Chicago builds China

Chicago wins as China builds its own Rust Belt We've got what they need: heavy equipment, parts December 20, 2004 By Sandra Jones Martin Simpson's packaging firm, Daubert Cromwell, found a $3-million market in China almost by accident. "It wasn't a planned attack," he says. "We just sort of grew into it." Photo: Brett Kramer China, the nation Midwesterners often blame for taking away factory jobs, is turning to Chicago for the heavy equipment and assembly parts needed to fuel its industrial expansion. The Chicago trade district, which spans from Rockford to Peoria to Gary, Ind., shipped a record $1.7 billion in goods to China through October. Chicago exports to China rose 67% in that time frame, the most recent data available, compared with 28% for the U.S. as a whole, according to Global Trade Information Services Inc., a South Carolina firm that tabulates U.S. Department of Commerce trade statistics. "If you look at the industrial base around Chicago, it fits closely with what China is doing," says Doug Smith, an international trade consultant at the University of Texas in San Antonio. Two industries linked to Chicago's manufacturing roots, machinery and electrical components, together accounted for $1.2 billion, or 72%, of the total goods the Chicago region shipped to China through October. A few examples: raw materials for cardboard boxes from Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. Unassembled automobile power train systems from Chicago's BorgWarner Inc. Tractors and wheel-loaders from Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria. Surplus engine parts and cockpit equipment from AAR Corp. in Wood Dale. And components from local mid-sized manufacturers, used to make everything from refrigerators to pairs of scissors. PREDICTING THE MARKET Jeff Ding, an engineer from China, predicted his native country would need industrial products from the U.S. as its manufacturing base matured, so he moved to Chicago in 1997 to set up shop as an exporter. His company, Flurida Industries in Naperville, gathers products from around the U.S. — from welding machines to electronic sensors for air conditioners — and ships them to China. "Chicago has many, many factories located here, and it is easy to travel to the East and West coasts," says Mr. Ding. "That's why we chose to set up the company in Chicago." Schaumburg scrap metal broker Consolidated Mill Supply Inc. exported about $20 million worth of mill scale, fine particles of metal produced while working steel, to China this year to meet the country's exploding demand for iron ore, which is in short supply. "Some of this stuff had no place to go until China ran out of iron ore," says President Kenneth Pies. China's economy has been expanding at a rate of more than 9% this year, and Gene Huang, chief economist at Tennessee-based FedEx Corp., the largest international express carrier in China, predicts that pace will continue at least through 2005. "China is becoming a manufacturing assembly base for all of Asia, and that creates the need for capital goods like electronics and machinery," he says. "These are strong areas for Chicago industry, and that bodes well for Chicago exports.">

suburban company moves to city

Allscripts HQ heading for Chicago from Libertyville August 17, 2004 BY NEIL VERSEL Software developer and drug distribution firm Allscripts Healthcare Solutions will move its corporate headquarters from Libertyville to the Merchandise Mart before the end of the year. Chairman and CEO Glen E. Tullman said Allscripts will lease approximately 13,000 square feet of office space in the Mart, and relocate about 70 corporate, finance, business-development and education-related jobs from the northern fringes of the metropolitan area to the heart of the city during the fourth quarter. At least 50 sales, technical, manufacturing and logistics workers will remain in Libertyville, as will the company's drug repackaging and distribution warehouse. The move largely is aimed at creating a showcase for out-of-town visitors, Tullman said. "When we bring clients to Chicago, they want to see Chicago. They want to see the sights," he said. "We expect to bring thousands of clients into Chicago." No inducements were offered by the city of Chicago to bring the company to the city. Allscripts makes wireless-application software for physicians, to automate common activities using handheld or workstation computers to prescribe medication, dictate orders and make clinical notes on patients. Tullman's optimistic prediction is just the latest in a series of positive developments for the company and for health care information technology as a whole. In April, President Bush named a first-ever national coordinator of health IT to lead his stated goal of computerizing medical records for most Americans within 10 years. Such political opponents as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich have joined together in support of legislation to encourage private-sector adoption of clinical IT. Private industry already has taken some proactive steps, working to develop standards for electronic medical records and for data sets to assure continuity of care when patients change doctors or move between care settings. Allscripts, a survivor of the dot-com bust and massive consolidation in the health IT sector, turned profitable last year and has been in the black for three consecutive quarters. Cash flow has been positive for six straight quarters. After posting a loss of $5 million on $86 million in revenue last year, Allscripts swung to a profit in the second quarter. The company earned $700,000, or 2 cents a share, on $26 million in revenue, up 30 percent. ..blah, blah, blah, it's a long article. You can read the rest at the Chicago Sun-Times. It's not a huge company, but it's good to see suburban companies coming to the city. Perhaps a trend as the downtown grows more liveable/fun, etc and as more "yuppies" with high paying jobs live in the city?>

Overwhelmed

As a life long Chicago with enough mileage on me (pushing sixty....rapidly!) and a life long love of my city, I have it admit it: I'm overwhelmed! Obviously I remember the bad days of white flight, dying industries and dying neighborhoods, council wars, Beirut-by-the-Bay, and movement of Chicagoland away from its core. I have, however, also followed the city's revival from the start, even when it was a trickle and a small counter trend to the decline. Let me zero in on a small part of the revival: the Saturday Tribune. Specifically the real estate section's pages listing new developments throughout the Chicago area. At one point, there might have been two, three entries for Chicago, compared to 20 or so for Schaumburg. But change came, slow though it might have been. More Chicago developments went in. I remember looking at the pix in detail, gratified that these new structures were under construction, and having a real sense of where the development was occurring. When the trend to redevelop intensified, I continued to follow it closely, having a sense of each major project going up....where it was, when it would be going up. I was on a high. Today though, I may have to throw in the towel (happily though, with no element of dispair). I give up. The recent wave has flattened me. I have to admit it: I just can't keep up! So many good things are happening, so many projects (with quite a few of substantial height) that I'm just going to have to sit back, relax, and watch, but without a snowball's chance in hell of being able to conceptionize what the heck is happening. I guess I just got steamrolled by Chicago's development. Not necessarily a bad thing.>

Exelon to Buy PSEG in $13 Billion Deal

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...lities_pseg_dc>

Getting very worried about the CTA

I'm getting REALLY freaked about the CTA's threats to slash its service. I am not afraid because I will be affected by the changes. I mean, give me a break, I don't even live in Chicago! But my whole love and respect for Chicago is based upon the fact that it is a traditional urban city established along a solid transit system, with a centralized downtown. It is something so magnificently powerful in a country where the majority of the landscape is bland, repetitive suburbia with Applebee's and Walmart on every other freeway exit. If these changes occur, I think they will forever change the kind of city Chicago is. It may very well become a city that I don't like very much. And that's sad, because I LOVE loving Chicago. Perhaps I will have to find a different city to love? Honestly, will Daley allow this? Will Illinois allow this? Will the CTA/RTA allow this? Will capital funds be used? I"m scared shitless, guys--what's going to happen?>

Introducing NIRDA...RTA's new l'il bro

this is huge for the region. and before anyone jumps down my throat for posting this here, remember Chicago proper's biggest neighbor (in terms of both population and border) is Hammond. much longer than Evanston's Chicago border, and 84,000 people. Governor signs bill at Gary/Chicago Airport REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority becomes effective July 1 This story ran on nwitimes.com on Thursday, May 12, 2005 12:50 AM CDT Times Staff Report Huzzahs, back-slapping and handshaking on Wednesday filled the lobby of the Gary/Chicago Airport as Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill creating the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority at the only place Daniels considered signing it, he said. "I'm signing a lot of important bills these days, but if I could only sign one it would be this one," Daniels told the crowd of elected officials, lawmakers and regional business people gathered at the airport. NIRDA will manage expansions at the Gary/Chicago Airport, regional rail and bus transportation projects and facilities as well as shoreline and economic development capital projects. Almost as soon as the bill was passed, controversy erupted when Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. announced he would appoint himself to the board. Daniels said it's not so important who serves on the board or who does the appointing but rather how the board conducts itself. He could think of worse things than having mayors serve on the NIRDA board, Daniels said. "It's important the decisions the new authority makes are wise, based on solid business practices, the process is open and transparent and they use the highest ethical standards," the governor said. A seven-member board will govern the activities of the authority. Representation includes one person each from Lake and Porter counties appointed by the council and commission of both counties; one representative each from the cities of Gary, East Chicago and Hammond; and two representatives appointed by the governor. One of those appointees would serve as chairman for at least the first seven years of the authority, and the other would be an individual recommended by the cities of Portage and Valparaiso in Porter County. The state will contribute at least $5 million and up to $10 million in 2006 and 2007. Additional state money could be committed once a comprehensive strategic plan is developed and approved by the director of the Office of Management and Budget and reviewed by the Legislature's Budget Committee. The cities of East Chicago, Gary and Hammond as well as Lake and Porter counties each would be required to contribute at least $3.5 million annually to NIRDA. A bipartisan group of Porter and Lake county legislators led by Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary; Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake; Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville; and Rep. Ralph Ayres, R-Chesterton, negotiated NIRDA with the governor's office. Rogers called the bill "a grand slam home run." "The airport was on first, the railroads were on second, buses were on third and the governor came up to the plate and hit the home run," Rogers said.>

Chicago AFC

Here's a question I don't believe has been discussed: Will the NFL ever put an AFC team in Chicago? The NFL will go back to LA. It won't wait forever; the market is too important. Television alone will be a huge issue. Could part of a deal that would put the NFC/Fox into LA create a network balance by putting AFC/CBS in Chicago? The Cardinals didn't leave Chicago because of lack of financial success (although there was plenty of that as they played back-up to the Bears). They moved because the end of the 50's is when the NFL exploded into national consciousness. TV was becoming huge and there was not way that CBS (the only NFL broadcaster at the time) could televise both Bears and Cardinals. That's why we ended up with the St. Louis Cardinals. The biggest contributing factor in Chicago becoming a one team city: George Halas. Flash forward to today. Chicagoland is a much bigger market. We alone of the cities in the nation have always been in the NL and AL since their inception. So if we have two baseball teams, WHY NOT two football teams? Could Chicago AFL make it financially? Unquestionably. Think of demand for Bears' season tickets. Think of disgust for Bear management. How long do you think a new team in town could sell out its ticket base? Soldier Field just stands there every other Sunday. If I'm not mistaken, there is nothing in the Bears deal with the city that can prevent a second NFL team. There is nothing in the NFL that protects territory like MLB. And half of Chicagoland is far bigger than the whole of any non-LA territory out there that could be open for a new franchise. For the image issues that Daley loves, this gives Chicago another bit of prestige (as if the city really needed it). Again...a most realistic proposal. A new Chicago AFC team. I'll call it the Chicago Stags (Chicago's original NBA franchise...Stags sounds cool to me)....or if I really want to get ridiculous, the Chicago White Cleats (to go along with White Sox as Bears go with Cubs)....but you can call it whatever you want....as long as you want the team. Thoughts?>

Chicago's effect on suburban property values

I actually started this post on the North Side development thread as a response to major projects in Austin and their effect on Oak Park. I decided the subject would actually be better as a thread of its own. So how is a booming Chicago affecting the lands beyond its border? I wonder how involved Oak Park is in Austin's redevelopment. It was sadly pressure from poverty and race that caused Oak Park to build cul-de-sacs on streets that ran onto Austin Boulevard. It also (on a higher note here) caused the village to steer blacks to the west end and whites to the east to maintain racial balance. It would seem to me a reenvigorated Austin will spell huge dividends to Oak Park. Another question for those who live in the area where the west side adjoins the west sububs (an area I know well, have family there, but don't have the familiarity that you folks do): are the close in western suburbs (other than Oak Park, where I know the answer is "Yes") having the same surge in property value that the close in north suburbs (Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood) are experiencing due to proximity to Chicago? The city boom has produced some unexpected effects. It has reinvigorated the inner ring of suburbs (particularly north) that might have gone into decline because being close to the city is an asset. Interestingly it has had a similiar affect on the far North Side where neighborhoods north of Foster are not at all part of the "buzz" of city life, but offer proximity. So Sauganash builds town houses into the millions, Jeff Park sees major town house, single family, and condo construction, etc. What effect does the city's growth and development have on close in suburban areas (or far north, west, and even south side neighborhoods)? Do you see a time when low income families will be squeezed out of the likes of Evanston and Oak Park due to rising property values?>

Chicagoland gains major HQ

Okay, don't get too excited. Only about 75 new jobs will be created, and the the rest of the jobs were already here. But Deerfield is now the US Headquarters of a major worldwide pharmaceutical from Japan, previously HQ in New Jersey. Probably not a big deal, other than bragging rights: Japanese drugmakers strengthen area ties BRUCE JAPSEN Published March 31, 2005 Japanese drugmakers are keeping their roots firmly planted in the Chicago area. Effective Friday, Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc. will list the address of its U.S. headquarters as Deerfield, the longtime home of Fujisawa Healthcare Inc. The Astellas name replaces Fujisawa as a result of Fujisawa's recently completed merger with Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. of Tokyo. Yamanouchi's U.S. headquarters had been in New Jersey but will now be in Deerfield. Under the Astellas name, the combined Fujisawa-Yamanouchi operation has annual worldwide sales of about $8 billion, putting the company among the top 20 drugmakers in the world. "As Astellas, we will build on nearly two centuries of collective experience to create a unique place in the U.S. pharmaceutical landscape, where true innovation is valued and rewarded," said Makoto Nishimura, chairman and chief executive of Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc. In Japan, Astellas is second only to Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., which has more than $10 billion in annual worldwide sales. Like Astellas, Takeda has its U.S. base here, with offices in suburban Lincolnshire under the name Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc. Takeda also owns half of Lake Forest-based TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., with partner Abbott Laboratories. The United States has long been an important market for Japanese drugmakers, especially since there are no price controls in the U.S. as there are in their country, so selling drugs is more profitable here. Astellas' flagship product is Prograf, one of the nation's best-selling brand-name medicines, used to prevent liver and kidney transplant patients from rejecting their new organs. Prograf generated more than $500 million in U.S. sales last year for the former Fujisawa. "We believe that our long-term strategy for growing established franchise businesses will distinguish us as a company focused on developing breakthrough treatments rather than only blockbuster products," Nishimura said. In line with its decision to keep the larger company's offices here, Astellas is creating 75 new positions and retaining the 350 Fujisawa jobs that had already been in Deerfield. The firm gave some credit to the administration of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which last year agreed to give a $500,000 grant and tax credits worth nearly $8 million to help keep the U.S. headquarters in Illinois. Bridge extends credit line: Bridge Healthcare Finance said it has extended a $7.5 million line of credit to the Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago, a specialty surgical hospital located on Chicago's North Side. Chicago-based Bridge assists health-care companies with a variety of financial services. The institute plans to use the line of credit for "general working capital," a Bridge spokeswoman said. The institute opened in 2003 on the campus of the former Ravenswood Hospital as one of the area's first investor-owned specialty hospitals, dedicated primarily to brain, spine and orthopedic surgery.>

Business move to Chicago

If you could choose 1 corporate HQ, anywhere in the world (outside of a government, the UN, etc etc) that you would like to see moved into downtown Chicago, what would it be? I say Microsoft>

Just a suggestion: water park

This one is a pipe dream, but, IMHO, a perfectly possible pipe dream: If the Twin Cities made a fortune by building the Mall of America as a major attraction and America's largest mall (and just perfect for its cold climate), why can't Chicago come up with a major attraction that is so compatible with our own cold winter climate. And the technology is there to make it work. How about the world's biggest indoor water park. Glass enclosed. High ceiling. Huge! With the possiblity that 3-4 hotels would be attached to it. Perhaps even being incorporated into its periphery. Tropical setting. Place is somewhere on the suburban fringe (Fox River Valley or perhaps near GrAmer/Gurnee Mills. Maybe around Woodfield, especially if a Blue Line connection were built). In the winter and much of the spring and fall, it would be mobbed. Even in the summer, it could do very well. Could imagine a huge space, glass enclosed on top, 72 degrees all year,with the feeling of being outside.....with a metro area of 9,000,000+ and lots of visitors. As i said, the technology is there to build it. Large interior space mimicing the outdoor enviroment is becoming more and more prevalent. Thoughts: good idea, bad idea???????????>

1st step to promote smart growth in Chicagoland?

Now all they need to do is merge CTA & Metra! Anyway, we'll see how much impact this decision will really have on sprawl: Bill to merge NIPC and CATS passes House Potential merger of two planning agencies would take place over three years By Gregory Meyer Legislation fusing the metro regionÂ's two chief planning agencies into a single body passed the Illinois House on Monday. The measure would combine the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) and the Chicago Area Transportation Study Policy Committee (CATS)into a new Regional Planning Board over the next three years. Each agency currently carries out discrete planning functions at a time when urban planners recognize that transportation and land use impact each other. NIPC, established in 1957, researches development and demographic trends. CATS, formed in 1955, is the Chicago regionÂ's metropolitan planning organization, responsible for road and transit planning and recommending allocation of federal transportation dollars. Sponsors and supporters say merging the two agencies will make for smarter development in a still-growing region. Â"Gridlock is rampant. We ought to be doing transportation and land use planning simultaneously,Â" said Rep. Suzanne Bassi (R-Rolling Meadows), one of the bipartisan sponsors of the bill. The bill would allow the combined group to retain the federal metropolitan planning organization designation, Rep. Bassi said. The House passed the bill 110-0. A Senate version has been introduced. The Regional Planning Board would comprise five members from Chicago, five from suburban Cook County and five from the collar counties. A new member among the collars would be booming Kendall County, which does not have a seat on the CATS Policy Committee or NIPC. NIPC is moving into the Sears Tower this fall, while CATS staff are now located across Adams Street from the skyscraper. If the bill passes, the two groups are likely to share space in the Sears Tower, officials said. ItÂ's not yet clear whether the bill could mean staff cuts at the two agencies. Â"There may be some economies of scale in the staff,Â" Rep. Bassi said>

It scares me to say....

It scares me to say this...its pure hyberbole, Chicago hucksterism, and no doubt adds fuel to places that shouldn't be refueled. But since it is PURE OPINION, I'll state it as such (knowing it is just my own thoughts and has no binding on others): Chicago is on the cusp of becoming the most exciting city in the nation. If it isn't already. It absolutely boggles my mind to see the massive number of recently completed, high quality private and public sector development. Or to see that which is under construction or soon to break ground. Of the mind boggling plans that are in place to further enhance a downtown district that seems to stretch from the lake to Ashland, North to Cermak. What we have here is a wonderful state of flux, energy, transformation without parallel from coast to coast. The feeling is palitable and, although I am downtown very frequently, the excitement never goes away. Each trip in is an adventure in its own right. That Chicago is on the rise like no other city in its central communities at this time is extraordinary. Far more so than NY, Chicago has had the land to truly redevelop its landscape during this era of enriched urbanism. That quality-of-life issues matter to Daley and company (as in: the rest of us) has produced an unprecendented metropolis that alone among American cities has created and is enhancing an exciting urban framework that offers the full range of amenities that any city could wish for in a extraordinalily user-friendly and beautiful environment. As I said, pure hyperbole. I would NEVER have considered posting this anywhere but on the Chicago board as I posted it to share with Chicagoans and others who are here because they, too, love Chicago. You could poke holes in each and everyone of my arguments. Even successfuly If fact, I sincerely hope that you feel about your home town the way that I feel about mine....and if that means that Des Moines exceeds Chicago or other US cities in your mind, I'm happy for you. If LA is the best for you, than it is just that . But suffice it to say I was sincere....and I believe every word of it. And frankly in my posting, that's all that mattered to me. In my book, Chicago has no peer. Have a great Chicago, folks.>

Chicago Model Thread

Since SSP is FUBAR tonight, I figure I ought to finally create a thread here for my model. Classic postcard shot showing all the major proposals and constructions in all their glory. Overview of downtown. The latest shot of the model. >

City condos as second-homes?

City condo for vacation? Suburban, out-of-state buyers enjoy Chicago, watch values climb May 02, 2005 By Dan Rafter Gold Coast getaway: Randy Papp of Beverly bought a "second home" condo. Photo: Howard Chen The surging popularity of downtown condos has reached yet another market segment: the second-home buyer. Though single-family properties are the traditional second home of choice, buyers looking for a second home in Chicago more often than not snap up city condominiums. The reasons are many. A condominium in the right neighborhood comes with a view of Lake Michigan or Millennium Park. It may provide the amenities of a high-end hotel. And it's almost certain to appreciate steadily. "We are seeing people from Naperville, from Oak Lawn, from the Near North Side all purchasing condominiums in the heart of the city to use as their vacation homes," says Dick Greenwood, director of builder marketing for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. "Chicago offers anything in the world that people could want. You have the lakefront, boating, world-class theater, opera." South Sider Joan Papp stays at her Gold Coast condo one or two nights a week. Photo: Howard Chen Joan and Randy Papp, who live in Beverly full time, bought a Gold Coast condo last year. One or two evenings a week, they stay downtown to enjoy the views of Lake Michigan, attend a show or dine at one of the countless restaurants dotting the area. If their second home should appreciate while they enjoy it? All the better. "We bought this because there is so much to do here," says Mr. Papp. "I'm pretty sure our condominium will appreciate in value, though right now, we're not too concerned about it. We're just interested now in enjoying everything there is to do in Chicago." continued below Advertisement The National Assn. of Realtors breaks the second-home market into two categories: vacation homes, primarily used for pleasure, and investment properties. According to a study by the association, 83% of vacation homes purchased in 2004 were single-family detached homes, as were 79% of all investment properties. But in the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and South Loop, where second homes will appreciate and buyers can take advantage of entertainment and dining, condos are far easier to find and purchase than single-family residences. "These are good investment opportunities," says Jane Field, a real estate agent with the Gold Coast office of Koenig & Strey GMAC Real Estate. "Most of my second-home sales are on the lakefront. They are in a prime zone, one that packs in the promise of good appreciation." Desired but rare in nearby areas Even outside Chicago, condominiums are increasingly a lure for second-home buyers. The maintenance is minimal, an important factor for owners who may live hundreds of miles away. They're easier to rent out. And they're usually more affordable than single-family homes in the same communities, while still appreciating at a good clip. Maury Reed, a real estate agent with Rubloff of Michigan, sells homes from New Buffalo, Mich., north to Holland, about 170 miles from Chicago. She estimates that 95 percent of her clients are Chicago-area residents looking to buy second homes. "A lot of people are looking for condos here. The problem is, there are not many available," Ms. Reed says. "A lot of developers have tried to put condos in over time in our lakefront areas, but the zoning often prohibits it. It makes sense to want to turn to condos as second homes because they're such easy things: You use it, leave it and it's pretty carefree. There just aren't as many as people anticipate." There are some in New Buffalo; a few more in St. Joseph, a busy town located about 100 miles from Chicago; some in South Haven, located about 140 miles from Chicago; and one set in Holland. In Northwest Indiana, beyond the industrial towns of Hammond and Gary are beachfront communities in Porter County, and towns such as Beverly Shores, Dune Acres, Ogden Dunes and Michigan City, all less than an hour-and-a-half drive from Chicago. As in southwest Michigan, though, lakefront condos are scarce. David Jones, 35, of Lexington, Ky., bought a second-home condo last June in 732 W. Bittersweet Place, in Uptown near Lakeview. He wanted an investment that would rise in value while he enjoyed big-city attractions. "I knew this area well before I bought here, and it seems like the housing prices here are going up," Mr. Jones says. He targeted his new condo because of its price: At 600 square feet, it cost about $163,000, and he sees plenty of room for appreciation. "This will be a great buy for a single person looking for a first place," Mr. Jones says. "You always have a market for that." David Hehman, president and CEO of EscapeHomes.com, a Web-based listing service specializing in vacation homes, said it's little surprise that city buyers choose condos as second homes. "Buyers don't have to worry as much about property management," Mr. Hehman says. "In cities like Chicago, New York or San Francisco, condos are by far the most desired type of second home. You can walk out the door, lock it and know that everything else is taken care of." There are no local statistics to determine how many buyers of city condominiums are purchasing their properties as second residences. But Ms. Field and other city agents say the market is strong and diverse. Consider some sales Ms. Field has recently made. Some of her buyers purchasing second-home condominiums live in other states and use their city properties on occasional weekends. Two such buyers live in California. Ms. Field has also sold second-home condos to buyers who live in suburbs and use their properties nearly every weekend. A smaller category of buyers purchases condos because their children are attending college in or near downtown Chicago. These buyers aren't purchasing the condominiums for their children, but rather as home bases for their own weekend visits. Whatever the reason, such purchases have shown strong appreciation. The Chicago Assn. of Realtors reported that the median sales price of condominiums in Chicago rose nearly 5.5% to $268,000 in 2004. City condos have also sold well, with the local association reporting sales increased 12% in 2004. There are hazards, though. Pat Cullen, a real estate agent with the West Loop office of Century 21 Sussex & Reilly, recommends that investors avoid condominiums with high monthly assessment fees. "You'll pay for amenities such as a doorman or swimming pool — if you are not taking advantage of those items on a daily basis, you still have to pay the assessments for them," Mr. Cullen said. "Those assessments can be $600, $700 a month, and you can't write them off. If you're not going to be there weekly, you might want to try a smaller building without a doorman.">

Chicago real estate--transit as a selling point?

Interesting. I have looked at Chicago real estate sections (from actual hard-copy Sunday Tribunes--whenever I visit Chicago). I have also looked at the Washingtown Post real estate sections. Here's what I've noticed: Chicago DOMINATES THE SHIT out of the market. Sure, suburban houses are being built like hotcakes and are a major part of the region's boom, but clearly the VAST, VAST majority of housing up for sale and new construction I see advertised in the Tribune is in Chicago proper (keep in mind, I always got the Sunday Tribune from O'Hare airport). Chicago completely dominates space in the real estate section of the Tribune, and it's really quite amazing, especially seeing all of the projects under way throughout the city. This alludes a bit to the comments made by Edsg in his "Overwhelmed" thread. Washington doesn't dominate as much. Although many city developments are emphasized, easily 60% of what is advertised is located in either Maryland or Virginia. However, whatever is built in the DC region is more likely to be advertised in its relation to the DC Metro, making it seem that proximity to transit is more important and attractive to people out here than it is to Chicagoans. This is true even in DC's suburbs. Often it is one of the first things mentioned: "right off the Clarendon Metro!" In Chicago, many developments also advertise being near the 'L and Metra, but it seems to be a tad bit less important, and often developments also talk about proximity to the expressway--something I never saw in any advertisements for DC-area developments. What does this all mean? Chicago obviously dominates its region much more than DC does. Also, the DC region is a bit more transit-minded than Chicago is. Either way, both cities' condos had parking--so in the end their real estate boom is largely similar. But DC considers 12 stories high-rise living... That's a whole different discussion>

Chicago in 2030

Your vote? (LA forumers not allowed to vote unless they promise to be unbiased)>

Question about Michigan Ave Tower

Pardon my ignorance/stupidity on this topic, but I notice that Michigan Ave Tower has a lengthened garage over Michigan Avenue. It seems a bit out of place with the Mich Avenue streetwall that seems to be extending to Roosevelt Ave and on southward. Are there plans for a new tower above this garage extension, or is that just how they designed it?>

Daley losing support?

Scandals chip away at Daley Mayor's approval rating lowest since election in '89 By Gary Washburn, Tribune staff reporter. Tribune staff reporter Jon Yates contributed to this report Published May 22, 2005 The persistent drip, drip, drip of scandal at City Hall has taken a serious toll on Mayor Richard Daley, eroding his support, cutting sharply into his popularity and making him potentially vulnerable to a challenge by U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., according to a new Tribune/WGN-TV poll. If a head-to-head Daley-versus-Jackson contest for mayor were held today, it would be a tossup, according to the survey of 700 registered Chicago voters. Daley won every city ward and nearly 80 percent of the vote when he last was re-elected in 2003. But the poll found that slightly less than half of voters now say they would like him to run again, and 39 percent said they would prefer he not try for another term. While 53 percent of those surveyed said they approve of the job he is doing, it was the worst showing for Daley in similar Tribune polls since he became mayor in 1989. Two years ago, nearly three out of four city voters said they liked the way he did his job. Daley told members of the media gathered at a party Saturday for Marines returning from Iraq that he was not concerned about his declining poll numbers. When asked whether the poll had him considering not running for re-election, Daley struck a defiant tone. "You just go ahead. If you get that attitude, then you get into a pessimistic attitude. I've never been defeated in my life," he said. Daley said he was proud of his record as mayor. "I work passionately, hard for this, and people can find fault with anyone, they can find fault with me," he said. "But I'll put my record against anyone." One key to Daley's success as mayor has been his ability to transcend the ethnic and racial divides that had marked city politics for so long before he came to power 16 years ago. Yet the poll, conducted May 16-18, indicated that the city's black voters have become increasingly uncomfortable with his mayoralty. While 59 percent of white respondents and 56 percent of Hispanics said they approved of his job performance, only 43 percent of African-Americans did. At the same time, four out of 10 black voters said they disapproved of the job Daley was doing. The racial divide is even more pronounced when it comes to opinion about whether Daley should run again. Nearly 60 percent of white voters said "yes" while 52 percent of blacks said "no." The overall poll has an error margin of plus or minus four percentage points. The error margin for responses of individual racial and ethnic subgroups is slightly larger. Daley's fifth term has been marred by scandal swirling around the Hired Truck Program and revelations that firms run by white men have masqueraded as minority- or female-owned, cashing in on millions of dollars of city contracts meant for blacks, Hispanics and women. The growing voter disenchantment with Daley coincides with broad concerns about wrongdoing in his administration, the poll indicated. More than half of respondents said they disapproved of the job he is doing to prevent favoritism and fraud in awarding city contracts. The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but 57 percent said Daley should be held personally responsible for the contracting irregularities. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they had followed reports of the contracting scandals either somewhat or very closely and nearly four out of five said that cheating is a matter of concern to them. At Saturday's event, Daley said he should not be held responsible for the scandals. "I can't be personally [responsible], I just can't," he said. "I work every day very hard, you know that. I'm out here every day working on issues." Nelson Gonzalez, 37, a juvenile detention counselor, said he is unhappy with "all the corruption that has been going on" since Daley became mayor. "Every time there is a scandal, he has a scapegoat," Gonzalez said. But "the last couple, it seems, are reaching a little closer to home ... At [my] work, everyone agrees someone has to step forward and start getting their name out there now to stand a chance against him" in 2007 In another troubling trend for Daley, more voters than not said that city schools had not improved or have changed for the worse since he became mayor despite his intense focus on revitalizing a school district once put down by federal education officials as the worst in the nation. And a majority of respondents said that the problem of crime has gotten no better or has worsened despite aggressive efforts to reduce the crime rate and stem an alarming rise in the number of homicides. With the next election less than two years away, Jackson ranks among the most formidable potential Daley challengers, though the South Side congressman has said he has no intention at this time of seeking the mayor's office. In a heated response recently to a reporter's scandal-related question, Daley boasted that "everybody supported my campaign" in the 2003 election. "Everyone knows that," he said. "I won last time by 80 percent." But the poll found that Jackson would win 40 percent of the vote in a mayoral election held today to Daley's 37 percent, with 23 percent of respondents undecided. Judy Monegain, 60, an African-American South Sider, said she would vote for Jackson. "It's not a [matter] of race," Monegain said. "It's whether someone can get into office and get the job done. I would prefer to get somebody else in there and try to do the job rather than somebody who has been in there all this time and hasn't." Monegain complained about problems in the public schools, contract favoritism, "absolutely raggedy" streets and uneven treatment of city neighborhoods in getting improvement projects. Fueling speculation that Jackson may have designs on the mayor's office despite his denials is his increasing--and very public--criticism of Daley's performance. In a letter earlier this month to Ald. William Beavers (7th), chairman of the City Council's Budget and Government Operations Committee, Jackson called for audits of Hired Truck and other city functions. "A smog program of corruption and cover-ups is engulfing the city of Chicago," Jackson declared in the letter. "Reports of federal raids, affirmative action violations, `favors for favor' practices and fiscally irresponsible and unethical programs are dominating the daily headlines." Local Democrats also view state Sen. James Meeks, a Chicago independent and a Jackson protege, and Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown as potential mayoral challengers. But the list of possible Daley opponents could grow if a perception that the mayor has become beatable takes root. Because the federal investigation into the Hired Truck Program and other irregularities appears to be far from finished, the headlines that have embarrassed and politically damaged Daley are expected to continue. So far, 27 people have been charged with wrongdoing stemming from the scandal-plagued program, including Daley administration officials who have admitted taking money from trucking companies in return for city business. Now the probe appears to have broadened as investigators look at allegations of political work conducted on city time and promotions and pay raises that have gone to city employees as rewards for their toil for candidates favored by City Hall. Meanwhile, contractor and Daley supporter James Duff was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 10 years in prison, in part for falsely portraying his firm, Windy City Maintenance, as female-owned to win city affirmative action contracts. The Tribune first exposed the scam in a 1999 investigation. Daley has launched an aggressive effort to regain his footing. Last week he appointed Ron Huberman, a former senior police official, as his new chief of staff with orders to "help restore taxpayers' confidence in the integrity of city government." Despite his declining poll numbers, Daley continues to have strong support in some quarters and, even at 53 percent, his approval rating would be the envy of many other public officials. Another recent Tribune/WGN poll found that Gov. Rod Blagojevich's positive rating has sunk to 35 percent. "I don't pay a lot of attention to city politics, but I feel things are going pretty well in Chicago," said Christopher DiTeresi, a 27-year-old University of Chicago graduate student. He cited improvements in his Hyde Park neighborhood, a shopping area he visits at North and Clybourn Avenues that didn't exist a few years ago and good parks. Daley "seems to care about the city," DiTeresi said. "He seems to have a vision about it.">

Kraft to become independent Chicago HQ?

Kraft may eventually spin off from New-York based Altria group. This is a good thing, since it will finally become an independent corporation in Chicago not owned by an outsider. Here's the article: October 23, 2004 Kraft's pruning could set up spinoff Either way, investors like talk of shedding slow-growth businesses By Julie Jargon Rumors swirling around Kraft Foods Inc. have it mulling the sale of divisions with a combined value of $13 billion. Regardless of which are sold, slimming down would help prepare Kraft for a spinoff from parent Altria Group Inc. There's speculation that Kraft is putting brands on the block, from Altoids and Life Savers to Post cereal and Oscar Mayer. The candies alone could fetch $1 billion-plus. continued below Advertisement "Their free cash flow is $2.6 billion a year, so why is Kraft raising cash when cash is not a problem?" asks Mark Hugh Sam, an analyst at Chicago investment researcher Morningstar Inc. "Although this is purely speculative, getting ready to be spun off by Altria could be part of it." In a spinoff, Kraft might need cash to pay a large dividend to New York's Altria, which owns almost 85% of Kraft's shares. Altria CEO Louis Camilleri has said it would make sense for Altria and Kraft to part ways. Some investors agree, arguing that untying Northfield-based Kraft from its tobacco-producing cousin, Philip Morris USA, would sever the link to litigation — and lift the stock. Investors at Davis Selected Advisers, with 7.9 million Kraft shares, are eager for that. "We hope this spinout might be accomplished over the next two years," Davis managers wrote recently. Even so, some investors don't see brand sales as a sign a spinoff is coming. Thomas Russo, a value investor at Gardner Russo & Gardner, a Pennsylvania money manager with 1.7 million shares of Kraft, says unloading brands is "consistent with a more focused management approach." Sources close to the situation say Kraft has hired UBS to sell Life Savers and Altoids; Citigroup is said to shopping Breyers yogurt. Kraft won't comment. Spinoff or no, a slimmer Kraft is attracting value investors like Mr. Russo, as well as Clipper Fund Inc. and Harris Associates L.P. Clipper and Harris each has increased its Kraft holdings by more than 2 million shares over the last year. Kraft stock hasn't strayed much from its 2001 IPO price: $31 a share. "Normally, you don't find a company of Kraft's quality . . . trading for only 14 times earnings," says Morningstar's Mr. Hugh Sam, referring to the roughly $28 share price when Clipper and Harris upped their stakes. (Kraft traded near $33 last week, roughly 17 times projected 2004 earnings.)>

Should Chicago open the floodgates?

There is a lot of friggin vacant post-industrial land on the south and southwest sides. Sure, we should secure some of it as planned-manufacturing districts. But come on, lets face it--manufacturing probably isn't gonna come back. So why hold back? I propose that the city free up huge swaths of land, attach it to the city street grid, and sell it at cheap prices to developers. Let's create huge neighborhoods, but even bigger than what has been built now. Burnham once said "Make no small plans", but that doesn't just pertain to Millennium Park or the the bridges, etc. This would certainly be a major plan in revitalizing the city--perhaps bigger than any other in Chicago's recent history. Just like the great bungalow-building craze of an earlier generation, Chicago should shoot for large numbers of housing--perhaps 50,000 to 80,000 units. The city could then break the land down into smaller regions and put them up for bid to, perhaps, 15-20 developers. The ultimate goal would be to create a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, apartments/condominiums, offices, and commercial space. In this way, the city could have a lot of control. They could appoint a committee to oversee the project, a committee related to the Dept of Planning and Development, and perhaps hire a company (SOM, anyone?) to draw up a master plan. That master plan would address the following things, for example: Pedestrian-orientation Parking issues Density issues Street orientation Creating higher density around transit stops and creating more transit stops Creating more mid-rise mixed-use districts around certain designated boulevards to create commercial boulevards that rival those seen on the north side (ie Clark St, Lincoln Ave, Halsted, etc) Affordability Architectural variability (ie requiring external brick as a major component of most structures, requiring a variation of styles) etc, etc, etc. Why not? I think by creating massive amounts of tract-housing the city will be able to improve affordability, increase its population, and bring those vacant acres of land back into the tax rolls. It can also boost transit usership, provide more housing for its downtown workers, and ultimately make downtown a more attractive place to locate a business. After all, isn't the north side too saturated now? Perhaps that is why it's so unaffordable, and transit on the north side is become quite congested. Anyway, if I could share my 2 cents with the mayor and city council, that's what I would suggest>

D-o ** I-t ** O-u-r-s-e-l-v-e-s

This is a do-it-ourselves project. Well, sort of. Most major projects that affect a city take big bucks and big planning. This one takes far less...but the pay-off is tremendous. And we, on the Chicago board, could actually plan it out here and present it to the city. It is someting more than do-able to plan here, in fact. What is it (ALREADY!)? I had read elsewhere on the internet something I found fascinating that shockingly was being developed in Lower Manhattan. Old, elevated rail road right-of-ways are to be redeveloped as bike and pedestrian paths across the swath(s) of Manhattan where located. I had no idea they even existed in such a crowded setting. So easily putting 2 and 2 together, I came up with: WHY NOT CHICAGO? Think about it: we have enough elevated r.r. tracks in our city, some fairly close to downtown. Think of the view for a walk or a bike ride on these structures if they were refurbished? long stretches with no traffic crossings and the view changing constantly!Think of the bang you could get for the buck from this relative inexpensive project. So, two questions: 1. good idea or bad? 2. if good, should we try to use this thread as aplace to iron out what it might look like and try to find a way to present this to the city?>

1-Chicago Cityscapes/Skyline Pics from last weekend

>

Daley taking notes--ideas for Chicago

Daley wants fast O'Hare train October 27, 2004 BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter Advertisement Mayor Daley said Tuesday he returned from a weeklong trade mission to China and Japan determined to provide high-speed train service to O'Hare and Midway airports and brimming with ideas about doing the little things that make life easier on mass transit riders. In Chicago's sister city of Osaka, Japan, Daley and his entourage were in an underground train station when a message board flashed news that their train would be one minute late. When the mayor's party boarded the train, a voice apologized for the inconvenience. It's that kind of bend-over-backwards customer service that Daley wants to bring home to Chicago. That won't be easy at a time when the CTA is threatening to cut service. But, "We have to be able to move people from downtown all the way out to the airport in a half-hour or less,'' Daley said. "It can't be 45 minutes or sometimes longer. We have to be able to bypass certain stations," Daley said, suggesting the possibility of laying "another rail." New type of gas station? Every time Daley takes a trip, he comes back with a pad full of notes and a head full of ideas. Last week's trip was no different. He's talking about planting trees to beautify parking lots, about a "new type of gas station" that averts oil leaks. He's thinking about covering construction sites with tarps -- similar to those used on baseball infields -- to prevent construction debris from polluting the air. And he's wondering why Osaka can build an entire airport in less time than it takes to build one runway in the United States>

Chicago: poster child for what a city should be?

Putting aside any of those toxic "greatest city" threads, let me plow in a different direction. Is Chicago the poster child for what an American city should be? I suspect the answer is a resounding "YES!". My impression, on and off this board, is that if you are looking for a model of what you want your city to become, Chicago is the place that is offered up as the example. The term a Chicago (as in "becoming a Chicago) has taken on the meaning of creating a vibrant and successful urban core (as sadly the term a Detroit conveys the opposite). Do others see the same use of language, the same way of holding up Chicago to show what could be, or what should be? I honestly have never seen any other city used in this sense and I suspect I am right here.>

Randolph & Franklin

Bad new: West Loop Site Remains a Parking Lot By Mark Ruda Last updated: November 9, 2004 09:35am CHICAGO-An expanded parking lot is not what city officials had in mind for 300 W. Washington St. However, the 36,000-sf lot will remain undeveloped, but used to park an additional 205 cars as it is used to connect a neighboring 33,000-sf property at 301 W. Randolph St. Members of the plan commission recently recommended approval of Henry Crown & Co.Â's latest plan for the West Loop property, which was rezoned in 1997 to allow for an office building. Even an environmentally friendly design was not enough to please 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus. Â"You promised us a building. Now youÂ're building a parking lot,Â" Natarus says. Â"This is no excuse for the landowner or developer not planning a beautiful building on this site.Â" Attorney Jack Guthman responds market conditions make development of an office space unfeasible. In addition to double-digit vacancy rates, the West Loop is seeing its share of new office construction, particularly on nearby Wacker Drive. Also, his client did not have both parcels when an earlier development plan died because an anchor tenant could not be found, Guthman says. Â"WeÂ're trying to be good citizens with this,Â" Guthman adds. Â"WeÂ'd all rather have a building than a parking lot.Â" When the market rebounds, Guthman notes Henry Crown & Co. has one of the last remaining development sites in the Loop.>

Lakeshore Drive Bridges

I've lost all sense of linear time at this point (stupid schoolwork), so I know at some point in the recent past it was mentioned about "finalists" for a competition to design the new lakeshore drive bridges. Does anyone have an update on this? Seeing the Woodall Rogers bridge design for the new Trinity River Parkway in Dallas (my winter retreat for now) has gotten me riled up about bridge design.>

Train to work.

so i might get this job in carol stream but i don't want to leave out there i want to live in the city. my question is how long is the metra ride from chicago to wheaton? i took a look at the times but i'm lost. i just want to know how long of a train ride it is.>

Unbilt Chicago

Maybe I just missed the thread on it, but as anyone been to the Unbilt Chicago exhibit at the art institute? Is it any good? It's only running until mid-January so I was thinking of visiting it over new years. http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions...ltchicago.html>

The Clare

Looks like the Clare will definitely get built. Whippee! Read below: The Clare offers Gold Coast seniors housing It's not just young singles and empty nesters who are moving back to the city. The Clare at Water Tower, which the developer is billing as the nation's first highrise "Life Care community" to be built in a major city center, recently accepted its 100th reservation for slots at the seniors development, planned for a site at Rush and Pearson. That reservation puts the developer, Irving, Texas-based Greystone Communities, past the halfway point for the number of reservations needed before the project can break ground, according to Campbell Palfrey III, director of marketing for the Clare. "Life Care" is a type of continuing care retirement community that combines maintenance-free independent living; estate protection; five-star hotel-style services and amenities; and access to assisted living, skilled nursing and memory enhancement - all on site. The community will be owned by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Service Corporation and built on land leased from Loyola University Chicago. The 53-story tower was designed by renowned architect, Ralph Johnson, of the Chicago office of Perkins & Will. "Loyola University is excited about the Clare reaching this significant milestone," said Wayne Magdziarz, vice president for capital planning at Loyola. "We are preparing for construction and look forward to welcoming this vibrant and active senior population to be a part of our Water Tower Campus." According to Palfrey, the development team recognized the pent-up demand for Life Care in an urban setting. Most Life Care communities are located either outside the city center or in a beachfront setting. "The Clare is a pioneering development that represents the future of retirement living. We will see a big increase in Life Care communities in downtown locations in coming years," said Palfrey. "Seniors lead more active and independent lifestyles today and want to be connected to the activity of a major city." A number of future residents at The Clare are seniors in their 60s, 70s and 80s who currently live downtown or are returning downtown after moving to the suburbs to raise their families, Palfrey said. Another contingent is buyers who are migrating back to Chicago after "retiring" in Florida. "Many seniors want to remain in Chicago, near family and friends, rather than move to traditional retirement hot spots like Arizona and Florida," Palfrey said. Palfrey credits the Gold Coast location for the initial success of The Clare. "The building is attractive to the large population of seniors, who currently live in the neighborhood, but now are seeking suitable long-term retirement living in this premier location," said Palfrey. The first level will have a lobby and Loyola classroom space, which will also be located on the second floor. Parking will be available on floors three through eight. The ninth floor will offer a spa, fitness and aquatic center and a landscaped outdoor terrace. Health care is located on floors 10 to 15, with skilled nursing suites on floors 10 and 11; memory enhancement on floor 12; and assisted living on floors 13, 14 and 15. Formal and private dining rooms will be located on the 17th floor, along with a social lounge. The 19th floor will feature a performance center, art gallery, chapel, library and business center. Independent-living apartment residences will be located on floors 21 through 52, and the clubroom and rooftop terrace will be located on the 53rd floor. An information center with display models for the Clare, www.TheClareAtWaterTower.com, is located at the John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave., on the 36th floor.>

Chicago Trip- Tour Needed!

Hello Friends, I will be traveling to Chicago on June 27th-29th for a Business trip. I was wondering if anyone is willing to give me a tour around Chicago; if not that's fine. But can I get some information about the best attractions in Chicago and the cheapest and easiest transportation? Also I love night views, where are the best places I can capture Chicago's skyline and take night pictures? I will be bringing my Canon EOS 20D and would like to capture some great pictures.>

Check out this dude's website.

http://www.planetgary.net/ Those rooftop aerials........dear lord>

Architect bankrolls his own high-rise

Architect bankrolls his own high-rise November 12, 2004 BY DAVID ROEDER AND FRAN SPIELMAN Staff Reporters Advertisement For years, Scott Sonoc has designed the buildings and renovations bankrolled by others, learning his craft while working in the firms of such architectural powerhouses as John Buenz and Helmut Jahn. Now, Sonoc the architect has become Sonoc the developer and he's aiming high -- or tall, to put it precisely. Sonoc has filed for zoning approval of an $80 million, 27-story condominium tower at 735 W. Division. The building would arise on land he owns and replace a three-story loft building Sonoc rents to others and uses as his own office. He said the 245-unit tower would be the largest project yet for his Sonoc Architects & Associates Inc. The 400,000-square-foot building would include retailers and some office space, including a new home for his firm on its lower floors. "It's been a dream of mine to build a high-rise,'' said Sonoc, 48. "It's an opportunity to deal a really fine building.'' The design isn't final, but he promised a modern look with glass predominant. A parking structure, with one stall for each unit, will be part of the building's rear, keeping it away from the streetwall in a neighborhood that's grown increasingly vibrant. The site is near the former Cabrini-Green complex, now being razed and renovated into a mixed-income neighborhood. The transition has made the surrounding area safe for gentrification, with such notable projects as the conversion of the old Mongtomery Ward complex on Chicago Avenue into homes and offices. Sonoc, who has specialized in urban planning and served on the board of the Near North Side development group LEED Council Inc., said he's set aside some of his condos for lower-income buyers. Most of the project will be "upscale,'' but he said he hasn't settled on prices. He said he doesn't expect objections to the height, as there are several high-rises in the neighborhood already. "I see this as a gateway building to the neighborhood'' and the busy North and Clybourn retail section, Sonoc said. If he gets the rezoning, Sonoc hopes to start work in late 2005 and deliver the building sometime in 2007. He said he's been interviewing contractors and might take on an equity partner to help with the financing. Sonoc's work has included the design of the "campus'' for the A. Finkl & Sons Co. steel firm, 2011 N. Southport, and the Bridgeport Village subdivision of homes along the South Branch of the Chicago River from 32nd to 35th streets.>

CTA Doomsday AVOIDED

Not sure how this isn't front-page news everywhere at this hour, but, according to Chicagoist (www.chicagoist.com), the CTA received the necessary funding to avoid any service cuts or layoffs. The full Chicagoist article follows: State Budget Agreement Spares CTA, Funds Schools, Hits Pensions, Avoids Taxes Governor Rod Blagojevich has tried to characterize his first administration with three pledges: No new taxes, more money for schools, and no more "business as usual." The Mell-Blago family feud has made his third pledge hard to believe, but last night's budget deal with Democratic Senate President Emil Jones and Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan will deliver the first two pledges -- as well as avoid the CTA's Five Faces of Death, and probably close the spring legislative session by the end of the month. All significant accomplishments, considering how much wrangling Springfield has endured this year. The big loser though, are state employee pensions by about $750 million, which are already underfunded by $35 billion. Republican legislative leaders made a big show of how unhappy they were, by stomping out of a meeting with the governor last night. "This gets them through the '06 election, and then whoever is elected in '06 has to deal with a huge, huge problem," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville). "Anybody can get elected governor in this state. That was proven in the last election. Whoever it is in '06 is going to have a very difficult time." Of course, Watson is really angry that the "anybody" elected governor in Illinois is a Democratic anybody. Next fall he'll be doing anything he can to make sure a Republican anybody is elected. In the meantime, the CTA got $47 million, averting all the cuts we've been talking about. Yet, the money won't come without strings: In a slap to CTA President Frank Kruesi, who lacks many friends in Springfield, the budget deal requires a memorandum of understanding with CTA that there will be no service cuts, layoffs, or fare hikes. Finally, schools got $300 million more in funding, above the existing funding formula. The nature of that funding -- for operations or new construction -- is not clear .>

Feeling Ownership of the Center

As a Chicago resident transplanted from elsewhere, I've always been happily amazed how in downtown Chicago you'll find people from all over the city going out to eat, going to museums, hanging out in Grant Park, doing things OTHER than going to work, and doing so regularly and completely at ease. It's obvious that in Chicago people from north, west, and south neighborhoods feel an ownership of the center of the city--they know they belong downtown, that downtown is for everyone and no one is going to stop them from taking advantage of it. This astounded me coming from New York, because there's always that little undercurrent when you're from outside of Manhattan and go into Manhattan for some cultural, or shopping, or whatever reason, that you don't exactly belong there. That only those of the means or luck to afford to live in Manhattan south of 96th Street legitimately belong there. I don't know what other cities may have the same feeling. I'd say Philly residents feel a real ownership of downtown, whereas Boston's Hub can feel pretty off-putting if you're not from a downtown neighborhood. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this. The feeling of downtown ownership I think is one of Chicago's (and Chicagoans') greatest assets.>

Living in Chicago

For quite awhile, I've been contemplating moving overseas once I finish school. Weather it be for a few years or the rest of my life...I dunno, but I do know that I'd love to live in chitown for awhile. I'm jsut looking for a view from the actual people living here, what's it like? where would be the best place to move(relatively cheap, but not shitty)? etc. etc. Responses would be much appreciated >

What's wrong with River North?

Development of highrises north of the river started in the 1920's, with the Allerton Hotel, the Wrigley Building, etc, setting the early precedents. And now, 85 years later, I am somewhat confused. Sure, North Michigan Avenue is incredibly dense, and is possibly Chicago's greatest skyscraper canyon. Streeterville is also a sight for sore eyes. But west of, say Wabash, River North descends into a milieu of midrises (many of which should be preserved), ugly ass parking garages, and parking lots. What's going on here? 85 years--yet west of Wabash, little to show for it. Why isn't this part of downtown as dense as the loop? The other part of this question is--despite modern NIMBYism and other factors, will the area north of the river become as dense as the loop some day?>

Murder Rate Continues to Drop

Article from the Chicago Tribune: The number of homicides in January marked the city's lowest murder count for a single month in 38 years, Chicago police said Friday. There were 21 people killed in the first month of this year, down 27.6 percent from last year and down 44 percent from the same month two years ago. One of the more striking statistics in January was that there were no homicides on the West Side, historically one of Chicago's most violent areas. The reduction in homicides in 2005 comes on the heels of the city's success last year lowering the murder count by 25 percent. "We're pleased that the progress has continued," said police spokesman David Bayless. Through Friday, there have been 35 homicides across the city, compared with 44 at this time last year. Crime in the month of January was down in almost all categories, police said. Criminal sexual assault was down 26.2 percent, theft was down 17.2 percent and aggravated assault was down 17.7 percent. Two areas--aggravated battery and burglary--showed little change. "Coming off a very successful 2004, the superintendent was warning everyone not to become complacent with our progress, that there still is much work to be done in a lot of communities in Chicago, and we're by no means where we need to be as a city," said police spokesman David Bayless>

New arena plan poses $60 million question

New arena plan poses $60 million question If developers build it, will the public come? By Richard Wronski Tribune staff reporter Published March 13, 2005 If developers get their way, they will break ground this spring on the Chicago area's most state-of-the-art indoor sporting venue, the 11,000-seat Sears Centre. But if they build it, will the ticket buyers come? That's the $60 million question confronting officials in Hoffman Estates as they prepare to approve what would be a competitor to Chicago's United Center, Rosemont's Allstate Arena and the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. At issue is whether fans of lacrosse and hockey can drive attendance, as an arena study suggests, and keep the new stadium from going in the hole. Months of debate about the controversial project will culminate Monday as Village Board members meet to approve the findings of the $80,000 feasibility study they commissioned. The Sears Centre is the project that will "put Hoffman Estates on the map," said William McLeod, mayor of the town that has long struggled with Schaumburg and other surrounding communities for status. "This would certainly raise our profile," McLeod said. "This would be another feather in our cap." Plans for the facility were first unveiled in November by the village and the developers, Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies US Inc. and Sears Roebuck and Co. The arena would be in the sprawling Prairie Stone business park that houses the merchandising giant's headquarters, just off the Northwest Tollway and west of Illinois Highway 59. Although Hoffman Estates would provide the financing for the Sears Centre with $50 million in general obligation bonds, it won't own the arena. Ryan and Sears would put up $10 million and own the facility. Critics are concerned that the village would be left with the debt if audiences don't show for the promised concerts, ice shows and minor-league sporting events like hockey and lacrosse. "I don't know how many there are, but I know there are people out there who like lacrosse," McLeod said. "Soccer was looked upon as a strange sport 30 years ago. Now soccer's huge." Developers are betting that as many as 9,000 lacrosse fans will be willing to shell out an average of $18 a ticket to watch eight games a year. But critics are skeptical. "We haven't found 10 people who watch or play lacrosse," said Myron Siegel, an attorney for Michael Rossiaky, a resident who opposes the project. The National Lacrosse League has professional teams in 10 markets. The Colorado Mammoth, the league's Denver franchise, drew an average of 17,618 fans in 2003-04, while the Anaheim Storm, located in the largest market for the league with 13 million people, attracted only 4,750 spectators. Developers also believe the Sears Centre's mainstay tenant, a United Hockey League franchise, will attract an average of 5,000 fans for a 40-game home schedule. Some UHL teams have drawn well, like the Ft. Wayne, Ind., Komets, which averaged 7,777 fans last year. But Detroit's Motor City Mechanics attracted only 1,535 fans to a March 4 game. The Mechanics took the ice with several locked-out National Hockey League players from the Detroit Red Wings, including former Blackhawks star Chris Chelios. The Chicago area's other minor league hockey team, the Wolves, has been drawing from 4,000 to 15,000 fans per game this year at the Allstate Arena, just down Interstate Highway 90 from Hoffman Estates. The feasibility study, by Plano, Texas-based Conventions, Sports & Leisure International, known as CSL, estimates that the Sears Centre would generate $38.2 million a year in new direct spending and $1.4 million in annual tax revenues, and create 1,330 full- and part-time jobs. "Market feasibility is what we do, and we've done many, many studies like this. The methodology used is a widely accepted practice that has been successfully used in numerous other studies," Jay Lenhardt of CSL said at a recent hearing on the arena study. The company estimates that the center would host 135 events a year, including 48 hockey and lacrosse games. The other 87 events would be concerts, "family shows," ice shows and other entertainment. The study makes assumptions about attendance and revenue that have troubled critics of the Sears Centre. Some have charged that the arena would be a freebie for developers, since the general obligation bonds put the full faith and credit of Hoffman Estates behind the project. Bonds that pay the mortgage from arena revenue would be a better idea, some suggest. "It looks like a big fleecing," Siegel said. "We feel that the project is too risky for the village to issue general obligation bonds. If it is such a good deal, then the developers should get revenue bonds or conventional financing." The feasibility study said the Sears Centre would successfully compete against the larger Allstate Arena and the United Center because of the demographics of the Chicago-area market and the arena's state-of-the art amenities, including 42 luxury suites, four party suites and 1,000 club seats. Lesser competition would come from the UIC Pavilion, Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center in DeKalb and the outdoor Tweeter Center in Tinley Park. CSL also said the Sears Centre would hope to tap the "middle concert" market of 3,000 to 10,000 spectators a show that isn't being served by dominant promoters such as JAM and Clear Channel Entertainment. Steve Hyman, a veteran arena manager hired by the Ryan-Sears partnership to operate and book the new venue, said he has been assured by JAM, Clear Channel and another promoter, AEG Live, that there will be plenty of music for the Sears Centre. "We expect to do a nice piece of concert business," said Hyman, who ran the Mark of the Quad Cities in Moline, a similar-sized venue. Being able to fill the Sears Centre for 135 events a year is an "extremely conservative" estimate, he said. "We're building the right-size building in the right place, making it amenable and accessible ... affordable and fun.">

Chicag "O Sun-Times" Bldg

Caught sight of this on my walk to work this morning and found it a bit humorous. I actually think the sign will offer a slight improvement to such a horrid building. The addition of windows has also helped. Here is what it looked like a few years ago. >

Developing the old Downtown Golf Course

Thought I'd first say hello to everyone as this is my first post in this forum. Long time listener, first time caller ... and all that jazz ... Anyways, on the south shore of the River there was a golf course that is now being developed -- The Regatta and The Shoreham are there now. Between those two buildings and the Swisshotel, there is a spot that looks like it's being preppred for a new condo -- does anyone know what the plans are for this area?>