This piece of land was going to serve as a main component for the Chicago 2016 Olympics, but we all know how that ended. We've also heard people propose a Casino, Obama's Presidential Library and numerous other unique things (see old Sloopin post about Ideas for Northerly Islandmerous).
Anyway, tonight at 6:30pm at the Chicago Architecture Foundation (224 S. Michigan Ave), the Chicago Park District's director of planning and development, Gia Biagi will unveil plans for the future of Northerly Island. Some renderings have been put on Facebook and they look interesting and here is a good aerial shot:
Also, the Chicago Tribune has a great post about this event and these plans.
We're going to try to go to the meeting, but if not, hopefully someone else can elaborate on what was discussed.
I hope there will be a south bridge connection (somewhere bw 16th - 20th). Not only to increase foot traffic, but also to have 2 exits from the island for safety reasons.
ReplyDeleteYou gotta swim if you can't get off the island.
ReplyDeleteDoubt there will be a south bridge because it would have to be tall enough to let the sailboats through.
Looks great, although the secret is out.
ReplyDelete@ Anon, not sure what a southern exit would look like since the boats have to get in/out...
sorry Tony, not anon. I just assumed.
ReplyDeleteThat render doesn't show it, but the other slides suggest a bridge extending from waldron (16th).
ReplyDeleteTribune article has a good graphic of the bridge (labeled as seasonal).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-1202-kamin-northerly-island-gf20101201,0,3645901.graphic
Another way to put the city in more debt each day. Thanks, Daley. This so called nature sanctuary will only be in use for hmm, maybe 2 or 3 months of the year. Not sure what kind (if any) of revenue it would generate, but consider the cost to build and maintain. Wish our corrupt/overpaid politicians would put a little more thought into something beneficial toward the city and not let Daley leave another mark of his stupidity around.
ReplyDelete"This so called nature sanctuary will only be in use for hmm, maybe 2 or 3 months of the year."
ReplyDeleteIt's already used all year round. I doubt making it nicer will have people avoiding it.
Was referring to the news article that quoted:
ReplyDelete"... new concert pavilion that resembles a giant land mound, serene wetlands for migrating birds and bird-watchers, and a picturesque chain of reefs that would protect a deep-water lagoon where people could swim, canoe and kayak. At the lagoon's bottom would be a sunken ship that divers could explore."
Don't get me wrong, I use it as well as a nice jogging/walking path.
Personally I think the idea of creating an artificial lagoon with man made islands is completely environmentally irresponsible. Homes with lakefront property can't pull the weeds or stones out of their water for fear of interrupting the ecosystem, so what makes it okay for this area to be interrupted? Oh yeah, tourism...money. This would be a huge set back for calling Chicago a green city. I think those architects should go f themselves.
ReplyDelete