CHICAGO | General Developments

[george]

8/16 More Riverwalk, Wells to Franklin

[Notyrview]

The success of the riverwalk is astounding to me. It makes perfect sense that people would want to play along the river, I just never expected it would be so good. I think mostly because 10 years ago it seemed like the media portrayed its success as such a crap shoot – plus all those lonely lunch break walks I took on it when it was still a ghost town.

As a generator of social activity in the Loop proper, nothing even comes close. No matter what your politics are, the pork from the Obama administration on this was a huge jackpot for the future of Chicago's position as a national and more global tourist destination (be careful what you wish for on this, but that's for another conversation about congestion), as well as what I have to imagine will be an engine for luring more corporate relocations downtown, and most important, sustaining a vibrant city with grand public spaces.

All the towers going up are fantastic to watch, but they are private spaces, vacuums for the professional classes. The riverwalk is a public space, and we desperately need those to make cities thrive, and well, bustle. It is really public investment that trickles down to the masses, revitalize cities, create jobs and opportunity on a grand scale for, at the very least, leisure. Millennium Park proves that a million times over.

[Kenmore]

Originally Posted by Notyrview

The success of the riverwalk is astounding to me. It makes perfect sense that people would want to play along the river, I just never expected it would be so good. I think mostly because 10 years ago it seemed like the media portrayed its success as such a crap shoot – plus all those lonely lunch break walks I took on it when it was still a ghost town.

As a generator of social activity in the Loop proper, nothing even comes close. No matter what your politics are, the pork from the Obama administration on this was a huge jackpot for the future of Chicago's position as a national and more global tourist destination (be careful what you wish for on this but that's another for another conversation about congestion), as well as what I have to imagine will be an engine for luring more corporate relocations downtown. And most important, as a vibrant city with grand public spaces.

All the towers going up are fantastic to watch, but they are private spaces, vacuums for the professional classes. The riverwalk is a public space, and we desperately need those to make cities thrive, and well, bustle. It is really public investments that trickle down to the masses, revitalize cities, create jobs and opportunity on a grand scale for, at the very least, leisure. Millennium Park proves that a million times over.

amen

[Skyguy_7]

^ A glassy tower was badly needed here, especially in contrast to the dark C&C. I'm loving how much it already brightens the block.

"..It is really public investments that trickle down to the masses, revitalize cities, create jobs and opportunity on a grand scale for, at the very least, leisure. Millennium Park proves that a million times over."

Well-stated. The Riverwalk's $100 million price tag is worth every penny- and it's only half-done!

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Do a lot of families do their grocery shopping by L? The bus is one thing, but who carries bags of groceries three blocks and then up the stairs to the L platform to wait for a train back home?

As far as the number of spaces, isn't it also to serve the stores going into the "8,000 square feet of commercial space for other retailers?"

Originally Posted by HowardL

I do. All of the time. A couple of times a week, I swing by the Jewel at State and Grand, pick up a few things that fit in my backpack and am sometimes on the L within two minutes of paying.

A city done right is an awesome thing.

Right?

Mr Downtown, it never ceases to amaze me how much you refuse to recognize the way so many Chicagoans lead and are capable of leading their lives.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Do a lot of families do their grocery shopping by L? The bus is one thing, but who carries bags of groceries three blocks and then up the stairs to the L platform to wait for a train back home?

As far as the number of spaces, isn't it also to serve the stores going into the "8,000 square feet of commercial space for other retailers?"

This guy does his grocery shopping by El

(my dad)

[Notyrview]

^Good guy.

[UPChicago]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Do a lot of families do their grocery shopping by L? The bus is one thing, but who carries bags of groceries three blocks and then up the stairs to the L platform to wait for a train back home?

As far as the number of spaces, isn't it also to serve the stores going into the "8,000 square feet of commercial space for other retailers?"

shopping cart

[LouisVanDerWright]

I used to live near an elderly home on the North side and the number of old folks I saw walking by with those carts full of whatever they were out shopping for that day was impressive. If that section of society can handle walking to the store, then so can everyone else. Ironically a lot of more able bodied citizens prefer a car simply because it is convenient, not because it is impossible to shop without one. I think a larger portion of seniors shops this way than any other demographic because they tend to be in less of a hurry and might actually be more comfortable walking than driving because of their old age.

If you build stores where cars are not as convenient, plenty of people will switch. Let's also not neglect to recognize the advent of new services like instacart which do a VERY good job of almost completely eliminating the need to even go to the store at all.

Off topic promo: if you haven't tried Instacart, do it, it will change your life. Literally any product from almost any store shows up on your door usually within an hour or two for an extremely reasonable fee (which is invariably less than the cost of your time and travel). I used to be a member at Costco, but not anymore because Instacart shops there for me and I avoid $50 a year off that alone.

[msu2001la]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Do a lot of families do their grocery shopping by L? The bus is one thing, but who carries bags of groceries three blocks and then up the stairs to the L platform to wait for a train back home?

As far as the number of spaces, isn't it also to serve the stores going into the "8,000 square feet of commercial space for other retailers?"

I shop at the Whole Foods next to the Fullerton Red Line stop at least a few times each week.

It's awesome to be able to stop on my way home from work and pick up stuff to make for dinner.

[msu2001la]

Originally Posted by Notyrview

The success of the riverwalk is astounding to me. It makes perfect sense that people would want to play along the river, I just never expected it would be so good. I think mostly because 10 years ago it seemed like the media portrayed its success as such a crap shoot – plus all those lonely lunch break walks I took on it when it was still a ghost town.

As a generator of social activity in the Loop proper, nothing even comes close. No matter what your politics are, the pork from the Obama administration on this was a huge jackpot for the future of Chicago's position as a national and more global tourist destination (be careful what you wish for on this, but that's for another conversation about congestion), as well as what I have to imagine will be an engine for luring more corporate relocations downtown, and most important, sustaining a vibrant city with grand public spaces.

All the towers going up are fantastic to watch, but they are private spaces, vacuums for the professional classes. The riverwalk is a public space, and we desperately need those to make cities thrive, and well, bustle. It is really public investment that trickles down to the masses, revitalize cities, create jobs and opportunity on a grand scale for, at the very least, leisure. Millennium Park proves that a million times over.

Totally agree. I was down there on Saturday with an out-of-town friend who was visiting me. She was blown away by how cool the Riverwalk was, and I was amazed at how many people were down there enjoying it on a very hot saturday afternoon, while the Air and Water Show was luring thousands to the lakefront.

The transformation of the Chicago River over the last few years has been amazing to watch.

[the urban politician]

Last weekend I was at Navy Pier. I know there is still a lot of work left to do, but wow I'm really liking the preliminary changes. This thing is going to be awesome when it's done.

[Rizzo]

I was there a couple weeks ago and the new restaurants along the recently finished concourse were open. They were packed with people.

[Mr Downtown]

Read for comprehension, guys. I myself shop by L (the Aldi at Granville & Broadway) in the winter—but I'm a single guy. So are those of you talking about stopping for one or two items on the way home from work. Granny carts are fine for walking distance or even the bus under certain circumstances.

But the original statement was why Mariano's would build so many parking spaces when they're only a half mile from an L station. That's simply a non sequitur. South Side moms are just not going to make excursions on Saturday mornings from 51st & Drexel to Pershing & King by riding the L, then hoisting bags of dog food on their shoulders and tucking two-liter bottles of pop under each arm as they climb the stairs back up to the Green Line platform.

Mariano's is really sensitive about the importance of just the right kind of parking to its customers. That's why they declined the Dominick's in South Shore.

[Rizzo]

I have to agree with Mr. D on this. Some of the public meetings I've gone to for new grocery stores and parking are all backed up with research and studies presented by traffic engineers and the grocer that support their need for a ton of parking. Families will typically pick up a lot of food for a week or two and heavy packaged goods that require a car to transport. It's like night and day at the Gold Coast trader Joe's where I used to live and the North Center trader Joe's where I now live. I used to be through the check out in 2 minutes, now it's more like 12 minutes.

BTW, I sometimes take the EL after I buy groceries, but usually I'm carrying it all on a bike!

[bcp]

Originally Posted by Hayward

I have to agree with Mr. D on this. Some of the public meetings I've gone to for new grocery stores and parking are all backed up with research and studies presented by traffic engineers and the grocer that support their need for a ton of parking. Families will typically pick up a lot of food for a week or two and heavy packaged goods that require a car to transport. It's like night and day at the Gold Coast trader Joe's where I used to live and the North Center trader Joe's where I now live. I used to be through the check out in 2 minutes, now it's more like 12 minutes.

BTW, I sometimes take the EL after I buy groceries, but usually I'm carrying it all on a bike!

This is the problem w the mega grocer model...small and mediums and bodegas provide much more frequent and walkable options. Pricier and less selection, but a car is way pricey.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Hayward

I have to agree with Mr. D on this. Some of the public meetings I've gone to for new grocery stores and parking are all backed up with research and studies presented by traffic engineers and the grocer that support their need for a ton of parking. Families will typically pick up a lot of food for a week or two and heavy packaged goods that require a car to transport. It's like night and day at the Gold Coast trader Joe's where I used to live and the North Center trader Joe's where I now live. I used to be through the check out in 2 minutes, now it's more like 12 minutes.

BTW, I sometimes take the EL after I buy groceries, but usually I'm carrying it all on a bike!

OK, but Chicago Avenue in River North is way closer to the Gold Coast example than the North Center example. I still don't think it's reasonable for someone like Brendan Reilly to put the kibosh on a much-needed grocery store (at Chicago/Hudson) on the assumption that it will have a parking shortage. Definitely not reasonable for the urban core.

[SamInTheLoop]

Crain's just reporting within the half-hour that the CVS deal did indeed fall through (yay!), but when it did, they came up with the novel tenant of Walgreens to take 15,000 of the 22,000 State St-fronting space in the Old Sears store. Not cool, man. I guess the Flagship State Street store and the store at 15 W Washington are simply not close enough to the corner of State and Madison. This seriously blows. I really wonder if part of the problem here is that the owner of the building (Chetrit out of New York) for some reason had MB Real Estate lease the retail space in addition to the office space - MB is not a retail specialist at all - they're pretty much an office shop AFAIK. For prime retail space like this, you definitely want to put the leasing into the hands of a true retail leasing team imo. Perhaps some far off-prime location you can get away with it, and who cares anyhow - but to botch this releasing effort (in terms of positioning for the retail high street) at such a main/main location like this..........this is a major disappointment, and huge missed opportunity - HUGE - to say the least...........

[Busy Bee]

Excellent! I can save myself 200 feet while buying my next box of caramel nips!

[Near North Resident]

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

Crain's just reporting within the half-hour that the CVS deal did indeed fall through (yay!), but when it did, they came up with the novel tenant of Walgreens to take 15,000 of the 22,000 State St-fronting space in the Old Sears store. Not cool, man. I guess the Flagship State Street store and the store at 15 W Washington are simply not close enough to the corner of State and Madison. This seriously blows. I really wonder if part of the problem here is that the owner of the building (Chetrit out of New York) for some reason had MB Real Estate lease the retail space in addition to the office space - MB is not a retail specialist at all - they're pretty much an office shop AFAIK. For prime retail space like this, you definitely want to put the leasing into the hands of a true retail leasing team imo. Perhaps some far off-prime location you can get away with it, and who cares anyhow - but to botch this releasing effort (in terms of positioning for the retail high street) at such a main/main location like this..........this is a major disappointment, and huge missed opportunity - HUGE - to say the least...........

Seriously? haha, I suppose it is a bit of a hike for me to go two blocks to state and Washington, or Madison and Wells, or Monroe and Clark