St and improve overall connectivity.

It definitely does not help my case however that the other side of Clark is literally walled off by Dearborn Park, with zero pedestrian presence and zero street connectivity, just a 6 foot cinderblock barrier.

The lack of eastern access is a bummer but it probably makes the Dearborn Park HOA happy. If the track alignment isn't changing, the best we can hope for is the tracks getting raised or lowered enough to allow for some kind of accessibility at 14th or 15th Street in the future -- even if just for pedestrians.

[BrinChi]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

The lack of eastern access is a bummer but it probably makes the Dearborn Park HOA happy. If the track alignment isn't changing, the best we can hope for is the tracks getting raised or lowered enough to allow for some kind of accessibility at 14th or 15th Street in the future -- even if just for pedestrians.

Yeah it's probably best anyhow to get the stadium and Phase I built and then worry about opening up Clark Street. Don't want too much complaining from Dearborn Park HOA, even though I'm sure they are unhappy with any stadium at all, and keeping them isolated in the near-term should muffle any of their noise. Let's just start to get this area activated asap and can improve in future phases.

[Steely Dan]

WOW, I love the stadium design!!!

Kinda looks like an old brick Chicago warehouse and the original McCormick Place has a baby.

A Chicago stadium for a Chicago team. I can dig it.

[chi_raven]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

WOW, I love the stadium design!!!

Kinda looks like an old brick Chicago warehouse and the original McCormick Place has a baby.

A Chicago stadium for a Chicago team. I can dig it.

Yeah, I like the design too. It seems very appropriate for a Chicago team.

On Instagram, I saw some fans calling it "The Firehouse." I hope that nickname sticks, but I'm sure it will eventually have some sponsor's name attached.

[nomarandlee]

- The stadium is much better in these colored, detailed updates, unsurprisingly.
- While not a forward design that I'd like to see attempted, I like the overall design well enough. I agree that it seems a solid, if unspectacular, marriage of historic Chicago warehouse and modernist box architecture. It would be nice if somehow the windows were sliding windows so that there could be some good airflow on hotter summer days.
- Not having more of the north end opened up for views of the skyline seems like a wasted opportunity. Yes, MLS and its fans want to ape about the mother Euro leagues, including the wrap-around stands, but it is still a wasted opportunity.
- The released renders are confusing and inconsistent. In some, it seems like there is a north end parking lot (hopefully not). In some, there seems to be a cool west side double-deck restaurant/food eatery. In others, it's just a fenced-in lawn?

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

The lack of eastern access is a bummer but it probably makes the Dearborn Park HOA happy. If the track alignment isn't changing, the best we can hope for is the tracks getting raised or lowered enough to allow for some kind of accessibility at 14th or 15th Street in the future -- even if just for pedestrians.

This isn't really possible to change the profile of the Metra tracks. Everything is capped by the Orange Line tracks at 18th. In this plan, the best we can do is a bridge over Metra and Clark St at 15th e.g. this one in Denver. A pedestrian underpass may also be possible a half block south of 15th. This would get new residents to Mariano's...

One Dearborn Park resident actually asked for better connection. The original 78 plan was excellent in this regard, this plan sux.

[JK47]

Originally Posted by sentinel

That stadium design is so underwhelming, like a converted former factory that’s been on the site for 95 years. That’s not a compliment. Other cities in North America build sleek, contemporary, unique looking statement stadia. Designers in Chicago still adhere to a dated permutation of Miesian copy of a copy of a copy…there is no delight in this structure; it is dour, foreboding and unwelcoming. Such a huge miss.

Strongly disagree. Those sleek contemporary designs are prone to looking faded and dated with time. Particularly when upkeep on those fun but odd design flourishes falls behind. The brick and glass combined with it's industrial shaping reminds me of Camden Yards which is a handsome stadium that's aged well. Further, that stadium, like this one, was built in an industrial waterfront setting in a city with an industrial past.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by BuildThemTaller

Be grateful that the side facing the river isn't a wall of LED screens. That's what is passing for "sleek, contemporary" for some new stadia.

Originally Posted by JK47

Strongly disagree. Those sleek contemporary designs are prone to looking faded and dated with time. Particularly when upkeep on those fun but odd design flourishes falls behind. The brick and glass combined with it's industrial shaping reminds me of Camden Yards which is a handsome stadium that's aged well. Further, that stadium, like this one, was built in an industrial waterfront setting in a city with an industrial past.

They were saying they wanted a stadium that would still look good decades in the future, so they’re trying to go for something that will be more timeless and less “showy” and fits in with the existing buildings of the area. So the criticisms that a lot of people have which other people are also complementing is very much intentional

Though if they wanted to make it timeless AND showy with the current brick warehouse appearance, I’d love for them to have a big clock tower like at the Central Manufacturing District as a monument for the stadium.

[Jstange059]

Also worth noting regarding connectivity is that they’re hoping to get a bridge built at 15th street. I definitely really hope they can build this because otherwise the connectivity will be quite lacking

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by nomarandlee

- The released renders are confusing and inconsistent. In some, it seems like there is a north end parking lot (hopefully not). In some, there seems to be a cool west side double-deck restaurant/food eatery. In others, it's just a fenced-in lawn?

What I assume you’re getting confused by is the “2028 opening day” renderings which are supposed to display what the site will look like when they complete and open the stadium in 2028 before they can start building all the other towers of the development, more shown to communicate that they’ll still try to make the site feel active before they are able to achieve the full built out masterplan.