CHICAGO | General Developments

[pilsenarch]

^actually, Van Valkenburgh's original design included a large "land-bridge" over LSD but was cut for $$ reasons...

[Chi-Sky21]

I thought i remembered a bridge. Its a shame...they really need a bridge here...OR....they should finally do an underpass near Buckingham fountain.

[Busy Bee]

Tunnel LSD from the that curve under the river up to about Ohio. There, instant bridge.

[wierdaaron]

Outlaw automobiles, turn LSD into a babbling brook and wildlife preserve. There, liberal urban utopia.

[wierdaaron]

Looks like the Chicago Building (State and Madison) is getting some restoration work done.

[brian_b]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

Until looking at this picture I never fully appreciated how big this area really is. Wish they would have created more access to the lake along with this project.

You mean access to Monroe Harbor, right? That's all you would get here.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by george

It looks like a circus.

[Notyrview]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Maggie Daley Park is looking like a park.



The skating ribbon is supposed to open in December.

Weeeee!

[DePaul Bunyan]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Tunnel LSD from the that curve under the river up to about Ohio. There, instant bridge.

You realize that would cost like, a billion dollars? And that the city doesn't have the money? And that it would really only benefit a few thousand people who live in the immediate vicinity? What is there to do along that stretch of lakefront, anyway, especially if you don't have a boat?

[Rizzo]

Agree, it's still a remote point for lake access. I'd much prefer a tunnel at oak street beach to smooth out the curve...which is apparently being entertained

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Outlaw automobiles, turn LSD into a babbling brook and wildlife preserve. There, liberal urban utopia.

It's sad that what you suggested here is appended with the word 'liberal'.

The idea that livable cities is anything but a broadly recognized priority is such a shame.

[XIII]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

It's sad that what you suggested here is appended with the word 'liberal'.

The idea that livable cities is anything but a broadly recognized priority is such a shame.

I guess this depends on your definition of the word "liberal".
If you're referring to socially liberal, I think a livable city is a socially liberal priority.

If you're referring to fiscal positioning, I agree that this is ideal is shared by both liberal and conservative ideologies. Livable cities make social and fiscal sense as it reduces waste (time and resources). Also, money spent by either the government or the private sector on improvements tends to have a strong multiplier effect (ex: Millennium Park)

From a socially conservative perspective, I don't think that ideology works well in a modern urban environment. I've had a number of friends with strong socially conservative ideals who moved to a city, put in a year, couldn't deal with it and left for somewhere less populous. There are too many daily challenges to a somewhat narrow ideology for them to be really comfortable. That's not a criticism, just an acknowledgement that some people want their house, yard, fence, car and HOA. It takes more social trust to live in an urban environment than it does to cordon off a plot of land that is only yours.

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by DePaul Bunyan

And that it would really only benefit a few thousand people who live in the immediate vicinity?

Removing a freeway from blocking the doorstep of the gateway to Downtown only benefits a few thousand people? You don't think connecting Navy Pier without passing under the LSD would be beneficial. The Spire site not overshadowed by an auto sewer viaduct but instead opened up to DuSable Park? Removing the soon to need overhauled ($$$$) River bridge and instead constructing a signature bike and pedestrian bridge? Yeah good things cost money. It's true. Cat out of bag. That doesn't mean it's a silly idea.

[george]

9/25

Riverwalk

[harryc]

9/25

Riverwalk

[DePaul Bunyan]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Removing a freeway from blocking the doorstep of the gateway to Downtown only benefits a few thousand people? You don't think connecting Navy Pier without passing under the LSD would be beneficial. The Spire site not overshadowed by an auto sewer viaduct but instead opened up to DuSable Park? Removing the soon to need overhauled ($$$$) River bridge and instead constructing a signature bike and pedestrian bridge? Yeah good things cost money. It's true. Cat out of bag. That doesn't mean it's a silly idea.

I never said it was a bad idea. I just think that there area ton of things more deserving of public spending than a luxury project for the benefit of tourists and wealthy downtown residents. Navy Pier is already the biggest tourist draw in the state, LSD isn't a deterrent. Is a glorified mall, a freeway isn't going to keep people away. I think the money would be Beyer spent on schools and infrastructure, particularly a monorail from McCormick place to Lincoln Park with stops all along the lakefront.

[wierdaaron]

We've got dueling river photographers. You two should meet on a raft in the middle and duke it out.

[ChiTownWonder]

Originally Posted by george

9/25

Riverwalk

is this taken from the new 111 west wacker?

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by DePaul Bunyan

You realize that would cost like, a billion dollars? And that the city doesn't have the money? And that it would really only benefit a few thousand people who live in the immediate vicinity? What is there to do along that stretch of lakefront, anyway, especially if you don't have a boat?

Toll it. Australian cities have funded tunnels all over the place using this method.

[george]

Originally Posted by ChiTownWonder

is this taken from the new 111 west wacker?

Yes it is, killer views.