Re-Connection - December 2008

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled a $1.15-billion bid that would lease the city’s meters to Chicago Parking Meters LLC, a private company. The following Thursday, City Council approved the 75-year deal in a 40-5 vote.

This was the latest in a series of privatizations of city assets in Chicago in recent years. In September, the city announced a $2.5 billion lease of Midway Airport., the first privatization of a major U.S airport in history. In 2005, the city leased the Skyway Toll Bridge for $1.83 billion.

Where We Stand

The city's parking meter rate increases may seem steep, but what if those new revenues led to more and better transit options and community improvements?

The Metropolitan Planning Council believes increasing parking meter rates can help manage demand for Chicago's limited parking spaces and curb excess traffic congestion—which costs Chicago residents' more than $3,000 a year, according MPC’s August 2008 report Moving at the Speed of Congestion. For instance, a portion of parking meter revenue could be used to support development of the Chicago Transit Authority's Bus Rapid Transit network, which will provide express transit access for Chicagoans as a convenient alternative to higher parking costs. For those who choose to drive, market-priced parking will help ensure spots turn over, and reduce "circling" and double-parking, both of which choke access to local shops. Reinvesting revenue from privatizing parking meters into local sidewalk, road and transit improvements will allow equal access for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and drivers.

Public-Private Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions >>

Project Progress Report

Over the past few years, the percentage of homeowners in the U.S. has decreased. One of the factors of this trend is the ripple effect of high foreclosure rates in the U.S., rates that are even higher in the Chicago region than the national and state averages. However, among the more than 1,600 employees who have purchased homes through employer-assisted housing in Illinois since 2000, both housing and work stability have been high. The success rate of home purchase through programs administered by REACH Illinois can be attributed to the counseling provided to buyers to ensure they are well prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership, and take on mortgages they can afford over time.

The Metropolitan Planning Council's leadership on employer-assisted housing began with just one manufacturer in 2000. That successful program led to the creation of Illinois matching funds and tax credits, and more than 70 additional employer sign-ons and several new small business consortia by mid 2008. More than 2,700 employees have been counseled, an estimated $1.5 million in employer dollars went to help employees purchase homes in Illinois in 2007.

EAH has been a door-opener, engaging business leaders and policymakers in discussions about housing needs. It has sparked conversations among local mayors that have led to new inclusionary housing ordinances, land trusts, affordable housing developments in expensive, job-rich areas, and investments in distressed communities. MPC’s role in employer-assisted housing (EAH) has been cited repeatedly as a national model, and the Illinois tax credits have inspired introduction of a federal EAH incentive.

In Feb. 2008, MPC introduced this monthly e-newsletter, Re-Connection, to streamline our electronic communication to our most valued partners and complement our printed reports. How are we doing?

Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think of Re-Connection. Just click on the link below for the survey questions.

We value your opinion. Any information you provide will remain confidential. As a gesture of our appreciation, survey participants will be entered into a drawing for two complimentary admissions to a 2009 MPC Roundtable.


December 2008	www.metroplanning.org
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled a $1.15-billion bid that would lease the city’s meters to Chicago Parking Meters LLC, a private company. The following Thursday, City Council approved the 75-year deal in a 40-5 vote. This was the latest in a series of privatizations of city assets in Chicago in recent years. In September, the city announced a $2.5 billion lease of Midway Airport., the first privatization of a major U.S airport in history. In 2005, the city leased the Skyway Toll Bridge for $1.83 billion. Where We Stand The city's parking meter rate increases may seem steep, but what if those new revenues led to more and better transit options and community improvements? The Metropolitan Planning Council believes increasing parking meter rates can help manage demand for Chicago's limited parking spaces and curb excess traffic congestion—which costs Chicago residents' more than $3,000 a year, according MPC’s August 2008 report Moving at the Speed of Congestion. For instance, a portion of parking meter revenue could be used to support development of the Chicago Transit Authority's Bus Rapid Transit network, which will provide express transit access for Chicagoans as a convenient alternative to higher parking costs. For those who choose to drive, market-priced parking will help ensure spots turn over, and reduce "circling" and double-parking, both of which choke access to local shops. Reinvesting revenue from privatizing parking meters into local sidewalk, road and transit improvements will allow equal access for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and drivers. Public-Private Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions >> Where do you stand on this issue? For more information or to post a comment to our Web site >> Public-Private Partnerships are helping to fast track a major transit project in Denver. Read more here >> Project Progress Report Over the past few years, the percentage of homeowners in the U.S. has decreased. One of the factors of this trend is the ripple effect of high foreclosure rates in the U.S., rates that are even higher in the Chicago region than the national and state averages. However, among the more than 1,600 employees who have purchased homes through employer-assisted housing in Illinois since 2000, both housing and work stability have been high. The success rate of home purchase through programs administered by REACH Illinois can be attributed to the counseling provided to buyers to ensure they are well prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership, and take on mortgages they can afford over time. The Metropolitan Planning Council's leadership on employer-assisted housing began with just one manufacturer in 2000. That successful program led to the creation of Illinois matching funds and tax credits, and more than 70 additional employer sign-ons and several new small business consortia by mid 2008. More than 2,700 employees have been counseled, an estimated $1.5 million in employer dollars went to help employees purchase homes in Illinois in 2007. EAH has been a door-opener, engaging business leaders and policymakers in discussions about housing needs. It has sparked conversations among local mayors that have led to new inclusionary housing ordinances, land trusts, affordable housing developments in expensive, job-rich areas, and investments in distressed communities. MPC’s role in employer-assisted housing (EAH) has been cited repeatedly as a national model, and the Illinois tax credits have inspired introduction of a federal EAH incentive. Read more about MPC’s role in new employer-assisted housing programs around the country >> Reader Survey In Feb. 2008, MPC introduced this monthly e-newsletter, Re-Connection, to streamline our electronic communication to our most valued partners and complement our printed reports. How are we doing? Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think of Re-Connection. Just click on the link below for the survey questions. We value your opinion. Any information you provide will remain confidential. As a gesture of our appreciation, survey participants will be entered into a drawing for two complimentary admissions to a 2009 MPC Roundtable. Thank you, MarySue Barrett Re-Connection reader Survey >> MPC Headlines A sampling of new articles on MPC’s Web site. Privatizing Chicago’s parking meters Last week, the Chicago City Council leased Chicago’s 36,000 parking meters to a private company for $1.16 billion. MPC believes some of the revenues from this bid should be reinvested in road and transit improvements throughout the city. We invite your comments on this issue >> Rebuilding and Renewing America: Highlights from a day of forward thinking on energy, transportation, and water Investment in our nation's water, energy, and transportation infrastructure will be one of the first priorities of the new Obama administration. At MPC's Nov. 17^th forum, experts from throughout the Great Lakes megaregion identified priorities and outlined a better process for making investment decisions. More on the conference including audio recordings >> ULI-Chicago and MPC's TAP partnership benefits communities around the region Throughout metropolitan Chicago, communities have been able to advance their local development visions with the help of expert advisors through ULI-Chicago MPC Technical Assistance Panels. Applications for new TAPs are being accepted now. Read more about TAP successes in Chicagoland >> National employer-assisted housing MPC assistance leads to new employer-assisted housing models around the country, from Massachusetts to Nevada. More information about successful EAH models >> New report directs federal housing and transportation leaders to work together MPC's policy agenda and the metropolitan region will clearly benefit if the Obama administration continues to advance such recommendations. More on Coordination of Transportation and Housing Programs >> Park National Bank announces new Employer-Assisted Housing partnerships New program based on MPC’s EAH model features a tiered incentive for employees who purchase homes in Cicero or Maywood, or in targeted neighborhoods in the city of Chicago. Read more about Park National’s new EAH program>> MPC forum explores youth opportunities in CHA communities "Building Successful Mixed-Income Communities" forum focused on programming to engage young people, including several new initiatives launched by CHA and the Chicago Dept. of Children and Youth Services Read about this and previous forums >> The role for inclusionary zoning in regional planning MPC believes there is a broad role for Inclusionary Zoning in the region; CMAP’s modeling shows a tiered, regionwide inclusionary zoning policy could help produce 53,000 additional affordable homes by 2030. Learn how inclusionary zoning can help the region succeed >> Talking with Gil Penalosa Internationally renowned expert in Placemaking speaks at MPC’s Placemaking workshops for community leaders and public officials. Learn how Gil is building active public spaces >> You say you want a Rail~Volution Annual conference brings together transportation and land use experts from around the country. MPC staff highlight the best practices from Rail~Voltuion >> 2009 Chicago Matters series theme is Chicago as a global region There is no doubt Chicago and the region are part of a global community. The future of our government, economy, culture, built and natural environments will be determined by our connections to the rest of the globe. But our success in the world depends on the people who live here. So who’s leading the way? Who are the unsung visionaries in your community who are helping to create Chicago’s future and putting us on the global map? Chicago Public Radio wants to know who you think fits the bill. Visit www.chicagopublicradio.org/chicagomatters by January 14th to nominate your pick. Over the next year, Chicago Matters: Growing Forward will introduce you to Chicago’s top 10 global visionaries. Your choice could be one of them! Support Our Work Congestion pricing makes good “cents” ... Parking meter rates in Chicago are due to go up, but increased infrastructure investments, improved public transit, and less traffic congestion are just a few of the potential benefits for residents. MPC champions innovations such as congestion pricing and transportation demand management; solutionsthat help keep the Chicago region sustainable, equitable, and globally competitive. Make a contribution to MPC today, and demonstrate your commitment to fast-driven, public-private, market-based solutions.	Re-connection is generously sponsored by: John and Kathleen Buck In the News MPC in the news Seek Local Relief For Housing Hangover Realty Times, 10/23/08 Green Lanes coming to Illinois Tollway Chicago Public Radio, 11/21/08 Group declares infrastructure deficit severe The Beacon News, 11/23/2008 Infrastructure Woes or Opportunities? Rooflines, 12/16/08 Affordable homes or good schools? Letter to the Chicago Tribune by Robin Snyderman Parking fees can fund community improvements Letter to the Chicago Tribune by Peter Skosey RTA-funded program lets residents give input about transit in their areas Medill Reports, 12/11/08 $22.5 billion in new economic activity from a Chicago 2016 Olympic Games Sport Business International, 12/12/08 Ready for reinvestment? State caught in paradigm shift MinnPost.com, 12/16/08 For the latest news and reports from MPC, visit our online Newsroom. Re-Connection past issues February 2008 Vol 1 Issue 1 March 2008 Vol 1 Issue 2 April 2008 Vol 1 Issue 3 May 2008 Vol 1 Issue 4 June 2008 Vol 1 Issue 5 July 2008 Vol 1 Issue 6 August 2008 Vol 1 Issue 7 September 2008 Vol 1 Issue 8 October 2008 Vol 1 Issue 9 November 2008 Vol 1 Issue 10 Learn how to make green living and eco-friendly technology a part of your life. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry to tour a real, three-story modular and sustainable “green” home. www.chicagomatters.org/ In December, Chicago Matters will examine community in the region. Re-Connection is MPC's new monthly e-newsletter. Tell us what you think. Email reconnection@metroplanning.org with feedback in the subject. To subscribe, visit our website at metroplanning.org/personalize.asp. To stop receiving this newsletter visit metroplanning.org/unsubscribe.asp? EmailMsgId=27 &email=
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Where We Stand

Project Progress Report

Reader Survey

MPC Headlines

2009 Chicago Matters series theme is Chicago as a global region

Support Our Work

In the News

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