CHICAGO | One Central

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

I’m curious about the motivation. If the developers just want to build a shopping mall and high-rises, and some federal agency is doing some back-scratching...then go for it and drop the transit charade.

Because otherwise the only plan that would interest and benefit both the city and the developer would be to tunnel under the Loop and somehow connect the Metra Electric to either Ogilvie or Union tracks. And I can’t even imagine how many billions that would cost.

Fantasy Chicago Transit Fix-it Map
https://www.google.com/mymaps/viewer...EMUz4&hl=en_US
Source: Alon Levy

Speaking of which Quinn Kasal, a transportation planner, wrote up a very good critque on One Central's transit plan. It's worth a read, the short version is that rerouting Orange Line and BNSF trains will halve frequencies and reduce overall usefulness.

https://www.metroblog.us/2019/09/the...-centrals.html

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

I’m curious about the motivation. If the developers just want to build a shopping mall and high-rises, and some federal agency is doing some back-scratching...then go for it and drop the transit charade.

Because otherwise the only plan that would interest and benefit both the city and the developer would be to tunnel under the Loop...

Regardless of the merits of that idea, this isn't the opportunity to pursue that kind of project.

The last time the city actually did a plan for this area was 11 years ago when they released the Central Area Action Plan. These are the projects they recommended for the Near South area:



Presumably the "railscape" is included in One Central by default, and the Green Line station is built. The Orange Line station is redundant now that the city and Related have committed to a new Red Line station at 15th. So that just leaves the busway, and improvements to Northerly Island. Come to think of it, Northerly Island is really where Bob Dunn & Co should focus their efforts... complete the full buildout with a permanent concert venue, barrier islands, etc. That's a much better incentive for this project, one that is a gift to the whole city.

[psxvz]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Come to think of it, Northerly Island is really where Bob Dunn & Co should focus their efforts... complete the full buildout with a permanent concert venue, barrier islands, etc. That's a much better incentive for this project, one that is a gift to the whole city.

Northerly Island is one of the best green spaces in the city and shouldn't be touched by any commercial development.

[Chi-Sky21]

that "temporary" concert venue should not even be there. Great place to see a show though.

[Randomguy34]

Did some more digging and found there's now a "Citizens for ONE Central" webpage

https://www.citizensforonecentral.com/

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

If the developers just want to build a shopping mall and high-rises, and some federal agency is doing some back-scratching...then go for it and drop the transit charade.

A big part of the underpinning for the project was supposedly federal money for railroad improvements. That program was about to expire, but Landmark got it extended just for them.

Of course, COVID means there's now other free money out there—but probably much more uncertain demand for any condos and certainly for any retail other than a sports bar.

[brian_b]

So I’ve always wondered about the rights needed to build the project. You all know that the US Supreme Court case establishing the public trust doctrine was about this piece of property and this is a quote from that decision (https://tile.loc.gov/storage-service...ep146387.pdf):

The Illinois Central Railroad Company never acquired by the reclamation from the waters of the lake of the land upon which its tracks are laid, or by the construction of the road and works connected therewith, an absolute fee in the tract reclaimed, with a consequent right to dispose of the same to other parties or to use it for any other purpose than the one designated -- the construction and operation of a railroad thereon, with one or more tracks and works, in connection with the road or in aid thereof.

I did some searching on the Cook County Recorders website before they messed all the searching up, and Landmark got a quit claim deed from Fogelson, who got a quit claim deed from the Illinois Central RR. So do they even have the right to build anything other than their transportation center?

[ardecila]

Well, the case concerned all of Illinois Central's line up the lakeshore, parts of which were built on a causeway over the lake.

Presumably there is a legal foundation for this project. Illinois Central's other air rights development was able to move forward.

[brian_b]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Well, the case concerned all of Illinois Central's line up the lakeshore, parts of which were built on a causeway over the lake.

Presumably there is a legal foundation for this project. Illinois Central's other air rights development was able to move forward.

If you’re talking about McCormick Place, the Illinois Legislature passed a law specifically allowing it as a public space for public benefit.

[ardecila]

^ No, I'm talking about the so-called "New Eastside" - Prudential, Aon, Illinois Center, Lakeshore East, etc.

[The Pimp]

Originally Posted by ardecila

^ No, I'm talking about the so-called "New Eastside" - Prudential, Aon, Illinois Center, Lakeshore East, etc.

Only one true Eastside. 10th Ward. Period.

[CrazyCres]

Draft Presentation: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...res_012521.pdf

Tallest Skyscraper is 1,015ft
Shortest Skyscraper is 770ft

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by CrazyCres

Draft Presentation: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...res_012521.pdf

Tallest Skyscraper is 1,015ft
Shortest Skyscraper is 770ft

That presentation is pure eye candy. Thanks for sharing.

[Skyguy_7]

This is impressive! It also makes financial sense. The current Soldier Field experience is very suburban. Most drive straight there and then drive straight home. It would be great to hang around the neighborhood before/after the game or show, not to mention the idea of taking a train there and avoiding the usual traffic headaches. Godspeed to the developers. I hope Chgo governing bodies are wise enough to take a step back and let the free market decide how this development comes to fruition.

[RockfordSoxFan]

“Tallest Skyscraper is 1,015ft
Shortest Skyscraper is 770ft“
It looks like these numbers are measured from the top of the podium too, add another 61’ Am I reading this right?

[Chicago_Forever]

Originally Posted by CrazyCres

Draft Presentation: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...res_012521.pdf

Tallest Skyscraper is 1,015ft
Shortest Skyscraper is 770ft

Never really gave this site much consideration before but now that the plans are coming into focus, I think this would be a great location for the Chicago Casino.

[SIGSEGV]

Not sure an Amtrak station really makes sense there unless there are a lot more trains to Carbondale? I guess extending some Hiawatha runs south to Champaign could potentially make sense.

And for a CTA line, I guess some Pink Line or Brown Line runs could be extended there?

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by RockfordSoxFan

“Tallest Skyscraper is 1,015ft
Shortest Skyscraper is 770ft“
It looks like these numbers are measured from the top of the podium too, add another 61’ Am I reading this right?

Looks like it but that's kind of an odd way to measure it, if so I guess 1076' would be the tallest tower.

This is awesome but if we have to wait 10-15 years it better be good

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by SIGSEGV

Not sure an Amtrak station really makes sense there unless there are a lot more trains to Carbondale? I guess extending some Hiawatha runs south to Champaign could potentially make sense.

And for a CTA line, I guess some Pink Line or Brown Line runs could be extended there?

Another reason an Amtrak station doesn't make sense is because Amtrak will no longer run on St. Charles Airline tracks once the P4 CREATE project is finished in a couple of years. Freight will also no longer run on this stretch of track, so an unintended benefit of this proposal is this opens up Metra using this route to get to Union Station (i.e. Crossrail)

For the CTA line/branch the 13th St subway portal keeps showing up in the map, so this suggests that the Red Line will be using line. The connection would still be awkward, but at least it wouldn't put further constraints on Loop bound trains

[lakeshoredrive]

Very impressive presentation. I like the idea of a transit hub where it includes extending the CTA rail line there. It would be exciting if that happened. It would make access to the museum campus and Soldier Field a lot more easier.