CHICAGO | General Developments

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Yeah but how much of that $3bn price tag is eligible for funding from those sources? Seems like a lot of the cost is related to lakefill, flood prevention/coastal work and park projects.

All the federal highway bills since 1992 have included setasides for "transportation enhancement," which has been used for some pretty peripheral things, even including historic preservation of nearby buildings. No problem at all to tap into that for making a historic parkway more scenic or more protected from winter erosion.

LSD is a unique road with unique needs, I'm not sure we want to take a huge amount of Federal money with strings attached. Will IDOT need to raise the speed limit and embrace design standards for faster speeds? Will huge signage and glaring lighting be required? etc etc.

No, also since 1992 there have been special provisions for scenic byways. Now if LSD were to be given an Interstate number, that would pressure IDOT to bring it up to Interstate standards. But otherwise it's all up to IDOT and the eternal battle between those who understand that a parkway is for more than moving vehicles and those who hide behind the Engineering Green Book and say "but the standard says this." The 1991 reconstruction on the North Side added new median dividers with a unique Moderne design that FHWA signed off on, and the Moderne overpasses at North Avenue and 47th have been reconstructed since then with the cooperation of IDOT.

[ardecila]

I'm less concerned about aesthetics, though - maybe I misspoke in emphasizing signage and lighting. I know Federal money can be used for enhancements under "Context Sensitive Solutions" (because some solutions don't need to worry about context! ). Even the Circle Interchange was able to use upgraded barrier/railing designs and somehow avoided fencing along the sidewalks on each overpass, and that involved two interstate routes.

More concerned about lane width, breakdown lanes, curve radii/superelevation, grades - things that dramatically affect the footprint of the road, and how drivers behave while using it. Fundamentally LSD is different from an interstate highway, and different from a boulevard - it's in that weird parkway category that seems to be poorly understood or hated by drivers and urbanists alike, for opposite reasons.

I think IDOT botched the reconstruction on the South Side already and turned it into a drag strip. I dunno, maybe it was always that way... but I assumed there was a time when it was more similar to the North Side section, with tighter curves, trees/barriers close to the roadway, short transitions at on/offramps, etc. At least they didn't put in shoulders and gobble up even more parkland, although every time I bike down the lakefront trail that way I see several lightposts on the ground, knocked down by reckless drivers.

[harryc]

Sept 21

[jc5680]

delete

[harryc]

Sept 24

[west-town-brad]

is Curbed still operating?

[Handro]

Originally Posted by west-town-brad

is Curbed still operating?

Only in select cities, the Chicago site shut down a few months ago.

[jpIllInoIs]

Originally Posted by Handro

Only in select cities, the Chicago site shut down a few months ago.

I didn't know they were permanently closed. I have been checking in with Yimby on a daily basis. Good format and informative.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

I didn't know they were permanently closed. I have been checking in with Yimby on a daily basis. Good format and informative.

Agree, I've been doing the same. Frankly, I think it's already better than Curbed.

[the urban politician]

^ Wow, I just visited that site for the first time now.

I’m speechless. It’s literally porn as far as I’m concerned. I will definitely be visiting that site regularly, and kudos to the guy who runs it.

Agreed about Curbed. I think Curbed had some good people but ultimately failed from the top. They chose a really lousy editor, she didn’t seem interested whatsoever in real estate

[marothisu]

What I like about YIMBY is that they are reporting some of the smaller things that Curbed would not. I have given Curbed some pretty big tips over the years and some of the more recent ones (in 2019) I was shocked to find some were not even written about. Like the fact that Chinatown is having a major geographical expansion with an Asian mall the size of a famous one in Toronto, new hotels, new residential, etc in a largely passed over area. A lot of new economic activity.. Maybe I'm wrong but thats pretty newsworthy.

YIMBY also seem interested in real, constructive feedback which shows a level of maturity. On another thread we were writing about iy and their editors were actually listening to what we had.to say.

[Handro]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Wow, I just visited that site for the first time now.

I’m speechless. It’s literally porn as far as I’m concerned. I will definitely be visiting that site regularly, and kudos to the guy who runs it.

Agreed about Curbed. I think Curbed had some good people but ultimately failed from the top. They chose a really lousy editor, she didn’t seem interested whatsoever in real estate

It became just another Chicago culture site once she came on board. Too many posts about the weather, things to do, how to survive winter, etc.

I'm sure readership dropped, there are better places to get that kind of content if its what you're after.

I sort of wrote YIMBY off once they came onto the scene back in May (or around then) and wrote an article without fact checking, and didn't take it down or update it even after the architect/developer reached out to them and said it was false. I figured it was some hobbyist blogger without any interest in actual reporting. Maybe I was wrong?

[BVictor1]

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/dept...opment-pr.html

September 22, 2020

City Selects Five Finalists to Compete for Loop Redevelopment Project
The City of Chicago and its partners at C40 Cities have selected five local development teams as finalists to purchase and redevelop City-owned land at Van Buren Street and Plymouth Court in the Loop, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced today.

The five groups, selected in response to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued earlier this year in conjunction with the international C40 Reinventing Cities competition, are being exclusively invited to submit mixed-use redevelopment proposals for the 16,000-square-foot location. The winner will be chosen through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process that launches today and concludes this fall.

The five finalists include:

Common Good Collaborative
Developer: Lendlease and KMA Co.
Architect: Valerio Dewalt Train and Association and Latent Design
Environmental Consultant: dbHMS

The Community Builders/Studio Gang
Developer: The Community Builders
Architect: Studio Gang, DesignBridge and JAQ Corp.
Environmental Consultant: dbHMS

EcoVibe
Developer: DL3 Realty and CityPads
Architect: Perkins + Will and Brook Architecture
Environmental Consultant: dbHMS

Team Unity
Developer: Keith Giles, Mercy Housing, and Chicago TREND Corporation
Architect: Fitzgerald Architects
Environmental Consultant: Transsolar Inc.

Turnstone Development
Developer: Turnstone Development and Lightengale Group
Architect: MKB Architects and Mir Collective
Environmental Consultant: dbHMS

“Each of these teams represent extensive design and build expertise,” Department of Planning and Development First Deputy Commissioner Eleanor Gorski said. “We expect them each to submit creative proposals that maximize this unique opportunity to support economic development, affordable housing, open space and sustainability in the heart of the Loop.”

Thirteen teams responded to the City’s RFQ. The finalist selection committee included representatives from the Chicago Loop Alliance, the Near South Planning Board, South Loop Advisory Committee, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Libraries, and Chicago Transit Authority.

The L-shaped site consists of vacant land, a vacant commercial building and a vacant parking garage that are adjacent to the Harold Washington Library Center, the State Street retail corridor and multiple rapid transit lines.

Redevelopment proposals must leverage the site’s location with a viable mix of uses, including improvements that enhance the adjacent Pritzker Park as public open space, among other requirements, according to the RFP. Review criteria will include the completeness of each submission, purchase price, quality of the development plan, appropriateness of the proposed uses relative to the surrounding community, site plan and design concepts, and the experience and financial capacity of the development team, among other considerations.

C40 is a global network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. Chicago’s participation in C40’s 2019 Reinventing Cities competition resulted in the selection of Garfield Green, an environmentally sustainable, mixed-income project at Fifth and Kedzie avenues in East Garfield Park.

“The 2020 Chicago finalists have developed rigorous methodologies to strive for zero-carbon objectives and I am excited to see how they will develop their proposals in the final stage,” C40 Cities Regional Director Laura Jay said. “More than ever, many cities, businesses and individuals are committed to progress and leading the effort to create a more sustainable and inclusive world.”

The winning redevelopment project for this year’s competition is expected to be announced by Mayor Lightfoot in early 2021. For more information, visit www.chicago.gov/c40.

[jpIllInoIs]

A very well timed development in Douglas. Labor must be readily available.
And the location is good.
According to Yimby

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

A very well timed development in Douglas. Labor must be readily available.
And the location is good.
According to Yimby

Here's my post from September 11 on this

Originally Posted by marothisu

A 4 story residential building (mix of affordable and market rate) with ground floor commercial/retail was issued a new construction permit for 508 E Pershing (a little east of Martin Luther King Jr Dr). Total of 53 units. Lot is currently vacant - right near Oakwood Shores and the not-too-old Mariano's grocery store.


Source: https://www.niaarch.com/project/508-pershing/

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by marothisu

What I like about YIMBY is that they are reporting some of the smaller things that Curbed would not. I have given Curbed some pretty big tips over the years and some of the more recent ones (in 2019) I was shocked to find some were not even written about. Like the fact that Chinatown is having a major geographical expansion with an Asian mall the size of a famous one in Toronto, new hotels, new residential, etc in a largely passed over area. A lot of new economic activity.. Maybe I'm wrong but thats pretty newsworthy.

Similar thing is happening over here in Philly's Chinatown, except much of the "new money" from incoming residents and businesses have taken over the old hangout spots that were closed down. Although these aren't big newsworthy projects, they have contributed to Chinatown becoming more focused for younger residents

[jpIllInoIs]

Originally Posted by marothisu

What I like about YIMBY is that they are reporting some of the smaller things that Curbed would not. I have given Curbed some pretty big tips over the years and some of the more recent ones (in 2019) I was shocked to find some were not even written about. Like the fact that Chinatown is having a major geographical expansion with an Asian mall the size of a famous one in Toronto, new hotels, new residential, etc in a largely passed over area. A lot of new economic activity.. Maybe I'm wrong but thats pretty newsworthy.

YIMBY also seem interested in real, constructive feedback which shows a level of maturity. On another thread we were writing about iy and their editors were actually listening to what we had.to say.

Marothisu- youre reporting on the Asian influx and the expansion has been illuminating for me - so bravo.

Yes Yimby seems to capture a broad range of development on a daily basis and includes complete renderings and locations. And they def are checking in on SSP which is good.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

Similar thing is happening over here in Philly's Chinatown, except much of the "new money" from incoming residents and businesses have taken over the old hangout spots that were closed down. Although these aren't big newsworthy projects, they have contributed to Chinatown becoming more focused for younger residents

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

Marothisu- youre reporting on the Asian influx and the expansion has been illuminating for me - so bravo.

Yes Yimby seems to capture a broad range of development on a daily basis and includes complete renderings and locations. And they def are checking in on SSP which is good.

I'm not surprised by Philadelphia either with this. In terms of change of China born population in cities between 2011 and 2019, Philadelphia is 6th. Chicago is 2nd highest (NYC #1). However for 2018 to 2019, Philadelphia is 3rd while Chicago is 4th.

Also, Chicago has the 2nd highest born in Japan population from 2011 to 2019 (San Diego #1). Philadelphia has the highest increase of Korean born in that same time period.

[Handro]

Anyone up for another "what does a building need to be considered historical" debate?

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/10...derman-fuming/

Neighbors Fuming After Historic Old Town Stable Loses Landmark Status, Will Become Modern Condos

However, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Permit Review Committee voted unanimously on Thursday that the former stable’s historic designation was incorrect because the building had been severely altered since the landmark’s intended era.

According to Larry Shure, a staffer for the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, the building once had a second floor that was demolished in 1940, and the front facade was later replaced with new bricks.

“Because the current appearance of the building does not reflect the characteristics intended to be preserved by the district designation, it cannot be considered significant,” Shure said.

Besides, it's not even being torn down:



As a lover of buildings, historic preservation, and history in general, I fail to see what the outrage is about. Removing a curb cut and increasing density while maintaining the facade (which is pretty meh, but I appreciate preserving the original building stock) seems like a win all around...

[ardecila]

Yeah this is a weird debate. The fact that it used to be a stable doesn't make it an unusual or exceptional building. I think we get fixated on building uses but pretty much every old building in Chicago was built using the same 3 or 4 techniques. If you strip away the exterior finishes and gut the interior, there's really no reason to preserve the building.

In this case they are saving the facade, which looks traditional but is built with modern bricks.

Of course, while rich Lincoln Parkers moan about this non-issue, actual historic buildings on the South Side are getting torn down or rotting left and right, including both architecturally significant buildings and those buildings associated with influential people in politics, music, art, etc.