Goose Island area urban renewal?

[GenericUser]

Who else feels that everything on Goose Island should be entirely demolished and replaced by a new park? It could include a major art piece by a world renowned artist and a new pedestrian bridge by a famous architect (similar to the Frank Gehry one in Millennium Park). This could all be sponsored by and at least partially paid for by the private sector in exchange for free/low cost higher density zoning in the area. That whole area could become an amazing new frontier for Chicago. It would push the downtown core Northwest, and usher in a new era of post-Cabrini development.

The area in question: [North of Chicago Ave], [South of North Ave], [West of LaSalle Blvd], and [East of I90/I94], and would include potentially massive highrise residential/office development. All the parks in the area would be dismantled (since the new Goose Island Park could handle the influx of people).

I realize that the demand for such a huge project may not be there at the moment, but I strongly believe that Chicago will undergo a new boom in the near future, and all the industrial sites on either side of the river could be left alone and redeveloped at the developers discretion (ie when demand is present). The reason I'm brining this up now is that is seems to me that the South Loop area has become very disorganized and car centric since it's boom, and I believe that a lack of central planning and allowing developers to do whatever they want led to this. A planned community, and construction of amenities preemptively would not only make the area more desirable, it would also allow developers to better connect their buildings with the community.

Any input would be appreciated. This is, after all, just a vision that I personally have for the area.

[urbanlife78]

In the grand scheme of things I would say it is a good idea, but currently there is plenty of active businesses on Goose Island and surrounding it to move them out of the area. If Goose Island was a dead area like the old rail yard in the South Loop or the old USPS warehouse, then I would totally agree with you....which those two areas would be better for something like what you are suggesting simply because they are already dead zones that are in need of rehab.

[GenericUser]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

In the grand scheme of things I would say it is a good idea, but currently there is plenty of active businesses on Goose Island and surrounding it to move them out of the area. If Goose Island was a dead area like the old rail yard in the South Loop or the old USPS warehouse, then I would totally agree with you....which those two areas would be better for something like what you are suggesting simply because they are already dead zones that are in need of rehab.

That's true, but I was thinking that the industry in the area would be glad to move off of that island if they were given industrial land elsewhere. It would also help with traffic, as there are currently only 2 ways for trucks to leave the city from Goose Island; either I90/94 North towards O'hare (horrible traffic), or take I90/94 South where the dreaded interchange with I290 awaits. Given all the improvements it would bring to the city, I would love to see city hall do something about this. At least start some kind of master plan; Chicago needs it!

[mohammed wong]

Originally Posted by GenericUser

Who else feels that everything on Goose Island should be entirely demolished and replaced by a new park? It could include a major art piece by a world renowned artist and a new pedestrian bridge by a famous architect (similar to the Frank Gehry one in Millennium Park). This could all be sponsored by and at least partially paid for by the private sector in exchange for free/low cost higher density zoning in the area. That whole area could become an amazing new frontier for Chicago. It would push the downtown core Northwest, and usher in a new era of post-Cabrini development.

The area in question: [North of Chicago Ave], [South of North Ave], [West of LaSalle Blvd], and [East of I90/I94], and would include potentially massive highrise residential/office development. All the parks in the area would be dismantled (since the new Goose Island Park could handle the influx of people).

I realize that the demand for such a huge project may not be there at the moment, but I strongly believe that Chicago will undergo a new boom in the near future, and all the industrial sites on either side of the river could be left alone and redeveloped at the developers discretion (ie when demand is present). The reason I'm brining this up now is that is seems to me that the South Loop area has become very disorganized and car centric since it's boom, and I believe that a lack of central planning and allowing developers to do whatever they want led to this. A planned community, and construction of amenities preemptively would not only make the area more desirable, it would also allow developers to better connect their buildings with the community.

Any input would be appreciated. This is, after all, just a vision that I personally have for the area.

That sounds TERRIBLE. To destroy everything on anything for the MOST part is not a good idea. There are still some nice old buildings worth salvaging on Goose Island. I personally like watching the taxi cabs getting fixed up on Halsted when I pass on through. Alot has already changed on Goose Island some for the better and some not. Its sounds SUPER unrealistic and pie in they sky. I do agree though that alot of Chicago near downtown is TOO car-centric on all sides, the worst being around Roosevelt (the abominable Whole Foods Fortress and Roosevelt and Canal area is HORRIBLE and also
the North and Clybourn area is a car nightmare)

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by mohammed wong

That sounds TERRIBLE. To destroy everything on anything for the MOST part is not a good idea. There are still some nice old buildings worth salvaging on Goose Island. I personally like watching the taxi cabs getting fixed up on Halsted when I pass on through. Alot has already changed on Goose Island some for the better and some not. Its sounds SUPER unrealistic and pie in they sky. I do agree though that alot of Chicago near downtown is TOO car-centric on all sides, the worst being around Roosevelt (the abominable Whole Foods Fortress and Roosevelt and Canal area is HORRIBLE and also
the North and Clybourn area is a car nightmare)

I agree if there are functioning buildings, decent business, and no real reason to tear down and rebuild, then it should not be done. But to be honest there's not much left on Goose Island worth saving if it were to be all torn down. A handful of old time brick buildings, but mostly the island is covered in lifeless, grey walled warehouse/factory type buildings. I think in the far future I'd like to see some really nice residential on the island. Because it's has finite space I'm sure land values would really stay high and keep the area super nice.

[zaphod]

I find the old industrial land uses there fascinating. Its a bit of old school Chicago still hanging around.

Otherwise, why not a nature preserve? Imagine having that right in the middle of the city. Between DC and Arlington is Theodore Roosevelt island in the middle of the Potomac.

[Mr Downtown]

Goose Island is a Protected Manufacturing District. The city has gone to great pains to try to keep industrial jobs in this location (a losing battle). Commercial and residential uses are not permitted.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Goose Island is a Protected Manufacturing District. The city has gone to great pains to try to keep industrial jobs in this location (a losing battle). Commercial and residential uses are not permitted.

That makes sense, I think it is important for cities to protect some of their inner city industrial space for employment. In Portland, Or, much of the east side of the river that is within the downtown borders is protected as industrial land which houses a good number of industrial jobs.

[untitledreality]

Originally Posted by GenericUser

Who else feels that everything on Goose Island should be entirely demolished and replaced by a new park?

No.

As Mr.D pointed out, the island is a protected manufacturing district and will not be going anywhere for quite some time. And because of its isolation (its an island afterall) it would likely become an underused drain on the park district.

I would much rather see a few small/medium parks spread throughout the Cabrini area and an upzoning of the surrounding areas. Focus on maximizing the existing vacant land which is in great proximity to River North and Old Town, while loosening the zoning grip on North/Clybourn to create a dense, mixed use, pedestrian oriented, retail/office/residential center.

Let Goose Island be Goose Island. Its funky, its cool, its Chicago.