Metramarket:Project may give buyers a taste for West Loop

THE MARKET Project may give buyers a taste for West Loop Tribune, Real estate section Wayne Faulkner, Real Estate editor Published March 20, 2005 In Chicago, food is never far from the center of conversation. Cocktail party talk will often turn to the latest find in neighborhood restaurants -- that is, if you can get people to stop bragging about how much more their homes have gone up in value. It's no wonder, then, that the availability of restaurants has grown in importance as a factor in choosing where to live. (See today's Real Estate cover story, "Food for thought"). Some house hunters check the distance to the local supermarket, while others see whether there's good Thai, Italian or Mexican food nearby, or at least a decent place to order pizza or Chinese. Now, one new commercial development is bound to make the West Loop more appetizing to home buyers as well as office workers. MetraMarket, a $47 million project of U.S. Equities Realty and Metra, will transform the area north of the Ogilvie Transportation Center (formerly the Chicago & North Western Station) into a mix of restaurants, retail and a "French-type marketplace," according to Bob Wislow, chairman of Chicago-based U.S. Equities. Planned since 2001, construction is scheduled to start by year-end with the businesses opening in stages in the fall of 2006. It is designed by OWP&P Architects, Chicago. You might ask yourself: Isn't this area already served by the restaurants in Greektown on Halsted Street or those along Randolph Street? The answer is that Greektown is west of the Kennedy Expressway and so are most of the Randolph Street restaurants. And the restaurants of the Loop are east of the Chicago River. The Kennedy and river serve as neighborhood definers and barriers. MetraMarket will close what Wislow called a "hole" and a "wall between two incredibly developing parts of the city -- east of the facility, the office development and tremendous conversions of lofts along Canal Street and north, and the huge development on the west side of the train tracks," where five new office buildings have gone up "in addition to an amazing" upswing in residential, Wislow said "All this has happened without a neighborhood," he added. Now, residents and office workers, along with rail commuters, will have a walk-to place to eat and shop, a kind of town center, which will stretch from Washington to Lake Streets and from Canal to Clinton Streets. The 200,000-square-foot development, which will include parking, will be a destination, meant to draw crowds six days a week, according to Wislow, U.S. Equities Vice Chairman Camille Julmy and Vice President Cassandra Francis, who spoke in an interview last week. Wislow explained that restaurants in neighborhoods often are evening establishments and don't serve lunch, while downtown the restaurants have concentrated on lunch rather than dinner. "The beauty of [MetraMarket] is that this will have the lunch business, but because all this residential has grown up this will be an evening destination and a weekend destination. We'll allow our restaurants to spill out onto the streets," Wislow said. "The middle of the project is going to be a permanent French-type marketplace, a huge enclosed space. Surrounding that on the outside will be the restaurants and some other service retail for the neighborhood," Wislow continued. Restaurants will range from the higher end of fast food to sit-down, white-tablecloth establishments. U.S. Equities is in negotiations with Bensidoun, the largest operator of markets in Paris, to operate the marketplace, Wislow said. The Chicago City Council still must approve some $12 million in TIF (tax increment financing) subsidies proposed for the project, which was approved as a planned development in 2001. In 2001, residential and office development in the area was in its infancy. Plus, the business climate was spoiled by the effects of Sept. 11, Wislow said. Now "the timing is much better," said Julmy, "because so many office buildings have been built [in the neighborhood] and with the additional residential, population is much bigger." Restaurants make a neighborhood so much more livable. Just ask the folks in Lincoln Square and Edgewater or in downtown Evanston, Forest Park, Naperville and other towns. Whether they're at a cocktail party or after-worship coffee hour, they'll be glad to let you in on their latest find in cuisine (as well as gloat about their home's appreciation). ---------- Wayne Faulkner is editor of Real Estate. You may contact him at wfaulkner@tribune.com or write to him at Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.>

Is chicago this bad as this site says?

I have live in Chicago for over 13 years(all my life), in the bridgeport, chinatown, mckinley park area, and I have never seen anyone talk this bad about Chicago. "Town/Village: Chicago, IL Good from afar, but far from good upon close inspection. Chicago is not as pretty as it appears from the distance on the highway. A highly polluted and horrible place, the downtown area is full of huge ugly steel buildings, the smell of raw sewage fills the air and the people are either uncomfortably friendly or downright ignorant. My brother described Chicago perfectly when upon my first journey into the city centre he said "welcome to scuzzville". Â'RedlightsflashingÂ'" this site even make other cities look bad such as.. LA, Phoniex, but surprsisingly not Detriot, Atlanta, Miami (I am not saying that they are bad cities but.. why not them too) At least they didnt make fun of NYC, SF, Philly, any Wisconsin or Minnesota city. I could see why they make cities like Gary, Indiana look bad but LA & Chicago? There also making many cities in the UK look bad.. like.. London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and others. The site is.. horrible site!>

Chicago's destiny: always US's most centralized around one core metro?

I think one can make a most compelling argument that Chicago is now and always will be America's most centralized around one core metropolitan area. Nothing compares. • Manhattan maintains two hubs, downtown and the newer, but more overpowering uptown. Downtown Brooklyn is under redevelopment, with more on the way and no one can argue with Jersey City's rising skyline. • Despite the tremendous growth of downtown LA, numerous concentrations exist throughout the city and metro area. LA's mountainous core and wide spread will assure this trend, already noteworthy, entensifies • SF may be a world class city, but it competes with Oakland, SJ, Silicon Valley, and other locations that share core status in the Bay Area • DC's height restrictions forces high rise concentration to suburbia, largely VA, but MD as well • Miami shares SF's status as a metro area with numerous centers, intensified by its linear layout • Houston and other s'western cities never relied on one core the way that eastern and midwest cities do. Downtown Houston has redeveloped nicely; retail and life style are still played out better in the Galleria area, with the tallest non-core building in the nation • Places like Detroit and St. Louis have basically lost control of their metro areas to suburbia and those suburbs have some pretty massive cores (like Troy and Clayton) that easily compete with the central cities. • Hilly Pgh and Cincy are attractive cities whose topography discourages access to a strong core. • Atlanta super growth has always been more suburban than city. What we saw in the years after WWII was not the rise of Atlanta, but the rise of Metro Atlanta. • meanwhile a whole slew of smaller cities never had the pull to make their downtowns the only true core. And then there's Chicago: a huge, flat and centralized. The expressway system is designed (for better, or more likely, worse) to bring people in and out of downtown. Any thought of more than one core disapated due to the close proximity of the Loop and Mag Mile; they became one, a stronger one. Flatness and lack of wide rivers offers an unmatched access to the heart of town through rail and road. The Loop and environ's long traditon of high powered business, cultural institutions, night life, residential density have contributed to an area that didn't have to be "sold" the way that other cities have had to market their cores. And frankly, what could possibly compete? Schaumburg, for all its development, is hardly an impressive edge city. Same with O'Hare. Evanston will continue to develop a thrieving residentially tall skyline, but lack of expressway access will not make it a true hub. In the city, I think it is doubtful that a North Side neighborhood (like Uptown) or South Side (like Hyde Park) would emerge as a true center. Perhaps Peotone eventually, based on airport construction, but the jury is out on that one. I think Chicago is unique in the ways I've described. Other thoughts?>

Marshall Field's: if it's dropped, how will we react

what if the worse case scenerio happened: Macy's acquires Marshall Field from May and puts up a Macy sign...not only at Oakbrook, Old Orchard, and Woodfield...but right there at Water Tower Place and (gasp!): STATE STREET? Look, I know department stores ain't what they used to be, that the traditional department store is a dinosaur, and that nobody is going to put up any more enclosed malls with 4 department stores and 150 other stores. And I also realize that Marshall Field's suburban stores are, in many ways, totally interchangable with Bloomingdale's, with Carsons, with almost all the faceless suburban mall stores. But Chicago itself, Chicago proper, State Street: that's another issue. Years ago, when still locally owned, Marshall Field's used a "Marshall Field's Is Chicago" ad campaign. It was true then and it still has enough elements of truth today. I realize that a lot of local dept. store chains have bitten the dust. I realize that the name change has been going on for ages when stores are acquired or reorganized (and I realize that there were lots of unhappy folks in the Twin Cities and Detroit when the name "Marshall Field's" went up on Dayton and Hudson stores. But Chicago, with all its might and all its attachment to Marshall Field's, may be a whole other ball game. So what will happen if the name comes off? I suspect, little in Skokie, Northbrook, Vernon Hills, et al. But in the city? I suspect: PLENTY. Marshall Field's put a fortune into the State Street anchor. And it is the one store in the whole Chicago area that real love draws people to it (Carsons on State would be second in this regard). Field's is selling more than merchandise on State; it is selling itself. And if Macy's or others think that that world of Frango's, of the Walnut Room and its tree, of themed windows on State, of green bags, and all the other pieces that make Marshall Field's Marshall Field's will be the same without the name, I suspect they will be sadly disappointed. How do you see the reaction in Chicago if such a name change takes place?>

What Neighborhoods do You consider to be "Yuppie"?

yuppie neighborhoods in chicago to me are ... Lincoln park (including old town) - King of the yuppie neighborhoods, though now many are moving out and 3 flats are being converted to row homes and modern day castles are being built to house newly arrived families to the city. I heard because of this demographic shift and housing stock shift the population of lincoln park decreasing unexpectedly. Lakeview - the center of action for the young crowd Wicker Park & Bucktown - it's days as the center of bohemian chicago are gone. Say hello to 1 mil plus homes and 500k condos and few doggy bakeries West Loop & South Loop - big city life for former surbanites, a little older than other neighborhoods because housing stock is geared towards first time buyers rather first time renters. Lincoln Sqaure/Ravenswood - Times of changed fast for this neighborhood with new bars, thai and sushi places, and the fairly new old town school of folk music yuppies have begun moving in, but the area is fully gentrified yet. Roscoe Village / North Center - More families maybe than yuppies but this ara lacks the affordability it once had especially around roscoe. LOTS of TEAR DOWN homes and condos have plagued this area and there as almost a canyon effect of 4 story ugly brick condo towers down Damen Av. north of the new COSTCO. CB2 and trader joes have further gentrified the less yuppified and more family oriented northern portion of this area. Ahh and finally the Near north side- Though older city dwellers and families seem to mainly fill the high priced apartment buildings of the gold coast and northern boundary of streeterville, newly constructed apt. buildings in river north have filled up with yuppies desiring a home close to their jobs in the loop. Borderline yuppie hoods - Ukranian village + east village, andersonville, uptown, and hyde park. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK???>

Chicago's New Company: Innovene

BP's Chicago firm named 'Innovene' Blends 'innovate' with a form of chemical bond By Gregory Meyer The name of a new Chicago-based spinoff from oil giant BP plc will fuse the word Â"innovateÂ" with a form of chemical bond. Innovene, which will have 8,500-employees and an estimated $15 billion in sales of petrochemical products, will move to the Aon Center in April, company officials said in announcing the name Monday. BP plans to sell it off later this year. BP chose the moniker after extensive interviews with employees, customers and industry analysts and with assistance from Landor Associates, a brand consulting firm, said Innovene spokesman Ben Moxham. The word already describes a process used to make polyethylene, Moxham said. The nameÂ's –ene suffix will also stir, in chemists at least, images of the double carbon bond thatÂ's a building block of the companyÂ's products, Moxham said. Â"But if you take a literal reading of it, it also stresses innovation and making a difference,Â" he said. Jack Trout, president of Trout & Partners Ltd., a Connecticut marketing strategy firm, said the Innovene name lacks a petrochemical industry ring. Â"To me they have come up with a great consulting company name,Â" he said. Â"If I were them, IÂ'd sell it to a consulting company and come up with something that smacks of the petroleum business.Â" The spinoff will restore to Chicago a major oil industry headquarters, a status it lost when London-based BP bought Amoco Corp. in 1998. New CEO Ralph Alexander, 49, will be heading the firm, which will count about 150 employees in Chicago, Moxham said. Innovene will also employ an unspecified number who now work at BPÂ's offices in Warrenville, Mr. Moxham said. BP announced last April it would spin off its olefins and derivatives business, which has been struggling financially. Moxham declined to say how much BP paid to come up with the name. Landor also helped draft a new logo, which looks like a droplet of oil pulling loose from a blob. Alexander, in a statement, said the name Â"speaks to our aspiration to challenge ourselves and the status quo in our sector.Â">

Recent trip to Chicago: Observations and Diversions

My fiancee and I had a great time in your fair city over the weekend and while we didn't get as much time in the city as we'd hoped (family obligations in the 'burbs), we did paint the town red on Friday and Saturday. DAY 1: Arrived in Chicago on Thursday night, met my friend in West Town, where we stayed. Went to dinner at Sultan's Market on North & Damen. Upon exiting, I noticed an atrocious development-- the Shiphouse-- a condo building that looks like a cruise ship. It was so ugly, it looked like a beached whale. I think Chicago has some best infill I've ever seen but it also has some of the worst. The Ship House is the latter. What made it so bad is that it overshadowed a beautiful old mansion that sat next to it. Dinner was great though, and I love Sultan's concept. After dinner we met another good friend of mine at his apartment in Lakeview. What a beautiful neighborhood, it looks better and better each time I go back. Hung out there, drank some cognac and reminisced a little. Then it was on to Carol's for Caroloke. Carol's is a country/western bar in Ravenswood (I absolutely hate country, my friend dragged us there to meet some people he knew). We were like fish out of water. The bouncer was this hardcore cowboy from Joliet who looked like a Hell's Angel. We got even more drunk and sang some Caroloke, but I got boo'd off the stage for choosing a Bee Gee's song. Went home and crashed after that. DAY 2: My girl and I checked out the Body Worlds exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry and LOVED IT. What an amazing museum that is. I haden't been there since I was in junior high, so I appreciated it much more this time. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't been yet. And of course Hyde Park continues to kick ass. Later went to Lincolnshire to kibbitz with some of my cousins, then came back to West Town and tried lunch at Padlanka's, a godforsaken Polish restaurant that made us both sick. Authentic atmosphere though. Took a nap then went to Atomix for some java (stole a mug from there). Ate mediocre pizza at Pequod's then met some friends at Ten Cat. Off to bed. DAY 3: Went for breakfast at Victory's Banner in Roscoe Village-- great place. Girl and I went to meet my Aunt and Uncle in Buffalo Grove, then came back to the city and took the El to Chinatown for dim sum (yum). My friend met us there and then we drove all over the South Side. It is absolutely amazing what is going on down there even since the last time I vistited. The projects are across the street from expensive condos. Very interesting contrast. I'm so glad they're saving those monolithic circular highrises near Chinatown. We drove through an interesting development near Bridgeport-- a wholesale market that was being converted to condos. Very, very cool indeed. It was also cool to see the city decked out for St. Patty's Day. Later on we went to my friends office in the West Loop and played ping-pong and watched videos of the shows he edits for WTTW. That night we had sushi at Hama Matsu in Andersonville-- deeeeeelicious. Ate myself sick. Met some more friends at the Hungry Brain and then at Millie's in Roscoe Village. Got extremely drunk. DAY 4: Woke up and met my mom's entire side of the family for brunch in Skokie. Enough lox to turn me into a salmon. Got gas and a car wash and headed back to STL. It was a fantastic weekend. Observations: Chicago is as vibrant as ever. There are always new developments going on. It is a city that doesn't talk, it actually acts. If a sign is posted announcing a new development, there is earthmoving equipment on the site the next day. That is impressive. It is so amazing to see the amount of infill, especially on the North Side. There are some 'hoods that look like they've been rebuilt from scratch (these are old 'hoods too). Unreal. I only hope Chicago doesn't compromise its high architectural standards to put up just anything. I noticed more really bad urban design than I remember from last time I was there. At any rate, most cities would die for a tiny fraction of the great infill there. I am sad about the CTA's financial woes, but it's happening everywhere, not just Chicago. Hang in there. There are so many fucking young people in Chicago. It was very noticeable this time. But I think a lot of them are so into being hipsters that they're not really hip anymore. I saw a lot of those trucker caps, torn jeans and cardigan sweaters-- a bit contrived. But tons o' young people everywhere, which is awesome. I do not see much integration for a city of Chicago's calibur, especially between blacks and whites. Most of the places I went were overwhelmingly white. The South Side mixes the races better; the popular North Side 'hoods need work. I see more integration in St. Louis, to be honest. There is certainly a big ethnic presence in Chicago, which adds a lot of great flavor. I love all the taquerias and Polish joints that are open all night. All in all, it was so much fun. I always have fun there. Sorry, no pics because I wanted to absorb as much of my trip as possible without being distracted.>

UIC campus, north of Roosevelt, on east side of Halsted

Sorry to start a thread about this, as I asked this before elsewhere, but I'm not sure if anyone saw this question. What is going up on the east side of Halsted, north of Roosevelt, in the UIC campus. When I last visited the Chi 3 weeks ago I saw something U/C but because of angry traffic (and lots of honking) I didn't get a chance to slow down enough to see the renderings. Also, I don't see anything on UIC's website. Does anybody know what this development is? Any renderings?>

chicago's plazas

Alright, a couple of questions on chicago's urban plaza's: Which ones are the greatest for architecture and bringing people in? which one is the best overall (combining architecture and bringing people in)? which is the worst for the same two questions I just asked? also, do you think that the plaza was a success or failure for chicago? Finally, how do you think chicago's plazas compare with the rest of urban america? just curious, i personally think the negativity of plaza outweigh the benefits, however some plazas do it well. also, can you think of any new skyscrapers in chicago that are being constructed/proposed with plazas?>

I-90 Chicago Skyway

Most of the Chicagoans know about this freeway. It starts at the Dan Ryan Expressway at 65th ST and State St. as I-90 heads southeast across the southside of Chicago into Northwest Indiana. theres a toll up there that is $2. Its also a sinic drive as you go upward. The Chicago Skyway started its construction in Febuary of 2002 and is due to end in 2005 sometime. When you drive on the Chicago Skyway do you notice the TO WEST I-90/I-94? well thats because it is not up to Interstate Standards and the construction is almost done. The Chicago Skyway was built in the early 1950s. The construction plan was suppose to go to Iowa it fell into a trench thats where it ends to at The Dan Ryan Expressway. The Chicago Skyway was built under lease for 45 years now that lease was over. Mayor Daily of Chicago say that Chicago Skyway will go on another lease for 99 years. Thats what the $2 toll is for. In the Early 50s when the Chicago Skyway was built there was a promise to take out of lease when it was paid for. But that promise was broken Chicago Skyway is paying for the Chicago Department of Transportations needs in Chicago. EXIT LIST US 12 US 20 US 41 Indianapolis Blvd/ 106th St 92ND St 87th St 71st St Cottage Grove Ave State St I-94 Dan Ryan Expressway WESTBOUND ONLY Moderators or Admis move this topic to the Chicago Fourm >

Walmart....

I remember reading a lot about this last year, but not so much lately. Is the plan for a Walmart to be built in the Austin(?) neighborhood still on? How do you think it will effect the city? Would this be an 'urban' version Walmart? There are already some large discount stores in Chicago, right? So I don't really think having one in the city would do that much damage.>

Shots from I, Robot - Chicago of 2035

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Shots from I, Robot - Chicago of 2035

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Climate: cloudy and fogged up?

My timing stinks. Look out the window. This is not the day a sane and rational person posts a thought about Chicago's climate have a relative degree of moderation. Apparently I'm not that sane and rational person. So ignore all the white out there (and the lake effect that's supposed to follow). Think about Chicago's climate wholistically. I'll go out on the limb to say this (and perectly acceptably, too; perception of climate is highly subjective): CHICAGO'S CLIMATE IS NOT NEARLY AS EXTREME AS PEOPLE THINK. People in other parts of the country think we enter a deep freeze in the winter, buried in snow and parkas until March. That's never been my perception. I see the last 10-15 years of winter weather to be much more benign. I expect some freezing temperatures and get them, but I'm well aware of all those days in the 30's and even the 40's (and those occasional 50's), days that are not unexpected. The vast majority of the winter, weather has absolutely no effect on me or my enjoyment of being outdoors. Meanwhile, in summer, sure we get days in the 90's, but that is anything but the norm. There is lots of great weather, not only in the 80's, but 70's as well. And despite being a lover of cool rather than warm weather, there are days in the summer when even I put on a sweater or a jacket. Pacific air masses are not unusual, the oppressive and prolonged heat of St Louis, DC, FLA, etc, is not an issue. Look, I can be as much of a wimp as the next guy. But even I don't have a hard time getting through a year of Chicago weather. I think that much of the rest of the country gets it wrong on our extremities. Do you agree or disagree?>

State of Chicago?

I copied what appears below from the NYC board, regarding the city becoming a state. If you accept the premise a true megametropolis would function best as a state of its own and would function better under one state jurisdiction.... how effective would a state of Chicago be, composed of Chicago and Cook County, the collar counties, at least Lake and Porter County in IN and at least Kenosha County in WI? ********************** Sry if repost... NEW BID TO MAKE CITY 51ST STATE By STEPHANIE GASKELL Email Archives Print Reprint January 18, 2005 -- Should New York City become the 51st state? A bill that would create a commission to study whether the city should secede from New York state will get another hearing soon — after sitting in the City Council for nearly two years The bill was introduced on Feb. 26, 2003. A hearing was held shortly after, but no action has been taken on the bill since then. "I expected delays and opposition when we got to the state level, but I never thought it would be held up for two years trying to get out of a City Council committee," said Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens), who introduced the bill. But Councilman Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan) — the chair of the Government Operations committee, where the bill has been held up since May 2003 — told The Post that he plans to hold another hearing on the bill "sometime this year." After a disappointing "State of the State" speech two weeks ago, Vallone said this was the perfect time to look at whether the city should secede. "Ten years of long political speeches and empty promising while New York City residents pay for his mistakes, Gov. Pataki is slapping us on the back with one hand while lifting our wallets with the other," Vallone said. "We cannot raise taxes any more, nor can we make any further cuts. This may be our only viable option." A spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg declined to comment.>

The Halsted Street Redevelopment Plan

I have read, in a few places on the internet, about Chicago's "Halsted Street Redevelopment Plan". This mainly entails a long term plan to introduce more retail, shopping, mixed-use activities along south Halsted Street (in the Bridgeport and neighboring areas). I am hoping that this will turn south Halsted Street into a grand commercial corridor that parallels the beauty of its northern counterpart, with centers around transit (ie the Orange Line) However, I have looked all over the internet to find details of this plan, and I am coming up empty-handed. Does anybody have any information about this plan?>

How do you explain the pull of Chicago?

This is such a basic topic, I'm really surprised we never got to it. Every home town has people in it who call it home, who are drawn to it as such and have special feelings for it. That's a given. But there is something special about the way that so many Chicagoans feel about their city, how they are drawn to it, and how they would never consider living elsewhere. Outsiders know it about us and think, at times, on the negative side we truly are the Windy City. We know it here on this board, how we are drawn to discuss our city. We have passion for it, and know that passion is shared by so many other Chicagoans who don't post here. So what's the reason? What accounts for the draw, the pull Chicago has on us? I don't mean just downtown, I don't mean just the city, I mean the whole area, Chicago and suburbs. What are those special factors that gives us the feeling there is no place like Chicago, like Chicagoland, and why we wouldn't consider living elsewhere?>

Resignation

This will be my last post in the main Chicago forum. My disagreement with many of the opinions displayed here is so strong that it has become frustrating and tiresome for me to read and react to them. While my obsession with Cities involves, both, the physical structures that comprise them as well as the sociology that governs them; my love for the building far outweighs my love for the people. As to not lose this entire forum as a personal resource of mine, I am choosing to end my participation in discussions of theory, economics, race, and poverty - limiting myself to anything related to physical planning and development. That is to say: you will find me trolling only the "Projects and Construction" sub-forum from now on. This statement isn't directed at anyone in particular... and I'm not even sure why I felt compelled to share; but, I thought it fair to explain my future absence. Please don't ask me what, or whom, spurred all of this - I'm sure those of you who know me will have little trouble understanding. Thanks for reading, Geoff>

The Loop has become the largest "College Town" in Illinois

Chicago's Loop is Now the Largest ``College Town'' in the State, New Study Shows CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2005-- The first-ever comprehensive study of higher education institutions in Chicago's Loop reveals that Chicago's downtown colleges and universities, with a total of 52,000 students, are making the Loop the largest "college town" in the state of Illinois. The study results released Jan. 24 show that Loop higher education institutions have a significant impact on the area's retail, restaurant, real estate and construction industries, as well as the character of downtown as a place to work, play and live. Sponsored by the Greater State Street Council and Central Michigan Avenue Association, the study was conducted by a group of more than 20 academic institutions convened by DePaul University. Economic analysis was conducted by the Regional Economic Applications Laboratory (REAL) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Some highlights of the research show that: -- Chicago's Loop is "the largest college town in Illinois," with more than 52,000 students attending classes at institutions that occupy at least 41 separate locations and nearly 7.5 million total gross square feet of Loop real estate - more than double the space of the Sears Tower. -- Loop colleges and universities collectively represent one of Chicago's top 25 employers. Their 12,131 workers earn and spend wages that have a total direct and indirect impact on the regional economy worth $1.2 million. -- Loop higher education institutions spend more than $345 million on goods and services annually, generating $777 million in direct and indirect economic activity that creates 13,500 jobs. -- Loop colleges and universities generate capital projects that promote development, historic building preservation and job creation. Ten institutions, alone, have spent more than $159 million on renovation and new construction in the Loop from 1997 to 2002, creating 3,280 jobs. The sector expects to spend $339 million more in capital projects by the end of the decade. -- The Loop residential population includes an increasing number of college students, with student residence facilities currently offering 3,789 beds in the Loop. -- A survey of students indicates they spend more than $25 million annually at business establishments in the Loop. -- Seven of the institutions studied hosted events in the Loop that in one year attracted a half million people, who may park, shop and visit restaurants before and after the events. "This study documents the enormous economic return the community receives from the growth of higher education in Chicago's Loop," said Tom Fuechtmann, director of DePaul's Community and Government Relations Office, who led the research team. "These institutions do more than educate the next generation of business, community and civic leaders. They generate significant business activity and job creation, promote real estate development and preservation, and contribute to the vitality of downtown through cultural events and student residential communities." Representatives from Loop higher education institutions plan to hold a summit to discuss the study's implications and their collective goals in response to the research, Fuechtmann said. The findings will be formally presented to city and state officials. Ty Tabing, executive director of the Greater State Street Council, said the research will be useful for the city and business community in planning the future of downtown. "This study shows that the student population is bringing energy and vibrancy to downtown, and also that they, and the institutions they attend, are promoting economic development," he said. "We need to highlight this new demographic going forward and further integrate the college community into the downtown experience." Leaders of private and public colleges in the Loop who participated in the study welcomed the findings as a positive step toward quantifying the contributions of their institutions and defining goals. "I believe this study will be the springboard for universities and colleges in the South Loop to work together more closely on issues that jointly affect our students," said Charles R. Middleton, president of Roosevelt University, a private institution. "Public transportation, parking, safety and affordable housing are just some of the issues that are critical to students in all of our institutions." Calling the study "groundbreaking," John R. Wozniak, interim president of Harold Washington College, part of Chicago's public community college system, said: "It clearly demonstrates that higher education is a major economic as well as cultural engine for the Central Area, along with financial services, retail and hospitality. It is my firm belief that our students, many of whom already work and/or live in the Loop, now will be better recognized for their participation in the downtown economy and will be afforded more job opportunities, better transportation and enhanced shopping and dining experiences." The four-part study focused on institutions of higher learning in the 1.65-square mile area of the Loop and South Loop bordered by the Chicago River to the north, Roosevelt Road to the south, Wacker Drive to the west and Lake Michigan to the east. The first phase of the research profiled the higher education sector in this area, gathering 2002-2003 statistics about enrollment and employment from the federal government's higher education database and participating institutions. A second phase compiled information on space utilization and real estate investment from the institutions as of the 2003-2004 academic year. A third phase of the study, conducted by well-respected economic analyst Geoffrey Hewings, director of REAL, collected 2002-2003 economic impact data about Loop higher education institutions and analyzed it using sophisticated econometric models. "This study shows that higher education is one of the fastest growing sectors in the area and an important asset for the Loop and city, which has lost some of its corporate headquarters," Hewings said. "What I found most striking about the study was that the education institutions had such a profound, sustained economic impact on the fabric of the region's economy that complemented and enhanced the growth of other sectors." The final phase of the study focused on buying, transportation, eating and other behaviors of college students in the Loop, based on an October 2004 survey of 668 students from 18 Loop academic institutions. "We learned from the study's economic analysis that Loop students collectively spend an estimated $117.3 million on a variety of goods and services in the region annually, but we didn't know where they spent it or what types of goods and services they are seeking in the Loop," said DePaul Marketing Professor Steve Kelly, who conducted the survey with assistance from his marketing research students. "We conducted the survey to capture this information." The survey found that 60 percent of participating Loop students are employed, with many working full time. Seventy percent take evening classes or a combination of day and evening classes. About two-thirds or more had credit or debit cards, and their estimated combined spending in the Loop was at least $25 million. Students said they spend their earnings primarily at fast food, drink bars/cafes and drugstores. Access to transportation was important to the college students surveyed. Students rely on public transportation, with 80 percent living outside of downtown and 55 percent commuting 30 minutes or more to attend class. The survey also indicated strong student demand for affordable restaurants and parking in the Loop, as well as after-hours meeting places. "Students involved in the study envisioned a coffee house or cyber cafe in the Loop that could serve as a multi-university student union," Kelly said. "They suggested a common area that would pay for itself." The students conducting the survey also compiled a detailed listing of the retail, restaurant and other business establishments that currently exist in the South Loop - useful information for university, city and business planners, Kelly said.>

A Stroll in the Snow

Hey all, at about 10:45, I got a wild hair up my a**, pulled on my long-johns and snow boots, and I went out for a walk in the snow. I tried to get to Millennium Park before they closed at 11:00, but literally as I was snapping my first pic of one of the faces at the Plensa Fountain, they shut it off for the night. Damn!!! Oh well, here are some of the pics I took tonight... Sorry if a couple of them are blurry, my digicam is an old fashioned 2 megapixel thing that dosn't do well at night, especially when it is dumping snow everywhere. Millennuim Park before I got kicked out. Madison Street from Wabash looking West Wabash and Madison No explanation needed... I then decided to take a walk over to Daley Plaza for a look at the Picasso. The lighting was much better there. And outside my door... >

A quick question about west loop commuter traffic

This question is for people who have a friggin clue about how commuters get around once they get off at Union/Ogilvie Station. A few people have criticized the placement of 300 N LaSalle and the other office tower planned near there because, although close to L stops, they are rather far from the west loop commuter terminals. Just out of curiousity, aren't there several bus routes that whisk west loop commuters towards the east loop, River North, Streeterville, etc? I don't understand the problem..>

The Millennium Park Effect (cont'd)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...i-business-hed Green stretches past park The city estimates that the value of residential development attributable to Millennium Park over the next 10 years will total $1.4 billion By John Handley Tribune staff reporter Published November 4, 2005 Millennium Park is more than a smash hit with visitors to Chicago. It also is an economic engine powering the East Loop, real estate experts say. "Millennium Park is becoming Chicago's version of New York's Central Park," says Louis D'Angelo, president of Metropolitan Properties, whose company is converting the 1920s-era Straus Building at 310 S. Michigan Ave. into 243 condominiums and renaming it Metropolitan Tower. And, as with Central Park, homes on the park or near it are commanding premium prices, even as thousands of other condos rise in a downtown building boom. The park cost a staggering $475 million to build, but new development and rising condo prices promise a hefty property tax dividend. Tourists and locals alike flock to the park and nearby businesses, as affluent home shoppers gather to buy a piece of the view. It wasn't always so. The 24 1/2 acres at the north end of Grant Park used to be far from beautiful. "Millennium Park makes a huge difference in the beauty of Chicago's front lawn," said Stephen Friedman, president of S.B. Friedman, a Chicago real estate consulting firm. "Before, the site ... was an eyesore with railroad tracks and parking lots. Now, it is a premium environment. Values have gone way up for residential around the park, far beyond what lake views alone would be worth." A city study estimates that the impact of the park will increase the value of residential units by $100 per square foot. But the future of downtown Chicago's residential boom may also hold the key to the success of development around the park. The downtown market "will keep moving, but certainly not at the record-level pace it has been in the last nine months," housing analyst Tracy Cross said Thursday, adding that 7,000 units are being sold or absorbed annually, compared with about a 3,200 rate just after Sept. 11. "You get a double whammy when interest rates rise. The primary buyer is affected on affordability" and investor participation in the downtown market, which has been 20 percent to 25 percent of sales, will move "to 10 to 12 percent over the next five years." Projects in the Millennium Park area are a disproportionately strong force in the market, Cross said, with 10 of 229 major developments citywide accounting for 47 percent of sales. Views that can't be blocked are responsible, he added. Redevelopment of the park area was targeted to celebrate the dawning of the new millennium. After delays and cost overruns, Millennium Park finally opened, to rave reviews, on July 16, 2004. Despite instant popularity, many Chicagoans continued to ask whether the park was worth more than three times the original cost estimate. Some answers are emerging. A 2005 economic impact study commissioned by the city's Department of Planning and Development estimates that the value of residential development attributable to Millennium Park over the next 10 years will total $1.4 billion. The study calculates that 25 percent of the 10,000 residential units to be built in that time period will be attributable to the park. The area influenced by Millennium Park is bounded by State Street, Lake Shore Drive, the Chicago River and Roosevelt Road, according to the study by the Goodman Williams Group and URS Corp. It estimates that the impact of the park will increase the value of residential units by $100 per square foot. That would mean an average 1,400-square-foot condo would be worth $140,000 more because it's near the park. The study also said Millennium Park has had a positive effect on retail sales, hotels, restaurants and visitor spending in the area. "Millennium Park has become a status symbol, a focal point, a magnet for the surrounding neighborhood, making properties around the park extremely desirable," said Gail Lissner, vice president of Appraisal Research Counselors, a Chicago firm that tracks real estate sales. She noted that recent sales at the Heritage at Millennium Park, a new 57-story condo building overlooking the park, are up 25 percent, to $500 a square foot, since sales began in 2001. "We built the Heritage because of the park, though we didn't realize how awesome it would become," said Richard Hanson, a principal at Mesa Development, the building's developer. "Millennium Park got the buzz going. It anchors residential uses around it." Hanson estimates that the Heritage will generate $5 million to $6 million in real estate taxes a year. "The park entirely exceeded our expectations," said Ann Nash, who moved into a 19th-floor, east-facing unit at the Heritage with her husband, Tom, in March. "When we bought in 2001, it was a leap of faith. But the concept of the park drew us." The couple moved back downtown after living 20 years in Evanston and raising three daughters. Both lawyers, they work together downtown, a two-block walk. "My husband is in the park almost every day," she said. Nash noted that the popularity of the park and new residential construction have enlivened the downtown area south of the river. "The success of the park has created an explosion of demand," said D'Angelo of Metropolitan Properties. "Clearly, the area has been revitalized into a 24/7 neighborhood. The East Loop is now much more vibrant and inviting than it was 10 years ago. "Compared to 2002, residential prices have risen $200 a square foot as a direct result of Millennium Park. Now, every owner of an office building on Michigan Avenue overlooking the park is asking if it is feasible to convert to residential," he said. "The city is supportive because residential will result in a net increase in tax revenue." Cranes at the north end of the park are busy at 340 on the Park. The 62-story glass building is planned for 340 residential units priced from the high $300s to $800 per square foot, said Thomas Weeks, president of LR Development, co-developer of the building at 340 E. Randolph St. with the Magellan Development Group and NNP Residential & Development. The 340 tower, with unobstructed views south, is part of Lakeshore East, the massive residential project planned for 4,950 residential units that stretches north to East Wacker Drive. Joel Carlins, president of Magellan Development Group, estimates that the value of Lakeshore East homes has increased 3 percent to 5 percent because of the park. At the south end of Grant Park, one new project will offer views of Millennium Park from units in a 67-story tower. Called One Museum Park, the 276-unit condo at Roosevelt Road and Lake Shore Drive will be built by The Enterprise Cos. Ed Uhlir, project director for the park's construction, explained how the park grew both in size and cost. "The original idea was only 16 acres of green space. Expectations were not high," said Uhlir, who now is executive director of Millennium Park Inc., which raises funds to maintain the park, among other functions. "Then we expanded from modest to spectacular with the help of private donations. The park and its public art took longer to design and build. "When it opened, I had no idea it would be such a big hit. Attendance is estimated at 2.5 [million] to 3 million a year. People are coming from all over the world. Chicagoans are amazed when friends come from out of town and the first thing they want to do is see Millennium Park.">

A Stroll in the Snow (Part II)

OK, so I actually got my ass out of bed this morning at 5:45 AM to go over to Millennium Park to take pics. I wanted to get there while the snow was still fresh and without footprints.The Faces didn't come on till 7AM, but I managed to get several pics taken in the first hour I was there. It was very cool being at the park at this time, other than the security guards and folks shoveling snow, I was the only one there, and with the fresh snow, there was so much undesturbed. Here is a selection of what I took this morning, Enjoy! Sadly the bean is going under cover to be completed, we won't get to see it again until the end of May. Finally at 7AM, the faces came on... Anybody missing a cup of bad tasting coffee?, I think I found it! It was as cold as a bronze cow with brass horns... This was just pretty.... >

ATTN: Photo Request of Dan Ryan Expressway

I would to request to any Chitown forumer -- if any one of you have more decent photos of the Dan Ryan Expressway, the 14 lane segment, please post them at this Massive Freeways thread as soon as possible. The ones I posted suck due to quality and whatever.>

Chicago is Manhattanizing--like it or not

Interesting article from November's New Homes Magazine. Click the link to read the whole thing: 'Manhattanization' is changing the face of downtown Chicago Twenty-five years ago, a stroll south down Wabash Avenue toward the Chicago River on the Near North Side of Chicago was sooty and uneventful. A highlight might have been the aroma of fresh-baked deep-dish pizza wafting from UnoÂ's and DueÂ's, legendary pizzerias housed in two Victorian buildings that still stand on Wabash Avenue between Ohio Street and Grand Avenue. Nearby, stood the aging Medina Temple and the landmark Tree Studios, an artist and writerÂ's haven at State and Ohio streets. Then youÂ'd stroll pass a series of rundown loft buildings and a couple of newer residential highrises before the Wabash Avenue bridge came into view – flanked by the squat Chicago Sun-Times Building on the left and the IBM Building, on the right. A decade or so earlier, before Mies van der Rohe designed the stately IBM Building, the riverfront site was a parking lot dotted with three-story buildings, including Gitano, a rowdy flamenco nightclub. Today, if you walk south down Wabash Avenue toward the river in what is now called River North, itÂ's like strolling through the bottom of a dark highrise canyon in Manhattan. And the bumper-to-bumper traffic makes the neighborhood nearly as congested as Midtown New York. For more, click: http://www.**************/NHNew/Colum...ter2005-06.htm>

Tourism to Chicago

Does anybody have info regarding how many tourists visit Chicago yearly and where they come from? How does Chicago compare to other US cities? What is the breakdown regarding business/leisure tourists, etc.? I am asking because today's tribune has an article regarding the weakening American dollar vs. the Euro and how European tourists have an advantage shopping abroad here in the US. The article mainly discusses Europeans shopping in NYC, but I am curious how much Chicago would also benefit from the increased spending? Any info/thoughts?>

Where is edsg25

This may be an inappropriate title for a thread, but edsg -- very possibly the most prolific forumer, and the most exuberant Chicago booster we have -- has not posted since September 18th. He disappeared just about the time of the announcement that Marshall Fields would disappear. Possibly just a coincidence. Does anyone know whether he will return?>

Neighborhood Question

Can someone tell me the name of the neighborhood Midway is in?>

Annoying NIMBY's tackle 126 E Chestnut?

SOAR draws line in sand on 126 E. Chestnut November 24, 2004 BY DAVE ROEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST The developers of the project behind the Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut, suddenly have a fight on their hands. For weeks, things had gone relatively well for Edward James Partners LLC and Opus North Corp. as they made the rounds on the Near North Side to elicit support -- or at least sedate opposition -- for their proposed 64-story tower just west of the Gothic church. Community meetings drew the predictable "don't block my view'' complaints that seldom kill a project. Many others praised the plan, which is supposed to bring the church $25 million for new facilities and programs that will help the poor. The developers worked with Jack Guthman, a leading zoning attorney, to open the right doors at City Hall. "They have God and Guthman on their side,'' one resident commented. But now the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents has come out against the project. SOAR's opposition is significant, because the group has a reputation for even-handedness and the greatest political reach of any in its neighborhood. When it says "no way,'' many will think it has plenty of reasons. Citing an onslaught of new high-rises within blocks of Michigan Avenue, Rosalie Harris, SOAR's executive director, said, "Our board felt this needed to be a line in the sand.'' She said opposition isn't based on people losing views, but on concern over loss of light and added congestion. I'm not sure the criticism makes sense. The project has been oriented to minimize shadows over the church courtyard, a treasured public space. In height and square footage, it would be smaller than much of what's around it. And the condos and church offices in the building would generate less traffic than any commercial use. But SOAR could put enough heat on Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd) to withhold approval until the developers trim the size. If that happens, it'll be interesting to see who absorbs the financial hit, the developers or the church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ^ >

Skyline shots at night with Grid

No, unfortunately I'm not posting any new incredible shots that haven't already been, but rather asking for more. I've done a fair share of searches on Google, Ask Jeeves and Alta Vista but have found none comparable to the one below, the one that completely blew my imagination away. I'm pretty dissapointed in myself, because although I'm planning on making a trip sometime in March or April of next year, I've been to NYC four times in the last four years and have never been to Chicago in my life. I always knew Chicago was one of the major cities in the world with a world class and dominating skyline, but among the many pics posted in the Windy City thread, none impressed me more than this one just a couple days ago. It made Chicago the most impressive city sprawl and skyline I've ever seen in my life without actually having been there. A true metropolis, so insane with such skyscraping giants that it looks like something out of the "Corouscant" city in the last three Star Wars films. I especially like how the big three (JHC, Aon Center and Sears) anchor the north, central and southern ends of it. Although Manhattan has the canyons, you've got five buildings in Chicago that are over 300 meters tall, that's a feat Hong Kong just accomplished this year with the Nina Tower. Never seen anything more imposing than the combination of the Sears, Aon and JHC. So please, if anybody has any pics even close, post them. Whether they are shot closer and more focused on the skyscrapers or even farther away with an ever bigger view of the entire cityscape, it doesn't matter. Can't wait to visit. What a great city! >

An Article about Grand Plaza

I don't usually post typical articles like these. But I have to admit, it gives a lot of information about the Grand Plaza development, as well as prices in downtown Chicago. I am surprised--downtown Chicago rents are really starting to reach new stratospheric levels. Also, the amenities in these new buildings are unbelievable. Chicago is reaching new levels with its downtown development--a level of sophistication that keeps it a step ahead of the competition. Sure, it's an ugly as hell building, but the amenities are quite attractive. What do you guys think about these new prices--is this an exception or is this the standard for downtown Chicago now? Praise sky high for 'resort' January 16, 2005 BY CELESTE BUSK Homelife Staff Reporter Advertisement "It's like living in a resort! My lord, the amenities!" That's the bottom line from Brittnie Romain, an apartment renter at the Grand Plaza, a new high-rise in River North. The 764-unit apartment building at 540 N. State is brimming with pampering amenities. A 50,000-square-foot "club floor" includes perks unusual for Chicago apartment living. For example, the ninth floor "club" allows Grand Plaza's residents to lift weights, play basketball, e-mail a client in the business center, grab a latte, relax in the sauna or whirlpool, jog outdoors, sunbathe, order room service and practice putting -- all without leaving the building. The building also features a party room with catering kitchen, media and billiards room and a library with a fireplace. Other amenities include a grocery store, a landscaped outdoor pool deck with barbecue areas and a skylit indoor garden. Romain, who moved to the Windy City from St. Louis, rents a 1-bedroom apartment on the 47th floor at the Grand Plaza. "When I first came here, I didn't know anything about Chicago," she said. "Whenever I inquired about the best place to rent an apartment, everyone kept talking about the Grand Plaza as 'the place to be in the heart of the city.' " Romain has her own company, Beau Brummel Enterprise, a personal shopping business and consulting firm. "I like the fact that it's brand new," she said. "The location also is unbelievable! I'm right by the L, there are cabs and a bus stop just outside, and there's a Jewel next door. Everything is right here. I don't have to have a car. "Any time you need anything or anything done, you don't have to wait," said Romain, 30. "The staff comes immediately. They have room service, cleaning services, they'll come pick up and drop off your dry-cleaning and they even offer free rentals on DVDs and videos in the management office." Romain said the Grand Plaza's location was another important factor in her decision to rent. "I like the fact that it's in a trendy, urban, upscale, sophisticated area. The neighborhood is packed with restaurants, stores, and just about everything you can think of is just outside my front door," she said. Getting fussed over by the staff is another of Romain's favorite lures at the Grand Plaza. "The staff makes you feel like you're the only person in the building," she said. "They do everything for you. For example, I'm a small girl and one day I received a large box delivered in the mail room. The staff took the courtesy to call and asked if I wanted maintenance to deliver it for me. Small things like that offer so much [to a tenant]. "The staff also knows every- one here by their first name," Romain said. "I have clients come to my home, too, and the staff knows all of them by their first name. They're so polite and generous." She's also fond of the apartment floor plan. "I love the layout," she said. "It's really open, with phenomenal floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony that overlooks downtown. My view includes the Chicago Theatre, the location of the new Trump Tower going up, the Hancock building and the lake. "The kitchen is open to the living/dining area, which makes it even more spacious," Romain said. "When I'm in the kitchen cooking macaroni and cheese, I just look over and there's downtown Chicago. It's very panoramic." Grand Plaza's monthly rents range from $1,407 to $6,607. The floor plans include convertibles, 1-bedroom units, 2-bedroom units and 3-bedroom duplex penthouses. All apartments feature amenities typically found in condos such as granite island kitchens, in-unit washer and dryer and high-speed Internet access. Sizes range from 690 to 2,570 square feet. The Grand Plaza's penthouses feature fireplaces and spectacular two-story living rooms (with 20-foot windows). Kitchens are equipped with maple cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances. Rents for the bilevel duplex penthouses range from $5,192 to $6,607. Grand Plaza is managed by Near North Properties Inc. The high-rise building won a 2004 Paragon Award from the National Apartment Association for maintaining an exceptional property. "Grand Plaza is one of the Windy City's truly exceptional rental developments and a deserving winner," said Robin Loewenberg Berger, vice president of Near North Properties, which is co-developer of the towers along with Magellan Development Group, U.S. Equities and Cataldo/ Marovitz Group. Grand Plaza, designed by the architectural firm of Loewenberg & Associates, also was named "Development of the Year" in February of 2004 by the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association. In late 2003, Grand Plaza also was a major winner at the 11th annual Chicagoland Apartment Marketing and Management Excellence Awards, more commonly known at the CAMME Awards. These honors are sponsored by the 300-member Chicagoland Apartment Association, which represents 135,000 rental apartment units in the six-county area. Grand Plaza won seven CAMME awards for best community amenities, best convertible model, best 1-bedroom model, best 2-bedroom model, best 2-bedroom floor plan, best 3-bedroom floor plan, best apartment community direct mail and best newsletter>

Winterizing Chicago

Nothing strikes angst in the heart of a Chicagophile or causes the defensive juices to perculate than for an outsider to mention that our winters are cold. OK, ok, we know they're not all that cold. And, gee whiz, not all that different from Boston or even New York. Still, it's a problem. But does it have to be? I thought I'd set up a thread here to discuss realistic suggestions on how we can winterize the Windy City. I'm not talking events here. I'm getting to physical changes, like the Pedway we already have in place. I'm thinking along the lines (although certainly not trying to mimic) Minneapolis's skyway system, Montreal's below ground shopping complexes, Toronto's glassed in galerias. What can we do to make climate and weather less of issue, at least in Chicago's vibrant extended core, from late November through March? Could we consider... • a glassed on top, linear park, underground that you could jog in or walk all year long? • an extended pedway system in the Loop that would include the long forgotten plan to burrow under the river to Union Station? • how about mini-pedways attached to subway stations outside the Loop but sitll in the downtown area? Could people use these and the subways to get around to places in the greater downtown area without having to go outside when weather conditons warrant? • What about stringing four or five high end resort hotels around a mini-indoor man made lake, delightfully glassed in on top. Load it with palms and make it look like Hawaii....even if it's January in Chicago. OK, maybe not lake, but what appears to be one, the ultimate resort water park? Are there other ways that we can use existing technologies to minimize winter's effect in the heart of Chicago, making it an attractive place to visit 12 months a year?>

SW corner of State and Chicago

Hey guys, I've noticed that the SW portion of State and Chicago, as well as places even slightely west and east of that, are still either vacant or occupied by ugly 1970's-style parking garages. They seem like prime real estate to me--all of them! Interestingly, developers are more eager to tear down old buildings and build highrises instead of developing out some of these prime parking lots. I could be wrong, though. According to the Central Area Plan, Chicago Avenue is supposed to have high density up through LaSalle St, along with ground level commercial. Other than the Bernardin, though, we're not seeing a whole lot. Does anybody know of any proposals for those sites?>

A reason to be bullish on the Far South Side

Here are two pics of an activity not normally associated with Chicago. I've many fond memories of warm fall afternoons surfing after class at the University of Chicago. Those waves are bigger than they look, btw. With the plans to renovate the old Steel Works into a harbor and park land, the demise of many of those polluting industries, could areas along the lake be some of the most undervalued gems around? >

Home Team

If you want to watch the absolute worst home improvement show on the tube, well I have news for you! Its on channel 9 wgn, and its called the HOME TEAM, hosted by an Apprentice reject Troy Mccain, a real nice guy, but he got fired for a reason, he is fucking incompetent. I have never seen such a horribly produced show in my life, catch it while you can, you absolutely wont believe your EYES. The editing is horrible, its disorganized and the music sucks and is played over segments where it interferes with the show, and troy is such a suckee host, he is hilarious, the premise is that the family is supposed to help some contractors fix up a house for some unsuspecting family member and half the time they cant find enough people to finish the project and alot of the time they dont get the right stuff for the project. Its looks like someone from highschool AV put it together Its on wednesday night. WHen you see a show like this, you know that home improvement shows have been overdone, and a few too many versions have appeared.>