Re-Connection - September 2010

September 2010

www.metroplanning.org

On the Sunday following Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Sept. 7 announcement that he will not seek re-election, the Chicago Tribune published “Daley the Builder leaves unfinished business,” an analysis of major city projects that won’t be completed by the time he leaves office. “The unbuilt Chicago Spire, an incomplete Block 37, an empty swath of land where Chicago wanted to construct the athletes' village for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, unbuilt runways at O'Hare and unrealized mixed-income housing — the list of incomplete initiatives sprawls on, reflecting the vast array of projects Daley took on and the inability of even powerful political leaders to enact their wish lists in the midst of recession” the article said.

Where We Stand

MPC recognizes both the enormous accomplishments of Mayor Daley's 20-year tenure, and the daunting magnitude of challenges facing Chicago's next mayor. MPC has been a strong proponent of some of the projects included in the Tribune’s report, including the CTA Red Line extension and CHA Plan for Transformation. But that list is incomplete.

Find out what MPC suggests should be on the next mayor’s agenda, and tell us what's missing! You'll help make sure we're ready to partner with the city to move these and many other issues forward.

Fortunately, the next mayor will have something Mayor Daley never did: a comprehensive regional plan. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) will launch and begin implementing its GO TO 2040 plan on Oct. 13, to strengthen four core areas of our region: Livable Communities, Human Capital, Efficient Governance, and Regional Mobility.

Learn more about CMAP’s GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan. >>

Read about MPC’s comments on GO TO 2040. >>

Project Progress Report: Gary and Region Investment Project

Rusty, padlocked factory gates have come to symbolize Rust Belt communities — and stakeholders in Northwest Indiana agree it's time to swing open those gates and invest in the area’s economic recovery.

Northwest Indiana's urban core, including Gary, tells the sobering story of the Rust Belt: Years of industrial decline, disinvestment, and dwindling resources have resulted in blighted neighborhoods, crumbling infrastructure, and diminished services. Yet the region possesses significant assets, including national parks, miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, transit hubs, sites ripe for redevelopment, historic landmarks, and a strong workforce.

Through the Gary and Region Investment Project, MPC and The Times of Northwest Indiana are helping to build consensus among local leaders and stakeholders about prioritized investments that will leverage these assets, and address some of the most pressing issues in Gary and Northwest Indiana. The project will officially launch in late October, when 150 regional leaders, national experts, and federal representatives come together for a one-day strategy session to refine a vision and transform the region.

Read about MPC and The Times’ next steps with the Gary and Region Investment Project >>

Learn more about the Gary and Region Investment Project >>

Help us continue to strengthen Northwest Indiana, a vital part of metropolitan Chicago. Donate today to support our work and a vibrant region. >>

Placemaking contest update

Last Friday, WGN-TV’s Marcus LeShock announced the four winners of the MPC and Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” photo and video contest. Watch the WGN segment here. >>

Naperville’s Millennium Carillon garnered the most public votes to earn the People’s Choice award. A committee of Placemaking experts selected the Experimental Station, Glenwood Avenue Arts District, and Japanese Garden in Jackson Park as the remaining three winners.

Naperville's Millennium Carillon

See for yourself what makes these places great by registering for an exclusive CAF bus tour of some of the winning places, as well as other nominees, on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. The tour will depart from CAF, 224 S. Michigan Ave., at 9:30 a.m., and return at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for CAF/MPC members and $30 otherwise. Proceeds benefit Placemaking Chicago.

Contest entries will be featured in a digital presentation at CAF in the Lecture Hall Gallery, on view Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 14 through Oct. 30.

Learn more about Placemaking at PlacemakingChicago.com >>

Headlines

Stop, don't yield: Is new crosswalk law working in your community?

Residents help plan for proposed CTA Red Line extension

Gutters, floods and money: Ill. Environmental Protection Agency announces $5 million green infrastructure grant program

Chicagoland puts impressive foot forward on fed’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities grants

Illinois State Linkage Group laying groundwork for more coordinated investments

New roadmaps needed to guide state, federal transportation investments

Report outlines workforce challenges, opportunities in Northwest Indiana

Care about Chicago-area transit? Then read this post!

Working together to solve the foreclosure crisis

Lessons in transit: How Chicagoland can improve its transit network

Mapping Chicago, one person at a time

What does 'livable' mean to you?

Bringing life to the streets ... with yogurt?

FREIGHT Act a good start toward unlocking freight gridlock

Former MPC Board Chair John S. Gates Jr. will help keep Regional Transportation Authority on track

Community building in East Chicago, one bench at a time

Spongebob Squarepants offers a lesson in transit reliability

There's money to be made by living near transit

The rain along the Des Plaines falls mainly on the... parking lots, streets and roofs

Planning by the Numbers: CMAP survey shows Chicagoland needs better transportation options

Upcoming events

Sep 27	Partners in Innovation: Including Affordable and Workforce Housing within Transit-Oriented Development 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Oct 1	Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant workshop (Aurora) 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Oct 8	Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant workshop (East Hazel Crest) 9:00 AM–11:30 AM
Oct 12	Bring Workers Home: Honolulu Forum 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Oct 19–20	17th Annual Housing Washington Conference 8:00 AM–2:30 PM