MPC learned a lot about Blue Island, Ill. on our retreat there in June.
As a relatively new addition to the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) roster, I was excited to visit the City of Blue Island, just south of Chicago, for a few reasons. It was a chance for me to interact with a community I'd never been to before, and especially one where MPC has a long history of partnering with the city. Most recently we've tackled issues as diverse as stormwater management, transit-oriented development and land banking, and we'll soon be working with a whole consortium of enthusiastic people to jazz up the riverfront, one of Blue Island's best untapped assets. I figured it would be a good place for an MPC newbie to learn a few things.
And Blue Island didn't disappoint. From the amphitheater-esque Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration (SEPA) station to the surprise tour of Bertrand Goldberg's Heimbach House to local brews at the Rock Island Public House, this city right outside a city proved that it's on the cusp of greatness. It didn't hurt that our guide for the day was Jason Berry, longtime Blue Island resident and community development special projects manager for the city. Jason knows the city backwards and forwards (and everyone in it, apparently), and by the end of the day he had us all wishing we lived there. We took a ton of pictures and had a great time. Here's what resonated most with us:
Peter Skosey, executive vice president:
It has been said that planners are full of optimism for what could be. Nowhere was I reminded of that more poignantly than in Blue Island. Blue Island is a lovely town with a terrific historic main street, ample transportation connections, and beautiful housing stock, all of which we experienced on our day long visit.
Mandy Burrell, communications director:
I’m our communications director; on any given day, I talk to at least two-thirds of my MPC colleagues about their work. Yet in my nine years at MPC, we’ve rarely taken the time as a staff to unplug from our individual projects and together explore the region we work each and every day to make a better place. Our retreat in Blue Island was a fun day, and one that reminded me how passionate MPC’s staff is about improving the region where we all live. A bonus: We finally had the opportunity to snap this lovely staff photo, to replace a very outdated one on our web site’s Our people page!
Deb Spencer, government and community relations manager:
Given my love for transportation infrastructure, getting up close and personal was insightful. Blue Island offered many examples of how, if we don’t utilize strategic planning and our funding resources in a responsible way, structurally deficient infrastructure can dilapidate into potentially dangerous eyesores in the middle of beautiful landscapes.
Tim Grzesiakowski, project manager:
This is a great group shot, as this was the first retreat for many of our new staff members. We all look very intent on this part of the retreat. I like the Metra train in the background, especially since they're one of our Commute Options providers. There's another Commute Options connection in Blue Island, as Moraine Valley College, one of our Commute Options employers, has a campus in downtown Blue Island.
Yonina Gray, associate:
This mural is a beautiful statement of Blue Island’s commitment to its rich past and promising future. The imagery gives nods to the city’s racial diversity, The Rock Island rail line, the Cal Sag Channel and the former St. Francis Medical Center that have all played a key role in making Blue Island what it is today. Local talent and community input came together to add warmth and commemoration to this charming downtown landscape.
Josh Ellis, program director:
I spend a lot of time in Blue Island between MPC’s various efforts on stormwater management, transit-oriented development, and community development. A lot of time. And yet, until our staff retreat I had never seen this lovely colonnade outside the SEPA pumping station. I get the sense that not many other people have seen it either, and with no benches and no planned activities, that’s for good reason. I’m excited that MPC is working with Blue Island, Weaver Boos, and several other partners on a riverfront development plan that will incorporate a host of Placemaking and community outreach measures to see if we can’t activate some of Blue Island’s great – but dormant – places and spaces. Farmer’s market? Live music on the weekends? Theater in the round? Just a bench and some shade for a quiet place to read? The possibilities are endless.
Scott Farley, development director:
Blue Island has implemented back-in parking spots right off of Western Avenue in the main business district. While it may appear odd at first, this simple alternative parking method creates a more efficient use of limited space, and improves visibility for drivers resulting in decreased traffic accidents. It’s not something you see often but, as the sign states, this small improvement is as easy as 1-2-3!
Ryan Griffin-Stegink, communications associate
Blue Island is teeming with railroad infrastructure, from several class I (national) freight railroads to local short lines and two Metra lines. The city is fortunate to have over 100 commuter trains serving it every weekday, on Metra's Rock Island and Electric lines. Walking around the town, though, it's clear that all this rail infrastructure is aging and in need of maintenance and investment. Although the CREATE program has funded certain projects to improve the flow of freight and passenger traffic in Blue Island and around the region, much more investment will be necessary to maintain and improve service, and we're going to have to think outside the box to find that funding.
Madeline Grennan, executive assistant:
Those left at the end of the day took some time to explore a unique, underutilized space under the Western Avenue Bridge, just around the corner from great restaurants and bars on Old Western Avenue. The bridge was engineered to absorb sound, so the space underneath was relatively quiet. A staircase leading to… nowhere… led us to wonder how the space could be activated for use by the community.
Abby Crisostomo, associate:
Completely by accident, I was able to get a picture that captures four really important Blue Island assets that are critical for the City’s success. 1) Cal-Sag Channel – waterfront communities are at an advantage for attracting investment, and Blue Island is particularly so, as it sits on both sides of the Cal-Sag and has residential properties overlooking it; 2) Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s (MWRD) Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration (SEPA) station – important for keeping the Cal-Sag clean and a beautiful park amenity; 3) Bridges – Blue Island is filled with beautiful, industrial bridges that give the City a unique identity and serve as connections for rail, pedestrians, bikes and cars across the South Suburbs; 4) Jason Berry – Blue Island has not only dedicated and knowledgeable staff, but also great civic boosters. Their work has put Blue Island on the forefront of many planning initiatives in partnership with organizations across the region. Jason's enthusiasm for the City was infectious and his tour definitely sold our staff on the assets of the City!
There are 75 more photos where these came from. You can get the whole photostory on our Flickr page.