Downtown Beautification: Chicago
Metro Jacksonville takes a brief visual tour of this city's street scene in an effort to find applicable lessons for Jacksonville's downtown revitalization efforts: Chicago
Chicago's Downtown Beautification Efforts
While many cities have focused their downtown revitalization efforts around adding businesses and big infrastructure projects, Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley decided to take a different route in 1989. Mayor Delay's administration decided to make the city an attractive place that would draw human talent.
Soon a massive downtown beautification effort was launched to transform the gritty city into one featuring lush streetscapes, flower gardens and pristine parks. Since that time, over $5 billion has been spent improving Chicago's sidewalks, streets, and parks.
The results have been pretty remarkable.
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is a section of Michigan Avenue, running between the Loop and the Gold Coast. Featuring over 3 million square feet of retail stores, restaurants, museums and hotels, it's Chicago's largest shopping district.
Not everyone has agreed with the plan to beautify Chicago's streets. Local publishers originally protested the city's plan to lump all newspapers into single modern vending boxes. In the end, the publishers lost.
Tale of the Tape:
Chicago City Population 2012: 2,714,856 (City); 9,522,434 (Metro 2012) - (incorporated in 1837)
Jacksonville City Population 2012: 836,507 (City); 1,377,850 (Metro 2012) - (incorporated in 1832)
City population 1950: Jacksonville (204,517); Chicago (3,620,962)
City Land Area
Chicago: 227.2 square miles
Jacksonville: 747.0 square miles
Metropolitan Area Growth rate (2010-2012)
Chicago: +0.65%
Jacksonville: +2.40%
Urban Area Population (2010 census)
Chicago: 8,608,208 (ranked 3 nationwide)
Jacksonville: 1,065,219 (ranked 40 nationwide)
Urban Area Population Density (2010 census)
Chicago: 3,524.0 people per square mile
Jacksonville: 2,008.5 people per square mile
City Population Growth from 2010 to 2012
Chicago: -19,258
Jacksonville: +14,723
Convention Center Exhibition Space:
Chicago: McCormick Place (1960) - 2,670,000 square feet
Jacksonville: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center (1985) - 78,500 square feet
Connected to or across the street from Convention Center:
Chicago: rooms
Jacksonville: N/A
Tallest Building/Structure:
Chicago: Willis Tower - 1,451 feet
Jacksonville: Bank of America Tower - 617 feet
Fortune 500 companies 2013 (City limits only):
Chicago: Boeing (30), United Continental (79), Exelon (129), Kraft Foods (151), R.R. Donnelley & Sons (264), Hillshire Brands (288), Telephone & Data Systems (468)
Jacksonville: CSX (231), Fidelity National Financial (353), Fidelity National Information Services (434)
Urban infill obstacles:
Chicago: There are none.
Jacksonville: State & Union Streets cut off downtown Jacksonville from Springfield.
Downtown Nightlife District:
Chicago:
Jacksonville: The Elbow, The Jacksonville Landing
Common Downtown Albatross:
Homelessness.
Who's Downtown is more walkable?
Chicago: 93 out of 100, according to walkscore.com
Jacksonville: 78 out of 100, according to walkscore.com
The Loop
The Loop is Chicago's official central business district. According the 2010 Census, the 1.58 square mile Loop contains a residential population on 29,283 after a 78.7% increase since 2000. By comparison, according to the 2012 State of Downtown Report, downtown Jacksonville is home to an estimated 3,730 residents.
How The Loop Gets Its Name
The Chicago Transit Authority's Loop is a 1.79-mile circuit of elevated railroad that serves as the hub of the 'L' rapid transit system. It is believed the origin of the term loop is derived from the cable car turning loops in the downtown area, and especially those of two lines that shared a loop, constructed in 1882, bounded by Madison, Wabash, State and Lake. Other research has concluded that "the Loop" was not used as a proper noun until after the 1895–97 construction of the Union elevated railway loop. As of February 2013, the Loop served 72,786 passengers every weekday. By comparison, Jacksonville's 2.5 mile Skyway averages around 4,000 daily riders.
Chicago is the home of the skyscraper. Despite the Loop's historical significance, modern architecture is embraced within the area. Here, the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies' (completed in 2007) bold contemporary design sets it apart from adjacent 19th-century historic buildings by Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan.
The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) can be seen in the distance, looking west on Adams Street. The Willis Tower is the second-tallest building in the United States and the eight-tallest freestanding structure in the world. Completed in 1973, the 1,451-foot skyscraper contains 108 floors.
A scale model of the Loop and nearby areas by the Chicago Architectural Foundation.
Located in the center of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world. Dedicated in 1927, it was inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles.
The Chicago Park District owns more than 8,100 acres of green space, making it one of the largest municipal park managers in the nation.
Did You Know?
Great Fires:
Chicago: Great Fire of 1871 destroyed a third of the city, including the entire central business district, yet spurring rapid rebuilding and growth during the aftermath.
Jacksonville: The Great Fire of 1901 destroyed 146 city blocks, including most of the central business district, yet spurred rapid rebuilding and growth during the aftermath.
Prairie School Architecture:
Chicago: Prairie School style architecture originated in Chicago during the late 19th century.
Jacksonville: During the aftermath of the Great Fire, H.J. Klutho and other architects designed Midwestern "Prairie School" style structures with a Florida flair.
Civil Rights leader Asa Philip Randolph:
Chicago: Randolph organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters for African-American employees of Chicago based Pullman Company in 1925.
Jacksonville: Asa Philip Randolph grew up in East Jacksonville and graduated from the Cookman Institute (the only high school in Florida for African Americans at the time) in 1907.
Sidewalk Cafes and Outdoor Dining
As a part of Chicago's Sidewalk Cafe Program, restaurants featuring outdoor seating must cover a minimum of 50% of the seating area's boundary with live plants.
As a part of the Chicago Cultural Mile initiative, several head-shaped potted plants where installed along Michigan Avenue as a beautification project and a way to raise environmental awareness. Each sculpture stands 12 feet tall and weighs around 3,000 pounds. The pots are the brain child of the not-for-profit group, Plant Green Ideas.
Bike Sharing
Bicycle sharing is Chicago's latest mobility option. Funded by a federal 2011 TIGER grant and Tax Increment Financing from taxpayers, the $22 million program started in July 2013. Daily rental rates begin at $7 and an annual pass can be purchased for $75. Operated by Oregon-based Alta Bicycle Share, plans for the system include expanding to 375 stations and 3,000 bikes by Spring 2014.
The Divvy bike sharing system also generates revenue through advertising. For example, Sprint, a global provider of voice, data and internet services, has purchased advertising space at 75 stations for a three-month period.
Urban Signage
The diversity in business signage is a major element of Chicago's urban atmosphere.
A slice Chicago's evolution through the years, can be seen in the cluster of buildings lining the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Rush Street.
The Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles that runs through the city. Though not especially long, the river is notable for being a reason why Chicago became an important location, with the related Chicago Portage being a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley waterways and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.
The Chicago Riverwalk spans from Lake Shore Drive to Franklin Street and is known as the city's "Second Lakefront." The riverwalk features a mix of green space, cafes and retail space. The riverwalk dates back to 2001 as an extension of the Chicago Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Wacker Drive reconstruction project.
When complete, 111 West Wacker will stretch into the sky 1,047 feet and contain 92 floors. The building's uses will include a luxury hotel, parking garage and high-end condominiums.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "Chicago Forward" infrastructure plan calls for the construction of 650 miles of protected bike lanes by 2020 at a cost of $91 million.
Completed in 2008, the 96-story Trump International Hotel and Tower is Chicago's second tallest building, reaching a height of 1,389 feet.
The Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist building on Wacker Drive.
To say that Delay's beautification efforts were simply a success is a major understatement. In the last two decades, more than 120,000 people have moved into the city's core bringing billions in new economic development activity with them. As we evaluate what to do with Jacksonville's urban core, one important item we should not overlook is the concept of beautification and simply keeping our streets and public spaces clean.
Article and images by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
While many cities have focused their downtown revitalization efforts around adding businesses and big infrastructure projects, Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley decided to take a different route in 1989. Mayor Delay's administration decided to make the city an attractive place that would draw human talent.
Soon a massive downtown beautification effort was launched to transform the gritty city into one featuring lush streetscapes, flower gardens and pristine parks. Since that time, over $5 billion has been spent improving Chicago's sidewalks, streets, and parks.
The results have been pretty remarkable.
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is a section of Michigan Avenue, running between the Loop and the Gold Coast. Featuring over 3 million square feet of retail stores, restaurants, museums and hotels, it's Chicago's largest shopping district.
Not everyone has agreed with the plan to beautify Chicago's streets. Local publishers originally protested the city's plan to lump all newspapers into single modern vending boxes. In the end, the publishers lost.
Tale of the Tape:
Chicago City Population 2012: 2,714,856 (City); 9,522,434 (Metro 2012) - (incorporated in 1837)
Jacksonville City Population 2012: 836,507 (City); 1,377,850 (Metro 2012) - (incorporated in 1832)
City population 1950: Jacksonville (204,517); Chicago (3,620,962)
City Land Area
Chicago: 227.2 square miles
Jacksonville: 747.0 square miles
Metropolitan Area Growth rate (2010-2012)
Chicago: +0.65%
Jacksonville: +2.40%
Urban Area Population (2010 census)
Chicago: 8,608,208 (ranked 3 nationwide)
Jacksonville: 1,065,219 (ranked 40 nationwide)
Urban Area Population Density (2010 census)
Chicago: 3,524.0 people per square mile
Jacksonville: 2,008.5 people per square mile
City Population Growth from 2010 to 2012
Chicago: -19,258
Jacksonville: +14,723
Convention Center Exhibition Space:
Chicago: McCormick Place (1960) - 2,670,000 square feet
Jacksonville: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center (1985) - 78,500 square feet
Connected to or across the street from Convention Center:
Chicago: rooms
Jacksonville: N/A
Tallest Building/Structure:
Chicago: Willis Tower - 1,451 feet
Jacksonville: Bank of America Tower - 617 feet
Fortune 500 companies 2013 (City limits only):
Chicago: Boeing (30), United Continental (79), Exelon (129), Kraft Foods (151), R.R. Donnelley & Sons (264), Hillshire Brands (288), Telephone & Data Systems (468)
Jacksonville: CSX (231), Fidelity National Financial (353), Fidelity National Information Services (434)
Urban infill obstacles:
Chicago: There are none.
Jacksonville: State & Union Streets cut off downtown Jacksonville from Springfield.
Downtown Nightlife District:
Chicago:
Jacksonville: The Elbow, The Jacksonville Landing
Common Downtown Albatross:
Homelessness.
Who's Downtown is more walkable?
Chicago: 93 out of 100, according to walkscore.com
Jacksonville: 78 out of 100, according to walkscore.com
The Loop
The Loop is Chicago's official central business district. According the 2010 Census, the 1.58 square mile Loop contains a residential population on 29,283 after a 78.7% increase since 2000. By comparison, according to the 2012 State of Downtown Report, downtown Jacksonville is home to an estimated 3,730 residents.
How The Loop Gets Its Name
The Chicago Transit Authority's Loop is a 1.79-mile circuit of elevated railroad that serves as the hub of the 'L' rapid transit system. It is believed the origin of the term loop is derived from the cable car turning loops in the downtown area, and especially those of two lines that shared a loop, constructed in 1882, bounded by Madison, Wabash, State and Lake. Other research has concluded that "the Loop" was not used as a proper noun until after the 1895–97 construction of the Union elevated railway loop. As of February 2013, the Loop served 72,786 passengers every weekday. By comparison, Jacksonville's 2.5 mile Skyway averages around 4,000 daily riders.
Chicago is the home of the skyscraper. Despite the Loop's historical significance, modern architecture is embraced within the area. Here, the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies' (completed in 2007) bold contemporary design sets it apart from adjacent 19th-century historic buildings by Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan.
The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) can be seen in the distance, looking west on Adams Street. The Willis Tower is the second-tallest building in the United States and the eight-tallest freestanding structure in the world. Completed in 1973, the 1,451-foot skyscraper contains 108 floors.
A scale model of the Loop and nearby areas by the Chicago Architectural Foundation.
Located in the center of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world. Dedicated in 1927, it was inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles.
The Chicago Park District owns more than 8,100 acres of green space, making it one of the largest municipal park managers in the nation.
Did You Know?
Great Fires:
Chicago: Great Fire of 1871 destroyed a third of the city, including the entire central business district, yet spurring rapid rebuilding and growth during the aftermath.
Jacksonville: The Great Fire of 1901 destroyed 146 city blocks, including most of the central business district, yet spurred rapid rebuilding and growth during the aftermath.
Prairie School Architecture:
Chicago: Prairie School style architecture originated in Chicago during the late 19th century.
Jacksonville: During the aftermath of the Great Fire, H.J. Klutho and other architects designed Midwestern "Prairie School" style structures with a Florida flair.
Civil Rights leader Asa Philip Randolph:
Chicago: Randolph organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters for African-American employees of Chicago based Pullman Company in 1925.
Jacksonville: Asa Philip Randolph grew up in East Jacksonville and graduated from the Cookman Institute (the only high school in Florida for African Americans at the time) in 1907.
Sidewalk Cafes and Outdoor Dining
As a part of Chicago's Sidewalk Cafe Program, restaurants featuring outdoor seating must cover a minimum of 50% of the seating area's boundary with live plants.
As a part of the Chicago Cultural Mile initiative, several head-shaped potted plants where installed along Michigan Avenue as a beautification project and a way to raise environmental awareness. Each sculpture stands 12 feet tall and weighs around 3,000 pounds. The pots are the brain child of the not-for-profit group, Plant Green Ideas.
Bike Sharing
Bicycle sharing is Chicago's latest mobility option. Funded by a federal 2011 TIGER grant and Tax Increment Financing from taxpayers, the $22 million program started in July 2013. Daily rental rates begin at $7 and an annual pass can be purchased for $75. Operated by Oregon-based Alta Bicycle Share, plans for the system include expanding to 375 stations and 3,000 bikes by Spring 2014.
The Divvy bike sharing system also generates revenue through advertising. For example, Sprint, a global provider of voice, data and internet services, has purchased advertising space at 75 stations for a three-month period.
Urban Signage
The diversity in business signage is a major element of Chicago's urban atmosphere.
A slice Chicago's evolution through the years, can be seen in the cluster of buildings lining the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Rush Street.
The Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles that runs through the city. Though not especially long, the river is notable for being a reason why Chicago became an important location, with the related Chicago Portage being a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley waterways and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.
The Chicago Riverwalk spans from Lake Shore Drive to Franklin Street and is known as the city's "Second Lakefront." The riverwalk features a mix of green space, cafes and retail space. The riverwalk dates back to 2001 as an extension of the Chicago Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Wacker Drive reconstruction project.
When complete, 111 West Wacker will stretch into the sky 1,047 feet and contain 92 floors. The building's uses will include a luxury hotel, parking garage and high-end condominiums.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's "Chicago Forward" infrastructure plan calls for the construction of 650 miles of protected bike lanes by 2020 at a cost of $91 million.
Completed in 2008, the 96-story Trump International Hotel and Tower is Chicago's second tallest building, reaching a height of 1,389 feet.
The Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist building on Wacker Drive.
To say that Delay's beautification efforts were simply a success is a major understatement. In the last two decades, more than 120,000 people have moved into the city's core bringing billions in new economic development activity with them. As we evaluate what to do with Jacksonville's urban core, one important item we should not overlook is the concept of beautification and simply keeping our streets and public spaces clean.
Article and images by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com