[the urban politician]

^ Plenty of old buildings in the Loop and River North got knocked down for parking (garages or lots).

The difference is, the Loop (and to some degree River North) have been doing this for quite some time. Streeterville's growth spurt really has been much more recent. Oh, and much of the "parking lot building" is being done by NWH, which the Loop and RN clearly don't have to contend with.