Wells-Wentworth Connector Gets a Green Light - Literally Paving the Way for Future Development

Wells-Wentworth Connector will be done in three phases (via City of Chicago)

Big city planning news for the South Loop - which literally paves the way for more development of a long (and infamous) vacant patch of land (via Tribune):

The Emanuel administration presented plans Wednesday for a new road that by late 2016 would provide smoother connections from downtown to Chinatown and other areas along the south branch of the Chicago River.

The $62 million project, called the Wells-Wentworth Connector, would also realign Wentworth Avenue between Archer and Cermak roads to bring this section of Wentworth in line with the portion of Wentworth south of Cermak, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Besides safety improvements and better access to and from Chinatown, this most likely will make the infamous "Rezko" lot easier to develop.  One of the main reported issues for developing this swath of land was that basic city infrastructure wasn't in place.  We assume this would change that and based on this comment it sounds like momentum is building for development:

“This project has been in the works in one form or another since the 1960s,’’ CDOT spokesman Pete Scales said. “CDOT did a feasibility study in 2002, but the project stalled because the large residential development (planned) to the north didn’t happen. There is renewed interest in this project now, which is why we are moving forward with the plan.’’

Seems like a good move to us.  Thoughts?

(Hat tip:  MJ & SC!)