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.
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"Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world." -Frank Lloyd Wright
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