CHICAGO | General Developments

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by Jibba

Crossing Broadway in Edgewater is a colossal pain in the ass.

"colossal pain in the ass"?

i used to live near broadway in edgewater. i never had issues crossing broadway. walk to the corner, wait for the walk sign, and cross. kinda like every other major street crossing in the city (ashland, irving, western, etc.).

now, is broadway too much of an auto-sewer through there with too much auto-oriented commercial development (strip malls & drive-thrus)? yes, absolutely, but crossing broadway in its current state is not terribly difficult.

[Kenmore]

Originally Posted by Jibba

Crossing Broadway in Edgewater is a colossal pain in the ass. I wouldn't doubt that the Andersonville neighborhood groups want to keep it that way, lest any "urban" folks from the other side infiltrate their neighborhood.

fact

the strip mall south of berwyn is going to be redeveloped before long and i'm sure they will be putting up a fight

[ChiPlanner]

Originally Posted by Jibba

Crossing Broadway in Edgewater is a colossal pain in the ass. I wouldn't doubt that the Andersonville neighborhood groups want to keep it that way, lest any "urban" folks from the other side infiltrate their neighborhood.

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

that theater is a phenomenal adaptive reuse. still, 3 years is a long timeline so hopefully fundraising/economy dosent completely crater before then.

now about that new Double Door....



they need to do a road diet to the north of foster. fully protected bike lane, streetscaping, better ped crossings etc. That would help. Aside from that, hopefully some of those strip malls start getting redeveloped after the red line project is finished.

So from what I've heard the reason the Broadway streetscaping and bike lanes end at Foster is that Broadway from Foster to Bryn Mawr/Ridge is because Broadway in that stretch is US 14. Considering Ridge is also US-14 and is 4 lanes jammed down the middle of Edgewater, I wouldn't expect to see the FHA just go along with reducing capacity on Broadway anytime soon. The city had their chance when they resurfaced it about 2-3 years ago anyways and maintained the status quo.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by ChiPlanner

So from what I've heard the reason the Broadway streetscaping and bike lanes end at Foster is that Broadway from Foster to Bryn Mawr/Ridge is because Broadway in that stretch is US 14. Considering Ridge is also US-14 and is 4 lanes jammed down the middle of Edgewater, I wouldn't expect to see the FHA just go along with reducing capacity on Broadway anytime soon. The city had their chance when they resurfaced it about 2-3 years ago anyways and maintained the status quo.

You don't have to reduce capacity, just re-route US-14 onto Hollywood and Lake Shore Drive. That's always gonna be an auto sewer anyway. Plus, US-14 ends entirely at Broadway/Foster (which is not a major destination) so a re-route might actually make more navigational sense than the current arrangement. On Lake Shore Drive you could put in much larger signs at the Foster ramp to indicate the US-14/41 split.

But yes, CDOT can't just unilaterally put in a road diet on a US highway, the road is controlled by IDOT and FHA would need to sign off on any changes to the design or routing.

[the urban politician]

https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2019...em-altogether/



Stupid fucking Aldermen.

How about pretending for one second that it's a pain in the ass to develop real estate, and people need to make money doing it.

If you aren't going to be reasonable then fuck off. And now a smaller project with zero affordable units will go forward as of right.

I'm betting we will begin to see more and more of this happen--build what zoning allows and screw dealing with activist Aldermen.

[aaron38]

The problem is it’s self fulfilling. Restrict development, raise prices, make the neighborhood exclusive. The residents have more clout, restrict development further.
The instant residents try this crap, it goes exponential and what should be a thriving neighborhood becomes a rich enclave.

Or it becomes a neglected poor one.

[marothisu]

Anyone have an update/ recent pictures of the mega mall development in Logan Square?

[wchicity]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Anyone have an update/ recent pictures of the mega mall development in Logan Square?

Don't have any pictures, but walked by it the other day. It has a HUGE presence and definitely gives that block a completely different look and feel. I guess we'll see how the overall quality of the buildings turns out, but I think it's a massive improvement over the empty lot that was there before.

[The Lurker]

I was in town this week and took a ton of photos but flickr is on the fritz so I'll be sharing links. I can't come up with a URL with a mobile device, but if anybody is able to, you are more than welcome to post the images. I'll be photo dumping for a good part of the day. Please click the links and enjoy.

Milwaukee Ave. Stuff:

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfgoD

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfejV

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfe5M

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfdGY

https://flic.kr/p/2gneMTd

https://flic.kr/p/2gnh4xX

Fulton Market stuff:

https://flic.kr/p/2gngeGg

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfPmB

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfP9x

That little gust front Thursday evening knocked down the fencing at 800 W. Fulton Market and gave us a peek in.

https://flic.kr/p/2gngeV7

https://flic.kr/p/2gnfWRX

Sears Tower reatail;

https://flic.kr/p/2gnhv9S

Gem's academy;

https://flic.kr/p/2gneQP3

1533 W. Warren, fencing around site and a few excavators I didn't get in the shot;

https://flic.kr/p/2gniu8b

[Busy Bee]

Those genius community members and their "input"...

This is not how you build a city.

[JK47]

Originally Posted by Stockerzzz

https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/06...ordable-units/

With the recent changes made by Lightfoot does the opposition of the Alderman for a ward still carry the same weight as before?

[Mr Downtown]

Yes, because a rezoning ordinance is passed by city council. A mayor can't change that with an executive order.

[Baronvonellis]

Haha, that's hilarious how she says she's working on a plan for affordable housing, while at the same time denying a plan to build some affordable housing!

[k1052]

Would not "preserving the character of the area" actually mean allowing people to build courtyard buildings with no parking and four plus ones wherever they want?

Of course we know that's not what this is about.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Baronvonellis

Haha, that's hilarious how she says she's working on a plan for affordable housing, while at the same time denying a plan to build some affordable housing!

What accelerates gentrification more?

a) A 30 unit building with no affordable units
b) A 60 unit building with 6 affordable units?

I'm sure it's up for debate, but I'd argue that (a) accelerates gentrification because it offers less supply. Fewer units, less supply, thus higher asking rents.

In my own apartments, despite a booming rental market, the fact that tenants have a lot of other choices forces me to charge less rent, and it's fairly often that one has to lower their asking price to finally land a tenant.

Supply and demand is still the best way to keep down costs...

[OrdoSeclorum]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

What accelerates gentrification more?

a) A 30 unit building with no affordable units
b) A 60 unit building with 6 affordable units?

I'm sure it's up for debate, but I'd argue that (a) accelerates gentrification because it offers less supply. Fewer units, less supply, thus higher asking rents.

In my own apartments, despite a booming rental market, the fact that tenants have a lot of other choices forces me to charge less rent, and it's fairly often that one has to lower their asking price to finally land a tenant.

Supply and demand is still the best way to keep down costs...

It's absolutely obvious that "a" does more to increase gentrification. And whenever I find myself in a disagreement on this topic, it feels like I'm arguing about how many sides a triangle has.

I think what's up for debate on this topic is what is the best way improve housing options for those with truly low incomes. Supply can do a lot to improve affordability for the lower middle class. But folks who--for a variety of reasons--may not ever have the ability to earn more than a janitor's wage, it's possible to imagine the market being unable to provide them housing in some cities with high wages and high land costs. I don't know what the best solution is.

[Buckman821]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

It's absolutely obvious that "a" does more to increase gentrification. And whenever I find myself in a disagreement on this topic, it feels like I'm arguing about how many sides a triangle has.

I think what's up for debate on this topic is what is the best way improve housing options for those with truly low incomes. Supply can do a lot to improve affordability for the lower middle class. But folks who--for a variety of reasons--may not ever have the ability to earn more than a janitor's wage, it's possible to imagine the market being unable to provide them housing in some cities with high wages and high land costs. I don't know what the best solution is.

Best Option: Vouchers
2nd Best Option: Vouchers
Bottom Feeder Options: Everything else.

Vouchers are the only way to deliver housing for that type of individual without A: creating a bunch of perverse incentives B: costing the taxpayers more per unit than new construction housing intended for upper class consumers.

[Jibba]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

"colossal pain in the ass"?

i used to live near broadway in edgewater. i never had issues crossing broadway. walk to the corner, wait for the walk sign, and cross. kinda like every other major street crossing in the city (ashland, irving, western, etc.).

now, is broadway too much of an auto-sewer through there with too much auto-oriented commercial development (strip malls & drive-thrus)? yes, absolutely, but crossing broadway in its current state is not terribly difficult.

Admittedly, I was being dramatic--my choice of language reflects the accumulation of impatience from having to cross it for 5 years now. By the way, I'm specifically talking about the portion of Broadway from Hollywood north.

My belief is that, relatively speaking, yes, it is a pain in the ass. E-W crossings are woefully infrequent, and when they do arise, the allotted time is insufficient (if you're not queued at the crossing when the signal changes, you're not going to make it across with ease, and that's for a person with an able body at that).

[ChiPlanner]

From 44th Ward Alderman Tunney:

"I will be hosting a meeting to discuss a proposed redevelopment of the Treasure Island site at 3460 N. Broadway. This meeting will be held on Thursday, July 11th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the 19th District Police Station, 850 W. Addison. The development team will present their proposal, answer questions and take feedback from neighbors. Their presentation will be available on the 44th Ward website following the meeting. This is the first step in the community process and I look forward to a robust discussion."

[Freefall]

Man, that's a big beautiful lot. I hope Tunney doesn't turn it into another Mariano's on broadway situation