My Solution to easily expand our intra-city public transportation system.

Now I admit I donÂ't know my ass from my elbow when it comes to these things so go easy on me when you shoot my idea down and donÂ't attack too fiercely now. What if the Metra, in addition their regular schedule, add on a number of trains that also make stops in the city at strategic locations. For example on the Union Pacific North line they can add at least a half a dozen well placed train platforms between the Rogers Park and the Ravenswood stops (including Pratt, Devon, Peterson, Bryn Mawr, Foster, and Argyle ). The train tracks are already there, so why not use them the max? What are your thoughts on this and why havent they done something like this yet?>

Any interest out there in Crosstown, Part 2?

I don't know if this is just my perception, but it seems to me I've rarely seen so little interest in a crosstown classic as the upcoming Cubs-Sox games this weekend. Am I right? Are the Cubs too far down and the Sox too far up (in comparison to each other) that part two has lost its excitment? Certainly the Cubs' swoon has had a real impact on baseball interest on the North Side, but hell: the World Champions are coming to Wrigley Field and if that doesn't get the Cubs charged up, what would?>

Cool Chicago Low-Density Housing

In the wake of a Crain's piece on luxury single-family homes in Chicago, I thought I could kick off this thread with some pictures of some interesting homes. Logan Square (Bucktown?) : Near West Side: West Lakeview: Lincoln Park: Bridgeport: >

Choice Hoods

If this thread has been done before, I apologize. I either don't remember it or wasn't around for it. What are your favorite neighborhoods in the city? Criteria is anything you want it to be (urbanity, nightlife, grew up there, whatever) My personal favorites (at the moment): Pilsen, Bridgeport, Chinatown, Uptown, and Rogers Park. I think I like all of these for their "authentic" feels.>

Roundabouts / Traffic Circles / Parking

Are there any plans to develop some traffic circles in Chicago like they have in Europe? Or if not, what are the chances that we can get some? I ask because some of our intersections, where more then two streets meet, are just simply AWFUL when it comes to congestion. A big part of the problem is that in order to move forward, you have to wait through TWO traffic light cycles. This can literally take 30 minutes in heavy traffic if youare far behind. A roundabout would eliminate this. They work very well, I've driven through them. Another issue I am wondering about is the amazing amount of arterial thoroughfares in the city that are one lane in each direction, yet have parking all along the perimeter. Has there been any trend to eliminate metered parking and allow more than one lane of traffic? There are many instances where I have seen literally MILES of cars waiting in traffic, all in a single line, partly due to the inefficiency of one lane. With one lane, if someone needs to park, or a taxi needs to pull over and drop people off (or pick them up), the entire line of traffic must sit and wait for them or risk going into an oncoming line of traffic. Even major thoroughfares in this city have only one lane going in each direction, when they could easily be two if you simply could move the parking off the streets. Any trends you see with this too?>

Extension of the CTA system???

Hello, Chicago forumers!!! Let me take time to say that I admire the city of Chicago. It is truly a world-class city. Attractions, the lakeshore, culture, diversity, transportation, you name it, it has it all. Now, regarding the el, are there any pans to extend the el, preferably the Red Line south from 95th to 130th, even to Hegeswich via the State St subway, or bringing back service on the Green Line by Extending the Jackson Park line to Stony Island Ave as well as bringing back some of the stations that used to serve the South Side, because if tis one thing that I know about Chicago, that's the CTA does a great job of service, but when it comes to serving the poor, it gives substandard service, even closing stations which would've been used and even razing what should've been a viable and heavily used branch (Jackson Park). Another mistake was building the Red Line the way it is on the Dan Ryan. It's just two tracks, and it's between the expressway. If the past leaders have any foresight, they would've built a 4-track subway beneath Dan Ryan with express service. I'm also thinking that even the Green Line would've had some type of rush-hour service (3-tracks with the center track for rush-hour express), but that never happened. I'm not putting down the el system, but I think they could've done better than that, seeing that Chicago is a BIG city, and it would even need express service rather than the rinky-dink stops every 1/3 mile. Holla back!!!>

looking to move to Chicago? Near North Side studio condos starting at $91,900!!!!!!!

looking to move to Chicago? Near North Side studio condos starting at $91,900!!!!!!! Thats right, Near North Side living for less than $100K!!!! There are turning a building just half a block north of me, 1140 North La Salle to condos. The building is nearly identical to my own. The building was built in the early 1930's and has small studio apartments (as small as about 330 square feet). Still, I am very happy about this development and its not just more of the glut of "luxury" condos. It is the cheapest thing I have ever seen as far as ownership goes in the near north side or anywhere downtown for that matter. So if there are any fellow urban worshipping souls out there that are on a tight budget and are looking to own here is a golden opportunity. http://www.lasalleflats.com/>