Which of these MUST occur before you die?

Read the friggin title. EDIT: I accidently wrote "Fordham Spire" twice. Sorry.>

Is Evanston getting too Chgo-like?

Is there a downside to our worship of high rises and density? Evanston, at least in its downtown, is developing into the most Chicago-like suburban community as high rise condos literally transform the city. Another tall building (18 storeys) is planned at the s.e. corner of Chgo Ave and Davis; the developer is Optima, a company that seems hell-bent on changing downtown Evanston into its own image. I believe that what is happening in downtown Evanston (the residential growth, the high rises, the quality stores coming in, the crowds on the street, etc.) has been a good thing. But are things going too far? If high rises proliferte at the rate they are, it will vastly change the nature of Evanston and affect the city's unique balance between urban and suburban development. Does anyone else see a danger when an established community like Evanston (as opposed to an edge city like Woodfield/Schaumburg) goes high rise and threatens its own unique character in the process. This is not just an Evanston issue. If Evanston really transforms its downtown into a high rise community, is it safe to say that this will influence what happens in places like Oak Park, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Arlington Hts, Highland Park, etc., where successful downtowns also have a growing condo community?>

Chicagoans are cool.

My first thread. My apologies to the moderators if it's off skyscraper topic. I was watching American Idol and they were in Chicago. They had Ryan Seacrest outside on the street trying to get people to appraise this one singer. It was funny how Chicagoans didn't want to partake. It was almost embarrassing for Seacrest to end up begging for someone to join in. I thought it was cool. These Hollywood types really think the world revolves around them. I think it showed that most Chicagoans could give a damn if they appeared on the show or not. What do you think this says about Chicagoans?>

Is there a flip side to how others see Chicago?

Is there a flip side to how others see Chicago? We tend to say that others don't know us the way we really are. Do we really know them? Look. I know this is a sophisticated city/metro and that we do travel. But isn't there also an element in Chicago to think the universe is wrapped up in our own city that (for all the rivalry with have with NY, LA, etc.) we live in a very Chicagocentric world?>

It's big, interesting....and underphotographed

It's big, interesting....and underphotographed. It grows with the times. It has density. It's right smack in the middle of things. it is one of the largest of its types of in the world. And yet it rarely gets shown in photographs here. What is it? The Medical Center. Right there in the near west side with an el line skirting through it, while another snakes below in the Eisenhower median. Anybody have any pictues of this marvel they'd like to share?>

The CTA "River Line"?

Call it a crack-pot idea. Feel free to verbally abuse me for even suggesting it. But what do you think of having CTA ferries run along the South, North, and Main branches of the Chicago River? The Kennedy and Stevenson follow the general course of the North and South branches. Putting CTA "River Lines" would reinforce those travel corridors in the same way as the Blue and Red lines (the portions that run along the Kennedy and Dan Ryan, respectively). There would, of course, be no need to construct tracks, but only to create new stations. There might also be the possibility of T.O.D., but who knows for sure.>

Chicago Banner 1/23/06

I just wanted to give props to todays banner. It looks great, even with all the Sox displays! >

Irony?

Chicago's climate has changed and January is a milder month than it ever was before. The result....if things were the same as most of January this year (and most January's of recent years), Soldier Field would have been a fine (albeit a bit small) venue for the Super Bowl....gloriously domeless and yet comfotable enough for the fans.>

State of Chicago's Loop / Downtown in comparison to other downtowns

I came across this article from Brookings....here is link.... http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20051115_Birch.pdf thought it might be worth some discussion. If this thread is in wrong place Mods please move it.....but I thought it might raise some interesting conversation regarding our beloved downtown>

My recent Chicago pics

These may take some time to load. Enjoy! >