CHICAGO | General Developments

[Near North Resident]

Originally Posted by louisvanderwright

grant park is "chicago's front lawn" it's not "intended for local residents"... Also, when grant park was created there basically were no "local residents" because the loop was almost completely commercial and industrial...

Here's a novel idea: Don't move next to the second largest business district in the country if you don't want to be inconvenienced by major events a few times a year...

but its a whole four days!!! That is over 1% of an entire year!!!!

[XIII]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Their lodestar principle is for citizens to have some voice in how Chicago parks and forest preserves are run. Secondarily, they would mostly say that parks should be used as parks, not as private building sites or private festival grounds.

FotParking Lots has a pretty strong record on protecting the rights of cars:

2015 - Sues to keep parking lot rather than Lucas Museum. Rejects multiple offers creating new park land.
2016 - 31st street beach should have less park, more PARKING!
2017 - Obama foundation proposed. FotPL response - "Don't close the street! What about the cars!?!"
2017 - Let's stop Lollapalooza, it slows down cars.

Do these people actually DO anything other than piss away donor money so that Juanita Irizarry can try to get her name a paper and try to claim credit every time someone plants a tree?

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by gebs

As a South Loop resident, I love the neighborhood and will leave it kicking and screaming ... but this is definitely my biggest complaint about Lolla and Bears home games. That, and the fact that during Lolla I have to tolerate hordes of drunk, entitled suburban children wearing "vintage" Nirvana shirts. (Do you know the lyrics to "Breed"? I didn't think so.)

Seriously who cares? I'd rather south loop residents complain about ugly apartment / condo buildings with huge parking podiums. That's the biggest slap in the face to this city. At least those lolla kids are subsidizing the cost of those parks we can use and enjoy 99% the rest of the year. While I do my best to avoid the festival and put up with the loud base while working last Thursday, we are truly fortunate to have this festival in our city

[Jim in Chicago]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Yeah, I don't understand the theory used by many of the folks given keys to the control boxes. Is it that ridiculously long (6 minute) signal cycles reduce the amount of time vehicles spend accelerating to speed? Or reduces the amount of the cycle lost to pedestrians crossing?

I wish Lolla could be made to pay for an entrance/exit ramp where the McCormick Place Busway passes under Balbo. That way the #6 bus could still get through the area in some sort of timely fashion. Ambulances too. And it would be useful for McCormick Place service the rest of the year.

Do you really think they work under any "theory"?

They're moderately amusing when they just stand there and twirl their arms around and blow whistles. The second they take control of the lights all mayhem breaks loose. Honestly, traffic would be better without them.

I'm sure we could all come up with examples, but for me it was the evening when I was patiently waiting to turn right on green to let the pedestrians cross. The "orange vest" person starting screaming at me "TURN, TURN NOW, NOW, TURN NOW". He was actually in my face when I pointed out the pedestrians I'd have killed had I followed his order.

[OhioGuy]

Uptown’s Getting a Mini-Food Hall With Budlong Chicken, Barbecue, and a Boozy Patio
by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Aug 7, 2017, 4:06pm CDT

The owner of the Budlong Hot Chicken and BBQ Supply Co. in Rogers Park is stepping out in a big way in Uptown. Jared Leonard is building a three-headed monster with Beacon St. Market, a food hall that includes another Budlong and a second BBQ Supply, as well as a new restaurant, Norm’s Deli. The new spot should open sometime next year at 1325 W. Wilson Ave.

“I’ve been working on this for about a year,” Leonard said. “That stretch of Wilson is a really nice area — Uptown and Sheridan Park have really been on the cusp of development...but there’s a lack of restaurants — specifically, restaurants with outdoor areas.”

[harryc]

Originally Posted by OhioGuy

Uptown’s Getting a Mini-Food Hall With Budlong Chicken, Barbecue, and a Boozy Patio
by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Aug 7, 2017, 4:06pm CDT

A quick Google Streetview tells me this neighborhood has changed a bit in the last 30yrs.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by harryc

A quick Google Streetview tells me this neighborhood has changed a bit in the last 30yrs.

My friend used to live near there - there are some nice places and the streets are nice but at least as of 3 years ago, there was still some stuff going on here and there. My friend witnessed some burglaries and whatever and ultimately didn't like it enough that he moved out after a year.

Hopefully it's gotten a little less shady since then - the blocks are actually decently nice around there.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by marothisu

My friend used to live near there - there are some nice places and the streets are nice but at least as of 3 years ago, there was still some stuff going on here and there. My friend witnessed some burglaries and whatever and ultimately didn't like it enough that he moved out after a year.

Hopefully it's gotten a little less shady since then - the blocks are actually decently nice around there.

Back in the days you could get mugged watching a burglary. The buildings are gorgeous, and solid.

[harryc]

From a moving train
July 14


Aug 4

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by harryc

Back in the days you could get mugged watching a burglary. The buildings are gorgeous, and solid.

My friend had two hand guns in his home too and grew up in a country known for high crime rates (though he grew up wealthy). I guess he was way far removed from that because he felt the need to move out of the area. But you're right - the places around there are nice. He had a nice place and a great deal (I think under $1800/mo for a renovated 2 bedroom condo). Loved walking around his neighborhood.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Jim in Chicago

...
They're moderately amusing when they just stand there and twirl their arms around and blow whistles. The second they take control of the lights all mayhem breaks loose. Honestly, traffic would be better without them.
...

I feel like when I first moved to Chicago in 1995 the City dispatched traffic aides or cops or whatever they're called every rush hour to key intersections in/near the Loop, and that they actually kept traffic moving if for no other reason than they simply did not allow "gridlock" behavior, aka "blocking the box." I was working in the Sears Tower then, so I was pretty familiar with the N/S Wacker intersections.

Maybe I was still just a wide-eyed country bumpkin then, but it certainly felt like they had a positive impact. It seems like they must have paid for themselves with the tickets they scribbled out to cars that stranded themselves mid-intersection. But, yeah, they didn't normally override the light change boxes. Not sure how that would help since I thought the City has centralized light controls.

[killaviews]

Originally Posted by OhioGuy

Uptown’s Getting a Mini-Food Hall With Budlong Chicken, Barbecue, and a Boozy Patio
by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Aug 7, 2017, 4:06pm CDT

These days residents follow trendy dining options. And there are a crap ton of units proposed in Uptown and a decent amount under construction. Retail is still trickling in at a very slow pace, though. It's still seen as unproven and risky for businesses. Most new places seem to open up in close proximity to Uptown's stronger neighbors like Andersonville or Ravenswoods. I think the new Wilson station will help and that men's hotel next to it is closing. I'm all for affordable housing, but that hotel sounds like hell - cubicles and chicken wire.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by killaviews

These days residents follow trendy dining options. And there are a crap ton of units proposed in Uptown and a decent amount under construction. Retail is still trickling in at a very slow pace, though. It's still seen as unproven and risky for businesses. Most new places seem to open up in close proximity to Uptown's stronger neighbors like Andersonville or Ravenswoods. I think the new Wilson station will help and that men's hotel next to it is closing. I'm all for affordable housing, but that hotel sounds like hell - cubicles and chicken wire.

Please don't confuse Mental Health facilities (without the health) andaffordable housing.

[10023]

Originally Posted by emathias

I feel like when I first moved to Chicago in 1995 the City dispatched traffic aides or cops or whatever they're called every rush hour to key intersections in/near the Loop, and that they actually kept traffic moving if for no other reason than they simply did not allow "gridlock" behavior, aka "blocking the box." I was working in the Sears Tower then, so I was pretty familiar with the N/S Wacker intersections.

Maybe I was still just a wide-eyed country bumpkin then, but it certainly felt like they had a positive impact. It seems like they must have paid for themselves with the tickets they scribbled out to cars that stranded themselves mid-intersection. But, yeah, they didn't normally override the light change boxes. Not sure how that would help since I thought the City has centralized light controls.

The only way to reduce traffic congestion is to take away drivers' options. Not only should there be essentially no two way streets (and there aren't many), but you shouldn't have 3 or 4 general use lanes. You should have a turn lane that is divided from lanes for traffic going straight as least half a block in advance by a concrete island. That way no one is trying to change lanes at the last minute near an intersection.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by 10023

...
You should have a turn lane that is divided from lanes for traffic going straight as least half a block in advance by a concrete island. That way no one is trying to change lanes at the last minute near an intersection.

Sounds good in principle, but that divider would need to extend into the intersection, because otherwise taxis would do what they always do, turn the second from the curb lane into a second right turn lane. That happens all the time on Wacker turning right onto Madison. When i cab it to work, I'd say about 1/3 to 1/2 of the time my driver will do that - and I'm just hypocritical enough to be glad when they do.

[Jim in Chicago]

Originally Posted by emathias

...because otherwise taxis would do what they always do, turn the second from the curb lane into a second right turn lane. That happens all the time on Wacker turning right onto Madison...

And CTA buses. They do this every time I'm waiting to turn from Northbound Columbus onto Balbo, just sit in the through lane and then turn in front of the traffic that's been waiting in the left turn lane. Problem is, cars have learned this trick and are now following the CTA example.

[marothisu]

1111 W Washington (under the address 1109 W Washington) was issued a new construction permit yesterday for its foundation. 9 stories, 28 units, and 83 parking space (wtf? I know these are luxury units but I was under the impression of 2 cars per unit, not almost 3).

In case anyone's wondering, here is one of the units for sale there - again under the address 1109 W Washington. This one is 4 bed, 4.5 bath with 5110 sq ft for just under $4M:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/11...home/113975336

Source: Curbed/Booth Hansen

[the urban politician]

I really hate this trend of ground floor parking in the West Loop.

I would almost rather have a parking podium with ground level retail than this. There is nothing more street deadening than screen walls on the first floor.

At least it adds more wealthy households to the area, but still....

[harryc]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

I really hate this trend of ground floor parking in the West Loop.

I would almost rather have a parking podium with ground level retail than this. There is nothing more street deadening than screen walls on the first floor.

At least it adds more wealthy households to the area, but still....

Trying to bring back the old feel - the abandoned streets - the desolation at night. Keep the neighborhood friendly for both the wealthy, and the wealthless.

[XIII]

Roosevelt Square is picking back up. Planning just approved a really interesting apartment building / library combo for Taylor St.



Really interesting concept. Nice to see city services integrated right into a building as an amenity.