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Originally Posted by JK47
You're either misunderstanding the point that was raised or accidentally conflating it with another issue. The issue that was raised wasn't one of temporary closures of public spaces but rather accessibility rules that may limit the utility of the space for public (e.g. non-resident) users. Things like controlled access points where people entering or exiting are monitored by security or instituting bag checks for any items that are banned from the park. Other restrictions on group size or activities (no ball or contact sport, no skateboards of bicycles, no grilling or picnicking, no music, etc.) could also come into play. Since it's private property the owners would be within their rights to take such measures but those kind of restrictions could also discourage the public from using the park.
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The land that was once slated for a stadium will become, specifically, sports fields for youth. Even if it's not open to the public per se (i.e. league play only) it will still take pressure off of other parks in the area that are public.
Also, do we need more parks where people can grill or play loud music? We need different kinds of open space for different kinds of activities, and even the Park District's properties have different rules for each park establishing what is or is not permitted. Personally I appreciate having some parks that are a little more quiet and relaxing, even if that isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Anyway, here is the text of the final PD for Lincoln Yards South pertaining to park space. Riverwalk and park access is guaranteed from 6am to 11pm, and through-access is guaranteed even in the case of a private event. Sterling Bay will establish a park advisory council run by the Park District to manage the park, and legally bind themselves to providing public access.
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18. The Applicant acknowledges the importance of the Chicago River as a resource for both commerce and recreation and also acknowledges the City's goals of improving the appearance, quality and accessibility of the river, as contained in the waterway planned development guidelines in the Chicago Zoning Ordinance (Secfion 17-8-0912) and the Chicago River Corridor Design Guidelines and Standards, as amended. The Applicant also acknowledges the desirability to include wildlife habitat and other natural features in or near the water's edge and shall work with the City and interested parties to provide such features to the extent practical. To further these goals, the Applicant agrees, as set forth in the Plans, to: (a) provide a landscaped 30-foot-wide river setback and continuous riverside trail as indicated on the Site Plan (the "Riverwalk") as portions of the Property adjacent to the Chicago River are developed and, (b) permit connection of such setback and trail to the setback and trails of adjacent properties when the river edges of the adjacent properties are similarly improved. The Applicant shall permit un-gated and unobstructed public access to the river setback, and provide informational and wayfinding signage at all entries that the Riverwalk is open to the public, free of charge, during normal park hours from 6:00am to 11:00pm every day of the year (subject to occasional partial closure for private use provided that a path providing access during such closures shall be maintained through the river setback). The Riverwalk improvements shall be constructed in conjunction with adjacent riverfront development parcels and shall be completed prior to receipt of the Certificate of Occupancy for such adjacent parcels, provided that plantings may be delayed if consistent with good landscape practice, but not longer than one year following receipt of the final Certificate of Occupancy for the first principal building within such development phase, if due to delays in permitting by any govemmental or quasi-governmental authorities having jurisdiction over such improvements including, without limitation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Office of Water Resources, the Coast Guard and CDOT or if due to delays or inability to perform such acts due to causes beyond the reasonable control of the Applicant.
In addition to the Riverwalk, and subject to the receipt of all necessary permits and approvals, the Applicant or its successors and assigns, at its sole cost, shall design and construct the open space improvements in Subarea B (hereinafter the "Park"). Upon completion of the Park, the Applicant, its successors and assigns and, if different than the Applicant, the legal title holders and any ground lessors, shall be responsible for maintaining and managing the Park for the purposes set forth herein, including ensuring that the Park's landscaping is well maintained, that the vegetation and plantings are kept in a healthy condition and that the Park facilities are clean, well lit, litter free and clear of snow (hardscaped areas) and debris. The Applicant shall provide sufficient liability insurance coverage for the operation of the Park for public use, and provide for the creation of a park advisory council, as defined by the Chicago Park District Code, to include community representation for the coordinated programming of the park. The Applicant shall provide informational and wayfinding signage at all entries that the Park is open to the public (subject to occasional partial closure for private use provided that a path providing access during such closures shall be maintained through the Park), free of charge, during normal park hours from 6:00am to 11:00pm every day of the year. During winter months, the Applicant may enclose portions of the Park in a temporary climate-controlled manner with access managed in accordance and compliance with the Chicago Park District Code. The maintenance and management obligations contained herein shall continue for the life of this Planned Development.
The Park improvements shall be constructed as follows:
• Interim Park improvements: An interim park that includes one temporary multipurpose recreational field, walking paths and parking (as approved by DPD as part of Site Plan Approval) shall be constructed on a portion of the land located west of North Throop Street and south of West Wabansia Avenue by December 31, 2020. The interim parking required herein shall not be subject to standard irrigation, landscaping, streetscape, surfacing and drainage requirements, as reviewed and approved by DPD and CDOT. The park advisory council shall be established within 6 months from the completion of the interim park improvements.
• Final Park improvements: The Park improvements shall be completed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the building that crosses the threshold of 50% of the total allowed floor area in the Planned Development.
Park improvements may be delayed if consistent with good landscape practice, but not longer than one year following the timing for construction of the final open space improvements set forth herein.
Prior to issuance of the first building permit for the Planned Development, the Applicant will enter into a development and maintenance agreement (the "DEMA") with the City for the construction, maintenance, and management of the Park' and the Riverwalk. The DEMA obligations shall be binding upon the Applicant, its successors and assigns, including but not limited to a homeowners or master association whose purpose includes maintaining the Park and the Riverwalk. Upon completion of the Park, the public access provided for herein shall be memorialized in a public access easement agreement (which may be included in the DEMA) with and for the benefit of the City. The recording and other costs associated with establishing the easement shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. A copy of said public access easement agreement shall be on file with DPD.
The Commissioner is hereby authorized to enter into the DEMA (or more than one DEMA if the Commissioner deems necessary depending on the phasing of the development) and all other documents contemplated by the Statement and, in his/her sole discretion, may modify by minor change the foregoing requirements, without further City Council approval, for the DEMA(s) and public access easement agreement(s) so as to permit alternate forms of achieving compliance with the Applicant's construction, maintenance and management obligations and public access rights, such as, by means of example and not limitation, one or more restrictive covenants or owners' reciprocal easement and operation agreements in form and substance acceptable to the City which expressly grant the City necessary enforcement, self-help and lien rights as may be necessary to assure compliance with this Statement.
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la forme d'une ville change plus vite, hélas! que le coeur d'un mortel...
Last edited by ardecila; Jun 11, 2019 at 9:49 PM.
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