Mrs. Daley was tapped by her husband, former Mayor Richard M. Daley, to head Northerly Island development efforts. The mayor, of course, ordered the Meigs runway destroyed in the middle of a March night in 2003. Subsequently, the city talked about using much of the island to host events for the proposed 2016 Chicago Olympics.The story doesn't make it sound like Northerly Island will get revamped any time soon, but we can hope.
At least when it was used for an airport, Northerly Island served a need. Right now, it's close to a wasteland. Perhaps someone out there would like to pick up this unfinished piece of the Maggie Daley legacy.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Northerly Island - An Unfinished Piece of Maggie Daley's Legacy
There have been a lot of nice stories eulogizing Maggie Daley, Chicago's First Lady for many many years, but yesterday we read something on Chicagobusiness.com about a legacy close to the Sloop that wasn't fully realized:
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32 comments:
Leave it as it is. We need a peaceful and quiet place, someplace that is an antidote for Millennium Park.
Agreed. I love Northerly Island just as it is. Don't you go changing on me!
I agree. I've spent many a quiet hour enjoying the fresh lake air, wildflowers, birds, and butterflies at NI. Nice skyline views, as well.
Why can't it be something between the $100 million plan and what is there now. If there is not as much money available why not try something more modest and not so heavily programmed as this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/02/new-northerly-island-park_n_791079.html#s196911. Or: http://www.jjr-us.com/index.aspx?id=1359§ion=46. It doesn't have to be another Millenium Park to be successful.
I think it could continue to be developed in a way that would encourage it's current quiet, peaceful feel. Really enjoyed walking around the simple grassy, shrubby paths last summer, butterflies flitting around and a killdeer trying to redirect our attention from its young by pretending to have a broken wing. Was also nice to see one of those statues that used to be in front of the 1130 S. Michigan building just randomly in the middle of the field (boy I liked those foliage ladies better than the giant legs).
Wasteland? I guess from a business perspective, but where else can you find such a sanctuary in a large city?
I believe when the economy turns around we will see some of the proposed development plans realized at N.I. I also hope the Chicago will be bidding for the Olympics again hwich will provide funding for redeveloping the entire lakeshore.
Currently NI is a wasteland. The plans for it will give us a place to enjoy during the WINTER as well as SUMMER. Read the plans and you will still have a serene spot to enjoy. We need this to enjoy year around.
I would add a few shade trees and that's it.
I do like the huffington post article. Scuba diving around some wreckage would be pretty fun, but can you really see through the water? Seems like it would be pretty cool, but maybe not as relaxing. It would also cost a lot (relative to what it is now) for upkeep.
Wasteland? It's beautiful and peaceful - and would be even more so if that got rid of the inappropriate concent venue!
With all the things the city's dwindling money needs to go for, Northerly Island would be toward the bottom of my list. Leave it alone.
Best kept secret in Chicago, love it as-is.
Hard to stumble to for the day-walkers, little/no parking for the tourists = quiet paradise for residents.
The SL is already very peaceful, quiet with plenty of parks including Grant Park to enjoy.
"Right now, it's close to a wasteland."
If Northerly is close to a wasteland then every other park out there is too... Terrible article
A "wasteland"? This was probably written from someone who thinks Navy Pier is a swell city spot. Man, Northerly Island is what every other park in Chicago should aspire to. Ever try to get some real nature around this city? You gotta drive ten thousand miles. Or take what there is in the city. And NI's a great choice. Sheesh!
Leave it alone. Wasteland, my ass.
Josh your comments were getting so bad the last 4 weeks I was hoping you were gone for good
I thought getting rid of Merrill C. Meigs field was a bad idea.
Until found a spot that I could go with my young son and chase butterflies and fish spending hours watching him get excited catching crayfish and then walk home.
I love Northerly island.
And yes get rid of the misplaced music venue.
Again, all Summer activities! You will be able to Fish, watch butterflies, look at more beautiful grounds + be active during the winter time. Colorado enjoys their summer and winter bc they have venues year around. Whats proposed for NI is what all our fat a**es need here.
The only thing that would improve Northerly Island for me would be to remove the segway tours. I cringe at the thought of the city driving more tourists to our sole retreat.
The planned vision for N.I.Park needs to be realized. This is an opportunity to create a park that represents the 21st Century and the possibilities of what an urban park can provide. Just leaving it alone is NOT a solution... unless you want to have the segway tours continue. Real activities need to be developed here, and they will not affect the wildlife that currently comes to this island. 20 years from now I imagine that this will be a destination for Chicagoans who want a range of outdoor activities but can't leave the city. If only we could continue development of Burnham’s lakeshore plan with more islands... I feel that only a Chicago Olympics will provide enough funding to redevelop the lakeshore.
The Olympics? Ugh. Enough with the olympics. This city is B-R-O-K-E.
I don't think anyone minds the proposed redevelopment, it's quite nice actually. Problem is calling a park a "wasteland" just because building a mini millennium park ain't happening right now due to economic circumstances.
I'll be glad to see that Chase Pavilion gone eventually, but in the meantime Northerly is pretty nice as is.
I think you've got the wrong Josh. I'm sure there's at least 2-3 Joshes in the Sloop. I can't think that I've commented more than 4 times, ever. Sorry to disappoint, but please make sure you've at least got the right person before you start the ad hominem attacks...
ummm yeah. Sorry Josh---i think she has the right Josh, and judging by the tone in your reply to Lily we DEFINETLY have the right Josh. Just try and take it easy would you.... this is a blog not the street corner or a bar.
I still have to laugh at those who believe that a Chicago Olympics will bring the city down. The growth potential is enormous, it's a fact! This will probably be the only way to receive federal funding and upgrade Chicago's infrastructure... unless the Pritzker's decide that lake islands are a necessity.
Just because some don't CHOOSE to use NI during the winter months doesn't mean you can't. I run outside throughout the winter and absolutely love winter running on Northerly Island. It is almost silent and you feel a million miles from the busy, loud city life. Not that I don't love city life, but it is so nice to have an escape and enjoy some peace, quiet and relative solitude. Seeing it called a wasteland is very disappointing and, to me, sad.
Also, I have seen people cross country skiing and snowshoeing on Northerly Island during the winter months. The fact that it is somewhat undeveloped doesn't make it unusable land.
Please note...I (the first DrJen in this comment stream) did NOT write that post at Josh! Looks like the trolls are getting creepier and stealing folks' nics. I'll be changing my nic to a unique logged-in name in the future rather than just using the 'name/url' option. That really annoys me. Sorry, Josh...wasn't me :)
federal funding = kickbacks from obama to corrupt chicago policians. Pass, this city and moreover STATE has enough embarassment enough w/o u people egging on the usual suspects to do what they do best....steal/lie/cheat the system
Just leave Bob O'Neil out of the discussion. Why are the Grant Park Advisory Council trying to take over Northly island.
Not a problem. I tend to let the trolls do their thing, but I would like to make sure they're at least trolling the right person. It would be a shame to waste your time trolling someone you didn't mean to.
FWIW, I post with a login and always have. Feel free to email me if you have doubts and/or questions.
Thanks,
Josh M
Northerly Island is one of the best things in the city. I might add a few picnic tables or something like that, but there's no place else like it in the city. It's unfortunate that so few people seem to even know it's there.
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