tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44313605231913843882024-03-18T04:47:01.908-05:00Bike Walk Lincoln ParkBike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-5113559255324191402022-04-03T14:41:00.003-05:002022-04-03T14:41:40.834-05:00North DuSable Lake Shore Drive project: Here are the basics<p> by Michelle Stenzel</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">This post will get you up to speed on the Redefine the Drive - North DuSable Lake Shore Drive project, at least just the basics. I've been a member of a geographic stakeholder task force since 2013. I'm reviving this blog in order to share information on this important project. (Although I hope to be posting about topics other than this one as well.) </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE64lLZ5ocMdBtHY9gMvIvl1ptB-0L6-ja_V7awQa9gknP_UniLAvw3DbfmMYTnLRHDHsadKMAft4STK7QtzYfUETYJSwAUJ2F3oYsQM-020rBZMyyN5_SkaURp9MN0zI0wrpIrgHXDd8CE-c1Hwl2LWEgZHGRhltkrGfkWC15gp3DPYs1hIF8gOUd/s3697/Evening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="3697" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE64lLZ5ocMdBtHY9gMvIvl1ptB-0L6-ja_V7awQa9gknP_UniLAvw3DbfmMYTnLRHDHsadKMAft4STK7QtzYfUETYJSwAUJ2F3oYsQM-020rBZMyyN5_SkaURp9MN0zI0wrpIrgHXDd8CE-c1Hwl2LWEgZHGRhltkrGfkWC15gp3DPYs1hIF8gOUd/w640-h474/Evening.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon on the Lakefront Trail in December 2021.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The North DuSable Lake Shore Drive project looks to redesign and rebuild seven miles of that street from Grand Avenue near Navy Pier to Hollywood, where DLSD ends and meets up with Sheridan Road. DLSD is US Route 41, and it's fully within the boundaries of the city of Chicago, but it's under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation. IDOT regularly consults with other agencies but they consider it to be "their" project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVEwFmVUuSIYeXo-pdFTz89J1QIpRi0OrwjRA4vykkuooSjZMO-cV1_6--ayNjDFpa4jNZVMxM0f6CzqriFw-nrphlWiQJU0N0S37JSle2s0PsDPLsRuRynixs8Hc1RR0NXzC3yHsrevvoOV2qb1ZApAsDzhg-A8orAoEyapk6v8rrMGJJ2DRgOnN/s750/Agencies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="750" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVEwFmVUuSIYeXo-pdFTz89J1QIpRi0OrwjRA4vykkuooSjZMO-cV1_6--ayNjDFpa4jNZVMxM0f6CzqriFw-nrphlWiQJU0N0S37JSle2s0PsDPLsRuRynixs8Hc1RR0NXzC3yHsrevvoOV2qb1ZApAsDzhg-A8orAoEyapk6v8rrMGJJ2DRgOnN/w640-h492/Agencies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The project scope includes the NLSD roadway itself, all ramps and intersections, the Lakefront Trail, and some adjoining park space. It's an enormous undertaking, given the 7-mile length, and the complexity of structure and interests involved.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBdPW3nN3RaYOAqM7sDCmBfCdiyrKNPBmapAwJfNH98dwdw0zSoMsPDLtoITdpQCOIBlSU3jAZ_C2cJTrOu6maymil_clz-D2cYnGywbYQp7H3Mat48MsDmDPTaX5lK_OuQn8-76TFFv9X4mbXAl_qDI2-kwFI-872SvOyzS1lVxG9HmMMd-8-vCK/s4954/2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3303" data-original-width="4954" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBdPW3nN3RaYOAqM7sDCmBfCdiyrKNPBmapAwJfNH98dwdw0zSoMsPDLtoITdpQCOIBlSU3jAZ_C2cJTrOu6maymil_clz-D2cYnGywbYQp7H3Mat48MsDmDPTaX5lK_OuQn8-76TFFv9X4mbXAl_qDI2-kwFI-872SvOyzS1lVxG9HmMMd-8-vCK/w640-h426/2014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail along Streeterville, in 2014.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">There is a task force of about 70 people from stakeholders like non-profits Active Transportation Alliance, Metropolitan Planning Council, and Friend of the Parks as well as residents from areas close to DLSD. In 13 task force meetings over the past eight or so years, the IDOT project team presents data and plans, and we give them feedback. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUugTIm1SRWENeFEK3Q4wIuAlbulqbbQhn-BD3c007mFnwfEDeXSvHMSnI64RwtWB-VOn67qyrAiaLnNCOZRbD8_oM7010boNRgFIppR32HO0dKFKHjVwCMHID14XzB6l9oRqDW5d5p-i_8AvhjCkoUgDGQ_86HiGtxcGZztrEUVouDI_S2fGtJCag/s750/TaskFOrceOverview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="750" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUugTIm1SRWENeFEK3Q4wIuAlbulqbbQhn-BD3c007mFnwfEDeXSvHMSnI64RwtWB-VOn67qyrAiaLnNCOZRbD8_oM7010boNRgFIppR32HO0dKFKHjVwCMHID14XzB6l9oRqDW5d5p-i_8AvhjCkoUgDGQ_86HiGtxcGZztrEUVouDI_S2fGtJCag/w640-h488/TaskFOrceOverview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">There have been four general public meetings so far for the project, and that's frankly not enough for such a huge project with far-reaching implications.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The original timeline said it would take three years to reach the Preferred Alternative, but we're nearly nine years into the project already. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEGxSQW3RvoWff7Zzl1S9cMyRqr0AvRBqftS6nMb9JeQzjSbUuRss4TunDraLOOGQuVm7g9SwbxzLt-gXOoKn20DUoanW3Dy1wWnjVOk7UcPIxM_nTdlTRI21hB-BullDwIUdVwc7lEXlZPdsAODv03VDFK4K-KZCXWsrLThOKVmJ88MZQ2wRIF1_/s568/OriginalProjectSchedule.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="568" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEGxSQW3RvoWff7Zzl1S9cMyRqr0AvRBqftS6nMb9JeQzjSbUuRss4TunDraLOOGQuVm7g9SwbxzLt-gXOoKn20DUoanW3Dy1wWnjVOk7UcPIxM_nTdlTRI21hB-BullDwIUdVwc7lEXlZPdsAODv03VDFK4K-KZCXWsrLThOKVmJ88MZQ2wRIF1_/w640-h502/OriginalProjectSchedule.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Just in March 2022, an updated timeline was posted on the project website indicating that a Preferred Design Alternative will be chosen by the end of this year. I think that's very optimistic, given the scope and complexity of the project, and the fact that the public hasn't had sufficient input on the options. </span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIjavUEpWmZWn7Z2LV4pD5yuvg5DtOBA3tJNUKAi9UHlUW5fPc5dXw4L78dX41c6yyi_UDY3lGhJ3tVcMUdj1y1anQnEy8RXxiHAC2LkkWkAaJ9-ev8kcx-4N8guyD0dSQbYH69rz3avWfWoY7aOmpzp9P9Y0nyCwP7R42zQialEYdexQW8FaYKfQ/s979/UpdatedProjectSchedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="979" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIjavUEpWmZWn7Z2LV4pD5yuvg5DtOBA3tJNUKAi9UHlUW5fPc5dXw4L78dX41c6yyi_UDY3lGhJ3tVcMUdj1y1anQnEy8RXxiHAC2LkkWkAaJ9-ev8kcx-4N8guyD0dSQbYH69rz3avWfWoY7aOmpzp9P9Y0nyCwP7R42zQialEYdexQW8FaYKfQ/w640-h282/UpdatedProjectSchedule.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">My lay person guess is that it will be 1-2 years to get to a decision, 2-4 years for approvals, design and funding, and 10+ years to build. Hello, 2040!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">What has been decided so far? Certain designs seemingly have been ruled out, like a Florida-style causeway soaring over Lake Michigan.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv5_gK7o8hvYZoOGX-AU_4uQU47m32b_XoqCT0HDFE4XqEqydBQGH8xjhawdYmE6jGE3KGtht7F4LNwR-KG69ONNy4PKhC62GIRrIxZWLNvWRMBUkFVq2okew5nPxWj7LFmSLQzNh0_G3APXOQMioHirlkpuBspbYy3TlY4R4ZQJN33Doyy49-yZd/s933/Causeway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="933" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv5_gK7o8hvYZoOGX-AU_4uQU47m32b_XoqCT0HDFE4XqEqydBQGH8xjhawdYmE6jGE3KGtht7F4LNwR-KG69ONNy4PKhC62GIRrIxZWLNvWRMBUkFVq2okew5nPxWj7LFmSLQzNh0_G3APXOQMioHirlkpuBspbYy3TlY4R4ZQJN33Doyy49-yZd/w640-h476/Causeway.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Other things seem to be on the drawing board under a fairly broad consensus, and those are called Baseline Improvements on the project website. They include addition of new access points for people walking/biking, like the new underpass proposed just south of Fullerton, illustrated below.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHKt1VfQBoB5S45xpjh9fux0XZVjAlwn3CAbFq-bbIincsg2DVL91x16mAjZKmd4-lIJyJaLNNtVX_uJAzpY45UFV0zzS60QYg1FD0kDZT5_bSmOaj0S8h4pyWZ_fcHRK1Ra1eaVO_QQHa48JK9BFK1n6UUofUJLYuQEuI-oLzheDYHVTjF4ZVAry/s1624/FullertonUnderpass.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1624" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHKt1VfQBoB5S45xpjh9fux0XZVjAlwn3CAbFq-bbIincsg2DVL91x16mAjZKmd4-lIJyJaLNNtVX_uJAzpY45UFV0zzS60QYg1FD0kDZT5_bSmOaj0S8h4pyWZ_fcHRK1Ra1eaVO_QQHa48JK9BFK1n6UUofUJLYuQEuI-oLzheDYHVTjF4ZVAry/w640-h296/FullertonUnderpass.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Another Baseline Improvement is filling in lake shore to create new parkland along Streeterville and the Gold Coast. I'll do a separate post on the Baseline Improvements.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVPxO6Xk5bsfseP1T3tK9TM9Ls92Fdm_FibkmM2xPVoFgQrtqlPKIoxqLxCVz4iyDqKbygxg-dAnHWHtvSU4tQlHJ1pPN6svr9_Cu2JnOMd1vakj6EyuxaHE6sX4N23mnG7bU6loAHCauB8MtMZ4XyL80Yq9wG7E_KBlSXSyuhK9X__vUOR24J5Kq/s997/NewParklandNearChicagoAve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVPxO6Xk5bsfseP1T3tK9TM9Ls92Fdm_FibkmM2xPVoFgQrtqlPKIoxqLxCVz4iyDqKbygxg-dAnHWHtvSU4tQlHJ1pPN6svr9_Cu2JnOMd1vakj6EyuxaHE6sX4N23mnG7bU6loAHCauB8MtMZ4XyL80Yq9wG7E_KBlSXSyuhK9X__vUOR24J5Kq/w482-h640/NewParklandNearChicagoAve.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">A very big determination not yet made is the design of the actual roadway. These five alternative designs are still being put forth. I'll do another thread on those as well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvPLY5Nhe5jy3Q8xifUHj8sGzKfAVZcclBiCgQ6GQ_yEQRoXWc_tSSOYSZV_N9zOVDFwDAffG6LtifadZrIZSuy-JBndEB3DffPB6KiSvxNbv8B5Y2Dr1hLAvHQDbiKKxj53Pho8PjnqU1zUY5AZC1qIJ9kcWCDA7OmwkDqC7FW7ZgeCc2FyTf3EH/s967/FiveRemainingDLSDRoadwayDesignOptions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvPLY5Nhe5jy3Q8xifUHj8sGzKfAVZcclBiCgQ6GQ_yEQRoXWc_tSSOYSZV_N9zOVDFwDAffG6LtifadZrIZSuy-JBndEB3DffPB6KiSvxNbv8B5Y2Dr1hLAvHQDbiKKxj53Pho8PjnqU1zUY5AZC1qIJ9kcWCDA7OmwkDqC7FW7ZgeCc2FyTf3EH/w512-h640/FiveRemainingDLSDRoadwayDesignOptions.png" width="512" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">If you want to do a deeper dive into this project right now, there are MANY slide show presentations, PDFs of individual intersections, illustrations and maps on the project website: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://NorthDuSableLakeShoreDrive.org"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">NorthDuSableLakeShoreDrive.org</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">If you would like to give the IDOT project team your opinions, they ask you to e-mail them at:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">info@ndlsd.org</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I know that looks like a burner address where e-mails go to die, but I can assure you it is actively managed by project team members.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Stay tuned for much more on this topic!</span></p>Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-46146595043555390322022-03-28T12:04:00.006-05:002022-03-28T12:07:34.479-05:00<p> by Michelle Stenzel</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hello! After more than five years, I'm thinking of reviving this site as my personal blog, so I can share my views on several important projects and developments that affect walking, biking and public transportation in Chicago. Stay tuned!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5egVNIDqrZrgV2ieWEDeSDG4LQ9ukYZCwFrB55Bn5Wyd0JQRWWkTQZvxahMeCH27uPrPbkeIgd0arpk25AppW9-QGTXK8zcn9VIOtaFXFT1Dl22_L8jyr-_R6f4z6fj7wi-qjOewrZ-0Sh2GRmDaOe7Rlib6ssCxy0eZl5LsvBmTiacr8rDaLrKl0/s4032/IMG_4379.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5egVNIDqrZrgV2ieWEDeSDG4LQ9ukYZCwFrB55Bn5Wyd0JQRWWkTQZvxahMeCH27uPrPbkeIgd0arpk25AppW9-QGTXK8zcn9VIOtaFXFT1Dl22_L8jyr-_R6f4z6fj7wi-qjOewrZ-0Sh2GRmDaOe7Rlib6ssCxy0eZl5LsvBmTiacr8rDaLrKl0/w640-h480/IMG_4379.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-34413118263160858592016-12-07T11:01:00.001-06:002016-12-09T15:58:18.199-06:00Update on the Redesign North Lake Shore Drive project<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The Illinois Department of Transportation is continuing the massive Redesign North Lake Shore Drive project. Task force members recently got an update from the project team, and you can <a href="http://www.northlakeshoredrive.org/involved_task_forces.html">view the presentation and all accompanying materials on the project web page at this link</a>. You'll see: It's 117 slides, and a lot of information. I am a huge fan of infrastructure and an enthusiastic participant in a residents task force for the project, but I still found it somewhat overwhelming. Think of how much thought and discussion by engineers, city planners and neighborhood residents goes into changes at a single intersection or building site, and this project corridor is a full seven miles long. Nevertheless, I'll try to provide a brief general summary in this post.<br />
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Keep in mind that I'm on the Grand to Diversey Residents' Task Force and that's Bike Walk Lincoln Park's primary (although not sole) area of interest, so that's what I'll focus on in this post. However, there is plenty of information available about the four-mile stretch from Diversey to Hollywood as well, and I encourage you to view all the project documents yourself for those details.<br />
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We're already about three years into the project, and Bike Walk Lincoln Park supporters <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/03/forty-seven-ways-to-improve-lake-shore.html">previously submitted our list of problems that we believe should be addressed</a> during the redesign process.</div>
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At the recent update meeting, the project team provided illustrations of three alternative concepts:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVZ3sESIdqcYyhtyAP2rn8mC2wPz18nvvaNZGCMYeurRlHGuBKYIVuSnswWjh8OMtoxVHxB0oXe25kaerbt6n5w7urazv0IkLV_RN9z-bFb8Gx4zSTnJI-7To1MSIx0uwnxNAplyEqls/s1600/Alt3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVZ3sESIdqcYyhtyAP2rn8mC2wPz18nvvaNZGCMYeurRlHGuBKYIVuSnswWjh8OMtoxVHxB0oXe25kaerbt6n5w7urazv0IkLV_RN9z-bFb8Gx4zSTnJI-7To1MSIx0uwnxNAplyEqls/s640/Alt3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And to give you a better look at detail on one of the three alternatives, Alternative 1 from Ohio to Fullerton, I broke it up into more easily viewable sections:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODlTflLEs-bQZ-A_CchErNmVhM0kstQWO7s66BDebKFThDL0DYp96y_QvcpblV5gdoZ9L5v8O_Ujfj7SJUVxzzuF41pLtnf9kuhI4vNKedza5STZiacYNJNFNJP0zmgG02ErhJCUK8LU/s1600/OhioToOak.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODlTflLEs-bQZ-A_CchErNmVhM0kstQWO7s66BDebKFThDL0DYp96y_QvcpblV5gdoZ9L5v8O_Ujfj7SJUVxzzuF41pLtnf9kuhI4vNKedza5STZiacYNJNFNJP0zmgG02ErhJCUK8LU/s640/OhioToOak.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alternative 1, section from Ohio Street Beach to Oak Street Beach. The yellow, tan and brown reflect bike/ped paths or bridges/tunnels.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSD0P3Tu6WEDWWnBDNo5FaOaYAyx5o3Ag_Vq0DJXsBk9Nu4XyIu8eBfLzVJAhjklZoor5NvJKDt0ImrYFIPHbOus6P8aBie9eYFPn1L_-_TCKr7R8kaDGWWAsOYLR-jRcCfyL4q7nSVg/s1600/OakToNorth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSD0P3Tu6WEDWWnBDNo5FaOaYAyx5o3Ag_Vq0DJXsBk9Nu4XyIu8eBfLzVJAhjklZoor5NvJKDt0ImrYFIPHbOus6P8aBie9eYFPn1L_-_TCKr7R8kaDGWWAsOYLR-jRcCfyL4q7nSVg/s640/OakToNorth.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alternative 1, section from Oak Street Beach to North Avenue Beach. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The yellow, tan and brown reflect bike/ped paths or bridges/tunnels.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa7rBFWU_4-dsEq30N5EPYmtIEt1NqeX7drQhQjm3NBWivaUFkN78EWCOPR8WySatkJ6iwau-dpbFBNn_4UvHqJlS-X9og4H6XEo-asfll8qZCiwRAZ_z1znJCxGwHKFrI5H_CsyIf7k/s1600/NorthToFullerton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa7rBFWU_4-dsEq30N5EPYmtIEt1NqeX7drQhQjm3NBWivaUFkN78EWCOPR8WySatkJ6iwau-dpbFBNn_4UvHqJlS-X9og4H6XEo-asfll8qZCiwRAZ_z1znJCxGwHKFrI5H_CsyIf7k/s640/NorthToFullerton.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alternative 1, section from North Avenue Beach to Fullerton. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The yellow, tan and brown reflect bike/ped paths or bridges/tunnels.</span></td></tr>
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So where is the project right now on the timeline? They're currently in the phase of looking at all the initial alternatives and doing a primary analysis and recommendation as to whether to continue an element for further study and consideration.</div>
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And what did the project team recommend against already? Only a few options: a tunnel going under Lake Shore Drive for its entire length to create an "express lane"; an offshore tunnel going under Lake Michigan; a huge bridge or causeway going over Lake Michigan; and streetcar/tram/light rail.<br />
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The reasons given for the eliminations included high expense when compared to alternatives, and for streetcar, inflexibility of the system, slow speeds, and need for east/west connections to other transit. I think only the <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/06/thinking-big-for-better-lake-shore-drive.html">elimination of the streetcar will be disappointing to some supporters</a> .</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W63s_6xitG7wqFGipqoeDzqxgCON8wpMSe-9Vuj-e8XXoDk90tDRUMGfxEM8crKnOF0-Vho5CiVgDDD1u7LrqQZJu2cTbPVZKZJwcjprA5oclryru5QRkPAjrGU264CgzcbZ5Yoqj-w/s1600/RuledOutChart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W63s_6xitG7wqFGipqoeDzqxgCON8wpMSe-9Vuj-e8XXoDk90tDRUMGfxEM8crKnOF0-Vho5CiVgDDD1u7LrqQZJu2cTbPVZKZJwcjprA5oclryru5QRkPAjrGU264CgzcbZ5Yoqj-w/s640/RuledOutChart.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summary of the four alternatives that have been dismissed, from the project presentation.</td></tr>
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What appears to have a strong chance of being among the future final recommendations, according to my reading of the alternatives presented? </div>
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<b>1/ Reclaiming of land from the lake through infill</b></div>
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All of the alternatives show large-scale creation of new land the entire length from Ohio Street Beach to the southern end of North Avenue Beach area, near the North Boulevard underpass chess pavilion. Much of this new land would be used to add greenery and parkland on that entire stretch, which is sorely needed, as it is currently just windswept concrete.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWs-XwN1xkfhyNlrcxA2a2hs1Aja79BKIdJFE7p4hxOYkpz4hEHpXIGK-akP0ktyxj-vL_O09ghfA2nCDou65dE6wWhR5hYG1UngwmPCYSXmA1uQIYIjajv-UK4ZXNz5BGoWdUY_J9KQ/s1600/IMG_5028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWs-XwN1xkfhyNlrcxA2a2hs1Aja79BKIdJFE7p4hxOYkpz4hEHpXIGK-akP0ktyxj-vL_O09ghfA2nCDou65dE6wWhR5hYG1UngwmPCYSXmA1uQIYIjajv-UK4ZXNz5BGoWdUY_J9KQ/s640/IMG_5028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine how beautiful the lake front from Ohio St to North Avenue will be once it is not just impermeable, sun-baked, wind-swept concrete. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</span></td></tr>
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This reclamation project would be a much bigger version of the <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2016_03_01_archive.html">just-completed Fullerton Avenue revetment project</a>, in which six acres of new green space was created, and which has been very well received.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28oXEveDL_IliKfX36R_Q5f-BBcDTe2YMnX9qjYCK8NIVy0HNJue4hPjRDSHhwExutaq7YrV7nqvwxfEXTr2bLYw9A-oz06uWZq4hqTS7MarOhI0aU0jNwgPrvNyhT5GUe4yczX6tt6M/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28oXEveDL_IliKfX36R_Q5f-BBcDTe2YMnX9qjYCK8NIVy0HNJue4hPjRDSHhwExutaq7YrV7nqvwxfEXTr2bLYw9A-oz06uWZq4hqTS7MarOhI0aU0jNwgPrvNyhT5GUe4yczX6tt6M/s640/IMG_0784.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New acres of green lawn recently completed through infill at Fullerton was hugely popular this past summer.<br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The new reclaimed land along the shoreline would also provide space to create ....</div>
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<b>2/ Separate Lakefront Trail paths for bicycle traffic and pedestrian traffic</b></div>
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This has been the number one request of Lakefront Trail users on every survey, and in the input received by the LSD project team, and it will certainly happen as part of this project. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4UDFKLXeFMD39e9E5x9GWn3-yBxAAuxgUZNedsvkSW5T_Z-x8S-hZ8V5M6J4Iep_Fk7-KNvOT-qUxV7jjeyE-Je_-SqsOKqY1CnCE9s1UqrxxdYBJSD6KrROBwv7aixOjb18hcG-E4s/s1600/SeparateLFTsEntireCorridor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4UDFKLXeFMD39e9E5x9GWn3-yBxAAuxgUZNedsvkSW5T_Z-x8S-hZ8V5M6J4Iep_Fk7-KNvOT-qUxV7jjeyE-Je_-SqsOKqY1CnCE9s1UqrxxdYBJSD6KrROBwv7aixOjb18hcG-E4s/s640/SeparateLFTsEntireCorridor.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A high-level illustration of the project plan to provide separate Lakefront Trails for pedestrians and "commuters", meaning faster moving users, mostly bicyclists but also in-line skaters, skateboarders, etc. Image from the NLSD project presentation.</td></tr>
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As a matter of fact, a Chicago Park District representative spoke at the meeting and said that they are planning to work on separating the Lakefront Trail even prior to the Lake Shore Drive project (which will take 5 years or more according to the official timeline, but my money is on 10 years). He said they will hold public meetings in late winter 2017 or spring 2017 to get public input on that.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyINV_NsuoCiweSg_D6AxzlGagONHWSRtclOFupSd_6g8yy-CwkQiyTiHKDxwd5jKa6t5ES6YLCG1Me3-WO42qxncoCOjmWzl6IObuQuFr3eFxWH-cEplQySVWS-3K8Q1voCM5o-g5O_o/s1600/IMG_5867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyINV_NsuoCiweSg_D6AxzlGagONHWSRtclOFupSd_6g8yy-CwkQiyTiHKDxwd5jKa6t5ES6YLCG1Me3-WO42qxncoCOjmWzl6IObuQuFr3eFxWH-cEplQySVWS-3K8Q1voCM5o-g5O_o/s640/IMG_5867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wider Lakefront Trail through the new Fullerton area provides a nice preview of more to come in a similar vein through the Lake Shore Drive redesign. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The additional reclaimed land will also provide space for ....</div>
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<b>3/ Moving Lake Shore Drive eastward</b></div>
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Yes, the alternatives generally reflect that Outer Lake Shore Drive would be moved outward toward the lake, onto newly reclaimed land. One benefit of this is to put more distance between Outer LSD and the residences from Ohio Street to North Boulevard. The outward move is certainly needed in order to allow room for ...</div>
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<b>4/ A completely new junction configuration at Chicago Avenue</b></div>
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Currently, the intersection is controlled by a traffic signal and allows turns at some times of the day and not others. The intersection causes long back ups in car (and bus) traffic every day and all three alternatives presented includes a new design that uses grade separation and ramps instead of a traffic signal in order to address the problem. </div>
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<b>5/ Straightening Lake Shore Drive at the Oak Street curve</b></div>
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Right now, outer LSD makes two fairly sharp turns at Oak Street beach, and because drivers ignore the posted speed limit and take it far too fast, there are many crashes in this section; therefore, it appears that all the design plans include using reclaimed land to straighten out the curve. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistfeFcyp-FiGRinX7zH_9l9BRjnlDkZqt_Yfr13z0uR_YyaKLIMtpoc-ypPo0DmBPrpRi-eOpaJCjSjNMNKewi-qL5JobNM7QkvrMGL7KcJKMIfoECNkwu7KWowcDW7P2M2yFtbSXhMk/s1600/IMG_8682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistfeFcyp-FiGRinX7zH_9l9BRjnlDkZqt_Yfr13z0uR_YyaKLIMtpoc-ypPo0DmBPrpRi-eOpaJCjSjNMNKewi-qL5JobNM7QkvrMGL7KcJKMIfoECNkwu7KWowcDW7P2M2yFtbSXhMk/s640/IMG_8682.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four wide-open lanes, silky smooth asphalt, no speed cameras allowed, no police enforcement possible, no stop lights for the next six miles... and you expect drivers to follow the suggestion of 25 MPH? Just before the Oak Street curve. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park) </td></tr>
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I know what you're thinking: Straightening the roadway will make drivers feel that it's safe for them to drive even faster, so won't that just lead to an equal number of crashes in the longer run? That's my thought, too.<br />
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Lake Shore Drive is part of Chicago's boulevard system and under the 1972 Lakefront Plan of Chicago, any changes must be consistent with its retaining its parkway nature. It should not be redesigned or re-built to highway standards that encourage high speeds. We discussed this issue at length in <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/05/our-suggestions-for-better-lake-shore.html#more">our follow up input letter to the project team, which you can read on this post</a>, and we will definitely be revisiting those issues in the future.<br />
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<b>6/ Some level of prioritization for buses</b></div>
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When <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtnecExEQVFSbWp5dUU/view?usp=sharing">Bike Walk Lincoln Park provided our list of problems that we believe should be tackled </a>in the redesign project, our very first comment was that buses are stuck in traffic with other motor vehicles, and they should be be given priority, in order to encourage more people to shift to this highly efficient way of transportation in the corridor. </div>
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Indeed, it looks like solving that issue will be an important part of the redesign. The alternatives that were presented included: a lane configuration that would allow buses to ride on the right shoulder during peak traffic times; a separate but dedicated busway off of Lake Shore Drive, closer to the urban edge; and "managed lanes" either on the left or right.<br />
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The "managed lanes" would be a lane either for buses only, or always for use by buses, but also other vehicles if they have a certain number of passengers (HOV high-occupancy vehicle), or if they pay money (toll lane); or if they have a certain number of passengers and also pay a toll (HOT high-occupancy toll). </div>
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Much more detail on all these options is on the project website, and there will be more discussion and opportunity to weigh in in the future. </div>
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<b>7/ New access points for pedestrians/bicyclists via new bridges and tunnels</b></div>
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This is one of the most exciting parts of the project to me. The current Lake Shore Drive design is not in compliance with the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1973 Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span>law requiring pedestrian access points every 1/4 mile. Furthermore, many of the existing ones are in terrible shape and not in compliance with laws requiring universal accessibility. The proposed alternatives all reflect improvements for all these issues.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4-Jmq5funOO48CtjYjNSV_wqaNn8il_y31K9yjD6zkD7Zdxz2VMrgmbAYi0Ag_2z6pFwEP2HJQYPt5wd3cV49NEH7eiV8CqZNsS_ENfih5VoNieBV6iZPp1HruaVEHTpyTBGGFLXsYI/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4-Jmq5funOO48CtjYjNSV_wqaNn8il_y31K9yjD6zkD7Zdxz2VMrgmbAYi0Ag_2z6pFwEP2HJQYPt5wd3cV49NEH7eiV8CqZNsS_ENfih5VoNieBV6iZPp1HruaVEHTpyTBGGFLXsYI/s640/IMG_1259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current access point tunnel at Chicago Avenue is crumbly, rusty, dirty, dark, often flooded, and does not allow access by people with mobility issues due to six total sets of stairs between the lake and the sidewalk on the other side of Lake Shore Drive. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The proposals include newly designed bike and pedestrian tunnels and bridges that replace the current ones at Chicago Avenue, Oak Street, and Division Street. (Some would be one or two blocks from their current location.) </div>
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The alternatives also reflect the addition of not just one, but two proposed new access points between Fullerton Parkway Bridge and the North Avenue Pedestrian bridge (you can view this in the above image "<span style="text-align: center;">Alternative 1, section from North Avenue Beach to Fullerton").</span> <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2012/04/fullerton-parkway-access-to-lake-front.html#more"> Fullerton and North Avenue are two of the city's three Lakefront Trail access points with the highest volume of users</a>, and the additional ways to get people from the Lincoln Park Zoo area to the Lakefront Trail and beach would be most welcome. </div>
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As you can see from the Alternative 1 drawings above, one of the proposed access points would be just south of the Fullerton Parkway bridge, and another one half way down the South Lagoon. In both cases, they would consist of a tunnel under LSD, and then a bridge over the lagoon. Also interesting to see is that the current North Avenue pedestrian bridge would be converted into a tunnel, although I'm not sure why.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdEcpeWQ_lqwshjaWiK1gmdcIC_5BC957T7oZKvK3ksJqM0V5j2QjcFXa9ZoQPSwKzgGlxqofr6Edl5agbTvb4XZmB400xL2U6n9QaFLVnU5Pyc8TlhBpNoIduIO5CGjzP6yIwLlsaUA/s1600/FullertonUnderpass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdEcpeWQ_lqwshjaWiK1gmdcIC_5BC957T7oZKvK3ksJqM0V5j2QjcFXa9ZoQPSwKzgGlxqofr6Edl5agbTvb4XZmB400xL2U6n9QaFLVnU5Pyc8TlhBpNoIduIO5CGjzP6yIwLlsaUA/s640/FullertonUnderpass.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration of a new bike/peds access point, including green space and separate paths for slower and faster <br />
Lakefront Trail users. Image from project presentation.</td></tr>
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Again, there are also plenty of illustrations of possible changes further north, and I encourage you to view all those in the numerous documents on the project website.<br />
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So, what do you think of all this? In 2017, there will be another meeting for the task force members as well as another public meeting, so stay tuned for that.<br />
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The project team is not officially soliciting input at this time; however, if you have any comments that you're burning to share, I encourage you to send them to the project anyway via e-mail to info@northlakeshoredrive.org (in spite of the anonymous-sounding e-mail address, I assure you that those e-mails are read and not just sent to some virtual garbage bin) or by using <a href="https://public.commentworks.com/nlsd/northlakeshoredrivecommentform/">their online comment form</a>. </div>
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And of course, we'd like to hear what you say in the comments below as well! Or e-mail us at bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com and tweet us @BikeWalkLP .</div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com158tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-13344701408648184042016-05-30T20:30:00.000-05:002016-05-30T20:30:23.703-05:00Come give feedback on the Lincoln Avenue corridor!<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park: Love it? Hate it? Meh? Now's your chance to share your opinions about what's working and what's not, and to provide ideas for improving that street.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwpKi9VlY1R_MujF63DvRpgQdmA3vFB1GKU52h7o2wF_veTGVjW4xfnfDqZrO0WVdeZ0S2sqtKenmvNrAcuiyVpES2osZp51vx0lc6J_tmPnJRKh-Uftf1CUVrAJkLqgOFLJzagKiCI0/s1600/IMG_0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwpKi9VlY1R_MujF63DvRpgQdmA3vFB1GKU52h7o2wF_veTGVjW4xfnfDqZrO0WVdeZ0S2sqtKenmvNrAcuiyVpES2osZp51vx0lc6J_tmPnJRKh-Uftf1CUVrAJkLqgOFLJzagKiCI0/s640/IMG_0764.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork like this mosaic adds an element of interest to Lincoln Avenue sidewalks. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce is working on crafting a plan to guide improvements to Lincoln Avenue from Webster to Diversey. This important Lincoln Park corridor will be undergoing significant changes in the next few years, given the upcoming redevelopment at the Children's Memorial site and other large construction projects, so it's a good time to assess the street's assets and liabilities. They're seeking feedback about the public way conditions, transportation options, mix of businesses, the state of the buildings, and more. (continues -->)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8UvT4YVfn-vg1JhDGy2nT8GvVXLsZv2nbgCXL0VtrYp8_ptE1YFwH81UFwZSrt7XJs3HnXNEbF6I6ijLYXTIJ3E6CCuXrpjfiN0FUMz5nohIwgBxS0fAV0eIqHTyiWO6kcli_l7taII/s1600/Lincoln+Avenue+Map+Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8UvT4YVfn-vg1JhDGy2nT8GvVXLsZv2nbgCXL0VtrYp8_ptE1YFwH81UFwZSrt7XJs3HnXNEbF6I6ijLYXTIJ3E6CCuXrpjfiN0FUMz5nohIwgBxS0fAV0eIqHTyiWO6kcli_l7taII/s640/Lincoln+Avenue+Map+Photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The part of Lincoln Avenue that's being examined stretches from Webster Avenue to Diversey. <br />
(Provided by Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce/Lincoln Avenue SSA)</td></tr>
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To gather input, the LPCC is hosting a public open house at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater on Wednesday, June 1st, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, to gather community feedback from anyone who lives or works nearby, or visits the area. This is a "drop in" event, so you don't have to commit to a full two hours on a beautiful summer evening, and we strongly encourage you to attend. You can come for an hour, or just ten minutes, if that's all you've got.<br />
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LPCC is working with urban planning consultants Lakota Group and Sam Schwartz Engineering on this initiative, and they will have a number of maps and activities to help you share your input (typically, it consists of things like writing comments on maps, "voting" with stickers to indicate which features are most important to add to the mix, etc.). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyQJcbdzqnyHDUs8ipLtA3Z_bbRrljFHoT_N6I5RmzgQ1D5Qm5oIxTriTuG9AVyCeuhvv6_1p7gxS9UcTkNqeL48-1vO61ReB9o-cxxjffJh7tfRZ4egtnpb5w6_75UiiSeF8J3grl5U/s1600/IMG_0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyQJcbdzqnyHDUs8ipLtA3Z_bbRrljFHoT_N6I5RmzgQ1D5Qm5oIxTriTuG9AVyCeuhvv6_1p7gxS9UcTkNqeL48-1vO61ReB9o-cxxjffJh7tfRZ4egtnpb5w6_75UiiSeF8J3grl5U/s640/IMG_0677.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conditions for people on foot and on bikes at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Fullerton Avenue and Halsted Street need to be improved, for certain. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The planning is being paid for by the <a href="http://www.lincolnparkchamber.com/businesses/special-service-areas/lincoln-avenue-ssa/">Lincoln Avenue SSA</a>, and obviously the overall goal is to improve conditions for the businesses in the corridor. The nice thing is that creating a streetscape that's friendly to people walking, riding bikes and using public transit goes hand in hand with providing a robust commercial area as well: If you create a lively, accessible street environment that invites people to come often to stroll, shop, dine and drink, then businesses thrive.</div>
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Special note: Lincoln Avenue is an important bicycling route from northside neighborhoods to the central business district. Even if you "only" pass through this area and almost never stop at the businesses, we encourage you to attend the open house anyway, because you can provide information about why you don't stop, and what would make you more likely to do so. Lack of bike racks? Not enough sidewalk cafes? No stores that provide what you want to shop for? Too many sports bars? Not enough handlebar mustaches and Malort?</div>
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Details on the event are immediately below. Keep scrolling for more photos I took of the current conditions, to help get your community feedback juices going. </div>
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WHAT: Lincoln Avenue Corridor Plan Community Open House #1</div>
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WHEN: Wednesday, June 1st from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM</div>
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WHERE: Victory Gardens Biography Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago 60614</div>
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RSVP IF YOU CAN: <a href="http://lincolnavecorridoropenhouse1.eventbrite.com/">http://lincolnavecorridoropenhouse1.eventbrite.com/</a></div>
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OR SEND YOUR INPUT VIA E-MAIL TO: martin at lincolnparkchamber dot com (Martin Sorge)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGhpnbTqHnggeN7BqYR1CiYdnhom9l_mC0M5boSveaXF0t4p8FdH1K6NA_DuFK5DZi9_XxmbAYBoUE89_-T3PzamT8aBe2vRV5VJJF17yPvoEcsJ945ZJ9p0NnpnsOk-fKN0XW1zfwOI/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGhpnbTqHnggeN7BqYR1CiYdnhom9l_mC0M5boSveaXF0t4p8FdH1K6NA_DuFK5DZi9_XxmbAYBoUE89_-T3PzamT8aBe2vRV5VJJF17yPvoEcsJ945ZJ9p0NnpnsOk-fKN0XW1zfwOI/s640/IMG_0672.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The block between Webster and Belden has a large number of casual pubs. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv1uF-wJz2kAoptbEMQ8-RF_WKcItwJ5HmAfyF8AUfmCrS_rAbnF3XXIKrsxSOdFVKKptYd6GF8tQRpGIjG0bPdnbzqHqGJYQZTifSbVuozIpWLd0dmJxiaMXtBzbOvyAVcDVRpovQZs/s1600/IMG_0674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv1uF-wJz2kAoptbEMQ8-RF_WKcItwJ5HmAfyF8AUfmCrS_rAbnF3XXIKrsxSOdFVKKptYd6GF8tQRpGIjG0bPdnbzqHqGJYQZTifSbVuozIpWLd0dmJxiaMXtBzbOvyAVcDVRpovQZs/s640/IMG_0674.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When sidewalks are too narrow for seating, some businesses make use of side street options like here at Belden.<br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3AdwJRcEH-J0JJdACXf-bx-bB2n9mUvUVCDXalK8VZTn0x5EaFE0W0Rq1aA20CMOgYmLe_hOQ9VIsLbRGmXNB9u53VdUArWysso2scXjGNbSbJiUVBic6TvpcU4-DEAB3smZfIvCQD8/s1600/IMG_0756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3AdwJRcEH-J0JJdACXf-bx-bB2n9mUvUVCDXalK8VZTn0x5EaFE0W0Rq1aA20CMOgYmLe_hOQ9VIsLbRGmXNB9u53VdUArWysso2scXjGNbSbJiUVBic6TvpcU4-DEAB3smZfIvCQD8/s640/IMG_0756.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demolition is scheduled to begin in the near future at the Children's Memorial site. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcE4GPKHTQp4jU022vRttZoVLxW794GTKHwBjjvrcxlOP5no4DD4_-gbJNRBSDS0nXC4wMIwaooo7mQ8nvDOvnwMyFaxbdQzCgKbwKguOL78lNP6B1_0GbwRx_IDQ_GpM6X2Ur85PT4Y/s1600/IMG_8765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcE4GPKHTQp4jU022vRttZoVLxW794GTKHwBjjvrcxlOP5no4DD4_-gbJNRBSDS0nXC4wMIwaooo7mQ8nvDOvnwMyFaxbdQzCgKbwKguOL78lNP6B1_0GbwRx_IDQ_GpM6X2Ur85PT4Y/s640/IMG_8765.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Lincoln Avenue at Fullerton. Banks and empty storefronts don't create lively streetscapes. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8LJjVFP0WBnNv6ktkIjkR8n3HoKXebb3FbMHciIZRnhaXSa04llgxzgou-0arWpgVWn-QGBxCUYwKYykCF6eXkPIKDgVnQLVjl58I4kIKorLOk7cjpesTYYbyRocSB3BhLKe-GGZFw8/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8LJjVFP0WBnNv6ktkIjkR8n3HoKXebb3FbMHciIZRnhaXSa04llgxzgou-0arWpgVWn-QGBxCUYwKYykCF6eXkPIKDgVnQLVjl58I4kIKorLOk7cjpesTYYbyRocSB3BhLKe-GGZFw8/s640/IMG_0749.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia Porter Park at Lincoln and Halsted is somewhat hidden from view, but provides much-needed greenery on Lincoln Avenue. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg1kiWJlt_qjCFpsYoMlKIJvKN2AxiVXTtXItol2y79S_XmvVEDNRYrpc4RpMfJfKN8sZGTLJzykxQSrEGriiaOCWzRRgVMgbN2sRXH2y1YSIP9fARt-p9TzKiAXCI7OBcmdTDYA8TqE/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg1kiWJlt_qjCFpsYoMlKIJvKN2AxiVXTtXItol2y79S_XmvVEDNRYrpc4RpMfJfKN8sZGTLJzykxQSrEGriiaOCWzRRgVMgbN2sRXH2y1YSIP9fARt-p9TzKiAXCI7OBcmdTDYA8TqE/s640/IMG_0678.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone loves eating outdoors in nice weather. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBVh8dInIVNrMWB5NuQv5HzCP0RtAFsYGVWth7PuAv4YQ-Wijiz00THHcnX95au9RYgCyMvH1cn4kPwpSRGZCMcMY1ZWz4oCkyO0b3GWQLK_XVMzTXCR3WwRYkQDMd2GynKtxfJmYYKE/s1600/IMG_0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBVh8dInIVNrMWB5NuQv5HzCP0RtAFsYGVWth7PuAv4YQ-Wijiz00THHcnX95au9RYgCyMvH1cn4kPwpSRGZCMcMY1ZWz4oCkyO0b3GWQLK_XVMzTXCR3WwRYkQDMd2GynKtxfJmYYKE/s640/IMG_0680.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a traditional-style bike lane for much of the stretch of the Lincoln Avenue Corridor. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iPtgRR0W7YBkeHYNGH5aFcHxkyduVyJUIS82isdm7sxEwWNBpX5cLp_bNBFkMpqsynekrmyeZXjLrpS0qFnJpt6qekgYiUYcddjotUTrqt0EGIjXVxXINRYjNBVb7ODGk_0hLSTOk0g/s1600/IMG_0686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iPtgRR0W7YBkeHYNGH5aFcHxkyduVyJUIS82isdm7sxEwWNBpX5cLp_bNBFkMpqsynekrmyeZXjLrpS0qFnJpt6qekgYiUYcddjotUTrqt0EGIjXVxXINRYjNBVb7ODGk_0hLSTOk0g/s640/IMG_0686.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In-street Stop for Pedestrian signs help to slow down drivers and encourage them to abide by the law requiring them to stop for people using a crosswalk. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jN89nQuPzY67G9EJBtLgdAco4A4FD5resW9NjN5R1N0UAXU-2oq_NEDExEc6vW9CEZpG-oOxdzMs3s2hMCU1zAmnXT7RnX6JaYBmBF5fWOzdmc1pWE18tHI0SvPGAhP6xuaqqrwLryU/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jN89nQuPzY67G9EJBtLgdAco4A4FD5resW9NjN5R1N0UAXU-2oq_NEDExEc6vW9CEZpG-oOxdzMs3s2hMCU1zAmnXT7RnX6JaYBmBF5fWOzdmc1pWE18tHI0SvPGAhP6xuaqqrwLryU/s640/IMG_0690.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIuD5Gnnxuawp-hQ8-qZ67wHAGT19-h5ktMFSzJ2jhkoizhtEkRIPe8CWbcQTZ2r65jUpiG4YlJFqfExYp14y_o2M0tcC_SeuDDAonIesPyyndW6mn0OY6lmZRi5aQVl7DZcHHHEOIGg/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIuD5Gnnxuawp-hQ8-qZ67wHAGT19-h5ktMFSzJ2jhkoizhtEkRIPe8CWbcQTZ2r65jUpiG4YlJFqfExYp14y_o2M0tcC_SeuDDAonIesPyyndW6mn0OY6lmZRi5aQVl7DZcHHHEOIGg/s640/IMG_0739.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Due to Lincoln's angled orientation on the street grid, it has a number of five-way intersections, like this one at Wrighwood and Sheffield. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kwCJQwjbBTzWO6EVuzaj1-TGWAqtuBF1FXZVx8fMRXkW6RIpBMxm2f2PuFots5faQPiac3SlPQyznt6xSJ6dVWnHAE9fX92UIfX8TDHHLX964btyXEvihpl7vNDYims67I826jI_OJU/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kwCJQwjbBTzWO6EVuzaj1-TGWAqtuBF1FXZVx8fMRXkW6RIpBMxm2f2PuFots5faQPiac3SlPQyznt6xSJ6dVWnHAE9fX92UIfX8TDHHLX964btyXEvihpl7vNDYims67I826jI_OJU/s640/IMG_0707.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North of Wrightwood, there's a very different feel to Lincoln Avenue. Is it the mix of businesses? Less greenery? What would make it more inviting? (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-fJqJdThR3PF70S-d32WALA2OnfeZHseVWSYxhR-4mqg6QEfR6Pk3aRqaW2uMxiPZqbmf-0gsRllUT4gUPcwsOj32yTJwO3eASKZq8teWsnHhMiBWsXQRjn2R8BgxGDmhWhFGbYTNKM/s1600/IMG_0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-fJqJdThR3PF70S-d32WALA2OnfeZHseVWSYxhR-4mqg6QEfR6Pk3aRqaW2uMxiPZqbmf-0gsRllUT4gUPcwsOj32yTJwO3eASKZq8teWsnHhMiBWsXQRjn2R8BgxGDmhWhFGbYTNKM/s640/IMG_0729.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are well-marked crosswalks and a relatively rare continuous bike lane at the confluence of Lincoln, Schubert and Seminary. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPjRSWvqhorgRbE-rWEIA8NiWbwTsfaTj_BSxY1zgc8Qot2V1Ctpu3DlUYlW_87fdbxL8jb7g7ZxSZBPMZ5ZWx24gR03hyG7uqrwn65ZU4jRpunI7NAO_nF000qcJy5F5kn6w2Z4ic4Y/s1600/IMG_0726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPjRSWvqhorgRbE-rWEIA8NiWbwTsfaTj_BSxY1zgc8Qot2V1Ctpu3DlUYlW_87fdbxL8jb7g7ZxSZBPMZ5ZWx24gR03hyG7uqrwn65ZU4jRpunI7NAO_nF000qcJy5F5kn6w2Z4ic4Y/s640/IMG_0726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Gulp fans who love to drive are well-served by two 7 Eleven stores with wide-open parking lots within three blocks of each other on Lincoln Avenue. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkP7n2aRVS1-4URhnAaAV8uivbWRlqXFYVJghZKxd1a7VXTsmAfdg4VHjP4fkZ7_XDAOPs_HDWpH6Zwb6khf3nGgT5LN4a2AZrz8hcZ9GeziFed2JRJxnxntsm_Qy8Dg87DxtGQVndk0/s1600/IMG_0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkP7n2aRVS1-4URhnAaAV8uivbWRlqXFYVJghZKxd1a7VXTsmAfdg4VHjP4fkZ7_XDAOPs_HDWpH6Zwb6khf3nGgT5LN4a2AZrz8hcZ9GeziFed2JRJxnxntsm_Qy8Dg87DxtGQVndk0/s640/IMG_0711.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the northern end of the corridor near Diversey, the mix of historic and newer buildings adds some charm<br />
to the streetscape. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Any comments for us? Leave them in the comments section below; we love to hear from you, or e-mail us at bikewalklincolnpark at gmail dot com. Follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-85308635225670944862016-05-02T18:25:00.001-05:002016-05-02T18:25:22.135-05:00Our input on the Cortland/Chicago River redevelopment<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bike Walk Lincoln Park hosted a "Ride and Envision" event last weekend in order to assess the area around Cortland Street and the Chicago River, which is slated to be redeveloped over the next few years. The site lies within the boundaries of the city's 2nd ward, and Alderman Brian Hopkins has begun seeking input from the community.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHc8pYwh-izZaPKfei46UWX_v3860ZZK4Enjn_Fi5MQFCgs0CF1h3yv-QIohV_agw0d-R5353W0NauZS3VZyT0rkjhy7UGMKYKeqIvlVPSFyv0pv_AnPKEkFkhBy-RK_IQ5reX8Qfo20/s1600/IMG_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHc8pYwh-izZaPKfei46UWX_v3860ZZK4Enjn_Fi5MQFCgs0CF1h3yv-QIohV_agw0d-R5353W0NauZS3VZyT0rkjhy7UGMKYKeqIvlVPSFyv0pv_AnPKEkFkhBy-RK_IQ5reX8Qfo20/s320/IMG_0864.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citizens in action! (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael Reynolds and I led a group of citizens on a slow bike ride around the area, stopping to discuss its current state and what needs to be done to make it better for people walking, on bikes, and using public transportation. In general, we noted that the area had been a barrier in the past to people using active transportation, with lack of sufficient pathways through the site and poorly maintained sidewalks and bike lanes. It was a "dead zone" with little human activity at most times, making it uncomfortable to walk or bike through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the same time, the area already has many beneficial transportation assets nearby, and the new development should take full advantage of those. The assets include the #73 Armitage bus line, proximity to the Brown Line L station at Armitage, the Clybourn Metra station, the easternmost access point of the 606/Bloomingdale Trail, buffered bike lanes on Elston and Clybourn, and the northernmost station for future Bus Rapid Transit on Ashland Avenue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In order to transform the area into a vibrant new Chicago neighborhood, we recommend that it be developed with a </span><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">diverse mix of uses, to include residences, offices, digital manufacturing, retail, food and drink, and entertainment, which will ensure the continuous presence of people. The development needs to be done in a way that is sufficiently dense to support and sustain new local retail shops and restaurants, and create demand for improved public transportation. There should be new public space, transportation paths and recreational opportunities along the riverfront.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;">I</span><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;">n order to attract all these new uses and the people without causing a detrimental spike in motor vehicle traffic, e</span><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;">very aspect of the buildings, land, streets and public infrastructure should be designed to strongly encourage people who live, work, or visit the area to choose methods of transportation other than driving whenever possible. This can be done by making walking, biking and public transit truly safe, convenient and pleasant, through good connectivity, frequent service, safe bike lanes, wide sideways, comfortably designed streets and intersections, and so forth.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8ps12eXBu6L3ATeKHIZW-rxPMUq7RVBz_TFnX3T44sO1IciKuh5ozZstDm2zgTJqzPYiLg9wPu8xakcK-FMEgQu6hJPkUIG1LnRujN0UGIAwOIuDDevU7rfnEBJohe77Lr-MsxY5i6I/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8ps12eXBu6L3ATeKHIZW-rxPMUq7RVBz_TFnX3T44sO1IciKuh5ozZstDm2zgTJqzPYiLg9wPu8xakcK-FMEgQu6hJPkUIG1LnRujN0UGIAwOIuDDevU7rfnEBJohe77Lr-MsxY5i6I/s640/IMG_0843.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former Finkl Steel site near Cortland Street is currently a blank slate. What will be drawn on it? <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneRTVteFY0VTZuREU/view?usp=sharing">You can read our letter to Alderman Hopkins here.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">In our letter, we make reference to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneZGJqQmsxZUY1dUU/view?usp=sharing">Chicago's Pedestrian Plan, and you can view that document here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">We also refer to Chicago's <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneVmRGZnI1d3lUSk0/view?usp=sharing">Streets for Cycling 2020 plan, which is the master plan for bikeway standards and bikeway plans</a> from 2012 to 2020.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">You can express your support for our ideas or provide your own opinions to him via e-mail to: Ward02@cityofchicago.org</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.aldermanhopkins.com/#!community-events/ctuoc">Alderman Hopkins is hosting a community meeting open to the public on Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:00 PM.</a> If you wish to speak at the meeting or </span><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;">participate</span><span style="color: #202020; text-align: justify;"> in the charrette (a charrette is a hands-on brainstorming activity where participants draw and write on maps to communicate their ideas and opinions), you must register ahead of time; details on the link provided.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">We plan to continue to provide input during the process on this project, to make sure that people walking, biking and taking transit are kept in the forefront, including providing more detail on specific problems and specific solutions. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">We welcome you to drop us a line at bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list for our future events, or follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</span></div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-10794517142474931572016-04-24T19:00:00.000-05:002016-04-25T12:25:20.490-05:00Ride and Envision a new Cortland/Chicago River corridor<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The Cortland Street corridor in Lincoln Park will be undergoing big changes in the next few years. Finkl Steel and other industrial operations have vacated the area, and the buildings have been razed, clearing the way for 30 acres of new development. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNa9oRiUAcpLHOol7fpmuQt7i8xDKA6kyACaAq8d_dvsLim8CHU5TJaSyOEF4SX-6DwN39ce5YParG2U0WJDioYskbepSIlH5DfoKYllHvG33oQ5kkgpJU5nFj6KePgDTncvSuGXvJVs/s1600/%253Cgenerated-6b9da2f7a191c9595dbd739227a40103%2540messagingengine.com%253E+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNa9oRiUAcpLHOol7fpmuQt7i8xDKA6kyACaAq8d_dvsLim8CHU5TJaSyOEF4SX-6DwN39ce5YParG2U0WJDioYskbepSIlH5DfoKYllHvG33oQ5kkgpJU5nFj6KePgDTncvSuGXvJVs/s640/%253Cgenerated-6b9da2f7a191c9595dbd739227a40103%2540messagingengine.com%253E+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outline of the 30-acre site slated for redevelopment after three industrial owners vacated the area. (Image credit: Handout from North Branch Works industry presentation in May 2015.)</td></tr>
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This is a hugely important transportation corridor for people living in and visiting Lincoln Park and Bucktown, and to anyone who cares about access to the CTA, Metra, Chicago River, Clybourn and Elston bike lanes, the Bloomingdale Trail, and more.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98mzQOJ3tXEHxiraLLGARisRiHL3aUIYFqRe7g4WHPrYPP8rT7dmeSHv93oM6j0dFOVAcLyEtlkzHQgWp4w3gvzURiPgnt4qqu4qUqx0g-fsUHu8zPLQ4U-xLaBnpM7wKLYXI36aa594/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-24+at+7.33.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98mzQOJ3tXEHxiraLLGARisRiHL3aUIYFqRe7g4WHPrYPP8rT7dmeSHv93oM6j0dFOVAcLyEtlkzHQgWp4w3gvzURiPgnt4qqu4qUqx0g-fsUHu8zPLQ4U-xLaBnpM7wKLYXI36aa594/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-04-24+at+7.33.57+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cortland corridor connects the Armitage L Stop and retail, Clybourn bike lanes and retail, Chicago River, Elston bike lanes, Clybourn Metra station, Bloomingdale Trail, and more. (Google maps)</td></tr>
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The site lies on the north branch of the Chicago River, and was historically used largely for heavy industry. However, Alderman Brian Hopkins, whose 2nd Ward boundaries encompass the former Finkl site, has taken steps to remove the “Planned Manufacturing District” zoning designation, which will clear the way to a future for the area that is more befitting to a large parcel of land near the center of the city. <a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160403/lincoln-park/clybourn-corridor-soon-could-turn-residential-commercial-more-ald">Read an overview from DNA Info Chicago here.</a></div>
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The community input part of the planning process is just beginning, and <a href="http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=936879b99e79c41d6215b423f&id=4fa65a8edd&e=78bf592061">Alderman Hopkins is hosting a community session on Tuesday, May 3rd at DePaul</a>. </div>
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In order to provide Alderman Hopkins and other city leaders with written input, Bike Walk Lincoln Park co-leader Michael Reynolds and I are hosting a “Ride and Envision” event on Saturday, April 30th, and we’re inviting you to participate. </div>
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The focus of the event will be to observe the existing conditions of the streets, transit stations and public spaces for people who are on foot, on bikes, and riding public transportation. We’ll identify the existing assets as well as existing problems, and provide a broad overview of a vision for the area’s future.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4YrMWjSzLPNghqQtCsJ9aBp2TBHQe97We392LvrPFe9PlL1XB9L1g7fB0ImR8x5Xa4iBUcoVnUQBd6ptSwnXPJeD26jP1RVGXjVYAAF_560D0GXONbZ_3RK7ypaQQPRH5faF5-WxuZU/s1600/IMG_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4YrMWjSzLPNghqQtCsJ9aBp2TBHQe97We392LvrPFe9PlL1XB9L1g7fB0ImR8x5Xa4iBUcoVnUQBd6ptSwnXPJeD26jP1RVGXjVYAAF_560D0GXONbZ_3RK7ypaQQPRH5faF5-WxuZU/s640/IMG_0851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can do way better than this for people walking, biking and taking transit. Photo from June 2015, when the Cortland bridge was closed to motor vehicle traffic, and Cortland was blissfully quiet. (Photo credit: Bike Walk Lincoln Park.)</td></tr>
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Are you in? Great! It’s a long corridor, so we’re planning to ride our bikes for the event. Don’t worry, we’ll ride slowly and stay in a group to help make everyone feel comfortable. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUFytvKJRTgdR3pte9JDmdJPBGkIWn2UKUEYTdv_qjngGyWaGqEbAV0l5kkvHJEE_3ltWNqyPoHdVys6Gibt3u0i5q74zL6PkCoB68h9Vbtsfi_7YSNcJDDCZB_wBg0zOy0MGgfJmMj0/s1600/IMG_4786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUFytvKJRTgdR3pte9JDmdJPBGkIWn2UKUEYTdv_qjngGyWaGqEbAV0l5kkvHJEE_3ltWNqyPoHdVys6Gibt3u0i5q74zL6PkCoB68h9Vbtsfi_7YSNcJDDCZB_wBg0zOy0MGgfJmMj0/s320/IMG_4786.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael and I are your friendly hosts for the event!</td></tr>
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We’ll<span style="font-family: inherit;"> meet at 9:00 AM at the Divvy station at Armitage and Bissell and ride through the corridor, including on Clybourn, Cortland and Elston, to view the current site and surrounding areas. We’ll stop frequently to talk and share observations. Next, we’ll convene somewhere (location TBA depending on weather and number of participants) to sum up ou</span>r observations and opinions. Then we’ll commit the input to writing and provide it to Alderman Hopkins in a letter.</div>
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If you plan to attend, please let us know so we expect you and plan the event better. RSVP details are below. (If it’s pouring rain right at 9:00 AM, we may delay the event slightly, so be sure to let us know you’re coming so we can communicate with you.)</div>
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You can e-mail us your thoughts, too, and we’ll do our best to incorporate them. Or leave your opinions in the comments section below!<br />
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What? RIDE AND ENVISION A NEW CORTLAND/CHICAGO RIVER CORRIDOR<br />
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When? Saturday, April 30th, 2016 - 9:00 AM<br />
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Where? Meet at the Divvy station at Armitage and Bissell<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0,0,0,0.870588); text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Divvy+Station:+Bissell+St+%26+Armitage+Ave/@41.9181127,-87.6526921,19z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x3e1b30cd61d81a10?hl=en">2012 N Bissell St, Chicago, IL 60614</a>)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Who? Every Chicagoan who cares about biking, walking, transit and public spaces in the area</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">RSVP? Yes, please. Let Michelle and Michael know that you're attending </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">by e-mail to bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">or by DM on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</span></span></div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-85266015202928808832016-03-27T18:30:00.000-05:002016-04-07T05:06:14.129-05:00Review of the new Fullerton shoreline improvements<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The year-long Fullerton Revetment Project has wrapped up, and officially opened for public use once again. The main purpose of the undertaking was to improve the shoreline, and protect infrastructure and the Theater on the Lake from the lake water.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the Chicago skyline from the edge of the new Fullerton revetment. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">The plan for the Fullerton Revetment Project.</td></tr>
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A large portion of the lake has been filled in to provide nearly six acres of new park space. There’s new grass, sapling trees, and giant prairie stones that provide seating. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKhn1lHGBIetC8-bkHYqHFnPK8aMeHWfL94tuKH238zoO4ksTAULTn_LXQCUxSKD8kN_JitlimJJ-xeikyyjfeBXxpT2icps_U8pv7CFrkzwvKveZLWte2dUm7UEv8ovOtSVe-nWfXHc/s1600/IMG_3013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKhn1lHGBIetC8-bkHYqHFnPK8aMeHWfL94tuKH238zoO4ksTAULTn_LXQCUxSKD8kN_JitlimJJ-xeikyyjfeBXxpT2icps_U8pv7CFrkzwvKveZLWte2dUm7UEv8ovOtSVe-nWfXHc/s640/IMG_3013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six acres of new parkland at Fullerton. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The whole area feels a lot bigger, with more room the just breathe and relax. With the great views of the downtown skyline, I’m predicting this new parkland will become a popular spot for wedding and portrait photographers to bring their clients. Public space along the lakefront is precious and well-used, and this is definitely a valuable addition to the shoreline.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The Lakefront Trail at this point was previously a notorious chokepoint due to a confluence of Lake Shore Drive, a drinking fountain, hot dog stand, and scores of trail users, all crammed into a 12-foot wide space. Now the trail runs through the open grassy area, and feels far less chaotic than it did before.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Another huge improvement is that there is now a continuous path immediately along the lake that begins south of Fullerton and extends all the way to the Diversey Parkway bridge. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Previously, the shoreline path was interrupted by boulders and damaged areas, forcing people to get back on the Lakefront Trail. The new shoreline is wide, level and provides ample opportunity for casual biking, strolling or sitting on the embankment to enjoy views of the lake.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uZhmZAR0V6IQgfZ9HUIAqzsyzCD1cUYxFoh3GQCTAbqu4-BngpT0RHfTwMmjd04xKnGMqw8NVCq9rUULO_fEA2HFPFMp5idCp-Q9sHLQqC_oMMmROZHCahl14jifpmZpBZNFAs_bXh4/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uZhmZAR0V6IQgfZ9HUIAqzsyzCD1cUYxFoh3GQCTAbqu4-BngpT0RHfTwMmjd04xKnGMqw8NVCq9rUULO_fEA2HFPFMp5idCp-Q9sHLQqC_oMMmROZHCahl14jifpmZpBZNFAs_bXh4/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new shoreline north of Fullerton. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week celebrated the completion of the project. In his speech, Mayor Emanuel recalled how crowded the Lakefront Trail was at the Theater on the Lake area, and joked that you used to have to take out a life insurance policy to get a drink of water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy7iinv_Tp39qSPIkQFVkQjVqsunLP42XxHj1bfitUEB2O9d1HNF8rN69WSYS-cnffOAEdEZb_yeQ19J_KYvHerF7KmCAHwWdNYSViaWdYQuwC2rHROA94yOa5D023Vq0bgoIA9zeusI/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy7iinv_Tp39qSPIkQFVkQjVqsunLP42XxHj1bfitUEB2O9d1HNF8rN69WSYS-cnffOAEdEZb_yeQ19J_KYvHerF7KmCAHwWdNYSViaWdYQuwC2rHROA94yOa5D023Vq0bgoIA9zeusI/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senator Dick Durbin, Alderman Michele Smith, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Parks Commissioner Mike Kelly, Transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld, and an official from the US Army Corps of Engineers at the ribbon-cutting.<br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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There was a lot of mention in the speeches of how there is now separation of the paths for bicyclists from everyone else, and even talk of not having to hear "On your left!" being called out any longer. </div>
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I'm not convinced of that. The new continuous shoreline stretch from Fullerton to Diversey is lovely; however, it will be interesting to see how many people will actually choose that route, since they can't see where it leads after it bends northward, and there are no signs to help them. It's just human nature to stay on the paved, painted Lakefront Trail, even though it's busier and narrower, since it's more direct and they're assured that they won't hit a dead end and have to detour.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV44wnr722PlfBfcIz-d7iYjKLqrbhl11AsuGif610WNyL_H9EvsYcmPnSWNDp7rqdZES8mDaR9Vjpd-Es8rjh77LjVzZDIYeZBq3AqJzTF6KU7XZcTk9hNaDXT_D9_qnWvIynIMRaIW4/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV44wnr722PlfBfcIz-d7iYjKLqrbhl11AsuGif610WNyL_H9EvsYcmPnSWNDp7rqdZES8mDaR9Vjpd-Es8rjh77LjVzZDIYeZBq3AqJzTF6KU7XZcTk9hNaDXT_D9_qnWvIynIMRaIW4/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It remains to be seen how many people will choose to take the new shoreline path here instead of continuing on the more crowded and narrow Lakefront Trail. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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On the other hand, it may be that the touting of the separation of users was referring to a new gravel path south of the Theater on the Lake area, which extends about 350 yards and is pictured below. It runs alongside the west side of the "real" Lakefront Trail, and is slightly elevated. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTCzXZNG42WkQWrg5ctkY3EZCyp3eMGgSSljYgIxk1ICiOPU5cjtU4vomL2Pzia4jH6o2-Rw5E9yTwLGEa6ExetwrBMaXi9bm9tbPv9PAn1f0pQGiusDXsuOBeQ-laJUUD16zg-3GkiE/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTCzXZNG42WkQWrg5ctkY3EZCyp3eMGgSSljYgIxk1ICiOPU5cjtU4vomL2Pzia4jH6o2-Rw5E9yTwLGEa6ExetwrBMaXi9bm9tbPv9PAn1f0pQGiusDXsuOBeQ-laJUUD16zg-3GkiE/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new gravel path along the Lakefront Trail near Fullerton. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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This short gravel path is a pleasant new option, but it doesn't connect back to the Lakefront Trail on its north end. Instead, it leads northbound people directly to a new motor vehicle turnaround in front of the Theater on the Lake. From there, they have to either make a "hard right" to get back on the trail, or traverse diagonally across the grass to make their own way (I'm predicting a "wish path" formation here). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyXReEOgBymHFPZhDKVNIJeix67w5qp7NEblMwy3JClJyiUAgpLLUQyRbZTJsAOofrkinxU08nAm2jOVtJK0reUvFFq2B407Y3g_uT1Wh4QMJoDyArXPpvtOtHHUQnjHIH_nygAWhVjQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyXReEOgBymHFPZhDKVNIJeix67w5qp7NEblMwy3JClJyiUAgpLLUQyRbZTJsAOofrkinxU08nAm2jOVtJK0reUvFFq2B407Y3g_uT1Wh4QMJoDyArXPpvtOtHHUQnjHIH_nygAWhVjQ/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new gravel path, seen on the lower left, leads users to the motor vehicle turnaround. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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And people arriving to the area from the north are not guided onto the gravel trail at all, so it's unlikely that they will make the effort to use the new path.<br />
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So although it's very nice to have another option, let's be honest: The new gravel path is less than 1/4 mile long, will be helpful mainly to people entering or exiting the lakefront at Fullerton, and is unlikely to take much pressure off the congestion of the actual Lakefront Trail.</div>
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A note about the turnaround: Alderman Smith advised me that its purpose is to provide drop off opportunities for Theater on the Lake events and for park district use, increasing its accessibility and usefulness, and that it's not meant to be open for public use. I note there is a gate that controls usage, and it's more than occasionally open, at which time drivers quickly flood in to use the "free parking spots", given that there are no signage or markings prohibiting them. Therefore, we recommend the park district keep very tight control of the gate, and that the curb be painted yellow as soon as possible, so that the new parkland isn't transformed into yet another surface lot for private motor vehicle storage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGPB0HQmfGgJiyXgJu0Akc71mn__LJqL0Ci1HjVMk81aVhS20XX35D2GIeatgypdxfGGLP32zKNbxxtWiJwGEwBwuhvlQ99hWCJqTegHeYF6ijXq6tlXuQ0YkNnAEvmMPA7mlVm2vVI/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGPB0HQmfGgJiyXgJu0Akc71mn__LJqL0Ci1HjVMk81aVhS20XX35D2GIeatgypdxfGGLP32zKNbxxtWiJwGEwBwuhvlQ99hWCJqTegHeYF6ijXq6tlXuQ0YkNnAEvmMPA7mlVm2vVI/s640/IMG_0195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the gates to the turnaround are open, drivers flood in to nab what appears to be free parking along the curb and on the sidewalk. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The last issue is the waves hitting the Lakefront Trail. The trail immediately south of Fullerton has been notorious for being flooded with lake water three seasons of the year and iced over for most of the winter, creating conditions from inconvenient to hazardous for all trail users. I would think that this project would have been a good opportunity to eliminate this problem. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9W6fr15ce-vhvHzlcyDxEvg_AtIbsTalsLklQIy6P_YHz_TFx0SAWKCPPNteTqYv335Tme_wD361YRIje3M1ayLHBgFm3pWoc8-ceFAvqKXdCIxXXsC79buLzr_2JOaK7XOiyv9uAig/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9W6fr15ce-vhvHzlcyDxEvg_AtIbsTalsLklQIy6P_YHz_TFx0SAWKCPPNteTqYv335Tme_wD361YRIje3M1ayLHBgFm3pWoc8-ceFAvqKXdCIxXXsC79buLzr_2JOaK7XOiyv9uAig/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind and waves flood the Lakefront Trail in October 2011. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The good news is that the area of the lake that was causing much of the flooding was filled in to create the new parkland, so that portion of the trail is now protected.<br />
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The bad news is that plenty of the Lakefront Trail between Fullerton and North Avenue is still very close to lake, including the part immediately south of the new revetment project shoreline, as seen in my photos below. Therefore, the trail in that area will unfortunately still suffer from flooding and ice in the future.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i49Mshf2XKr4KmrAAzsq90DEv-0xu3SNuTUfisrXAcTB7V9cqFsCyj6Vms8Voe3y4LKbvDMpras0_92rlm0owVTyuB6bWigR8Al48wMaE6PyF8Ws3ROCnuRx_0rhiomPJTpDaXd1sHM/s1600/IMG_3070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i49Mshf2XKr4KmrAAzsq90DEv-0xu3SNuTUfisrXAcTB7V9cqFsCyj6Vms8Voe3y4LKbvDMpras0_92rlm0owVTyuB6bWigR8Al48wMaE6PyF8Ws3ROCnuRx_0rhiomPJTpDaXd1sHM/s640/IMG_3070.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lakefront Trail will still experience flooding and ice south of the new Fullerton parkland. Photo taken earlier in March 2016. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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I understand that wind and waves are powerful, and any time there is infrastructure this close to Lake Michigan, it's going to be battered. Also, the unusable portion of the Lakefront Trail has now been reduced in length, which is an improvement. However, these photos were taken when there were only moderately high wind and waves, fairly routine lakefront conditions, so it appears that this problem is far from solved, which is a pity. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpEgLr3Y2LhCJdQ1m_lsP_nzVtBbhKyuXqzcP29bemy8jX93698-ZAblJp_7R_s7PRgJyuevenFEV8y-ocGOgv408VBAAOfRe1uOFoOUS_Y71-NSwDDgujl070Wuhx3igcLrzZaJZqFM/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpEgLr3Y2LhCJdQ1m_lsP_nzVtBbhKyuXqzcP29bemy8jX93698-ZAblJp_7R_s7PRgJyuevenFEV8y-ocGOgv408VBAAOfRe1uOFoOUS_Y71-NSwDDgujl070Wuhx3igcLrzZaJZqFM/s640/12.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners and bicyclists dealing with deep sand deposited onto the Lakefront Trail. Photo taken March 26, 2016. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Mayor Emanuel recently said that he would like to see separate paths for Lakefront Trail users all the way from Fullerton to Ohio Street Beach. That would be fantastic and is in fact a goal of the <a href="http://www.northlakeshoredrive.org/">Redefine Lake Shore Drive</a> project, which covers the Lakefront Trail. The possibilities and constraints of that vision are enough material for another post on another day.</div>
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How do you like the new Fullerton shoreline area? Comments welcome below.Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-59841238352422818502015-05-30T13:18:00.001-05:002016-04-24T18:02:03.038-05:00How to safely ride to the Bloomingdale Trailby Michelle Stenzel<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We’re very excited for the June 6</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> opening of the <a href="https://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/">Bloomingdale Trail</a>. This new 2.7-mile long elevated trail and the adjacent <a href="http://the606.org/">606 park system</a> will be a great asset to the neighborhoods it runs through, providing new green space as well as a low-stress transportation route between Bucktown/Wicker Park and Logan Square/Humboldt Park.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7TfJbm4t7sr5FSkmJKAdynq3jQS_9PXTTNNVKGdSIQ38_5TWMhO5wleGVyD6HNNPOclDH-biqivK3t3oSOd5q5dGr8pa0SGDesgDjYeqIru7roAhqZS9mG1fUTxK4LvyCnyFkYq9oMs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-29+at+3.50.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7TfJbm4t7sr5FSkmJKAdynq3jQS_9PXTTNNVKGdSIQ38_5TWMhO5wleGVyD6HNNPOclDH-biqivK3t3oSOd5q5dGr8pa0SGDesgDjYeqIru7roAhqZS9mG1fUTxK4LvyCnyFkYq9oMs/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-29+at+3.50.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the Bloomingdale Trail website.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Here’s a map of the Bloomingdale Trail's access points</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeUZMLvSxONcyQm_LiteG7xaSlwxI8hgonljbJ4n5xSItArE9Pb1DqmjJ6505zV9WzfWPT9VU2LK0hItCAlEtDO9x3sg7nhr_Y6LijLf-gKHuJias_DGHddGNTFHSiaqVhYkX_pSV_YM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-25+at+6.54.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeUZMLvSxONcyQm_LiteG7xaSlwxI8hgonljbJ4n5xSItArE9Pb1DqmjJ6505zV9WzfWPT9VU2LK0hItCAlEtDO9x3sg7nhr_Y6LijLf-gKHuJias_DGHddGNTFHSiaqVhYkX_pSV_YM/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-25+at+6.54.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the 606 website.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">What’s particularly exciting to us is that the easternmost part of the trail is very close to Lincoln Park! For people living in the area of Armitage and Racine, the Walsh Park access point (in yellow on the map above) is less than one mile away. Even for people living in Lincoln Park’s northeast corner, near Diversey and Lake Shore Drive, the distance is less than three miles, a mere 20-minute bike ride. We know many Lincoln Park residents and visitors will want to visit the Bloomingdale Trail regularly, so the question is, which mode of transportation will you use to get there? You’re not going to drive, are you?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> (More -->)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We’d like to encourage you to ride your bike to get to the Bloomingdale Trail. Not only is it only a short distance, once you arrive, you don't have to </span>worry<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> about parking, and </span>you'll have<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> your bike to enjoy the full 5.4-mile trail loop.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We’ve made a map of the best route to take on bike to the Bloomingdale Trail from the Lakefront Trail and Lincoln Park. We’ve color-coded the sections to give you an idea of how relaxed vs. stressed you’ll feel on various segments. Dark green is safest, red is “don’t go there”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Color key:</b></span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dark green = Safest/Best/Comfortable for all people riding bikes from age 8 to 80.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lighter Green = Comfortable conditions for many people riding bikes.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Yellow = Somewhat stressful conditions for many people riding bikes.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Red = Unacceptable conditions for riding a bike for most people. </b></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">And here’s the map of our suggested bike route to take from Lincoln Park and the Lakefront Trail to the Bloomingdale Trail:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPIiUuCjgsfK2xAh-5jTaPGnp1gxEmDcEck9HBg01wmH89stXAh-nrvZxeENx9t1EGPqNzlRJiTXetykPTNhm2RerJCwQIhkVv7cAKN7ig5WX4mGY1VcnJ3sIdYWLRWh_zvdi2RTzDrU/s1600/The606AccessRoutes%255Brevised%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPIiUuCjgsfK2xAh-5jTaPGnp1gxEmDcEck9HBg01wmH89stXAh-nrvZxeENx9t1EGPqNzlRJiTXetykPTNhm2RerJCwQIhkVv7cAKN7ig5WX4mGY1VcnJ3sIdYWLRWh_zvdi2RTzDrU/s640/The606AccessRoutes%255Brevised%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our suggested bike route map to get to the Bloomingdale Trail/606 from Lincoln Park and the Lakefront Trail.<br />
We included the location of Divvy stations along the route in case you're on a Divvy and want to stop along the way. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">The good news is that there are no red segments! The bad news is that there’s a little too much yellow. Armitage Avenue is generally a pretty good bike route to take due to its traditional-style bike lanes through Lincoln Park.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsvwy7b7UTZRHgtsmg_91kYVNiOoXktZgzjhmD1CrOO1LG857I82WVZtm8JRJFqqmOwDQOt7i8ohoFkobynJlDeLvpC5Dh1VPGSB8bB9_1bqHhCidwz4YMa3a8Gwzsq0UXvlDctZqHbg/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsvwy7b7UTZRHgtsmg_91kYVNiOoXktZgzjhmD1CrOO1LG857I82WVZtm8JRJFqqmOwDQOt7i8ohoFkobynJlDeLvpC5Dh1VPGSB8bB9_1bqHhCidwz4YMa3a8Gwzsq0UXvlDctZqHbg/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armitage Avenue has traditional-style bike lanes through most of Lincoln Park. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Unfortunately, the Armitage bike lanes disappear at major intersections as well as under the Armitage L stop, and on Racine.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tOIPOrdyt2eLuRKzOQYj4ifn0507X4zSsSrkADoNv_HfDkg0Id6TKOGdikj4rbYWVwKK8sToyzZz-p7-39eCoPBI9MqSOaDxrAE6XimrObcd3QgzzNPaOqiOeK9MvCfkQJvRuaGEEks/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tOIPOrdyt2eLuRKzOQYj4ifn0507X4zSsSrkADoNv_HfDkg0Id6TKOGdikj4rbYWVwKK8sToyzZz-p7-39eCoPBI9MqSOaDxrAE6XimrObcd3QgzzNPaOqiOeK9MvCfkQJvRuaGEEks/s640/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Armitage Avenue bike lanes disappear under the L stop. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">For those stretches, a person riding a bike is given no choice but to merge with the motor vehicle traffic. However, those are very brief segments.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cortland Street through the Finkl Steel area would generally be marked as yellow on the map due to high motor vehicle traffic volumes and faded-to-nothing bike lane markings, but given that <a href="http://www.lincolnparkchamber.com/community-news/cortland-construction-forces-extended-detour/">the Cortland bridge will be closed to motorized traffic from June 1, 2015 to November 1, 2015</a> for repairs, it might actually be better marked as lighter green, so we’ve given it a hybrid marking. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa6mfNSMliEJ_acBh6rj5-LRrXW3qNUyEyddI86B-1BFndbZhYWq3u0cHLLIXxFz7svjjp3zUkTaIwa2KU9VH7Z1EeHCa60S3X5HUYZSoOhucZXlefZHe8Bt4hjRkfm7VrRvCa9t5NKA/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa6mfNSMliEJ_acBh6rj5-LRrXW3qNUyEyddI86B-1BFndbZhYWq3u0cHLLIXxFz7svjjp3zUkTaIwa2KU9VH7Z1EeHCa60S3X5HUYZSoOhucZXlefZHe8Bt4hjRkfm7VrRvCa9t5NKA/s640/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Divvy bike riders make their way westward on Cortland, through the former Finkl Steet site. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">With no way for cars, trucks and SUVs to get over the river for the next five months, drivers will have little reason to take Cortland, which will cut down traffic and increase bicycling comfort immensely. Fortunately, there will always be one sidewalk open during the repair period, so you can just hop off your bike to walk it a few yards across the bridge if there are pedestrians present.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofEaY3gubfDMgSushXMAXVehDSnVrNOYsjPvPVlkPBasaMJ5dHaozInQDdMXJCd1hNgjCW5ltBx83BYrqVGjqJsz-LS3kMYjRPCyi2xbEYbhykbHmNsX6wouiI-PF6tuc0g-_fUzGohY/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofEaY3gubfDMgSushXMAXVehDSnVrNOYsjPvPVlkPBasaMJ5dHaozInQDdMXJCd1hNgjCW5ltBx83BYrqVGjqJsz-LS3kMYjRPCyi2xbEYbhykbHmNsX6wouiI-PF6tuc0g-_fUzGohY/s640/5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cortland Street bridge will be closed to motor vehicle traffic for five months of 2015, but one sidewalk will always remain open for non-motorized users. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">The least-comfortable part of the route to the Bloomingdale is on Cortland Street at the triple-threat confluence of Ashland Avenue, the Metra train tracks and 90-94 expressway. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFsBM6Vm5yd9ed_bimvbzNR3y_NOWiYOcyQXA_3d2mC4Yz2nDC7_PANBn2Ms6axtg-dvrAdeyQhR8f9DNHNq7ultDeEDsx2w2Z6lSHjr9x1b2Pj-egJJqpgOOqOce8TlJZUSLjqhqg74/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFsBM6Vm5yd9ed_bimvbzNR3y_NOWiYOcyQXA_3d2mC4Yz2nDC7_PANBn2Ms6axtg-dvrAdeyQhR8f9DNHNq7ultDeEDsx2w2Z6lSHjr9x1b2Pj-egJJqpgOOqOce8TlJZUSLjqhqg74/s640/6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view on Cortland headed under the Metra and 90/94 viaducts, at Ashland Avenue. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two overhead viaducts from the Metra and 90/94 make it dark and foreboding, and the high-speed, high-volumes of north-south motor vehicle traffic on Ashland also feels threatening. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvVJtIOeuvOKDd00l9j4z5Gc9GcN0uarBYpqeX08LLXnj19zqJN5iDPSO7DfwuGCeHJaIoM-E-o-iFM5yGQHWMJok7kk9r5R4H4jJyK6G2wBowTSK5JB-vqlG5K0YFrD1UWwaoge1h5M/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvVJtIOeuvOKDd00l9j4z5Gc9GcN0uarBYpqeX08LLXnj19zqJN5iDPSO7DfwuGCeHJaIoM-E-o-iFM5yGQHWMJok7kk9r5R4H4jJyK6G2wBowTSK5JB-vqlG5K0YFrD1UWwaoge1h5M/s640/7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicyclists navigate their way through the Cortland/Ashland intersection. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Fortunately 1/ this yellow part of the route is a relatively short segment that you can traverse within a few minutes, and 2/ if you get uncomfortable, there is a sidewalk all the way from Elston to the west side of the 90-94 viaduct that you can ride on (slowly of course!). </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Immediately on the other side of 90/94, you’re suddenly in a leafy, quiet part of Bucktown, and Cortland feels like a quiet neighborhood street once again. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkiuNId86OA8J3yyIiMpQFQyi8vvH5EqFabfAU-vlpQthKrjyL-zm1vY1JMBbe0MLmtN-50NlLoyRjoFOsmXeQwLuGuXjEaxeDj128zpgwmJHxCh6Ll36VRn9IvlRecxu3r1MD6_q-qk/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkiuNId86OA8J3yyIiMpQFQyi8vvH5EqFabfAU-vlpQthKrjyL-zm1vY1JMBbe0MLmtN-50NlLoyRjoFOsmXeQwLuGuXjEaxeDj128zpgwmJHxCh6Ll36VRn9IvlRecxu3r1MD6_q-qk/s640/8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cortland Street west of Ashland is a comfortable, low-stress route for bicyclists. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A quick left turn onto Marshfield and a short pedal later, and you’ve arrived at Walsh Park, and an access point to get on the Bloomingdale Trail. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, wouldn't you know it: After composing this entire post, I saw that the Bloomingdale Trail folks have a brand new tool you can use to find your nearest access point (<a href="http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/access_points/nearby.html">What's my closest access point?</a>) and when you enter the address of North Boulevard and Lake Shore Drive and search for a bicycle route, it generates the following map:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX6875G13dW0PJ_emCBKU-L_J6hWivXhBZm86WtBy5jXiAJbqnN8lsIcylBLfS66z4SImy4jqS5s2sy2BsTgeGyCbR9KJ6XRfBXmfGSDRzb3vN3Vl2n7zGazeVhsuORBQ8moNGkb6jhg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-30+at+12.55.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX6875G13dW0PJ_emCBKU-L_J6hWivXhBZm86WtBy5jXiAJbqnN8lsIcylBLfS66z4SImy4jqS5s2sy2BsTgeGyCbR9KJ6XRfBXmfGSDRzb3vN3Vl2n7zGazeVhsuORBQ8moNGkb6jhg/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-30+at+12.55.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suggested bicycle route to the closest Bloomingdale Trail access point from the Lakefront Trail, per the finder tool<br />
from the Trail's website.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looks pretty familiar, doesn't it? The only significant difference is that this map directs you to ride on Clark Street from Eugenie to Armitage, and we advise strongly against that. <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2011/09/make-clark-liveable-street.html">Clark Street in this stretch is a four-lane street with very fast-moving cars and buses, and no bike lanes of any kind</a>. Therefore, until this segment is upgraded as <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2012/12/whats-in-store-for-lincoln-park-under.html">is planned under Streets for Cycling 2020</a>, we recommend you avoid Clark and Stockton, and just ride on the paths through the park instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hope you find our map and photos useful, and enjoy the ride!</span></div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-7248083577380472142015-05-25T19:22:00.003-05:002015-05-25T19:22:40.104-05:00Lincoln Park's Kidical Mass family bike ride 2015 schedule announced<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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So you've got kids now, and want to ride with them on Chicago's streets? One way to begin is to join a Kidical Mass family bike ride in your neighborhood. Kidical Mass rides (it's a play on the words "Critical Mass") are volunteer-led, volunteer-organized, free family bike rides held in a number of neighborhoods, including Logan Square, Roscoe Village, South Loop, Lincoln Square and Edison Park. (Chicago Kidical Mass has a <a href="http://chicagokidicalmass.org/">website</a> as well as a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoKidicalMass?fref=ts">Facebook page</a>.)</div>
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Lincoln Park's rides began two years ago, and have become popular events. Jerry Quandt, former aldermanic candidate and active Bike Walk Lincoln Park participant, is taking over as Lincoln Park Kidical Mass ride coordinator, and he has announced the season's full schedule:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVH7m7dtr5YBH-kGW0KhYysMijOgNeEOAHR4VkqsK5u2yI9Ifkg_ECLKuThDtoLpxdzP6Vbfs5Yi2DMqpxL0RzTapVd_4paTPTLe4SuzUnSOFRrZaDZpiQ83SqYVuh0u7gT7zKR8tp4c/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVH7m7dtr5YBH-kGW0KhYysMijOgNeEOAHR4VkqsK5u2yI9Ifkg_ECLKuThDtoLpxdzP6Vbfs5Yi2DMqpxL0RzTapVd_4paTPTLe4SuzUnSOFRrZaDZpiQ83SqYVuh0u7gT7zKR8tp4c/s640/Slide1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Most of the monthly rides will be held on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 pm, but the first ride on Saturday, May 30th will be at 9:30 am, and then end at the <a href="http://www.lincolncentral.org/spring-zing/">Spring Zing event</a> sponsored by Lincoln Central Association. That event will have pros from Performance Bicycle providing free safety check ups on bikes, and a team from Lurie Children's Hospital giving a demonstration on bike safety for kids.<br />
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More --><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k7prD88GxQTZzjdwhb7OCzs2O4cADaJ2UgbMBY01kGI2aHNqnTJ8sxu-BV97480XVg4qcYFs_gvcs9IM8UQLW6BJpnW9knDHSrVOb-J_c9D7xb3Jhc7vcWZedMnaltHxUyTXUk5pK60/s1600/Slide1+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k7prD88GxQTZzjdwhb7OCzs2O4cADaJ2UgbMBY01kGI2aHNqnTJ8sxu-BV97480XVg4qcYFs_gvcs9IM8UQLW6BJpnW9knDHSrVOb-J_c9D7xb3Jhc7vcWZedMnaltHxUyTXUk5pK60/s640/Slide1+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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These rides are a great way to meet families who are interested in family biking. All ages of kids are welcomed, including teens, who could help out by keeping the littler kids safely corralled. Even if you don't have any cute kids to participate in the ride, you're welcome to come and help out by serving as a "blocker" at intersections, or the "caboose" at the back of the group.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSl7fScH_YWvVzXSa_K26OZ87Zo090hcu5uiuJxde7vqpjosQW00zqLax5lQ-fnCQPMjCpalI9HpcU12xS0QRwADXa-7B6N8fVESsPHgUTpcTC7oklG9CnoHT-I8ZQxn_xE6T2IvW-Yk/s1600/IMG_2268+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSl7fScH_YWvVzXSa_K26OZ87Zo090hcu5uiuJxde7vqpjosQW00zqLax5lQ-fnCQPMjCpalI9HpcU12xS0QRwADXa-7B6N8fVESsPHgUTpcTC7oklG9CnoHT-I8ZQxn_xE6T2IvW-Yk/s640/IMG_2268+-+Version+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lincoln Park Kidical Mass bike ride in September 2013. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The rides will go forth, rain or shine! Meet up in Oz Park, at the playground (approximately 657 West Webster Avenue). You don't have to live in Lincoln Park to participate!</div>
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If you have questions, would like to be added to the LP Kidical Mass mailing list, or want to let Jerry know you can volunteer to help out with the ride, drop a line to:</div>
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LPKidicalMass@gmail.com</div>
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More information and background about the rides is in this <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150522/lincoln-park/kids-set-take-over-streets-during-kidical-mass">DNA Info Chicago article.</a></div>
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Hope to see you at Kidical Mass!</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-4566363214921404232015-01-27T09:35:00.001-06:002015-01-27T14:15:35.144-06:00Aldermanic candidates voice opinions on bike, walk + transit issues<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We're thrilled to share with you that all four candidates who will be on the ballot for the 43rd ward aldermanic election responded to <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2015/01/active-transport-questionnaires-for.html">our questionnaire on bicycling, walking and public transportation issues</a>! The questionnaire began with eight citywide questions posed by the Active Transportation Alliance, and then Bike Walk Lincoln Park provided five ward-specific queries as well. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt6si5I05qbyg2Qrpu_uISLrYHynfZxS1eOf4PmPZIowMCb9AT2M9yzqSBIdThIZPOFPoNbmRVTqTx9fmXP6x6Ryb6uPcp8J6Za98nLBSF6af0Eo31IV0giHEw749t0UnlPa3Ot07RI8/s1600/IMG_5650+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt6si5I05qbyg2Qrpu_uISLrYHynfZxS1eOf4PmPZIowMCb9AT2M9yzqSBIdThIZPOFPoNbmRVTqTx9fmXP6x6Ryb6uPcp8J6Za98nLBSF6af0Eo31IV0giHEw749t0UnlPa3Ot07RI8/s1600/IMG_5650+-+Version+2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosswalk with in-street Stop For Pedestrians sign on Diversey near the L station. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The citywide questions touch on many topics of interest, including separated trails for biking and walking on the lake front, support for participatory budgeting in the ward, and support for photo enforcement technology of existing traffic laws. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We encourage you to read the full questionnaire responses of all four candidates: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvFlpTWDZVTUEwr1R9J2vlv1-csfpg5lgzmdqU91Y-939hov6RLSX5i54zHNXkVS-ZuogXS2JPGq9Epooqx0wPNYL_g36FJ4yiPRdxAcCirToclI4dGDuPEdKPALooUD3TFIj1Rv50iY/s1600/10408107_864654206919794_6840498253692189909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvFlpTWDZVTUEwr1R9J2vlv1-csfpg5lgzmdqU91Y-939hov6RLSX5i54zHNXkVS-ZuogXS2JPGq9Epooqx0wPNYL_g36FJ4yiPRdxAcCirToclI4dGDuPEdKPALooUD3TFIj1Rv50iY/s1600/10408107_864654206919794_6840498253692189909_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF3hrBqIql0dShTcYzRtab1c7JO9jpz9_DHbfbFIW37Kti6D6ke8cVRldXiHS_InFiGAZlbBUnoQqc8ZxmUucW0vkJMvwgRFBv2meASJ3jlO6nvaj0d9Vzx9k5112lmWsMrNAFoXapw8/s1600/10606118_718336998235046_5486235826964267700_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF3hrBqIql0dShTcYzRtab1c7JO9jpz9_DHbfbFIW37Kti6D6ke8cVRldXiHS_InFiGAZlbBUnoQqc8ZxmUucW0vkJMvwgRFBv2meASJ3jlO6nvaj0d9Vzx9k5112lmWsMrNAFoXapw8/s1600/10606118_718336998235046_5486235826964267700_n-1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneSXZvNFZ6OWpxSlU/view?usp=sharing" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jen Kramer</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoZGpbBHyKCl7RH6yOsJYgS4Y7GD6dzJOop2ElSdnMQT6IPkd6d1lDg5-cJS03Js7NfXi2kQaZDdEgrVU_Xlcw3VQMVmjAKHQYmw2QZ7Rfbv84I1EnLiaMTsNIzAZyPDcYrqPPkmZjxc/s1600/264779_217074821661323_2596274_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoZGpbBHyKCl7RH6yOsJYgS4Y7GD6dzJOop2ElSdnMQT6IPkd6d1lDg5-cJS03Js7NfXi2kQaZDdEgrVU_Xlcw3VQMVmjAKHQYmw2QZ7Rfbv84I1EnLiaMTsNIzAZyPDcYrqPPkmZjxc/s1600/264779_217074821661323_2596274_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1MtyQ9MHACUDTR8ba3EuJlHx6uLV_5Xax_U9kDx3xoUUbu4mlASfG3GSXz9dIcAxf6biyo5yp3Gek3d9TDWZYPh2KLRI1dHbSdQwDAcPOly8Mb3IyQa9h_-qpSkUFjMhc5rhHQKK9ec/s1600/1782001_663116180475220_4734238762999589652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1MtyQ9MHACUDTR8ba3EuJlHx6uLV_5Xax_U9kDx3xoUUbu4mlASfG3GSXz9dIcAxf6biyo5yp3Gek3d9TDWZYPh2KLRI1dHbSdQwDAcPOly8Mb3IyQa9h_-qpSkUFjMhc5rhHQKK9ec/s1600/1782001_663116180475220_4734238762999589652_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1MtyQ9MHACUDTR8ba3EuJlHx6uLV_5Xax_U9kDx3xoUUbu4mlASfG3GSXz9dIcAxf6biyo5yp3Gek3d9TDWZYPh2KLRI1dHbSdQwDAcPOly8Mb3IyQa9h_-qpSkUFjMhc5rhHQKK9ec/s1600/1782001_663116180475220_4734238762999589652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneUFJBTm1EZnQ5Q1k/view?usp=sharing" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jerry Quandt</a><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneOHQ2MTFlbUhQWFE/view?usp=sharing" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Michele Smith</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneLS1rVllYTmFmNnM/view?usp=sharing" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caroline Vickrey</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For your convenience, we've posted the five 43rd ward Bike Walk Lincoln Park questions below, followed by each candidate's answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BWLP's Question #1</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What do you believe is working well for people walking, riding bikes
or taking public transportation in the 43rd ward, and what do you
believe are some of the most important changes that would make it
more safe, convenient and pleasant?</b></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">JEN KRAMER:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">One of my roles at the City of Chicago - Mayor's Office of Special Events was Director
of Sports Development. I was on the original team that helped actualize Bike the
Drive, Chicago's Bike Week and oversaw the City's collective event called Bike
Chicago. I can speak with experience that education on bike safety and creating
cycling events can help promote cycling, safety, and educate our neighborhood on the
importance of alternative transit. </span></div>
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<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JERRY QUANDT:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> </b>Working Well</span><br />
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<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lincoln Ave. resurfacing and the bike lanes getting repainted.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Brick crosswalks on Clark St. make the crossing more visible
</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* (Concerned about their sustainability with Chicago winters and snowplows)
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Renovations of the underpasses in Lincoln Park.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Establishment of bike lanes per the Chicago Streets for Cycling Plan
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Proliferation of Divvy stations in Lincoln Park and the sustained usage by our own
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">residents.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crosstown bike lanes established on Armitage and Fullerton
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Important Changes</span><br />
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Public transportation access to the lakefront at Fullerton.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#11 Bus being reinstated to run all the way down Lincoln again
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">24/7 Access at Oak Street underpass.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Redesigning the Lakefront path for multimodal use.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Establishment of protected bike paths on main thoroughfares.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Connection of our network of bike paths to the 606.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Increase in places to lock your bike on the street.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Clearer crosswalk markings at all major intersections.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wider Sidewalks on Clark Street for pedestrian strolling/shopping
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More consistent bus scheduling for cross town routes and better connecting across the
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CTA network
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reduction of lakefront bound traffic during the summer by using current underutilized
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">parking west of Lincoln (RTA and DePaul) and shuttling visitors to the lakefront
attractions. </span><br />
</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MICHELE SMITH:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The 43</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify; vertical-align: 4pt;">rd </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Ward enjoys a network of buses and transit that are very efficient for getting residents
from the ward to downtown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I welcome input and feedback about better facilitating public transportation, cycling, and
pedestrian traffic in the ward. I believe that means of transportation outside of personal
automobile travel should be encouraged and promoted to reduce congestion and pollution while
promoting public health. That’s why I constructed nearly three miles of buffered bike lanes.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As part of the Children’s Memorial Hospital for redevelopment, I required the developer to design
and fund (for the first time) full bike lanes through the Halsted/Fullerton/Lincoln intersection.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We must continue to explore different ways to make our bike lanes safer given the narrow width
of our roads. We will continue to upgrade our intersections and make pedestrian safety
improvements a top priority. While we are one of the best served wards in the City,
improvements need to be made to increase the number of bus shelters and bus tracking kiosks,
we must continue to invest in technology to decrease bus bunching, and we intend to pursue a
wayfinding system to our ward to make it easier for residents and tourists to access all of the
ward’s wonderful attractions. </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CAROLINE VICKREY:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The dual bike/walk paths through Lincoln Park, on the inside of
Lake Shore Drive and the outside of Lake Shore Drive between
North Avenue and Diversey are the best places in the city to
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">walk and biking. I am a huge fan of Olmsted’s underpasses in
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">the park near the zoo, where pedestrians do not have to
interact at all with cars to cross Stockton, and Stockton remains
a free flowing car space. We need more of those types of
structures </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">– </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">underpasses or overpasses -- on our lakefront. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BWLP's Question #2 </b></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Clark Street from North Avenue to Diversey Parkway is an important
street in Lincoln Park, but problems that have been noted by
residents include: speeding cars, inadequate pedestrian crossings,
narrow sidewalks, lack of bus shelters, lack or inadequacy of bike
lanes, underused storefronts, lack of community space. What are your
ideas to alleviate these problems and make Clark Street safer and
more attractive to all users?</b></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JEN KRAMER:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I would consider utilizing menu money to commission a study with CDOT to review
the entire area. With the number of issues, community needs (residents as well as
businesses) and travel modes (walking, biking, transit, etc.), a comprehensive review
should be done. Once we have identified those needs, I would be work with the budget
office, CDOT, and our state representative to find financing.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also have a plan for helping fill vacant storefronts, which will be on my campaign
website very soon.</span></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JERRY QUANDT:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The challenge in our Ward is to identify the most suitable network of pathways that best
supports this mode of transportation based on the current and planned infrastructure. With
how tight Clark Street and its sidewalks are I am not sure Clark St. is the best option from
supporting a protected bike pathway. As we assess a comprehensive network of thoroughfares
for biking and walking throughout the ward, my hope is that we find more strategically
integrated routes for protected bike paths.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This solution also has to dovetail with the revitalization of Clark Street and our other 5 key
commercial districts. Once a comprehensive vision for these is completed we should have a
better perspective on the transportation needs and specifications. </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MICHELE SMITH:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Working to improve Clark St has been a major priority for me over the last four years. I have
fought to fill vacant storefronts, even bringing a delinquent landlord to court, resulting in many
stores being rented. Today, as a result of our efforts, vacancies on Clark St are at a four year low.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since becoming alderman, I have pioneered the use of in-road pedestrian stop signs and today we
have more of these signs in our ward than in any other ward, significantly improving pedestrian
safety.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have also built, as part of an overall plan developed with Bike Walk Lincoln Park, the first
pedestrian island on Clark St to make access to the Green City Market safer. We also removed
significant amounts of vendor truck parking for the market off of Clark St and onto Stockton Drive,
creating a safer experience for pedestrians and cyclists.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have also striped many pedestrian crossing locations with the improved continental-style
crosswalks. One of the first things I did as alderman was to install a new crosswalk in front of
Francis Parker with a pedestrian crossing sign to make it safer for students to cross Clark St.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have supported the efforts of the Clark St SSA to bring community activities onto Clark St, making
it a more attractive area for shoppers.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have also pressed the city to come up with a design solution for making our bike lanes safer
throughout our neighborhood because of the narrow width of our streets.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, more needs to be done: pedestrian crossings are too often ignored and it creates a
dangerous situation for everyone involved.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have long been a supporter of automobile-free transportation. I believe that Clark St should be
part of a larger transportation infrastructure initiative focused on making alternative
transportation (bicycle, foot, public transit) safer, easier, and more attractive to Chicagoans.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making Clark St safer and more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists will increase foot and bicycle
traffic in the area, which would be a boon for local businesses.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I look forward to continuing to partner with Bike Walk Lincoln Park to improve our community.</span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
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<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CAROLINE VICKREY:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Hear hear. This stretch of Clark is super tight because the street itself
is so narrow and there is so much happening on it </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">– </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">cars, bikes,
pedestrians, high rises, stores, and restaurants. My husband and I
walk this stretch on a very frequent basis on the way to the Century
Theater, and it is difficult to navigate on foot sometimes because the
sidewalks are so narrow. Many stretches are uninviting because it is
cramped, has few mature trees and few outdoor dining venues (the
small area by Cycle Smithy and Fournette is such a welcomed open
space!) The crosswalks with the pedestrian signs, I believe, are simply
hazardous, and really need to be replaced with fewer signs, but full
stop signs. As a pedestrian I would choose to cross at a stop sign far
more than I l</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">ike to venture out into a pedestrian sign where I’m not
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">sure if people will stop. As a driver, I also prefer stop signs and more </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">definite rules. As for sidewalks versus bike lanes, it is a difficult choice,
because both have their benefits to the city and to the local
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">economy. But what I’d like to see is a re</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">-imagination of that entire
corridor to make it more inviting and avoid the parking lot effect,
taking into consideration the fact that Stockton to the east is a
perfect thoroughfare through the same area. Stockton itself is a
much more ideal place to bike, since many of the crosswalks go
under or over it, so fewer opportunities for biker/pedestrian collisions.
Connecting it to Clark Street at North Avenue and Diversey would
be a good first step in the right direction. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_KtpovkidhZ4NZIc-ifCNRNvXnncudZGkiHMyGwf7N5dU5dopUKowqkt4s3ugjEyKV-Ztd-ey8vImo9yls-4ASXU2x9LUa0yUS_G-wbNTUKfrfjV5DxzHWaYzh17oXbtcmc_WjiCECU/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_KtpovkidhZ4NZIc-ifCNRNvXnncudZGkiHMyGwf7N5dU5dopUKowqkt4s3ugjEyKV-Ztd-ey8vImo9yls-4ASXU2x9LUa0yUS_G-wbNTUKfrfjV5DxzHWaYzh17oXbtcmc_WjiCECU/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG.JPG" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Lake Shore Drive is an eight-lane expressway cutting off access to lakefront amenities. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BWLP's Question #3</b></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The “Redefine the Drive” project to redesign North Lake Shore
Drive is currently underway. After numerous public meetings, a list
of the top 20 ideas for improvement has been released. The
second-most popular idea is “Improve transit service/Install
exclusive Bus Rapid Transit facility/Increase transit/Install light
rail”. What are your thoughts on the state of public transit on
Lake Shore Drive currently, as well as on dedicating a portion of
Lake Shore Drive to exclusive public transit use?</b></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JEN KRAMER:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">CDOT is doing an excellent job reaching out to the community to get input on this
once in a life time project. Improving transit is a must along the Lake Shore corridor.
The conversation needs to also incorporate the CTA, but the bus stops along the inner
Drive need immediate improvement. There is not enough room for shelters and the
elements </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">– </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">particularly on winter days </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">– </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">can be brutal while waiting for a bus. We are </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">in need of some shelters that will prevent snow and slush from splashing on people. </span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JERRY QUANDT:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I fully support the BWLP statement provided to the NLSD Project:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lake Shore Drive is part of Chicago’s beloved boulevard system, and remains classified as a boulevard.
It used to look much like Midway Plaisance, Humboldt Boulevard, and others; unfortunately, it was
changed over the decades to add many elements that made it look and feel more like a highway than
the boulevard-through-the-park that it should be. Therefore, many drivers envision it to be a high-speed,
high-volume expressway and treat it as such; however, that is not what Lake Shore Drive is currently
defined as legally, and not what it was ever meant to be. Lake Shore Drive remains a boulevard and any
changes should enhance its boulevard characteristics.
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">From the US DOT Federal Highway Administration website
(</span><span style="color: #021eaa; font-style: oblique;">http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/qandas/qatap.cfm</span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">):</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A boulevard is defined as a:</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walkable, low-speed (35 mph or less) divided arterial thoroughfare in urban
environments designed to carry both through and local traffic, pedestrians and
bicyclists. Boulevards may be long corridors, typically four lanes but sometimes wider,
serve longer trips and provide pedestrian access to land. Boulevards may be high-
ridership transit corridors. Boulevards are primary goods movement and emergency
response routes and use vehicular and pedestrian access management techniques. Curb
parking is encouraged on boulevards. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An eligible "boulevard" project should demonstrate some of the following elements:</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="page7image22832" height="0.240000" src="file:///page7image22832" width="231.120000" /></span><br />
<ol><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">Traffic calming measures</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">Context-sensitive bicycle and pedestrian facilities.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">Compliance with accessibility requirements and guidelines.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">Promotion of transit corridor through additional protected stops and routes. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">Environmentally efficient lighting, landscaping, and water</span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;">-saving systems.</span></li>
</span></ol>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We encourage you to emphasize in the Purpose and Need Statement the need to add all five of these boulevard characteristics to the future LSD during the design process.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-style: oblique;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
Because Lake Shore Drive is a boulevard and not a freeway, the use of the Level of Service criteria for
freeways as a way to measure how well LSD is serving motorized vehicle traffic is wholly inappropriate,
and should not be included in the Purpose and Need Statement.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MICHELE SMITH:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I think we should look towards dedicating space for public transit on Lake Shore Drive. The
Redefine the Drive initiative gives us an opportunity to make big plans. Those plans should include
dedicating space to ease public transit use on Lake Shore Drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CAROLINE VICKREY:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The ingress and egress to and from Lake Shore Drive is the cause of
many bottlenecks and traffic patrols need to be better placed to
release these bottlenecks. With respect to transit service, I would
love to see part of Lake Shore Drive dedicated to public transit or
light rail. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I’d love to see a light rail down the center of the drive with
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">access to the lakefront at all points, which would loosen up car
congestion by allowing visitors to park further away and ride light rail
to the beach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BWLP's Question #4 </b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The third-most popular idea of the “Redefine the Drive” project
is “Improve east-west pedestrian/bike connections and
facilities”. What are your thoughts on the state of east-west
pedestrian, bike and public transportation connections to the
Lakefront Trail within the 43rd ward currently?</b></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JEN KRAMER:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I completely agree with this idea. There are not enough connections. The
underground connections that exist are too narrow and can be a haven for unwanted
activities. I want to study whether the roadway can be lowered and the pedestrian
crossings can be at street level or slightly above. It would be safer and more pleasant
than some of our underpasses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JERRY QUANDT:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having been a contributor to the BWLP statement, I fully support this recommendation:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"We would like to reiterate the <span style="color: #222222;">the dire need for better east-west bike lanes and transit service to and from the parks, zoo, beaches and other amenities along the lakefront. Efficient, reliable bus service and safe bike lanes leading from the L stops to the lakefront amenities are especially needed."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></i>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MICHELE SMITH:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The East-West connections are inadequate. The Armitage bike lanes are neither adequate nor
safe. I support the implementation of greenways. Again, I look forward to partnering with Bike
Walk Lincoln Park and the community at large to creating a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly
neighborhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CAROLINE VICKREY:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">The east-west traffic to the lakefront is one of the biggest problems in
our city, and especially in Lincoln Park. We have only a few streets in
all of Lincoln Park that cross the river and go directly to the lakefront.
Every one of those arteries is completely clogged throughout the
summer. I believe that we need to take serious action to alert visitors
to the lakefront area of existing parking spaces to prevent them from
driving in and circling unsuccessfully for parking. Creating parking
spaces west of Lincoln Park and providing shuttle service to areas </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">east is a great idea, but only if the traffic is flowing enough to have it
make sense. Setting up an app that tells visitors about available
parking would help manage visitor traffic. At the very least traffic
alerts and parking lot status should be posted at the el overpasses.
Extra Divvy bike stands should be located further from the lakefront
and certain east-west streets like Dickens should be encouraged for
biking only. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMNt9NtC1ULP3K2JOAZpc7zL2_TGvY0HMmagRByYIBnxm0DQ6WUaEVR8Zu1sl1oPpGjOmfh6I1MIanghcc1UdxnDyQXc2JYR0iVE7nATMcg6PR_Vp9ZB0L-6zfWZrvkfTR5I4IWJiwxk/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMNt9NtC1ULP3K2JOAZpc7zL2_TGvY0HMmagRByYIBnxm0DQ6WUaEVR8Zu1sl1oPpGjOmfh6I1MIanghcc1UdxnDyQXc2JYR0iVE7nATMcg6PR_Vp9ZB0L-6zfWZrvkfTR5I4IWJiwxk/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No bike lanes or crosswalks are present directly under the Armitage L stop due to car parking spaces. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BWLP's Question #5 </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How do you feel about redistributing parking spaces in the 43rd ward
to improve access and safety for people walking, biking and riding
public transit? For example, moving metered spaces under L tracks or
near intersections to add marked crosswalks and continuous bike
lanes.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JEN KRAMER:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">This is a broad question and it would need to be answered on a case by case basis.
That said, I would be </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">in favor clearing corners and moving parking under “L” tracks
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">to improve public safety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>JERRY QUANDT:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">This solution needs to be a core component of a comprehensive and sustainable vision of our
commercial districts so that we are not trying to solve for one problem only to create others.
We are at a very exciting time in the 43</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify; vertical-align: 4pt;">rd </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Ward, with all of these needs converging at the same
time. This will allow us to create the most optimal and sustainable solutions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MICHELE SMITH:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">We have already redistributed parking places as a part of the Children</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">’</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">s Memorial Hospital
redevelopment plan. However, as residents are well aware, the City faces severe financial
penalties when it moves metered spaces. This is a result of the ill-conceived parking meter deal
that occurred during the previous administration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CAROLINE VICKREY:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: justify;">All fantastic ideas for solving the parking conundrum in our ward. I
would be very much in favor of these and other ideas to encourage
biking and walking as much as possible – especially to patronize the
new local restaurants I will be recruiting to move into the
neighborhood!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">_________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Responses to the Active Transportation Alliance survey from all aldermanic candidates citywide will be posted on the ATA website soon and we'll link to it here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We'd like to thank all the candidates sincerely for taking the time to respond, and for providing thoughtful -- and thought-provoking -- answers. We hope this has been useful to our blog readers, and we encourage everyone to vote on February 24th. Good luck to all the candidates!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We're on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</span></div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-29137307299157757772015-01-11T13:46:00.001-06:002015-02-10T21:58:02.523-06:00Active transport questionnaires for the aldermanic candidates<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The election for mayor and all 50 aldermanic seats is coming up soon! Four candidates will be on the ballot in the 43rd ward: Jen Kramer (<a href="http://jenkramer43.com/">jenkramer43.com</a>), Jerry Quandt (<a href="http://jerryquandt.com/">jerryquandt.com</a>), Michele Smith (<a href="http://michelesmith.org/">michelesmith.org</a>), and Caroline Vickrey (<a href="http://carolinefor43.com/">carolinefor43.com</a>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Problems related to biking, walking, and taking public transit in our ward are very important to many Lincoln Park residents, so we are giving the candidates a chance to state their views on those issues in order to help voters make an informed decision.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
[Edit: On January 27, 2015, we provided the candidates' complete responses on <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2015/01/aldermanic-candidates-voice-opinions-on.html">this blog post</a>.]</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLx_m6HzrTouobOl8jLhqoLK4laqVKypDONMiQxdh8-haWBXwP73JVpkPZ6elLJZgRURq5a6dyA3KgPq_KQraYRMraouV1MWcU9CQevPuOm8STfygc2LGOjqn4_mYVBKfxtFkv549krA/s1600/IMG_5595+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLx_m6HzrTouobOl8jLhqoLK4laqVKypDONMiQxdh8-haWBXwP73JVpkPZ6elLJZgRURq5a6dyA3KgPq_KQraYRMraouV1MWcU9CQevPuOm8STfygc2LGOjqn4_mYVBKfxtFkv549krA/s1600/IMG_5595+-+Version+2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop for Pedestrians sign on Stockton Drive alongside Green City Market, in July 2012.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We've partnered with Active Transportation Alliance in this effort. Active Trans has sent an eight-item questionnaire to 200+ candidates for all 50 wards (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtnebTFrOFF6Q05wV1k/view?usp=sharing">link to that questionnaire here</a>). Bike Walk Lincoln Park provided an additional five ward-specific questions that was attached for the 43rd ward candidates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the questions Bike Walk Lincoln Park asked:</span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/
What do you believe is working well for people walking, riding bikes
or taking public transportation in the 43rd ward, and what do you
believe are some of the most important changes that would make it
more safe, convenient and pleasant?</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2/
Clark Street from North Avenue to Diversey Parkway is an important
street in Lincoln Park, but problems that have been noted by
residents include: speeding cars, inadequate pedestrian crossings,
narrow sidewalks, lack of bus shelters, lack or inadequacy of bike
lanes, underused storefronts, lack of community space. What are your
ideas to alleviate these problems and make Clark Street safer and
more attractive to all users?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3/
The “Redefine the Drive” project to redesign North Lake Shore
Drive is currently underway. After numerous public meetings, a list
of the top 20 ideas for improvement has been released. The
second-most popular idea is “Improve transit service/Install
exclusive Bus Rapid Transit facility/Increase transit/Install light
rail”. What are your thoughts on the state of public transit on
Lake Shore Drive currently, as well as on dedicating a portion of
Lake Shore Drive to exclusive public transit use?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4/
The third-most popular idea of the “Redefine the Drive” project
is “Improve east-west pedestrian/bike connections and facilities”.
What are your thoughts on the state of east-west pedestrian, bike and
public transportation connections to the Lakefront Trail within the
43rd ward currently?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5/
How do you feel about redistributing parking spaces in the 43rd ward
to improve access and safety for people walking, biking and riding
public transit? For example, moving metered spaces under L tracks or
near intersections to add marked crosswalks and continuous bike
lanes.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The questionnaire was submitted at the end of December, and the candidates have until January 26th to provide responses, if they choose to do so. We will print all responses soon thereafter, and it will be very interesting to find out what's on the candidates' minds on these issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the mean time, there are four aldermanic candidate forums planned that we are aware of, listed below. We plan to participate in the January 27th forum hosted by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. All the forums are open to the public, even if you're not a member of the group hosting the event, so we hope that you make an effort to come size up the candidates in person!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday, January 12, 2015</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7:30 PM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.wrightwoodneighbors.org/">Wrightwood Neighbors Association</a> Aldermanic Forum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">New Life Church</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1110 West Lill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, January 13, 2015</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7:00 PM</span><br />
<a href="http://www.sheffieldneighborhood.org/events/43rd-ward-aldermanic-candidate-forum"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aldermanic Candidate Forum</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(hosted jointly by Lincoln Central, Sheffield Neighborhood, Ranch Triangle)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Vincent DePaul Center</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2145 N. Halsted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, January 27th, 2015</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6:30 to 8:30 PM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce</span><br />
<a href="http://members.lincolnparkchamber.com/events/details/43rd-ward-candidates-forum-2015-505"><span style="font-family: inherit;">43rd Ward Aldermanic Forum</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Depaul University Student Center - Room 314</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2250 N. Sheffield</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moderator: Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday, January 29th, 2015</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7:00 to 9:00 PM</span><br />
<a href="http://www.oldtowntriangle.com/calendar-of-events/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Old Town Triangle Aldermanic Candidates Night</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1763 N. North Park Avenue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you live in other city wards, the energetic people of <a href="http://www.aldertrack.com/">Aldertrack</a> are keeping track of <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CH83o2UlFH22rlaKMDqNlnIZBOCFrxDZt9OVvXvQRy0/edit#gid=0">the known aldermanic forums citywide</a> for you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're interested in getting involved in working in your neighborhood for biking, walking and transit as Bike Walk Lincoln Park is in this neighborhood, Active Transportation Alliance would like to hear from you to help you get started! Here is <a href="http://www.activetrans.org/regional/city">their current web page with a list of known neighborhood groups</a>, but they'd like to have a citizen-led group in every corner of Chicago. Contact their director of campaigns, Kyle Whitehead at kyle@activetrans.org to get started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">__________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-77012501967780399622014-11-05T22:35:00.001-06:002014-11-05T22:35:15.074-06:00Our narrow, beloved Lakefront Trail takes a beating and gets TLC<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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I've taken a lot of pictures of the Lakefront Trail in the last few weeks. It started one day in October, when I found myself on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower for the first time, and I looked down and saw that famous landmark, beloved recreational and commuting route, and enormous point of pride for all of Chicago, the mighty Lakefront Trail:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkli69ZLhZ8O8JN_iWiTNW7XnZSLBhpgTEzyEu0wUQCjhr-sI9QPydokXhX-FzW5KbXJfLeNN1miYsazt40KtA8qi6uO1TF4Id1nbfoxpnP8zGw-6I15n8WVGtbO1kPjHFKzZMvxv6y-k/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkli69ZLhZ8O8JN_iWiTNW7XnZSLBhpgTEzyEu0wUQCjhr-sI9QPydokXhX-FzW5KbXJfLeNN1miYsazt40KtA8qi6uO1TF4Id1nbfoxpnP8zGw-6I15n8WVGtbO1kPjHFKzZMvxv6y-k/s1600/1.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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What, you can't see it? It's right there! Okay, let me zoom in a little for you:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sXceqG44owmSoHVdGllVO45uQPNWIOJlY5QZ3jyVF_clu5AyroU-7HnENMsBXrKgOarbfF9aRJFQQqJXmEFBiGySGzJkChvN9Y-JxZgJLxh-LXyKunOZu_xIjlv3LhHBBv1Cj_HefCg/s1600/New2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sXceqG44owmSoHVdGllVO45uQPNWIOJlY5QZ3jyVF_clu5AyroU-7HnENMsBXrKgOarbfF9aRJFQQqJXmEFBiGySGzJkChvN9Y-JxZgJLxh-LXyKunOZu_xIjlv3LhHBBv1Cj_HefCg/s1600/New2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's not that 16-lane wide mass of concrete taking up most of the right side of the photo -- it's that thin ribbon of asphalt to its left!<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">What struck me from this view point is seeing starkly how much width and space Lake Shore Drive takes up on our lake front, and how minuscule the Lakefront Trail is in comparison, in spite of its huge importance to so many people, and the many functions it serves. </span><br />
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In case the photo above isn't clear enough, I've drawn some lines to help you compare the widths:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eD4KNoA8JabFIkBjd91Owuz91fH-W7MNP5b2kLVYsnZ3ps6-EkSguTyr20v0ShEpuw833SbtrqcKVCQGO1zTccYqbGm6C5gcjF5fBadpr2zrdOfa1UoPBCsOOcElrf2WlLQz7T8h6kU/s1600/2+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eD4KNoA8JabFIkBjd91Owuz91fH-W7MNP5b2kLVYsnZ3ps6-EkSguTyr20v0ShEpuw833SbtrqcKVCQGO1zTccYqbGm6C5gcjF5fBadpr2zrdOfa1UoPBCsOOcElrf2WlLQz7T8h6kU/s1600/2+copy.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I mean, that's an obscenely huge difference in terms of money spent designing, engineering, building and maintaining these two pieces of infrastructure. And it's not like no one uses the Lakefront Trail. I took some photos the following weekend that reflect the popularity of the trail. This is the stretch just south of Fullerton:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCESO7tEpMH6MD_j_KJ_HS0A_dvIsr2DTiwy-wsgdp2bPkpTA4F8yGsyUcL5jFNWTT9lPtNxOz9QJJtxbb38BsWl9JFljwMeD4Zlguaa96mHJZzIAc3FpnH2g-_ehtUu046z6DNQJDPk/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCESO7tEpMH6MD_j_KJ_HS0A_dvIsr2DTiwy-wsgdp2bPkpTA4F8yGsyUcL5jFNWTT9lPtNxOz9QJJtxbb38BsWl9JFljwMeD4Zlguaa96mHJZzIAc3FpnH2g-_ehtUu046z6DNQJDPk/s1600/3.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's busy! This was a Saturday afternoon in late October. So it was a weekend, which is a popular time, and it was warmish and sunny, which encourages people to come out; however, it wasn't during the summer season, and it was weeks past Chicago Marathon event, so the hordes of runners were gone for the year. And yet, look at the masses.</div>
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In anticipation of a shoreline protection project that will fill in some of the lake to create new parkland here, the park district had just paved the "high trail" that people had been using for years during winter, when the regular Lakefront Trail was encased in ice:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEABmtyJK_Cbma02bJRpZ3TIEPZVFJBM4UPrO7EgJwDRsWk-V4l5BdhxbF0pDnhlwZb0bQeKA17nml62g75BKRwcHGWObG6qf5X7bdGFpn6TJ-iR5VDJyDbtJ69hJB13ZL3TUuKG3rEo/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEABmtyJK_Cbma02bJRpZ3TIEPZVFJBM4UPrO7EgJwDRsWk-V4l5BdhxbF0pDnhlwZb0bQeKA17nml62g75BKRwcHGWObG6qf5X7bdGFpn6TJ-iR5VDJyDbtJ69hJB13ZL3TUuKG3rEo/s1600/4.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The unpaved, unofficial high trail was often very muddy and lumpy, so this smooth new version is a very welcome addition!</div>
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As you may know, we had a major wind storm hit Chicago on Friday, October 31. Record-breaking winds came whipping down Lake Michigan directly from the north, causing enormous waves to break on the shoreline, including onto the Lakefront Trail in many sections near Lincoln Park. Here's a picture I took in the early evening during the storm:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nlnd9uy2wbBpoq60ve9MJmHQJWeULVRuQyGxmbygdxmEGLM9PlpxkHY-_ZEqcWtgvsWPZqfUnNFewcd9ngf9ss2lNb8Pw8Io9z2qVho7ywX8TxWzQO816FjPb2tLoDiUjWhkWES0BEA/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nlnd9uy2wbBpoq60ve9MJmHQJWeULVRuQyGxmbygdxmEGLM9PlpxkHY-_ZEqcWtgvsWPZqfUnNFewcd9ngf9ss2lNb8Pw8Io9z2qVho7ywX8TxWzQO816FjPb2tLoDiUjWhkWES0BEA/s1600/5.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is again just south of Fullerton. The regular Lakefront Trail is directly in front of the men in the picture, and even the new high trail was getting soaked.</div>
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Here's one of my photos of the massive waves hitting the beacon ruins on the promontory at North Avenue Beach:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW58U0GmYip7gBZRIVzpVyajKZo-XQgo4ad7CPBfb0hH0pR25_MxeZ74LQAjrAxdIsKy_5tnHpv55XG3KHD5B89gCskeREj-61bzKIvZI4PzDTHtkKUQcC4q54ngKd6_7lyya-i227by0/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW58U0GmYip7gBZRIVzpVyajKZo-XQgo4ad7CPBfb0hH0pR25_MxeZ74LQAjrAxdIsKy_5tnHpv55XG3KHD5B89gCskeREj-61bzKIvZI4PzDTHtkKUQcC4q54ngKd6_7lyya-i227by0/s1600/6.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The plastic thing in the foreground is a chunk of a boardwalk that had been ripped away from its place by the waves.</div>
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So the morning after the storm, while on my Saturday morning run, I took a few pictures of the damage I saw. Just north of the Theater on the Lake at Fullerton, waves had eroded the sand and gravel under the trail and caused some chunks to crack off:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqa2AGSUquSarmCOSGBAM41nkF2h6bHP13McSeW9pD64nSSbQMs852pB2hGl_cTTOtPqLsTsl_yVlS0xv2cI2EvjBKfqrBsWR3xi6-0uu5tKl4rvaAwqKP7JAieqoaIYQWAvgwytBC0E/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqa2AGSUquSarmCOSGBAM41nkF2h6bHP13McSeW9pD64nSSbQMs852pB2hGl_cTTOtPqLsTsl_yVlS0xv2cI2EvjBKfqrBsWR3xi6-0uu5tKl4rvaAwqKP7JAieqoaIYQWAvgwytBC0E/s1600/7.JPG" height="640" width="572" /></a></div>
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Along with broken fences and other debris, there was sand thickly covering the entire Lakefront Trail from edge to edge for most of the stretch between Fullerton and the North Avenue pedestrian bridge:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4PF02VLWhYRiSrvODxMxWxNqiLC3JBIUqgYw1YEqNnNyB8OU6aT98VRirckUiQCA9LIFktl7suEhVPXQ3R81o0OeFYF3K488genE-KSvNH-LtlV2xhIMq_vO5rsFIMgNUVW2AL1CfQU/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4PF02VLWhYRiSrvODxMxWxNqiLC3JBIUqgYw1YEqNnNyB8OU6aT98VRirckUiQCA9LIFktl7suEhVPXQ3R81o0OeFYF3K488genE-KSvNH-LtlV2xhIMq_vO5rsFIMgNUVW2AL1CfQU/s1600/8.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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On Sunday morning, I headed south and saw the destruction of the trail along the Gold Coast, from Goethe to Division. The asphalt had been lifted up in sheets and then shuffled around like a deck of cards:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWsKyGcCmpexpfdWOnwjbKpFl629V-TrQNf24ML63yh22XEXWipdXEe_nef6zmK9vk38A9Ki8wBHXRUjgOpoVy4n2R7obIE2J1xZP-5cESPuY7zCxoikKpIRkd1BP6EhgTbkKhlZCzy4/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWsKyGcCmpexpfdWOnwjbKpFl629V-TrQNf24ML63yh22XEXWipdXEe_nef6zmK9vk38A9Ki8wBHXRUjgOpoVy4n2R7obIE2J1xZP-5cESPuY7zCxoikKpIRkd1BP6EhgTbkKhlZCzy4/s1600/9.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Close to Ohio Street Beach, where the construction of the new Navy Pier Flyover has begun, there was a pile of asphalt chunks, along with a wayward bike rack, torn fences, and plenty of seaweed:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44uZ5ZN-0ZON7LAQZ26mzE_A-byBWjalAdTYTZ2opPmdzHd8jGrjfbph0-wAr6lduEOt9bmFpPPgt2egREBSezDKyU0b2rvV-u8Rc5BpP21C-uT25gYCWda1xJ7evoZ0sZv6q12EHfC8/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44uZ5ZN-0ZON7LAQZ26mzE_A-byBWjalAdTYTZ2opPmdzHd8jGrjfbph0-wAr6lduEOt9bmFpPPgt2egREBSezDKyU0b2rvV-u8Rc5BpP21C-uT25gYCWda1xJ7evoZ0sZv6q12EHfC8/s1600/10.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, the Chicago Park District, which is in charge of maintaining the trail, sprang into action after the storm. By Sunday morning, there were already workers measuring and assessing the damage. By Wednesday, November 5, the sand had already been plowed away neatly into little hills off to the side:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Av-cxE00JIRhZNXdnn0E6OTYtVQl9wNFpai3a18uhJERlPAtS6mSBUuQNYTTcg7szgnH4zbd1WJAxTedWewXkICG-_3y6zFZVlttVeYNIlX37KKw7-82F8LUjPwXEfpzncTQ1F5FeI4/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Av-cxE00JIRhZNXdnn0E6OTYtVQl9wNFpai3a18uhJERlPAtS6mSBUuQNYTTcg7szgnH4zbd1WJAxTedWewXkICG-_3y6zFZVlttVeYNIlX37KKw7-82F8LUjPwXEfpzncTQ1F5FeI4/s1600/11.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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They had even begun re-surfacing the trail along the Gold Coast:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhikfeZ_qwGQKH2dCxPOmAL_BrpvyZkQQPgacogOKC2gKKCJqzvskO4XdN2IDTkAg01ga3t25VDQNkt9tJLvCevD9_ru3i94Xf4SJMP-c1Fe4U9KlhmasuWWcWTh_0ZCVBwe3Q8bAn1mo/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhikfeZ_qwGQKH2dCxPOmAL_BrpvyZkQQPgacogOKC2gKKCJqzvskO4XdN2IDTkAg01ga3t25VDQNkt9tJLvCevD9_ru3i94Xf4SJMP-c1Fe4U9KlhmasuWWcWTh_0ZCVBwe3Q8bAn1mo/s1600/12.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Calm and clean up after the storm on beautiful Lake Michigan. See you on the Lakefront Trail!<br />
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-20454233794778861342014-11-05T18:18:00.000-06:002014-11-05T18:20:45.880-06:00Small improvements for people walking in Lincoln Park<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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We're eagerly waiting for the re-paved Lincoln Avenue to materialize, and when it does, I'll be sure to post "after" pictures. In the mean time, I noticed a few small improvements made lately in the neighborhood.</div>
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There are new "Stop for Pedestrian" signs installed on Armitage, at Mohawk Street and at Cleveland Avenue:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5ZI_Uy5BzV49ffIq95Xabf_5ny_oxv6vN9GJALw7pIOu8fG6sLQC7-Hi9Q8NCXU00TwqTRbcl_YP9Y_dFEPPrTBNXiKgsyCXvsIf3UbAmQ9QUypCXH_Nl20s-oSEFIyxN9yV1WUpAxk/s1600/IMG_5673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5ZI_Uy5BzV49ffIq95Xabf_5ny_oxv6vN9GJALw7pIOu8fG6sLQC7-Hi9Q8NCXU00TwqTRbcl_YP9Y_dFEPPrTBNXiKgsyCXvsIf3UbAmQ9QUypCXH_Nl20s-oSEFIyxN9yV1WUpAxk/s1600/IMG_5673.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New "Stop for Pedestrian"signs on Armitage at Cleveland. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The signs are on both crosswalks, alongside the zebra-stripe markings. These intersections are "uncontrolled", which means that there is no stop sign or red light for drivers. </div>
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I also noticed new faux-brick stamped crosswalks at the intersection of Clark and Webster:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXu_QfDUjASXbzDXKfpxooi_tOx5K5v6iLF6Kh3yLt0cHCaH_ToEmS3ITkWLTlaWRV9pfFLNGHVL963tIiraDMekDrURZQT36bGBA14IbuLaCSlz7TavTzYeJIVG69VITS7erbStUQCM/s1600/IMG_5680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXu_QfDUjASXbzDXKfpxooi_tOx5K5v6iLF6Kh3yLt0cHCaH_ToEmS3ITkWLTlaWRV9pfFLNGHVL963tIiraDMekDrURZQT36bGBA14IbuLaCSlz7TavTzYeJIVG69VITS7erbStUQCM/s1600/IMG_5680.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New crosswalks on Webster at Clark Street. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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This is a very busy intersection, especially before school starts at neighboring Francis Parker School. It's nice to see the fresh striping, paint and stamped asphalt. Families with kids at the school and all the neighborhood people likely appreciate the increased visibility of the crosswalks.</div>
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Over the summer, Stockton Drive was re-paved, and brand new crosswalks were placed in the vicinity of the Farm In the Zoo and Cafe Brauer:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3KzDIo0TmyWs4ULQay1JG6_k0jiT5qoW1pQR4r3HO1Or0wmQ8fcMxOtwGbC5UqVr8Wx1g7ex0d2-SMTEGnIFeFHY4PMz1HWXkN8sMF9dUaBUAe6p5QSdQjc1qfJqlfcLEHplFk4WoB8/s1600/IMG_7214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3KzDIo0TmyWs4ULQay1JG6_k0jiT5qoW1pQR4r3HO1Or0wmQ8fcMxOtwGbC5UqVr8Wx1g7ex0d2-SMTEGnIFeFHY4PMz1HWXkN8sMF9dUaBUAe6p5QSdQjc1qfJqlfcLEHplFk4WoB8/s1600/IMG_7214.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New crosswalk on Stockton Drive near the Farm in the Zoo. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The crosswalks are great, but the signage is wrong, so drivers are usually parked on the crosswalk, because it's a "legal" spot according to the signs. We've made Alderman Smith's office aware of this problem. We've also suggested that in-road "Stop for Pedestrian" signs be added on the crosswalks to increase the chances that drivers will stop for people in the crosswalk. Once there are additional adjustments, we'll try to do an updated post on Stockton!</div>
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All these changes might seem small, but they're important, and they add up slowly to make our neighborhood more friendly for people walking. Have you seen any improvements in Lincoln Park?</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-32713473055526293722014-10-01T20:45:00.002-05:002014-10-01T20:45:24.426-05:00Lincoln Avenue bike lane improvements are coming<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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Lincoln Avenue has long been a popular bicycling route within Lincoln Park because it provides a direct southeast path toward the city center, leads to DePaul University, and it has bustling commercial areas along much of its length. Unfortunately, the asphalt has been in terrible disrepair for years, with enormous cracks and potholes that often made the bike lanes virtually useless. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu08oaFlRk0AqSjSEdfoorSceB1qsQ9_YN7XnVCOeC592FvTtcKfx21bSiIUvrOMhUUVVYMvQn7jhZz-qgq4Y_oCZLORM7fzJaBYmexrG8QgKREPHuxrKNynx7n-o73KrxmzvMw6z8tmM/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu08oaFlRk0AqSjSEdfoorSceB1qsQ9_YN7XnVCOeC592FvTtcKfx21bSiIUvrOMhUUVVYMvQn7jhZz-qgq4Y_oCZLORM7fzJaBYmexrG8QgKREPHuxrKNynx7n-o73KrxmzvMw6z8tmM/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Avenue bike lane and crosswalk near Montana Street. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Fortunately, Alderman Michele Smith announced this week that the long wait is coming to an end: Most of Lincoln will be resurfaced over the next few weeks.<br />
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Here is Alderman Smith's announcement from her newsletter:</div>
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<strong><i>Lincoln Avenue to be Resurfaced</i></strong></div>
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<i>Many residents can attest to the poor condition of Lincoln Avenue for drivers and cyclists alike. Throughout the past several months, I've been working closely with Governor Quinn to lobby for funding to resurface Lincoln Avenue, which is a state road. I'm pleased to report that, thanks to Governor Quinn and his team, state funding has been allocated to proceed with this much-needed project. </i></div>
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<i>The Illinois Department of Transportation will begin the first phase of resurfacing on October 6th, weather conditions permitting, and the second phase will begin on October 9th. </i></div>
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<li><strong><i>Phase 1: Lincoln Avenue, between Wells Street and Webster Street</i></strong></li>
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<li><strong style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Phase 2: Lincoln Avenue, between Fullerton Avenue and Diversey Parkway</i></strong></li>
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<i>This large-scale resurfacing will include sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter removals and concrete bus pad construction. </i><br />
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<i>All work is expected to be completed by December 5th, 2014 and, of course, I will keep you updated as this project progresses. </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1nxj5cLMEKkqHiZE6EUKvMrc79KTUN2_zL62FjQVUf9Y1mWm3jnC90chknH-nsyTYF1ZyYjZl9Mwy1N5nCb7ueOonFlkrmSfpRhyphenhyphenYWPyBdv3K7_KJ9dBpepKWFiFR-0IH9wExu-mgak/s1600/IMG_5297+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1nxj5cLMEKkqHiZE6EUKvMrc79KTUN2_zL62FjQVUf9Y1mWm3jnC90chknH-nsyTYF1ZyYjZl9Mwy1N5nCb7ueOonFlkrmSfpRhyphenhyphenYWPyBdv3K7_KJ9dBpepKWFiFR-0IH9wExu-mgak/s1600/IMG_5297+-+Version+2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October morning on Lincoln Avenue at Armitage. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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This much-needed resurfacing will create a smooth surface, which in itself will be helpful to bicyclists. In addition, we have received word that the bike lane on the segment of Lincoln Avenue from Armitage to Dickens (which had the most atrocious potholes -- see below) will be upgraded from the current "standard" bike lane to a buffered bike lane. However, it appears that no other changes to the bike lane infrastructure will be made. Many parts of Lincoln only have "sharrows" to alert drivers to expect bicyclists, and the section from Fullerton to Diversey apparently will remain a "standard" bike lane.</div>
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Today's post is simply to document the current conditions on Lincoln and look forward to the improvements coming in the near future.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG1a6oRikwYGtnkYmN3LE-go35gH9QD-yy_xxXlrtOvK4PqmRAuIlIYtppSG8FQUdodJBB3qX1Ad2wIPv6puuC9-I-ncqenLXK51e6ZE_gnyafcPaNMh1i2HIzU833gBcKpiAdVbxxC8/s1600/IMG_7803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG1a6oRikwYGtnkYmN3LE-go35gH9QD-yy_xxXlrtOvK4PqmRAuIlIYtppSG8FQUdodJBB3qX1Ad2wIPv6puuC9-I-ncqenLXK51e6ZE_gnyafcPaNMh1i2HIzU833gBcKpiAdVbxxC8/s1600/IMG_7803.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between Armitage and Dickens, the Lincoln Avenue bike lanes will be upgraded <br />
to buffered bike lanes. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M9fZ096fGOwLqXgg-a4NkZfCnQP9yuk90_KZdjc1oYm_wbghANTuSJUfUg3BqKmm_H6sd1sjNI9lauCvyYkT_-pYL66MeJn6bSI5JJ2n-ILrpcNc3S9YeyCPM8ryL5rzjCUNMvg7OPE/s1600/IMG_5317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M9fZ096fGOwLqXgg-a4NkZfCnQP9yuk90_KZdjc1oYm_wbghANTuSJUfUg3BqKmm_H6sd1sjNI9lauCvyYkT_-pYL66MeJn6bSI5JJ2n-ILrpcNc3S9YeyCPM8ryL5rzjCUNMvg7OPE/s1600/IMG_5317.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The asphalt between Armitage and Dickens was so torn up that bicyclists regularly rode outside the bike lane entirely to avoid crashing in the potholes. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRvZa8eoSlSbg7_KZpIPtOZ5OD1otkimcU4iwiCNCqE7Uygg2KV7hJMUB_SMIVzj-tABNvJQiIcHEskdBSoqOkJOrJJg7u2SSoETTJD26mpyBVnhWS5c3FHxH8YPr5UfKxu4-nnxGLfc/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRvZa8eoSlSbg7_KZpIPtOZ5OD1otkimcU4iwiCNCqE7Uygg2KV7hJMUB_SMIVzj-tABNvJQiIcHEskdBSoqOkJOrJJg7u2SSoETTJD26mpyBVnhWS5c3FHxH8YPr5UfKxu4-nnxGLfc/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In spite of the poor conditions, Lincoln Avenue has remained a popular and busy bike north side bike route. Under the L tracks near Wrightwood. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjHDtpjr3s3QQPLEIiRsG5HwfekorQNkPR0EyMh-INKhkU71_AnsJfKyvF5P12PhUwkew6U61nKQYAFa3gZMvZOi2GJC5048UyWYjMpmViRbaBzHuWBHmLttJPa05vLJm7Lm6KnvQvJc/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjHDtpjr3s3QQPLEIiRsG5HwfekorQNkPR0EyMh-INKhkU71_AnsJfKyvF5P12PhUwkew6U61nKQYAFa3gZMvZOi2GJC5048UyWYjMpmViRbaBzHuWBHmLttJPa05vLJm7Lm6KnvQvJc/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't even know what was going on here, on the stretch south of Diversey. Yes, I moved the cone aside <br />
after taking the picture. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrZZjB1b0jiOEpwqFeOPo1JoTKem7KHJFPxTjUC4VWZuk7dSgpXiDorODSPw8VM-VqckCsLgGUOUboIdyF-JhbLmagcZ7GO-OZDoScgubrrCMqssddmD00Oe-Cc5rr_PWJP9j7r2rrmQ/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrZZjB1b0jiOEpwqFeOPo1JoTKem7KHJFPxTjUC4VWZuk7dSgpXiDorODSPw8VM-VqckCsLgGUOUboIdyF-JhbLmagcZ7GO-OZDoScgubrrCMqssddmD00Oe-Cc5rr_PWJP9j7r2rrmQ/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, resurfacing will not help make the narrow sections of Lincoln that have only "sharrows" feel any less treacherous than they currently do. Maybe the sharrows that are added after resurfacing will be the giant size, in the middle of the street. That might help a little. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz-SivTV9Dwo-LwT7meifooLcU_6m0bREO21rIrHO6FvuoVXlRvZFJ1vIRGeY90s6xOgt-w2ZFSV9MCPPvnpC3hKb8XWkX7CHznVURa582gyzpTH2KeIqm_G0H6pLyQPK-seQOjS_Nyw/s1600/IMG_5314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz-SivTV9Dwo-LwT7meifooLcU_6m0bREO21rIrHO6FvuoVXlRvZFJ1vIRGeY90s6xOgt-w2ZFSV9MCPPvnpC3hKb8XWkX7CHznVURa582gyzpTH2KeIqm_G0H6pLyQPK-seQOjS_Nyw/s1600/IMG_5314.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vehicles like this Pepsi delivery truck are often parked in standard bike lanes and buffered bike lanes. Only protected bike lanes have any chance of remaining clear for bicyclists. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAICwtHJOnN8xlVJMDhvfVNRsAOTwJMBGnw80TPV7NK-rdtHkySE5hjtsVp489eNrBxvfcmFoloDj-_LGcusRkRKJUGoQ-AZKZ0fWnVF3vwuUm4uqAEVRKLuc_UEe_9OyOnPVt6fxStU/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAICwtHJOnN8xlVJMDhvfVNRsAOTwJMBGnw80TPV7NK-rdtHkySE5hjtsVp489eNrBxvfcmFoloDj-_LGcusRkRKJUGoQ-AZKZ0fWnVF3vwuUm4uqAEVRKLuc_UEe_9OyOnPVt6fxStU/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward to an improved Lincoln Avenue. (Photo from 2013, Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-48165480030878143762014-07-27T22:08:00.001-05:002014-07-27T22:08:52.774-05:00Clybourn Avenue would benefit from protected bike lanes<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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Last week, the public was given its first glimpse of the changes being proposed to Clybourn Avenue from Division Street to North Avenue. You can read media coverage of the meeting on <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140725/old-town/citys-first-barrier-protected-bike-lane-coming-clybourn">DNA Info Chicago</a> and on <a href="http://chi.streetsblog.org/2014/07/25/cdot-proposes-chicagos-first-curb-separated-bike-lane-on-clybourn/">Streetsblog Chicago</a>.</div>
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As you know from our prior post, <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2013/09/review-of-new-clybourn-bike-lanes.html">Clybourn north of North Avenue received buffered bike lanes last year</a>; however, the southern section still has no bike lanes at all. </div>
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Here's a map that shows in red the section of Clybourn that's in the current project area (it also includes one block of Division):</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQHrHSvw0TWtioojkGOT10iQ8sD3XvXPsk1oBnVefoQMGs9ZJlC4dbC8Zu1VoIcvYt3LCJxcky0RUE2X9ybwd6-HbzI0pbKFc94QzyZYXSFzzeRzok06mwU4yQyBWvvzqft68RRSZMmY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-27+at+4.56.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQHrHSvw0TWtioojkGOT10iQ8sD3XvXPsk1oBnVefoQMGs9ZJlC4dbC8Zu1VoIcvYt3LCJxcky0RUE2X9ybwd6-HbzI0pbKFc94QzyZYXSFzzeRzok06mwU4yQyBWvvzqft68RRSZMmY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-27+at+4.56.23+PM.png" height="352" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red shows the parts of Clybourn and Division that are in the project area. Purple lines are existing buffered bike lanes. This screen shot was taken from the Active Transportation Alliance's Bikeways Tracker.</td></tr>
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This project is not in Lincoln Park, but we're writing about it because every improvement for bicycling on nearby streets is important for the entire bicycling network, and in this case, it could greatly benefit Lincoln Parkers who ride on Clybourn to get to Larrabee or Halsted to head northbound. </div>
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Here's what Clybourn currently looks like in the first blocks north of Division:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6p9s7LC8yCizPoOxDiqnyLu4BSfQJUSOsGdP1DE-JQnWnCi8F1lAnY-Yg4_qy1138FGpGNDXcs6TfKPLHOgTnPdqytRFZFNKQQjfEfVnsw-VA4N7WJpKyKIjCPt73eML300B1uEsMdw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-27+at+5.04.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6p9s7LC8yCizPoOxDiqnyLu4BSfQJUSOsGdP1DE-JQnWnCi8F1lAnY-Yg4_qy1138FGpGNDXcs6TfKPLHOgTnPdqytRFZFNKQQjfEfVnsw-VA4N7WJpKyKIjCPt73eML300B1uEsMdw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-27+at+5.04.02+PM.png" height="240" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Google Street View)</td></tr>
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Here's what Clybourn currently looks like in the blocks between Larrabee and Halsted:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8HFUmmR9nwdvcEYPG6T81OoQz3TEMGveXKAQ8UzmXtJal6RTWgvTSKKLcRNtxcuZrn5SHi51BGL0iSdpPHaIj9ur3GTQgVVXbGbapXQn34WCYAh2dkhkYSkVsWMSHX6DscjHySPtZks/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8HFUmmR9nwdvcEYPG6T81OoQz3TEMGveXKAQ8UzmXtJal6RTWgvTSKKLcRNtxcuZrn5SHi51BGL0iSdpPHaIj9ur3GTQgVVXbGbapXQn34WCYAh2dkhkYSkVsWMSHX6DscjHySPtZks/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of room for protected bike lanes here! (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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As you can see, Clybourn's southernmost section has some storefronts and condos right against the street, forming a nice street edge. That area often has some parked cars. The next section, northwest of Larrabee, is completely wide open, windswept, and a blank slate on which to begin creating something better!</div>
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It's exciting that Illinois Department of Transportation and Chicago DOT have studied this corridor carefully in terms of motor vehicle volumes, speed, and parking utilization rates, and that they've determined there's an excellent opportunity to install curb-protected bike lanes. </div>
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Actually, for the first few blocks at the southern end, it's still being decided whether buffered or curb-protected should be installed, so both designs were presented, along with the pluses and minuses.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5qj0d3eSBaybPFU5O1FcfTrI3MjUfNG3U2h9HeTh1ospGUmtC2BK8gNnWsibwPXMh0Gg1rCklm7j6w2_n19hZ9fhnFxHDWwSCrSitxe34wlmm3EWfd76Lssjc1tmNNh4arz_J9H6n_c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-27+at+3.58.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5qj0d3eSBaybPFU5O1FcfTrI3MjUfNG3U2h9HeTh1ospGUmtC2BK8gNnWsibwPXMh0Gg1rCklm7j6w2_n19hZ9fhnFxHDWwSCrSitxe34wlmm3EWfd76Lssjc1tmNNh4arz_J9H6n_c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-27+at+3.58.50+PM.png" height="472" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(CDOT/IDOT presentation)</td></tr>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Park strongly supports the installation of curb-protected bike lanes for the entire corridor. </div>
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Buffered bike lanes are better than no bike lanes, but the design of barrier-protected bike lanes is superior in numerous ways: 1/ moving cars cannot encroach on the bicyclists, which raises the level of comfort of the bicyclist astronomically; 2/ the risk of dooring is eliminated; and 3/ intersections are designed with much better protection for the bicyclists. </div>
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That third point is not as widely known, so it bears discussing just a little. For a barrier-protected bike lane to work, parking spots are often relocated nearby to create room for the curbside bike lane. When parked cars are fewer, there's room for protected bike lanes to continue all the way up to and through an intersection, instead of disappearing like they do with buffered bike lanes. You can <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2013/10/clybourn-avenue-bike-commute-video.html">see our video of the experience of riding on the Clybourn buffered bike lane</a> here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38JVL98bkHVs1Glg6CEm3qTrwp-Kqny-MMoSmMT9mrh-J3JV05d7gAsfelOsUi8aRCoCCKB093a6E0K2bBfLIiOTrwp34gCpEOPDNVSR2t7PVpnTnprNOMukEYVZIaz6JOjDC7Hiqm_U/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38JVL98bkHVs1Glg6CEm3qTrwp-Kqny-MMoSmMT9mrh-J3JV05d7gAsfelOsUi8aRCoCCKB093a6E0K2bBfLIiOTrwp34gCpEOPDNVSR2t7PVpnTnprNOMukEYVZIaz6JOjDC7Hiqm_U/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buffered bike lanes on Clybourn north of North disappear at each intersection, and bicyclists must "share the lane" with cars. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The condition shown above doesn't produce the kind of low-stress bicycling that will help more people ride bikes for commuting and short neighborhood trips! </div>
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In addition to the benefits of creating a calmer and safer environment for bicycling, we think that the section of Clybourn in the current study area will benefit economically from barrier-protected bike lanes. When those curb-protected lanes are installed, the bicyclists' numbers will increase with new ridership, traffic will calm down, the street will be a nicer place to spend time in, and the corridor will become much more lively with people walking and biking and spending money. (I'm not going to quote any study here on how this has happened in other cities: Just read the fantastic book <a href="http://takingthelane.com/bikenomics/"><i>Bikenomics</i> by Elly Blue</a> for all the details. If your budget doesn't allow you to purchase it, ask me and I'll lend you my copy.)</div>
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CDOT and IDOT are looking for input on the proposed designs for Clybourn. Please drop them an e-mail with your opinions! It doesn't have to be complicated. We're planning to write to simply say that we strongly urge them to install barrier-protected lanes for the entire corridor. Yes, they do read each one, and yes, these e-mails do make a difference. Write them at:</div>
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CDOTnews@cityofchicago.org</div>
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DOT.D1.ClybournPBL@illinois.gov</div>
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Follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-25175964255591196132014-06-04T22:35:00.003-05:002014-06-04T22:35:38.462-05:00Thinking big for a better Lake Shore Drive<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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Readers of this blog know that the North Lake Shore Drive re-design process is well underway. (Links for background reading are provided at the end of this post.) The process of identifying problems with the current state is now concluded, and the next step is submitting specific ideas for how to solve the problems.</div>
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John Krause, an architect and long-time supporter of Bike Walk Lincoln Park, has laid out his vision for how we can make this important part of our city work better for all users, and he's looking for feedback. You can see his <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/r9y0s2rvset4qqt/Redefine%20the%20Drive%20May%2029%202014.pdf%20">entire proposal for North Lake Shore Drive at this link to a PDF</a>. (John is the Executive Director of Chicago Streetcar Renaissance, and he'll be presenting his plan for streetcars in Chicago at the <a href="http://www.transportchicago.org/2014-program.html">Transport Chicago conference at UIC on June 6th</a>.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ02mUyp_gbPKcW5EbzqNRbYbH0kcva48LYOuGI7Vi4Y1tFMbUrKX2mcG7k47obF0vivF6ME1mxkntRJRe9Sqc0AIJVkXRCwBPWV9no9G4XsFp6_cHTPlHDIeHW_0rkpRBLFa2RwIAQU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.55.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ02mUyp_gbPKcW5EbzqNRbYbH0kcva48LYOuGI7Vi4Y1tFMbUrKX2mcG7k47obF0vivF6ME1mxkntRJRe9Sqc0AIJVkXRCwBPWV9no9G4XsFp6_cHTPlHDIeHW_0rkpRBLFa2RwIAQU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.55.58+PM.png" height="284" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redefine The Drive vision for North Lake Shore Drive by John Krause of Chicago Streetcar Renaissance.</td></tr>
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John doesn't think small. And why should he? If we do it right, this project has the real potential to transform the way Chicago residents interact with our lakeside parks, to enhance the natural beauty of the shoreline, and at the same time to improve the way we transport ourselves to and through the corridor.</div>
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I've posted screen shots of the four North Lake Shore Drive segments below from John's proposal. Some of the highlights of the plan include:</div>
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<li>LSD dips downward at most junctions to allow the cross street to cross at grade;</li>
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<li>New junctions at Division, Diversey and Addison to relieve motor vehicle backups at the existing junctions;</li>
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<li>Lakefront light rail runs through the middle of the corridor from Michigan Avenue and Oak Street all the way to Hollywood;</li>
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<li>East-west buses connect to the lakefront and the light rail stations;</li>
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<li>LSD is re-routed north of LaSalle Drive onto Cannon Drive and then onto "inner North Lake Shore Drive", all the way to Belmont.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qtmkuRmdhVvu91j7AgKgOqnpE4WsE6FvPFEIihyphenhyphensrZNyIZoqQElBV-0jgFMcT4y9IZ5lbCp5jd1U09fFMjKTyEhvEGKd2VruEDZgmax2zo1114bLf4Mc_KDvtAWppAtQJgWfTtWMKIw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.56.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qtmkuRmdhVvu91j7AgKgOqnpE4WsE6FvPFEIihyphenhyphensrZNyIZoqQElBV-0jgFMcT4y9IZ5lbCp5jd1U09fFMjKTyEhvEGKd2VruEDZgmax2zo1114bLf4Mc_KDvtAWppAtQJgWfTtWMKIw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.56.14+PM.png" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Avenue to North Boulevard segment of North Lake Shore Drive (Segment A), by John Krause/Chicago Streetcar Renaissance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5Jw7YrPHVWTJSyzjEf14ywIRh4iftld-hNj0NBXOStEUKS24uGBTc7wXgepr3S26gnzJE_YpLmVRJB0KeNbrMFH3W-8p887xictssg3yfKCz7rRKS1WaHwfNLk2OqAYx1WW6r1CA_go/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.56.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5Jw7YrPHVWTJSyzjEf14ywIRh4iftld-hNj0NBXOStEUKS24uGBTc7wXgepr3S26gnzJE_YpLmVRJB0KeNbrMFH3W-8p887xictssg3yfKCz7rRKS1WaHwfNLk2OqAYx1WW6r1CA_go/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.56.35+PM.png" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LaSalle Drive to Diversey Parkway segment of North Lake Shore Drive (Segment B), by John Krause/Chicago Streetcar Renaissance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8fZp1bzJzGI9PZ-21u-ugTA-dVEbKeDqZcqBYHUcrCWyUjmobgVVwSJo6EF1vkr7wiXp1KZY_1cfRc8ndQnTobI1n1L0kp2uYGGNaAgaIWchbb9DCOvIkzWOU3g1uBJ3Z79g6fACXkk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+9.19.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8fZp1bzJzGI9PZ-21u-ugTA-dVEbKeDqZcqBYHUcrCWyUjmobgVVwSJo6EF1vkr7wiXp1KZY_1cfRc8ndQnTobI1n1L0kp2uYGGNaAgaIWchbb9DCOvIkzWOU3g1uBJ3Z79g6fACXkk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+9.19.48+PM.png" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diversey Parkway to Montrose Avenue segment of North Lake Shore Drive (Segment C), by John Krause/Chicago Streetcar Renaissance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDqa9UbVSE0jq6sv1yFJtpf2nq5c9zbeSxBgfUFZ6OueOkdyELyYB-siiININDxXDG_7K5oXYoIruNyeCaq2L2wELFaXLy4X6sWstLeFuYWzvQOkeq8-SV7vbXVBPaglzkbUpacoO8sw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+9.20.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDqa9UbVSE0jq6sv1yFJtpf2nq5c9zbeSxBgfUFZ6OueOkdyELyYB-siiININDxXDG_7K5oXYoIruNyeCaq2L2wELFaXLy4X6sWstLeFuYWzvQOkeq8-SV7vbXVBPaglzkbUpacoO8sw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+9.20.03+PM.png" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montrose Avenue to Hollywood segment of North Lake Shore Drive (Segment D), by John Krause/Chicago Streetcar Renaissance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi6qeLe7AJUeiIXEGCtn3f-tD4k2LyLakoMB6ROT9W4DwWKL0CrgrzM9NQoe9OZ7ThMG_HuGK73fVyK0CSEdjuFnmQMEIdEj4z1QJsYmP4haUo9q-H6Bu7hDqwj8oFNUCdSZsMnd5x5E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.57.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi6qeLe7AJUeiIXEGCtn3f-tD4k2LyLakoMB6ROT9W4DwWKL0CrgrzM9NQoe9OZ7ThMG_HuGK73fVyK0CSEdjuFnmQMEIdEj4z1QJsYmP4haUo9q-H6Bu7hDqwj8oFNUCdSZsMnd5x5E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-04+at+8.57.26+PM.png" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail showing how Inner Lake Shore Drive/Marine Drive could be integrated with "outer" Lake Shore Drive.</td></tr>
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We think this is a beautifully laid out vision of all the changes that are key to the redesign: We have to make Lake Shore Drive less of a barrier, because in essence, that's what it is. The only people who love Lake Shore Drive the way it is, are those who don't live anywhere close to it, but instead only use it as a highway to get somewhere else. That's not what we want in our front yard. The changes depicted in John's drawings would allow us to have better access via walking, bicycling and public transit to get to the lakefront area in a convenient and stress-free way. It would reclaim parkland to provide a more natural shoreline and additional parks and beaches for residents and visitors. The dedicated streetcar lanes would provide fast, reliable service to the tens of thousands of people every day. </div>
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What do you think of the plans? Beautiful? Crazy? So crazy it just might work? Comment below! Or e-mail us at bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com or e-mail John directly at jck@chicagostreetcar.com</div>
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BACKGROUND READING:</div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Park provided the North Lake Shore Drive project team with <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/03/forty-seven-ways-to-improve-lake-shore.html">a list of 47 ways to improve Lake Shore Drive</a>.</div>
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After a disappointing Purpose and Need Statement Draft was published by the North Lake Shore Drive project team, <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/05/our-suggestions-for-better-lake-shore.html">Bike Walk Lincoln Park provided further feedback asking for changes and improvements</a>.</div>
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The North Lake Shore Drive project team published its updated Purpose and Need Statement Draft with many of the changes suggested by us and many other citizens (thank you, Illinois Department of Transportation!), and it was summarized in this post on <a href="http://chi.streetsblog.org/2014/06/02/small-steps-for-idot-add-up-to-giant-leap-for-north-lake-shore-drive/#disqus_thread">Streetsblog Chicago, "Small steps for IDOT add up to giant leap for North Lake Shore Drive"</a></div>
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The architecture firm VOA Associates has a vision for the lakefront from Ohio Street to North Avenue, and it was covered in <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140514/streeterville/lake-shore-drive-island-177m-plan-aims-embrace-burnhams-vision">this DNA Info Chicago article, "Lake Shore Drive island? $177M plan aims to embrace Burnham's vision"</a></div>
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The Chicago Sun-Times provided an overview of the project on May 30, <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/27590301-418/lake-shore-drive-plans-aims-for-big-picture-not-patchwork-approach.html">"Lakeshore Drive plan aims for big-picture, not patchwork approach"</a></div>
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The North Lake Shore Drive project team will have another round of public meetings in July in which you'll have a chance to provide your own ideas, but the website is already accepting electronic submissions. You can attach pictures, PDFs, or whatever you wish to your submissions. Check it out <a href="http://www.northlakeshoredrive.org/">on the northlakeshoredrive.org website</a> under the hyperlink "Mapping Application".</div>
<br />Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-46009256652273633632014-05-11T16:37:00.004-05:002014-05-11T21:49:42.277-05:00Walking and biking to work is increasing in Chicago<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The U.S. Census Bureau released a report this week on how many Americans bike or walk to work. The strongest "take away" of <a href="http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/cb14-86.html">their news release </a>was that bike commuting is up 60% nationwide in 2012 compared to 2000, and that is the largest increase in commuting mode (including public transit, walking, driving alone, carpooling, and more). </div>
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You can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneZUFacnJYT2UxckE/edit?usp=sharing">read the full report</a> but here's one chunk of the table I find to be most interesting and important:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxMub78cysx0BFG3OgWi2dI29OKoDV-_KJmv4b5vDYCH1uo5iGJunI3KsttFrspU8M1IlMT6v3orzcUA4_aoBJvuOFbhqUkPtTFFuDjODjPe3XoNwe2VtkEpg7ro92lNZ33gQOPUsR0w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-11+at+2.49.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxMub78cysx0BFG3OgWi2dI29OKoDV-_KJmv4b5vDYCH1uo5iGJunI3KsttFrspU8M1IlMT6v3orzcUA4_aoBJvuOFbhqUkPtTFFuDjODjPe3XoNwe2VtkEpg7ro92lNZ33gQOPUsR0w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-11+at+2.49.18+PM.png" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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In Chicago in 2000, 5.7% of workers walked to work, but by 2012, the percent had increased to 6.4%. (I would guess that's a function of the greater number of people living in Streeterville, River North, West Loop, and South Loop who can walk to their central business district jobs.) That may seem like a modest increase, but it's actually bucking the nationwide trend of <i>fewer</i> people walking to work during that time period. Even on the table of the biggest 20 cities above, you can see that only Chicago and San Jose, CA showed increased rates of walk commuting. </div>
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As for bike commuting, in 2000, only half a percent of Chicagoans rode their bikes to work, but by 2012, it was 1.3%. Since there are about 1.21 million workers in Chicago in 2012, that's nearly 16,000 people getting on the saddle to head to work. No wonder the city's bike lanes seem to be getting more crowded lately!</div>
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Chicago's jump from .5% to 1.3% is an increase of 160% over 12 years. That's great news, and it reflects an 8% increase year over year [Note: a prior version of this post incorrectly said it was 4% year over year]. I think we can do better that that, and I think we will, thanks partly to the availability of Divvy bike share since July 2013. The installation of a greater number of protected bike lanes in more areas of the city will help encourage more people to try biking to work as well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsFvvc6pDmzt7zRnNgOkCaSuEOejJm7UGCDPvcbi-BTgq_uuaBxlFV4tC_mue7K-i4iUDVMrYbIv-g1y4ptXkhXnCO29TjijNvuCIdOJB0h_c46hf9W-hWMtiW4l-y5dJ6knhjd1heCg/s1600/OnKinzie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsFvvc6pDmzt7zRnNgOkCaSuEOejJm7UGCDPvcbi-BTgq_uuaBxlFV4tC_mue7K-i4iUDVMrYbIv-g1y4ptXkhXnCO29TjijNvuCIdOJB0h_c46hf9W-hWMtiW4l-y5dJ6knhjd1heCg/s1600/OnKinzie.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women Bike Chicago evening ride on the Kinzie protected bike lane, 2013. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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The census data ranked "Larger Cities" (population 200,000 or higher) according to their rates of walk and bike commuting. For highest percent of people who walk to work in Larger Cities, Boston was once again on top with 15.1%. Chicago's 6.4% comes in at #14. That's not a bad showing. </div>
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For bike commuting, Portland was once again crowned the Larger City "winner" with an impressive 6.1% mode share. Our neighbors to the north, Madison and Minneapolis, came in second and third with 5.1 and 4.1 percentages, respectively. Chicago didn't make it into the top 15 Larger Cities bike commuting table, which is dominated by cities with populations between 200,000 and 800,000. Philadelphia is the only city with a general population of more than 1.5 million people to post a mode share of 2% or higher.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvKuySZXhhj0FsjpxwlJOJ0gTAI9Z2HEvb4wZmrthshdi198A9Kfsgw9MBEurlNWqjFjUU1ZAxLPqGrxfeynYqmaSSfp9orkhermFEVwQ8IwLlAhh_mSn3Py65XWxuUwIFNfCwiRmXFY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-11+at+2.39.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvKuySZXhhj0FsjpxwlJOJ0gTAI9Z2HEvb4wZmrthshdi198A9Kfsgw9MBEurlNWqjFjUU1ZAxLPqGrxfeynYqmaSSfp9orkhermFEVwQ8IwLlAhh_mSn3Py65XWxuUwIFNfCwiRmXFY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-11+at+2.39.15+PM.png" height="232" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table showing the percentage of workers self-reporting bicycling as their primary form of commuting to work the week prior to taking the survey. </td></tr>
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The 4- 5- and 6% bike commuter numbers of Portland, Madison and Minneapolis are indeed impressive, and kudos to those cities for reaching that point already, in spite of climate challenges including rain and winters even harsher than Chicago's. </div>
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However, when we're talking about sheer numbers of bicyclists, Chicago is still posting among the highest numbers. When you multiply the percentage bike commuting share with the number of workers, here's what you get:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZX30yOnNu2rEfQGOGmiOvDLayNfTADP1bPZkbXD-9AYePU943khvTO-a-xI_ve7hCirkG8BVaFdHBqeVlQsZphHlETdxAelE6Mjz_hqaGl3iq7lZP_DlecU0P2QACwaTeuLLvggqtgw/s1600/HighestNumbers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZX30yOnNu2rEfQGOGmiOvDLayNfTADP1bPZkbXD-9AYePU943khvTO-a-xI_ve7hCirkG8BVaFdHBqeVlQsZphHlETdxAelE6Mjz_hqaGl3iq7lZP_DlecU0P2QACwaTeuLLvggqtgw/s1600/HighestNumbers.png" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My table of selected cities' number of bike commuters, taken from the census data. Post in comments if something's amiss.</td></tr>
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So when you look at raw numbers of people getting their butts on their bikes and riding to work, New York City has us all beat by a large margin, with more than 29,000. Portland's 18,000 is very impressive for a smaller city, but LA, Chicago and San Francisco are only a few thousand behind and catching up fast. If I were marketing bikes or bike locks, I'd be targeting the cities with the highest numbers of current bike commuters, combined with the strongest upward trend.</div>
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What do you see when you look at the graphs?</div>
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Follow us at @BikeWalkLP</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-67868660501821744032014-05-06T19:32:00.001-05:002014-05-06T19:32:08.625-05:00Our suggestions for a better Lake Shore Drive Need Statement<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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Last week, a number of citizens concerned about the future of North Lake Shore Drive met to discuss the Purpose and Need Statement draft released recently by the North Lake Shore Drive project team. We found much to like in the draft statement, but also many opportunities for improvement to better frame the current problems and futures needs of people walking, bicycling and using public transit through this corridor. As we said <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/04/another-chance-to-speak-up-for-lake.html">in this prior post</a>, the Purpose and Need Statement is very important because <span style="background-color: white; color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">if a problem is not well-described in the P&N statement, then no solutions that are proposed later on can be considered. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_oCh_wYagXa1sBE1nwuGv2lwcuqH_8fPfEqKV3XQS-phTj-BPtG86VbTf-tVe95-Mx0ow954I0a2PtQJyuk49Y4H7pasPcLiIgNqP9cFJpO5oMikP0yyjsoi5W21rDVVZKSTR_lpSes/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_oCh_wYagXa1sBE1nwuGv2lwcuqH_8fPfEqKV3XQS-phTj-BPtG86VbTf-tVe95-Mx0ow954I0a2PtQJyuk49Y4H7pasPcLiIgNqP9cFJpO5oMikP0yyjsoi5W21rDVVZKSTR_lpSes/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chicago Avenue pedestrian underpass on the Lakefront Trail. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">You can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneRmRUeWF0eWJOZ0U/edit?usp=sharing">read the Draft Purpose and Need Statement here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">The full letter we've submitted as feedback to the project team is reprinted below (and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8Ttned2NpMkMyY1VnNFE/edit?usp=sharing">viewable at this link </a>as well). Some of the suggestions we made:</span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">We request that the Problem Statement in the draft be replaced with the more precise and all-encompassing Problem Statement that the seven task forces worked to produce.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">We ask that the final Purpose and Need Statement provide more data and detail about problems facing people walking, bicycling and using public transit.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">We ask the team to explicitly recognize that there is a need to move an increased number of <i>people </i>through the North Lake Shore Drive corridor through more efficient methods of traveling.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">We ask that the focus remain on Lake Shore Drive's status as a boulevard and not a freeway.</span></li>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Do you agree with what you're reading? Don't stop there. You can fulfill your civic duty of the day by writing a quick e-mail (just do it RIGHT NOW: info@northlakeshoredrive.org ) directly to the project team that says something in support. You can copy the entire letter from below into your e-mail, or just the parts you feel very strongly about, or compose your own input. Just take five minutes to express your opinion and show your support. Every comment is read and considered and becomes part of the public record that reflects what the public is requesting in the redesign process. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Thanks in advance for your effort!!!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d7gQCgaDzZvqkEz2byE0TtZM5VYCISQVkuiHrJwHCbpfgI5RcmC1llzYCSuRRfrlG2F6bWDNdkxobZu8erT6JOPUASu4Q0kBfEciPzxuLbwUGRgsVfvGHhy9iBn5m50zyg5HLcmKLA4/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d7gQCgaDzZvqkEz2byE0TtZM5VYCISQVkuiHrJwHCbpfgI5RcmC1llzYCSuRRfrlG2F6bWDNdkxobZu8erT6JOPUASu4Q0kBfEciPzxuLbwUGRgsVfvGHhy9iBn5m50zyg5HLcmKLA4/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lakefront Trail at the chess pavilion at North Boulevard pedestrian underpass. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #2a1a22; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Bike Walk Lincoln Park's letter:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dear North Lake Shore Drive Project Team,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are writing today in response to your recent release of the Draft Purpose and Need Statement. We hope that you’ll take the following into consideration in the course of preparing the final version of the statement.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Support</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are pleased that you included important projections about the future needs for Lake Shore Drive, including Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s projection that there will only be an increase of 4% of car traffic by 2040, but a 23% increase in public transit use and 12-19% increase in Lakefront Trail users. We recognize this data reflects the need for a fundamental mind shift in terms of solutions. Specifically, that the resources devoted to the redesign must concentrate heavily on increasing capacity to move many more people. The most efficient way to accomplish this reality is to focus on design and functional solutions that include public transit and non-motorized transportation. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thank you for including a great deal of data about the high number of motor vehicle crashes on North Lake Shore Drive and the excessive speeds that are norm for drivers. We believe that these figures support the strong need for a redesign of the roadway that leads to more moderate driving speeds and fewer crashes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the discussion of how inadequate the Lakefront Trail is in terms of serving the volume of users, we appreciate that you included that when measured by Level of Service criteria for a Shared-Use Path, the entire northern section of the Lakefront Trail would be rated as an “F”, and that some sections would be given a failing grade even if the current volume of users were cut in half. It’s very clear that the levels of use of the LFT as an important commuting, traveling and recreational corridor could be increased enormously by increasing capacity, improving and adding access points, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We would like to reiterate the statements that you quoted from the 1972 Lakefront Plan of Chicago, including that the Plan set forth certain mandates, including that all future changes should:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Strengthen the parkway characteristics of Lake Shore Drive and prohibit any roadway of expressway standards. Lake Shore Drive is a parkway which should retain its parkway nature.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Similarly, we would like to reiterate two of the points quoted from the 1973 Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Two of the ordinance’s stated purposes were:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>To promote and provide for continuous pedestrian movement along the shoreline; </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>To promote and provide for pedestrian access to the Lake and Lakefront Parks through areas adjacent thereto at regular intervals of one-fourth mile and additional places whenever possible...</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Improving the pedestrian movement along the shoreline and increasing the number of access points to minimums of one-fourth mile intervals should be a very important part of the North LSD redesign.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>“Project Purpose” Statement</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Draft Purpose and Need Statement includes the following as the Project Purpose (1.1):</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The purpose of the project is to improve the NLSD multi-modal transportation facility. The specific needs to be addressed through the study include: improve mobility for automobiles, buses an non-motorized modes of travel, improve safety, improve facility deficiencies, improve modal connections and opportunities, and improve accessibility to and from Lincoln Park, the Lakefront Trail and the adjacent communities.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As you know, during the numerous Task Force meetings, we spent a good deal of time working to carefully craft a Problem Statement, and we ask you to include the final Problem Statement below instead of the single paragraph currently in the Draft. The Problem Statement as written from feedback of the seven Task Forces that we would like to be included is:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Problem Statement </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The North Lake Shore Drive study area is a corridor that contains roadway, public transit, and lakefront trail facilities situated entirely within parkland along Chicago’s lakefront<b>. </b>The majority of the parkland is located within Lincoln Park, which extends from the Ohio Street beach to N. Ardmore Ave. and is listed on the <i>National Register of Historic Places. </i>The corridor study limits extend from Grand Avenue to Hollywood Avenue and include bordering parkland areas.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The North Lake Shore Drive study area is more than a heavily used transportation corridor that facilitates movement of thousands of people each day by multiple modes of travel. The corridor also provides critical connections to the park and lakefront for recreational use and circulation. These connections, however, are constrained and inadequate for today’s user demands which vary widely by time of day, day of the week and the schedule of special events on the lakefront. Overall, the North Lake Shore Drive infrastructure lacks sustainable design features and requires burdensome maintenance efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The pedestrian and lakefront trail issues include safety, capacity, conflicts between user types, connectivity, access, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, lack of wayfinding, and suitability of facilities. Public transit issues include capacity to meet existing and future demands, speed, reliability, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of service to the lakefront. Roadway related issues include vehicular safety, congestion on North Lake Shore Drive, junction intersections and adjacent neighborhood streets, lack of driver information signing, excessive speeds and infrastructure condition and functionality.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">(If necessary, the first paragraph can be omitted since it is already discussed in 1.0 of the statement, but the second and third paragraphs should be used as the Project Purpose statement.)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Lack of Balance</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Draft Purpose and Need Statement provides a great deal of data and specific detail about the problems encountered by motorized vehicle users, but much less about the problems encountered by public transit users and non-motorized vehicle users. For example, the section “Improve Vehicular Safety” is 4.5 pages of charts, photographs, data and descriptions, whereas the “Improve Safety for Non-Motorized Modes of Travel” is only about one page of description. Similarly, the section on “Improve Vehicular Mobility” is nearly 4 pages of charts, photos and specific intersection analysis, the section called “Improve Transit Mobility” is less than half of on page in length. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While we recognize that this imbalance is potentially due to the greater amount of motor-vehicle-related data that is gathered and therefore available to be used, we believe that there is much more detail that should nonetheless be included, about poor access points and facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit users. The joint Chicago Park District - Active Transportation Alliance’s 2011 report “Chicago Park District Lakefront Trail Counts” contains much data that could be incorporated. Bike Walk Lincoln Park provided a list of 47 specific problems that we identified just on the Grand- to Diversey stretch. The CTA likely has a wealth of data that could be used to help make a stronger case that public transit riders are underserved both in terms of capacity and facilities, on Outer Lake Shore Drive as well as Inner Lake Shore Drive. We encourage you to provide more balance in the Purpose and Need Statement for the issues that are of high importance to people using the Lakefront Trail and public transit.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Move More <i>People</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We encourage you to more explicitly recognize the future needs of the North Lake Shore Drive Corridor and the likely methods to meet those needs. The real focus and goals should be to move more <i>people</i> through this travel corridor, and making more accommodations for private motor vehicles will not help achieve that goal. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You recognize in the Draft statement that at peak times, the volume of motor vehicles causes bottlenecks at various intersections, ramps and on LSD lanes. As you stated, regardless of projected or actual future volumes of motor vehicles, adding more travel lanes on LSD is not an option. Therefore, we ask you to state explicitly that the most efficient way for Lake Shore Drive to carry higher volumes of <i>people</i> without increasing the amount of bottlenecks and vehicle congestion is to design the roadway to encourage many more people to choose more efficient methods of traveling, via public transit, sharing vehicles with others, walking or bicycling. Every design change that results in making public transit or active transportation a more convenient, attractive choice will increase the number of people who decide to leave their cars at home, thereby helping achieve the project goal of moving a higher number of <i>people</i> safely and efficiently.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Boulevard</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lake Shore Drive is part of Chicago’s beloved boulevard system, and remains classified as a boulevard. It used to look much like Midway Plaisance, Humboldt Boulevard, and others; unfortunately, it was changed over the decades to add many elements that made it look and feel more like a highway than the boulevard-through-the-park that it should be. Therefore, many drivers envision it to be a high-speed, high-volume expressway and treat it as such; however, that is not what Lake Shore Drive is currently defined as legally, and not what it was ever meant to be. Lake Shore Drive remains a boulevard and any changes should enhance its boulevard characteristics.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">From the US DOT Federal Highway Administration website (<a href="http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/qandas/qatap.cfm"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/qandas/qatap.cfm</span></a>):</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A boulevard is defined as a:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Walkable, low-speed (35 mph or less) divided arterial thoroughfare in urban environments designed to carry both through and local traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists. Boulevards may be long corridors, typically four lanes but sometimes wider, serve longer trips and provide pedestrian access to land. Boulevards may be high-ridership transit corridors. Boulevards are primary goods movement and emergency response routes and use vehicular and pedestrian access management techniques. Curb parking is encouraged on boulevards.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>An eligible "boulevard" project should demonstrate some of the following elements:</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>1. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Traffic calming measures.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>2. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Context-sensitive bicycle and pedestrian facilities.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>3. </i></span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Compliance with accessibility requirements and guidelines.</i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>4. Promotion of transit corridor through additional protected stops and routes. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>5. Environmentally efficient lighting, landscaping, and water-saving systems.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We encourage you to emphasize in the Purpose and Need Statement the need to add all five of these boulevard characteristics to the future LSD during the design process.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Because Lake Shore Drive is a boulevard and not a freeway, the use of the Level of Service criteria for freeways as a way to measure how well LSD is serving motorized vehicle traffic is wholly inappropriate, and should not be included in the Purpose and Need Statement. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Other Comments</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We ask you to add an explicit statement addressing the lack of north-south public transit circulation within the corridor. While there are numerous bus lines that use LSD to transport people from the Central Business District to the lakefront neighborhoods, none of the north-south bus routes stop directly on the lake so that people may enjoy the park amenities along the lake shore.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We would like to reiterate the dire need for better east-west bike lanes and transit service to and from the parks, zoo, beaches and other amenities along the lakefront. Efficient, reliable bus service and safe bike lanes leading from the L stops to the lakefront amenities are especially needed.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We believe it’s important to note that the high volume of Lakefront Trail users is made up of people using a mix of modes at various speeds. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We believe an important point not stated in the Draft is the lack of adequate wayfinding to and from the Lakefront Trail and nearby points of interest. Signage that helps users find their way to the trail increases usage of the corridor via non-motorized means, and signs that help Trail users find nearby amenities is a way to increase economic development in the nearby neighborhoods.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Conclusion</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thank you for the work you have put into the Purpose and Need Statement Draft. We hope that you find our input to be of value, and that you incorporate it into the final statement. We look forward to continuing to work with you during the course of the project.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Michelle Kairies Stenzel</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lori Brown, IDOT</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jeff Sriver, CDOT</span></div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-26115726391710171152014-04-24T17:13:00.001-05:002014-04-24T17:13:24.093-05:00Another chance to speak up for Lake Shore Drive improvements<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG97wcPyjBtrnd_PykhZfnQzGocTt_6Ci2ZvcFSQlAj0jFo4h0JuIspJB89X6n-yX0wVVxNB8zPo0xr9jYGHZZNWTRR0wrrs3pJvTiPXNRR_9LQcYugL8rIe43N1RbeiJC75ICUKxb-XU/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG97wcPyjBtrnd_PykhZfnQzGocTt_6Ci2ZvcFSQlAj0jFo4h0JuIspJB89X6n-yX0wVVxNB8zPo0xr9jYGHZZNWTRR0wrrs3pJvTiPXNRR_9LQcYugL8rIe43N1RbeiJC75ICUKxb-XU/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Avenue Beach pedestrian bridge at peak usage.<br />(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The North Lake Shore Drive project team has released its Draft “Purpose and Need” statement. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">(I know this already sounds very wonky and bureaucratic -- just stay with me for another two sentences.) <a href="http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/tdmneed.asp">A "P&N" statement should describe the current situation and the problems that are in existence</a><span id="goog_194512380"></span><span id="goog_194512381"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>, so that solutions to those problems can be addressed during the course of the project. It's an important document because if a problem is not well-described in the P&N statement, then no solutions that are proposed later on can be considered. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When the North LSD Purpose and Need draft was released April 8th to members of the task forces and published on <a href="http://www.northlakeshoredrive.org/">the project website</a>, many of us were surprised to see included only some of the issues that had been brought up during the course of the public meetings and task force meetings of the prior eight months. Supporters of Bike Walk Lincoln Park <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/03/forty-seven-ways-to-improve-lake-shore.html">met a few weeks ago and submitted a list of 47 specific problems </a>that we believe exist just on the Grand Avenue-to-Diversey stretch of the project. (We received a general response letter from Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, encouraging us to continue providing feedback to the project.) --></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the NLSD Draft Purpose and Need, the project team included many pages with detailed descriptions of problems facing motor vehicle drivers, but then gave only short and largely non-specific references to the many problems facing people using all other modes of transportation. The description of problems existing for public transit users is given especially superficial treatment. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneRmRUeWF0eWJOZ0U/edit?usp=sharing">view the 20-page Draft statement in PDF form at this link</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We plan to provide further input to the project team, urging them to make certain additions, and we’re co-hosting a meeting with Alderman Michele Smith’s office, with that purpose in mind. We’ll meet at the Lincoln Park branch of the library on Tuesday evening, April 29th starting at 6:00 pm, and you’re invited to attend. Please RSVP by e-mailing us because space is limited and we want to make sure we can accommodate everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you come, we urge you to read the Draft Purpose and Need statement carefully, and bring with you a list of the points you think should be included in our response.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you’re not able to attend (or even if you are coming!), you can send an e-mail with your thoughts or suggestions directly to the North Lake Shore Drive project team via the <a href="https://public.commentworks.com/nlsd/northlakeshoredrivecommentform/">comment form on the project website</a> or to the e-mail address info@northlakeshoredrive.org Your e-mail statement becomes part of the public record. Every comment counts.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We hope to hear from you and see you next week! E-mail us questions at <a href="mailto:bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com</span></a> or post in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">WHAT: Discussion of North Lake Shore Drive Purpose and Need Statement</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">WHEN: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">WHERE: Chicago Public Library, Lincoln Park Branch, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> 1150 W. Fullerton, 60614 (Fullerton and Racine) 312-744-1926</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">RSVP: Michelle Stenzel/Michael Reynolds <span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="mailto:bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com">bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com</a></span></span></div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-66639663816600750532014-03-25T18:18:00.000-05:002014-03-26T07:31:50.297-05:00Forty-seven ways to improve Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">In <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/03/come-help-document-problems-with-lake.html">our last blog post</a>, we invited you to attend a grassroots meeting to discuss North Lake Shore Drive, the Lakefront Trail, and surrounding areas. Thank you to those who joined us! </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCs1rGky8ydFo4Llo9_O5sWqYzItgWq1MBUKMlCbwCJVVs-v0gLMdlGd2eputY76NYgT6WVIgyoueqEBcnLaZ67dWTkTxLw2st7zOkTBb0xzauw3-QONuiJlEj62Y3L2nm2CXRR3UltU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCs1rGky8ydFo4Llo9_O5sWqYzItgWq1MBUKMlCbwCJVVs-v0gLMdlGd2eputY76NYgT6WVIgyoueqEBcnLaZ67dWTkTxLw2st7zOkTBb0xzauw3-QONuiJlEj62Y3L2nm2CXRR3UltU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grassroots action at its best! Discussing the North Lake Shore Drive project at CityGrounds coffee bar. <br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We met in order to generate a list of issues facing people from Grand Avenue to Diversey Avenue, and came up with a total of 47 </span></span>opportunities for improving Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail for people walking, biking and using public transit<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. (More -->)</span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Here are seven of them:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Express buses on Lake Shore Drive are stuck in the same traffic as single occupancy vehicles on the ramps and on the roadway, because there is no dedicated space for public transit or high-occupancy vehicles. This design does not encourage citizens to use public transit or carpool.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">There are currently no bike lanes on any of the streets leading to and from these access points: Ohio Street, Chicago Avenue, Oak Street, Division Street, North Boulevard, LaSalle Drive, Fullerton Parkway, Diversey Parkway. This does not encourage people to use bicycles for transportation and recreation, nor provide them with a good alternative to driving in a car.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">The intersection of Oak Street, Inner LSD, Outer LSD, and East LSD is a tangled mess. This area should be a beautiful, grand gateway connecting North Michigan Avenue, Oak Street shopping, the Gold Coast residential area, and Oak Street beach. The street intersection needs to become less motor-vehicle-oriented, safer and more pleasant for people walking at the surface level. There is no signage clearly directing people to destinations and how to get to the Lakefront Trail/beach, including from the nearby bus stops.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">There is too long of a stretch between access points to the Lakefront Trail between the North Ave pedestrian bridge and Fullerton (.8 miles). This is in violation of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance of 1973, which requires pedestrian access to the lake at a minimum of one-quarter mile intervals.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Portions of the LFT are plagued by wind and waves creating watery/icy conditions that are too treacherous to traverse, causing closures of this important commuting route many weeks of the year. This is especially notable at the Oak Street curve and on the section just south of Fullerton.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">There are no signs directing people from the LFT to nearby public transit, including Divvy stations, bus stops or L lines.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Because Lake Shore Drive is not currently designed to discourage driving and encourage alternatives to driving, it contributes to the congestion of cars driving into and parking downtown, which is a major deterrent to economic growth. The current capacity of Lake Shore Drive to move people is too small and its capacity to move cars too large to accommodate a growing city. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">You can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtnecExEQVFSbWp5dUU/edit?usp=sharing">see the full list of 47 problems here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We compiled the list and submitted them to Rebekah Scheinfeld, Commissioner of CDOT, and Ann Schneider, Secretary of IDOT. We also sent copies to all the city and state officials whose constituents live near the project area, to let them know our concerns and to ask their support.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneOWQzeUsxQ2lnalE/edit?usp=sharing">see a copy of our letter to the agencies and government leaders here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdwpWHCszefWrlHlftSiVgjwlkg40Or_i_DuslFKMcWTkNDIrHTzuTzySIOjQLE-ze3v7r39UUPiPbmEuIEQlxlfBnaMAUZxLHaDx0nI_hJjWe2_jGXzpg9gKoBGKwvmo6AOPtvXNYBw/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdwpWHCszefWrlHlftSiVgjwlkg40Or_i_DuslFKMcWTkNDIrHTzuTzySIOjQLE-ze3v7r39UUPiPbmEuIEQlxlfBnaMAUZxLHaDx0nI_hJjWe2_jGXzpg9gKoBGKwvmo6AOPtvXNYBw/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you even know there's an underpass here at Diversey? Many people don't because there are currently no wayfinding signs directing people to or from it. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For those of you who couldn’t make it in person, you can still show your support:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Drop a line to your own alderman or state rep saying that this project is important to you, and you would like the problems we’ve listed addressed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Attend the next public meeting of the <a href="http://www.northlakeshoredrive.org/">Redefine the Drive project</a>, which will be held in June (dates/locations to be announced)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Attend our next grassroots meeting, which will be about generating suggested solutions to the 47 problems. That will be fun! Stay tuned to this blog for when/where that will be, likely in May or June.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">At least leave us a supportive comment in the Comments sections below!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or just follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</span></span></div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-76344549869693740012014-03-09T18:00:00.000-05:002014-03-09T19:49:03.135-05:00Come help document problems with Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail!<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The Lakefront Trail and Lake Shore Drive are famous routes in Chicago, known for providing walkers, bicyclists and drivers good transportation and great views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline. </div>
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However, the Lakefront Trail is far too narrow at many points to serve the huge number of users, and its proximity to the lake means that waves often effectively shut it down. It's lacking greenery and natural elements from Grand to North. Many of the access points are grimy, dark, and inaccessible to people with mobility issues.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0lCxePGp-af2Iqf9_6uw6w7g5cExKoMUWH45FLXSnY-rqYHCku8Bezu4VcRenozDJ3fhTlYIAiB9QKgOIfAdM-q7OOGc5H-1Jh_vkgPewRhmZsi26IsDD2MgFn2WT4reFIbxoDcQypI/s1600/IMG_9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0lCxePGp-af2Iqf9_6uw6w7g5cExKoMUWH45FLXSnY-rqYHCku8Bezu4VcRenozDJ3fhTlYIAiB9QKgOIfAdM-q7OOGc5H-1Jh_vkgPewRhmZsi26IsDD2MgFn2WT4reFIbxoDcQypI/s1600/IMG_9063.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lakefront Trail near Ohio Street Beach on a typical summer evening. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Because of its broad lanes and highway-like design, Lake Shore Drive acts as a barrier between the Lakefront Trail and the residents living west of the Drive. The street's design encourages speeding, leading to a high rate of crashes and injuries: 1,100 crashes per year, just on the northern section. Although it's very wide and 69,000 riders per day ride on 9 total bus routes, Lake Shore Drive has no dedicated space for public transportation. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg6unM5MS3CpG0aGWS_7zo51xLu-dC8hHlixFvpsi5ZKZeqA38UCBbm6TOBvlFi2WPd1HMBt6pE_ykO58f-aQad21JQsi1BCOXsyfW-pT3yilncqJ7XFt91w-z-Z0xbkSIwjxIlDt2lY/s1600/IMG_1868.JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg6unM5MS3CpG0aGWS_7zo51xLu-dC8hHlixFvpsi5ZKZeqA38UCBbm6TOBvlFi2WPd1HMBt6pE_ykO58f-aQad21JQsi1BCOXsyfW-pT3yilncqJ7XFt91w-z-Z0xbkSIwjxIlDt2lY/s1600/IMG_1868.JPG.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this picture, I see 74 cars carrying an estimated 93 people in the northbound lanes and on ramp. All these people would fit into one articulated CTA bus. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Fortunately, the opportunity to improve Lake Shore Drive and surrounding areas for all users is now at hand. </div>
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In August 2013, the first public meetings were held for the "Redefine the Drive" project, which is being undertaken jointly by the Illinois and Chicago departments of transportation. The project seeks to address problems with North Lake Shore Drive and surrounding areas, and the public is invited to provide input. This is an eight-year long project, so there's much more to come. (More -->)</div>
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I encourage you to visit the project website <a href="http://northlakeshoredrive.org/">NorthLakeShoreDrive.org</a> to get all the information first hand, but some of the basics are that the project will focus on the seven-mile stretch from Grand Avenue to Hollywood. The scope includes the roadways of Outer Lake Shore Drive, Inner Lake Shore Drive, East Lake Shore Drive, the Lakefront Trail, the shore line, the intersections and on/off ramps onto LSD and all access points to the Lakefront Trail. The next set of public meetings will be in June 2014, with the topic "Development of Alternatives". </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD4sxv94dCbDJno_n2eVQ1Yt6onZ6siI4aOd5lxyQtPDS0qaLZRcfFMbgiCNDtUqALlw19JMu8H4ndpGuRpat1ezn2xUaBb6cGfhF3lWcb2-mdQkS33PElRiuHUnLYV1NTxf25htUVIw/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD4sxv94dCbDJno_n2eVQ1Yt6onZ6siI4aOd5lxyQtPDS0qaLZRcfFMbgiCNDtUqALlw19JMu8H4ndpGuRpat1ezn2xUaBb6cGfhF3lWcb2-mdQkS33PElRiuHUnLYV1NTxf25htUVIw/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lakefront Trail at Fullerton is often shut down due to waves and ice. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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There are seven project task forces made up of citizens and agencies who were selected from a pool of applicants. I am happy to be serving on the South Residential Task Force, made up of residents living near the Grand Avenue-to-Diversey Avenue stretch. The task forces are meeting periodically to provide the project team with input. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_DtmV-2RSgCyFPXtLGTjjzezFFvIubbVgAc9ZHafvhEN1Nn1rvyOoLdyE2Se8crmC80lXF1QVuK7bJK74CjpX21w8dQAGIBfCabi91dFXEZg7QVqyb3-zpPScz0Fz1xjKZ9CendkEeM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-03+at+7.50.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_DtmV-2RSgCyFPXtLGTjjzezFFvIubbVgAc9ZHafvhEN1Nn1rvyOoLdyE2Se8crmC80lXF1QVuK7bJK74CjpX21w8dQAGIBfCabi91dFXEZg7QVqyb3-zpPScz0Fz1xjKZ9CendkEeM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-03+at+7.50.30+PM.png" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from the Redefine the Drive project website. See much more like this at <a href="http://northlakeshoredrive.org/">NorthLakeShoreDrive.org</a></td></tr>
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Although I'm happy to be participating on a task force, BWLP Co-Leader Michael Reynolds and I want to make sure that other citizens with a strong interest in the North Lake Shore Drive project have an opportunity to meet, brainstorm, and provide input. Therefore, we're holding a grassroots meeting for anyone who wishes to participate to come help us generate a final list of specific existing problems facing people on foot, on bike and on public transit, from Grand Avenue to Diversey Avenue. We will submit the final document in writing to the Redefine the Drive task force so it is part of the public record and used in the process in deciding next steps for redesign.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3spSxr4muGjMR5DBXxiJ-sImMP6mUvo0Z6zjqJ7m0qqakfuF4ZfXJNBB9YNc7WKiHUFafYkNIAn29D9Guy4njk1zcf5YXvqBDWjvL0B4EENP5suD6vnxcaaPUCF-aeX5ELIgkNt4x_k/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3spSxr4muGjMR5DBXxiJ-sImMP6mUvo0Z6zjqJ7m0qqakfuF4ZfXJNBB9YNc7WKiHUFafYkNIAn29D9Guy4njk1zcf5YXvqBDWjvL0B4EENP5suD6vnxcaaPUCF-aeX5ELIgkNt4x_k/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Divvy riders using the Lakefront Trail in January 2014. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Please note a few things: We will only address the Grand-to-Diversey stretch, in order to keep it streamlined. (If anyone else wants to organize meetings for points further north, we'd love to attend!) At this time, we're only focusing on a list of the problems, not the solutions. Finally, you'll notice that we said "final list". That's because we've already begun casually jotting down problems, and have compiled more than 40 items already! We've probably missed a few, so please come to add your views and opinions!<br />
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We're holding the meeting upstairs at <a href="http://www.citygroundschicago.com/">CityGrounds coffee bar</a>, on Dickens just west of Lincoln, in Lincoln Park. The first cup of coffee is on us! Let us know you're coming via e-mail to bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com or Tweet us @BikeWalkLP</div>
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WHAT: Grassroots Meeting to Generate Problem List for LSD and LFT</div>
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WHEN: Saturday, March 22nd, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM-ish</div>
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WHERE: CityGrounds coffee bar, 507 W. Dickens, Chicago </div>
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RSVP: Please let us know you're coming or ask us questions: bikewalklincolnpark@gmail.com </div>
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Follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-65423646368966679412014-02-23T17:55:00.000-06:002014-10-14T19:32:55.764-05:00Bike boxes, curb bump outs and more planned for Lincoln and Halsted near Children's Memorial site<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The final plans for the Children's Memorial site have been released and approved by the city's Chicago Plan Commission. All documents are available for viewing via <a href="http://ward43.org/zoning/projects/cmh/">links provided on Alderman Michele Smith's website</a>. I've reviewed them and will highlight some of the positive changes that are planned for biking and walking.</div>
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BIKEWAYS</div>
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The documents include plans for continuous bike lanes on Halsted and Lincoln along the project site. Below is a document included in the plans, over which I've added green highlighting to make the lanes more visible. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEMpNHphdaeT-KXfJz3m5V_zy8x_d5YTy63sXG0H1qCEc6zn4_Km6A98HuLFF5u2lGUmn-TaVb3_CYT8ae37t8L031pEopL_HvA33bSz3SD8xl5ub-8uN84m_QNORW61L6zw3IOVFQbM/s1600/HighlightedCDOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEMpNHphdaeT-KXfJz3m5V_zy8x_d5YTy63sXG0H1qCEc6zn4_Km6A98HuLFF5u2lGUmn-TaVb3_CYT8ae37t8L031pEopL_HvA33bSz3SD8xl5ub-8uN84m_QNORW61L6zw3IOVFQbM/s1600/HighlightedCDOT.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McCaffrey Interests' Planned Development exhibit, with my green highlighting added.</td></tr>
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A few things to note: </div>
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We can't tell if these will be buffered lanes, but we expect they will be.</div>
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There are four bike boxes included in the plans! Bike boxes are waiting areas in front of a lane, on which bicyclists stay during a red light. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipA161IyCLXwkH2TPlxANjLNOcl_repvjXXPOlERSMueSqo74GY19v9eKxR3Co-VTiS4g0Qi2bWvVjqq1P7WTTRdOZrqWXtevwhXOk360RqrehsgLJ89i6N5EAEetgzfeF34Az4wr5E4/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipA161IyCLXwkH2TPlxANjLNOcl_repvjXXPOlERSMueSqo74GY19v9eKxR3Co-VTiS4g0Qi2bWvVjqq1P7WTTRdOZrqWXtevwhXOk360RqrehsgLJ89i6N5EAEetgzfeF34Az4wr5E4/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large bike box on Kinzie Street at the intersection with Milwaukee Avenue. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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Bike boxes are created by pulling the stop bar back for motor vehicles in their right turn lane. Bicyclists can wait there, and on the green light, can turn right (soft or hard turn) or continue straight. It may take some time for drivers to understand that they are to stop behind the white stop bar, and not on top of the bike box. </div>
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The bike boxes almost certainly will be green in color, per <a href="http://nacto.org/usdg/">NACTO design standards</a>. We hope that additional green thermoplastic paint will be used copiously, if not all along the length of the lane, at least for a portion of them leading up to the enormous six-way intersection, similar to what is shown in the photo on Kinzie.</div>
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In addition, the plans reflect that there will be intermittent striping through the intersection on Lincoln and Halsted to continue the presence of the bike lane.</div>
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I did a very rough sketch of what the combination of these improvements might look like. </div>
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Here's the current view on Halsted, looking south into the six-way intersection:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPvMJfKehZV_bADgi7SYDZNv8sMs63Yk0E0hFTucj87bSBplTirTWSMEPF44E2jct3rmVZhsjmqzl29pzTW5aNIWkq3cyrbK4wtRJSEBjQpKyjoApw62TcMH6fswFDkB3RAlFmAjgLKU/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPvMJfKehZV_bADgi7SYDZNv8sMs63Yk0E0hFTucj87bSBplTirTWSMEPF44E2jct3rmVZhsjmqzl29pzTW5aNIWkq3cyrbK4wtRJSEBjQpKyjoApw62TcMH6fswFDkB3RAlFmAjgLKU/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here's my rough "after" view:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVIcgk1ZlBXz2-PeCWNqYeF_18yH3FmF2u5pkeFeQQXjt-JnR6XR7yao26R9kKv4gVDfgAxXTZ5hTQnLmIC9OI88A_Cv8ToU8p2j090R_2s5G9ysK5hdgb8ssm2sRRVhuwd6nr_t1YUo/s1600/ImprovedHalsted+copy+2-BikeWalkLincolnPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVIcgk1ZlBXz2-PeCWNqYeF_18yH3FmF2u5pkeFeQQXjt-JnR6XR7yao26R9kKv4gVDfgAxXTZ5hTQnLmIC9OI88A_Cv8ToU8p2j090R_2s5G9ysK5hdgb8ssm2sRRVhuwd6nr_t1YUo/s1600/ImprovedHalsted+copy+2-BikeWalkLincolnPark.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Good thing I'm not a bikeway designer, and just a community advocate! Heh, heh. </div>
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I also note that the final plan documents say that the continuous bike lanes on Lincoln north of Fullerton are contingent on the acquisition of right-of-way or land north of Fullerton, and doing that is not an obligation of McCaffrey Interests, so that portion is "subject to re-design". So, nothing's guaranteed there. </div>
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Unfortunately, there are no plans to help people who want to ride on Fullerton, east of Halsted, where there are no bikeways of any type all the way to the lake. </div>
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Also, what about left turns? Personally, I avoid making left turns on my bike at this intersection by turning instead at other streets before or after, like Wrightwood or Belden. This new design doesn't assist cautious bicyclists like me who don't like acting like drivers and turning left with the car traffic. </div>
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Nevertheless, we look forward to seeing these plans implemented, as they will bring a number of real improvements for bicycling in the area. </div>
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OTHER IMPROVEMENTS</div>
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Steve Vance of <a href="http://chi.streetsblog.org/2014/02/21/no-one-questions-parking-plan-for-childrens-memorial-site/">Streetsblog Chicago did a nice overview of all the other improvements</a> for biking and walking in this post, so I won't repeat them all here, but just highlight some others that I noticed:</div>
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The cars turning left off of Halsted will get their green arrow at the end of the green light phase, instead of the beginning. This is favorable for people walking because it reduces their wait time.</div>
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There are a number of curb bumpouts included in the plan, and these are very helpful in 1/ reducing the time and distance that pedestrians are sharing space with motor vehicles and 2/ slowing down drivers when making turns.</div>
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The fact that trucks will no longer be loading at street level on Lincoln Avenue, but instead be entirely underground is really great. In case anyone has forgotten what it used to be like, behold:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XaduUu0uFEc_zD3XaEQVGxssIYYul0OPhFspFTIy3PRbfxyElfY9IEphw2UXNjsKNO8FSQZuEvl4Px7A6nrpsnfgFxrRtbBhHb5SR5cnH_0Ifyz84lgX8HLd3pTp7XBJLT4Qv6FVLLc/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XaduUu0uFEc_zD3XaEQVGxssIYYul0OPhFspFTIy3PRbfxyElfY9IEphw2UXNjsKNO8FSQZuEvl4Px7A6nrpsnfgFxrRtbBhHb5SR5cnH_0Ifyz84lgX8HLd3pTp7XBJLT4Qv6FVLLc/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Avenue's sidewalk and bike lane was obliterated each time a long truck unloaded at Children's Memorial Hospital. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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You may now remember that the former design of the truck unloading area forced people on the sidewalk to walk in the street whenever a long truck was parked in the bay. The nearly non-existent bike lane on Lincoln was blocked as well, of course. The elimination of this curb cut and numerous others along Lincoln under the new plan will make bicycling and walking much more pleasant.</div>
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Finally, the plan says that the developer (or purchaser of the final property) must promote the use of public transit to all residents and businesses, including giving information about locations and schedules. Alderman Smith reported in her newsletter that "For two years, the developer will give Ventra cards to new residents." If that just means handing over a new $5 plastic card, then meh. But if it's at least pre-loaded with $50 value or something, then that's a nice way to encourage active transportation.</div>
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CENTRAL PLAZA</div>
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Finally, <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/01/opportunity-is-knocking-follow-up.html">we expressed previously that the central plaza would be much better as a car-free space</a>, and the CEO of the Chicago Park District voiced the same opinion during the Chicago Plan Commission hearing (as reported in Streetsblog Chicago); but alas, the final plans still have the big circular driveway taking up much of the space.</div>
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Here's the architect Antunovich and Associates' rendering of what they believe the plaza might look like in winter:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwV8Ys2bOz8VU5DVBLDzKe3mDVn3aFgp_e1wTHXpnY2SFxG6KgpEfgSM0AN3emXILlxwgBDiAAinFRysm5BbqsOLCjZFR2doTc3HbON_KrxGP7a-P3geCoXs5gmt_PmVS3VaNtjPlwxw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-21+at+5.43.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwV8Ys2bOz8VU5DVBLDzKe3mDVn3aFgp_e1wTHXpnY2SFxG6KgpEfgSM0AN3emXILlxwgBDiAAinFRysm5BbqsOLCjZFR2doTc3HbON_KrxGP7a-P3geCoXs5gmt_PmVS3VaNtjPlwxw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-21+at+5.43.45+PM.png" height="450" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rendering of the Central Plaza of the Children's Memorial site, by Antunovich and Associates.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">We hope that the central plaza does in fact turn out to be a great neighborhood crossroads! Maybe the presence of cars and SUVs won't in fact impinge very much. One of the city's most lively public spaces is the "Viagara Triangle" (Mariano Park) in the Gold Coast. That park is relatively small, and surrounded by the busy streets of Rush, State and Bellevue, and yet it's still a fun gathering place. Not that we should be looking at "B-" designs and emulating those, but at least it means that spaces can succeed in spite of less-than-optimal elements.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30A0kj_TebOvcIRFFbJIVClotn7HCe4dGxuztjPVRBLq9N4IlNbJE1GB9YwnEjMZVWTzoOn5Lpy2hoeTCfhi1HMqOSNMrb4hm4hJSJPE3wzSQXu8s4Eh-pOHYKCIiMrpNhKqqVl_QRMY/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30A0kj_TebOvcIRFFbJIVClotn7HCe4dGxuztjPVRBLq9N4IlNbJE1GB9YwnEjMZVWTzoOn5Lpy2hoeTCfhi1HMqOSNMrb4hm4hJSJPE3wzSQXu8s4Eh-pOHYKCIiMrpNhKqqVl_QRMY/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mariano Park at Rush and Bellevue in the Gold Coast is a very popular neighborhood gathering spot.<br />
(Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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What do you think about the final plans? </div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-1554504872072948182014-02-02T19:37:00.001-06:002014-02-02T19:37:29.474-06:00How many people in Lincoln Park bike to work? Take transit? Live car-free?<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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The 2010 Census produced a lot of data that has been made public, but it's often not very useful to ordinary citizens until someone overlays the numbers onto a map, and makes it easy for people to see the data come to life. We're fortunate that Shaun Jacobsen of <a href="http://transitized.com/">Transitized</a> has recently done just that, with the census data on how Chicagoans commute to work.</div>
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You can <a href="http://www.transitized.com/commute/#14/41.9261/-87.6545">access the citywide map at this link directly</a>, and <a href="http://transitized.com/2014/01/23/chicagoans-commute/">read Shaun's blog entry here</a>. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsueFNmCJH1imKDoPlXsURkQB5zwk_hOOCYYC4MG7BsOZjPaeoo7XBcCoA0rP1Xl2Kgz5p9fCCy5Qvle-q4sD7PFuqL6zwuZOVh1oZsPp-ys7LsRYIHmXTwf_4YF6mkPlWTr9i9-Axqfs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-29+at+7.02.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsueFNmCJH1imKDoPlXsURkQB5zwk_hOOCYYC4MG7BsOZjPaeoo7XBcCoA0rP1Xl2Kgz5p9fCCy5Qvle-q4sD7PFuqL6zwuZOVh1oZsPp-ys7LsRYIHmXTwf_4YF6mkPlWTr9i9-Axqfs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-29+at+7.02.40+PM.png" height="454" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of the Chicago Commute Mode Map by Shaun Jacobsen of Transitized.com</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">When you first open the map, it shows what the dominant mode of transportation is for each census tract, whether it's drive alone, carpool, transit, walk, bike, or telecommute. The blue tracts mean that transit is the dominant mode (not necessarily the majority, just the mode with the highest percent) of commuting for those residents, while red is drive alone, and purple is walking. You can hover over any of the tracts to get detailed data on that tract. You can also choose different layers to view by clicking on the icon on the upper left that looks like a stack of papers. (More -->)</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>BICYCLE MODE SHARE<br />
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When I first saw the map, I immediately wanted to know where the census tracts in Chicago were with the highest percentages of people who rode bikes to work, and particularly, how we're doing in Lincoln Park. We're doing great! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJh-4q1lQEaaz8avbiZ_6CLexHBgiJpTpCH8KrY9-v3X7kbNr4nIZlyvr4jyUp0snMB-bOPuu7KR9ufCoZ1O9Y9ZazRp7t8NnS17TjKQpZjnF3iFmc4AlSat_HdrXmZqfezJSTkSwOgo/s1600/BikeMode.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJh-4q1lQEaaz8avbiZ_6CLexHBgiJpTpCH8KrY9-v3X7kbNr4nIZlyvr4jyUp0snMB-bOPuu7KR9ufCoZ1O9Y9ZazRp7t8NnS17TjKQpZjnF3iFmc4AlSat_HdrXmZqfezJSTkSwOgo/s1600/BikeMode.png" height="522" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of Lincoln Park from Transitized.com's Chicago Commute Mode Map, showing the Bike layer, with my addition of selected bike commute mode share percentages.</td></tr>
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I've edited the Transitized screen shot to add the percentage of bike commuters for most of the Lincoln Park census tracts. The lightest areas have 3% bike commute share. As you can see, we have mostly tracts of 3% or 4% bike commuters, but sizable areas that have 5% to 8% bike mode share, and one area in the northeastern corner even has a whopping 11%. To give you a comparison, Chicago has a citywide bike commute share of about 1.5%, so even the 3% tracts in Lincoln Park have twice as many bike commuters as the city does on average. </div>
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I've also included the numbers for some of the areas near us, including the impressive 9% and 11% in the Gold Coast, and the 10% and 12% in the Elston corridor. As for the tracts with the percentage of highest bike commuters in the city, those are just north and west of Humboldt Park, at 19% and 20%. </div>
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But a range of 3% to 11% is still great, Lincoln Parkers! Those of you who are already bike commuting are probably doing it because it's convenient, cheap and fun. But in addition to those benefits, it's also great for your health, public health, the environment, the city's budget, and your fellow bicyclists' safety. </div>
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PUBLIC TRANSIT MODE SHARE<br />
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The next layer I looked at was public transit. What percentage of people in and near Lincoln Park use public transit as their primary way to get to work? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw9HJl9CK9QS1AB2oq7puXduUo0XhWY6MHEsVhRyIWvT5ovOSJnpIkTPGNI1iLgnNcTcZjLeITv2OgyFXhL4pBG6TiuOH3Sfdor3jBfdvfa1W_rbcdyzi6KGUFMi26aTQz0UV-hKFiVI/s1600/PublicTransitMode.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw9HJl9CK9QS1AB2oq7puXduUo0XhWY6MHEsVhRyIWvT5ovOSJnpIkTPGNI1iLgnNcTcZjLeITv2OgyFXhL4pBG6TiuOH3Sfdor3jBfdvfa1W_rbcdyzi6KGUFMi26aTQz0UV-hKFiVI/s1600/PublicTransitMode.png" height="578" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of Lincoln Park from Transitized.com's Chicago Commute Mode Map, showing the Transit layer, with my addition of selected transit commute mode share percentages.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">As you can see on the map above, the most number of tracts had a public transit mode share between 40% and 49%. The lighter blue areas were in the 30-39% range. A few of the tracts, clustered close to the Armitage, Fullerton and Diversey L stops and in the northern part of Lincoln Park, had 50% to 57% transit riders.</span><br />
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Transit is the most common way for Lincoln Parkers to get to work! Of the 19 census tracts from Diversey/lake/North/Southport, only 6 of them had more commuters driving to work than taking transit. This shouldn't be surprising, as we live in a transit-rich area, with 5 L stops, 3 L lines, and more than a dozen bus routes serving our neighborhood. However, it's still interesting to see the numbers on the map.</div>
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HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE CAR-FREE<br />
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The last map I wanted to highlight is the one that shows the percentage of households in the neighborhood that don't own a motor vehicle. The range is 10% to 57% of households in a given census tract that don't own a car.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIChzRXMdl5d3N_5CX0ouZstcOVMexUXbV8EGg8YwZwVzaZ-AI4gNDBALzW7d4Q-W-GU0w1zx51AFB25Q-WayOZx2cqmW6P_aZpo5kQcbIFdbrFQECQsdprkImxuUAqfzq_4awnfggdyY/s1600/ZeroMotorVehicles.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIChzRXMdl5d3N_5CX0ouZstcOVMexUXbV8EGg8YwZwVzaZ-AI4gNDBALzW7d4Q-W-GU0w1zx51AFB25Q-WayOZx2cqmW6P_aZpo5kQcbIFdbrFQECQsdprkImxuUAqfzq_4awnfggdyY/s1600/ZeroMotorVehicles.png" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of Lincoln Park from Transitized.com's Chicago Commute Mode Map, showing the "Homes With 0 Vehicles" layer, with my addition of percentages.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">In general, the tracts closer to the lake have higher levels of car-free households than those in the western part of Lincoln Park. </span><br />
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Notice that the census tracts don't have equal numbers of households; generally the tracts closest to the lake have more households. So, in order to get an idea of what the overall percentage of car-free households is in Lincoln Park, I did the math using the data provided for each tract. Of the 31,494 households in the 19 census tracts from Diversey/lake/North/Southport, 9,763 of them do not own a car, which is 31% of Lincoln Park homes overall. That's higher than the citywide average of 25% indicated on the map key.</div>
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So what does all this data tell us? </div>
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We already have a good core of people who commute by bike, but imagine how high the numbers would be if there were truly safe bike lanes that more people felt comfortable riding in! Right now there are still many, many stretches of major streets like Diversey, Clark, Lincoln, Fullerton and Halsted that have no bike lanes at all, or virtually none due to street design or worn-away markings. There are still no stress-free routes to take to and from the Loop from Lincoln Park. Once the planned network of <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2012/12/whats-in-store-for-lincoln-park-under.html">improved infrastructure as set forth in the Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan is put into place in Lincoln Park</a>, bicycling will continue to increase.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoaYahTxRFv4pbzpv752lva2PJ7pjN8IWwtmLFSgglRyHcSkwkXntIKNHiHZxKrCRM33CVG6BBY6-pisTYpIL8queGlrJelNnvKnBB-6tzUi_SmPnKTTX-CUvEuFt31HPpd-cgMAl1GY/s1600/IMG_9170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoaYahTxRFv4pbzpv752lva2PJ7pjN8IWwtmLFSgglRyHcSkwkXntIKNHiHZxKrCRM33CVG6BBY6-pisTYpIL8queGlrJelNnvKnBB-6tzUi_SmPnKTTX-CUvEuFt31HPpd-cgMAl1GY/s1600/IMG_9170.JPG" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicyclists on a Monday morning in June in Lincoln Park. Imagine how many people would choose to ride bike commute if we had a safe network of bike lanes that everyone felt comfortable riding. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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I think the relatively low levels of car ownership and high levels of transit use reflect that Lincoln Park is full of people who understand that the beauty of city life means that one can live car-free or car-light, and still have great access to jobs, schools, grocery stores, service providers and leisure activities. </div>
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Some of the households may be car-free due to constricted finances, legal issues or disabilities, but I think many of the people in the car-free Lincoln Park households have made a conscious choice to live that way. The household income in these same tracts is higher than average, and perhaps these residents are choosing not to spend their money on purchasing, maintaining, and storing a car, but instead using a combination of Ventra pass, Divvy pass, car share membership, ride share, car service, and good old taxicabs to get around. Why not? Cheaper and more flexibility.</div>
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The high numbers of transit use for work commuting in our area undoubtedly reflects a support for improved transit in terms of increased frequency of buses or trains if they're overcrowded, extending bus routes where they're currently truncated, and providing dedicated lanes to buses, to make bus trips faster and more reliable.<br />
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What do you find interesting about the maps? Did anything surprise you?</div>
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Thanks to Shaun for providing the very useful resource!</div>
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Follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-57860929323447750712014-01-19T19:23:00.002-06:002014-10-14T19:33:29.381-05:00Opportunity is knocking: Follow up thoughts on the Children's Memorial redesign<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I attended the latest community meeting on the Children’s Memorial Hospital redevelopment site last week. More than 500 people came to hear the presentation by architect Joe Antunovich of Antunovich and Associates laying out the newest plan. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a very big turnout of people at the Children's Memorial Redevelopment community meeting on January 14, 2013. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Although there were some concerns expressed about the heights of the proposed buildings, most community members spoke in support of the plan. You can read more coverage about the meeting and further opinions on the plan on </span><a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140115/lincoln-park/childrens-memorial-plan-compromise-presented-by-developers" style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">DNA Info Chicago</a><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://chi.streetsblog.org/2014/01/16/the-childrens-memorial-development-will-improve-walking-biking/" style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Streetsblog Chicago</a><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">, and </span><a href="http://transitized.com/2014/01/14/density-equal-car-traffic/" style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Transitized</a><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">.</span><br />
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We <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2014/01/our-thoughts-on-new-childrens-memorial.html">provided our opinions on the new plan last week</a> based on the presentation posted online. Today we're adding just a few further thoughts that have materialized through the community meeting. (More -->)</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During the community presentation, Mr. Antunovich mentioned a few times that they are working very hard with the city’s bike program (they’re actually now a <a href="http://chicagocompletestreets.org/">Complete Streets team</a>, which is better, because they consider the needs of all street users, including but not limited to, bicyclists) to improve Lincoln and Halsted for bicycling. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Specifically, he reiterated that they would like Lincoln Avenue to have a continuous, marked bike lane the entire way through the project site. Currently, there are only sharrows, if I remember correctly, which are just bike symbols painted alongside the parked cars. So, a continuous marked lane on Lincoln would be an improvement, and we assume that that would mean a buffered lane at the very least. Given the narrow street and the number of metered parking spots, it’s probably unlikely that a barrier-protected lane is in the cards. (However, given the number of curb cuts there were on the east side of the street, the actual number of metered spots is likely quite low; perhaps these spots on the east side could be relocated elsewhere to make more room?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He also said Halsted would be addressed, but didn't give any details. Halsted between Belden and Fullerton already has a traditional-style bike lane, but it’s terribly worn down from years of motor vehicle pressure. This stretch of Halsted hasn’t received the buffered lanes that have been added on that street north and south of the site, so it’s likely that buffered lanes will be added here as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Antunovich also showed a slide that reflected continuous marked bike lanes through the intersection of Halsted/Lincoln/Fullerton for people bicycling along Lincoln and Fullerton, and said that the project team hopes this can be done. We very much hope that can be done as well. Compared to what could be undertaken to improve this broad six-way intersection for people walking and bicycling, the suggested changes are frankly pretty modest so far, but marked lanes for the two main bicycling routes of Halsted and Lincoln will improve bicyclist safety by showing drivers graphically that they should expect the presence of cyclists. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marked bike lanes extending all the way through the large Lincoln/Fullerton/Halsted intersection would help bicyclists like this one. (Photo: Bike Walk Lincoln Park)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Even more importantly, if indeed marked lanes will continue through the intersection, that means that the marked lanes on Lincoln and Halsted will have to lead all the way <i>up to</i> the intersection. Currently, all marked bike lanes disappear before the crossing, leaving a person riding a bike no designated space to safely ride. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It would be best if we could install bikeways that provide physical protection from motor vehicles, but if that’s not possible, adding continuous, well-maintained buffered bike lanes that lead up to and through the intersections, along with enforcement of laws against standing or parking in the bike lane, will be an improvement over current conditions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CENTRAL PLAZA</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Antunovich and Associates provided a very nice video of the site plans that you can view below to get a virtual tour of the outside areas of the plan. You'll notice the large number of benches, fountains and a number of bike racks on the site.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was struck by how well connected the three garden/plaza areas will be, and this will help the entire site be a true “connector” for people walking in the community, instead of the barrier that it is currently (and frankly, was when Children’s was in operation as well).</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In our initial comments on the latest plan, we questioned why so much of the proposed Central Plaza had to be given over to motor vehicles circling through it. We had assumed that the design was done to accommodate residents of the condo/apartment building and a perceived need for “drop off” service at their door. However, during the presentation, I learned that that’s not even the case: Antunovich pointed out that the main vehicle access for the residential buildings will actually be elsewhere, on Orchard and Fullerton. Incredibly, it seems that the giant driveway is planned primarily to allow drop-off service for patrons of the restaurants that are envisioned along the edge of the plaza! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sLOQpFrxTvIer2KPMqO1i0uaxioyk89TtEAoYWPwwZHE-Gbkrkn6l4Hm9iYLliMW1tKIpvo0x00DxgMVUX5b_NsBkU66LH_6GtHS6X8QaR7l5FEXwXVEwlECT-o_eTa-rfxxZfs-pUw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-19+at+3.52.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sLOQpFrxTvIer2KPMqO1i0uaxioyk89TtEAoYWPwwZHE-Gbkrkn6l4Hm9iYLliMW1tKIpvo0x00DxgMVUX5b_NsBkU66LH_6GtHS6X8QaR7l5FEXwXVEwlECT-o_eTa-rfxxZfs-pUw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-19+at+3.52.02+PM.png" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This screen shot from the video shows how much of the plaza would be given over to motor vehicles. Only three cars are included in this rendering, but you have to picture the more realistic 10 or 12 that would parked or standing, plus an additional 2-3 that would be entering or exiting at any given time. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">That seems to be truly misguided thinking. People will be drawn to the restaurants and retail along the plaza if they’re getting a truly unique experience, and having a large, beautiful car-free plaza would provide that. They will not decide to come to the restaurants because there happens to be drop-off service a few feet from the door; that’s available almost everywhere else.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Antunovich said the plaza’s total dimensions are 150 feet by 150 feet, which is about half a football field. We urge Alderman Smith and the project team to consider what a huge and rare opportunity this presents for the neighborhood. The need for quality public space in Chicago is dire (read <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-04/news/ct-met-kamin-closed-streets-0704-20100702_1_street-fest-plazas-car-free">Chicago Tribune's Blair Kamin writing about the topic in 2010 here</a>). </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If this were to be made into a well-designed urban plaza, it would be the largest one of its kind in the city, after Daley Plaza. We’re envisioning something similar to the Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market area of Boston, where people stroll around in the evening to have dinner, eat and ice cream, and let the children play at the fountain. Perhaps we could entice the first neighborhood outpost of the hugely successful Eataly here as an anchor. Combined with the theaters and music venues to the north on Lincoln (Greenhouse, Victory Gardens, Apollo theaters and Lincoln Hall) and all the popular pubs to the south, this area could become a lively destination for visitors in addition to being a vibrant neighborhood in which to live. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">However, when a large looped driveway is included in the plaza, the space is broken up and degraded, the whole is less than the sum of its parts</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. We urge Alderman Smith and the designers to keep motor vehicles along the edge of the plaza, on the street side, where they belong, in order to make sure this is not an opportunity lost.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We’ve provided our thoughts <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneS2lYT2tyS1h6c28/edit?usp=sharing">to Alderman Smith in a letter, which you can read here</a>. What are your opinions? Post them below, e-mail them to Alderman Smith at </span></span>your voice at ward43 dot org <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> or to us at bikewalklincolnpark at gmail dot com</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Follow us on Twitter @BikeWalkLP</span></span></div>
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Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4431360523191384388.post-7633343366741776022014-01-12T23:13:00.003-06:002014-10-14T19:34:04.906-05:00Our thoughts on the new Children's Memorial site plan<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Michelle Stenzel</span><br />
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A new proposed plan has been released for redevelopment of the Children's Memorial Hospital site, and we recently reviewed the proposal to evaluate its design in terms of walking, biking, transit and public spaces. It's a large site with many facets to the plan, and you should review the PDF of the presentation, which <a href="http://ward43.org/zoning/projects/cmh/">you can download from Ald. Michele Smith's web page</a>, or attend the <a href="http://ward43.org/event/childrens-memorial-redevelopment-public-meeting/">community presentation on Tuesday evening</a> (January 14, 6:30 PM at DePaul Student Center). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMve59lkdvgMBbTFQagD9gTjkSnAYcloxcEnw8zn3Uuk4kGCF9x-GbjnSV3Pm1urDYk7elJpcETPZpiG9nc7dAd9uhzxZ1S5hnWytoIE8QY-_gInIaSxXsfo6qrx5Jt-voLgL_a57nxE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.52.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMve59lkdvgMBbTFQagD9gTjkSnAYcloxcEnw8zn3Uuk4kGCF9x-GbjnSV3Pm1urDYk7elJpcETPZpiG9nc7dAd9uhzxZ1S5hnWytoIE8QY-_gInIaSxXsfo6qrx5Jt-voLgL_a57nxE/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.52.31+PM.png" height="484" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the new Children's Memorial proposal toward the southeast, with Lincoln Avenue on the right. <br />
(All images in the post are from McCaffrey Interests presentation PDF unless otherwise noted)</td></tr>
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The design of all the new buildings looks very nice! The external design of the new buildings is bright, airy, clean and modern. The plans call for preservation of historic buildings worth preserving, and lots of retail right where it's needed. (More -->)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGuRGaD2nrc-wH_cApvHT7QWKxq2uQpl4zlhRDuMT3owZqSw_c5BiHhyfxB1zrvX8fLS2l1U9rsUX45NYfgWr5Rh9Slu0VKj7f6q1f8ypoH0J4UbAKBzvRjydkjs44vqXTb0BPODrl-0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.52.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGuRGaD2nrc-wH_cApvHT7QWKxq2uQpl4zlhRDuMT3owZqSw_c5BiHhyfxB1zrvX8fLS2l1U9rsUX45NYfgWr5Rh9Slu0VKj7f6q1f8ypoH0J4UbAKBzvRjydkjs44vqXTb0BPODrl-0/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.52.53+PM.png" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
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The plan calls for three areas of open space that will be available for public use. We like that there will be open paths leading from each of the three garden/plaza areas, to help increase pedestrian connectivity from Orchard Street to Lincoln Avenue, and from Fullerton to Lincoln Avenue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfGmrK6Fa6y5TrIIU4ra7uCNhZcLmXirYmEmy235UxKxPlwwPkeeuZ_QAAoWyAS4pbKSm-Ky_Ov6F8kzD50_gfnQrJ2rIFJ-PmIt59jM2R2bImKlM-tW3iU_C6iIm2lYolw-cul5PsWo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.53.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfGmrK6Fa6y5TrIIU4ra7uCNhZcLmXirYmEmy235UxKxPlwwPkeeuZ_QAAoWyAS4pbKSm-Ky_Ov6F8kzD50_gfnQrJ2rIFJ-PmIt59jM2R2bImKlM-tW3iU_C6iIm2lYolw-cul5PsWo/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.53.12+PM.png" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
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The placement of the Children's Park on Orchard is especially well-timed because of its proximity to Abraham Lincoln School, just half a block east, on Kemper. Lincoln will be receiving a much-needed new annex building in the next year to relieve the overcrowding at the school, but unfortunately, it will be losing half of its ground-level outdoor play area in the process (although it will gain a rooftop playground as well). Having a small new park very close by on Orchard will be a nice feature for neighborhood residents to enjoy.</div>
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CENTRAL PLAZA</div>
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The only concern we have about the design of the site space is the revised Central Plaza. We had written <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2012/08/thoughts-on-lincoln-park-plaza-at.html">our impressions of the initial design in this post</a>, in which we pointed out that the design was very car-oriented, and would never be a pleasant place to sit and relax.</div>
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This is the drawing of what the newly designed Central Plaza would look like:</div>
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We note that it looks like a "shared space" concept is envisioned, in which there aren't the traditional asphalt-and-curbs that make it look like a street, but instead patterned pavers, no curbs, and street furniture like benches and planters scattered about to make it clear that people will be walking here. We appreciate and applaud that. </div>
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However, it only becomes clear how much space will still be allotted for motor vehicles and drivers, versus how much for people walking and relaxing, when you look at the plan from above:</div>
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The proposed Central Plaza is made up of 25 squares of open area space. How many are given to motor vehicles and driving? Sixteen. How many for people sitting and relaxing? Nine. So that's 64% for drivers and 34% for public space. (We recognize there is additional area around the edges of the "driving area", along the buildings, that will certainly be only for pedestrian space, so the total ratio may be somewhat better that this.) Even with colored pavers, benches and plantings, we're doubtful that this can be a great public space. If there are coffee shops and bakeries around the edge of the plaza, this will be a de facto new street that drivers will use to pull in, double park -- "to run in just for a second" -- and then circle around and drive out again. No matter how slowly they drive, their presence will detract from the space.</div>
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Our question is, why does there need to drive-up-to-the-front-door access for this building? Perhaps a much better way would be to have a designated drop-off area right at the Lincoln Avenue curb for a few vehicles, intended for use of residents of the building and their guests. This would eliminate the curb cut completely and reclaim 100% of the plaza space. With that much room, the Central Plaza really could be a new heart of the neighborhood. Restaurants and cafe owners would be lining up to lease spaces on this plaza if they included generous allotments of outdoor seating. (Think of how much ice cream shops like Paciugo and cafe/bakeries like Cafe Selmarie in Lincoln Square thrive due to their being right on the edge of car-free Giddings Plaza.) </div>
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NUMBER OF UNITS AND NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES</div>
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The new design has a decrease in the number of housing units and an increase in the number of parking spaces, compared to the previous plan. The decrease in housing units is likely as a result of residential groups' demands for lower heights on the buildings. We assume that the residential groups also asked for more parking spaces, although we're not sure.</div>
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To all this, we'd like to point out that everyone in Lincoln Park is probably united in our desire to have a beautiful, lively, vibrant neighborhood. In that kind of neighborhood, we have housing stock that is occupied, retail storefronts that are rented and thriving with patrons, sidewalks full of people walking to their homes or workplaces or entertainment destinations. None of us wants to see even more cars, more traffic jams, more drivers cruising around for parking spots. </div>
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In order to fulfill this vision, we need to attract many people to live, study, work, shop, eat and play here, but we don't want them all to drive to here and around here. Sure, some will have to drive occasionally, but for many trips, many people can and will choose not to drive if they are given better options.<br />
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So how do we do this? We should build residential complexes that provide homes for many people, because they're the ones who are main patrons of the area shops and business. (They're also new neighbors, new friends, new classmates and playmates for our children!) We should also design the buildings and surrounding streets in a way that encourages the residents and visitors alike to walk, bike and take transit as much as possible, so that they will leave their cars at home for most trips, or choose not to own cars at all. We should provide safe and pleasant sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, car share services, taxi stands and bus stops. We should advocate for frequent service of the bus and L lines nearby. (We proposed a number of these changes in <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2012/08/bike-parking-cta-service-and-other.html">our letter to Alderman Smith from August 2012</a>.)<br />
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We should <i>not</i> provide easy, free or low cost parking, because that <i>encourages</i> people to drive more, which is what we <i>don't</i> want. More parking on site for residents and visitors <i>induces more </i>traffic. This is counter-intuitive to many people, and we want to present it here for people to think about.<br />
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LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSIT TO THE EAST</div>
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This site is three blocks away from the Fullerton L stop, which serves the Brown and Red lines. It's also on two major bus routes, the Halsted #8 bus and the Fullerton #74. However, the Fullerton bus line stops at Halsted and begins its turnaround, so residents of the new residential building will have no public transit to the east. As we've said in <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2011/12/why-is-fullerton-always-jammed-up-with.html">this prior post</a>, the lack of bus service (or safe bike lanes) to the lake means that many people likely choose to drive from points west, causing a perpetual traffic jam on Fullerton.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It's nice to see that under the new McCaffrey plan, a senior housing center is proposed at the corner of Fullerton and Orchard in the new site design. However, we can't help but wonder how the owners of the center trying to attract tenants will explain the lack of transportation options to reach popular attractions to the east, like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Caldwell Lily Pond, Notebaert Nature Museum, and the Lakefront Trail. All those destinations are nearly one mile away, which for a senior citizen, is quite a distance to walk. Isn't it high time to fill this transit gap? If public bus service on Fullerton east of Halsted isn't restored, the likely "solution" will be for the senior center to provide a private shuttle bus, which will, wait for it, </span><i style="text-align: justify;">add</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> to the traffic instead of helping to solve it. Everything's connected.</span></div>
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STREET RECOMMENDATIONS<br />
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A <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1EhAcy8TtneTk0wd1hrWUxhUzQ/edit?usp=sharing">transportation study of the area was done by the consulting firm KLOA</a>, and the McCaffrey proposal incorporates some of the recommendations into its presentation.<br />
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The study and the proposal contains a number of changes for area intersections and streets that are favorable for people walking and riding bikes, including the addition of new traffic lights, pedestrian countdown timers, and curb bump outs to shorten crossing distances in a few places. The reduction of curb cuts along Lincoln from about 7 to 3 in itself will make it safer and more pleasant for people walking and riding bikes.<br />
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Lincoln and Halsted are already very popular bicycling routes, and they're both designated Crosstown Routes on Chicago's Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan. This means that they are important components of the city's planned network of streets to make bicycling a viable option for Chicagoans of all ages and abilities, and they should receive the safest level of bike lanes possible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup50dGhAHV0LIkWhA5RfdBn5sAHoZLmHmlpAloPGu_d72yWgHkIevvWZJuMSt0J0MvoY0NYh33q_vJIhO64pVKIwEAEmqbungZir1mqbwIiUg2Gn7Ums-oE1yHhqsgGWBnvTHl-gmdmQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.26.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup50dGhAHV0LIkWhA5RfdBn5sAHoZLmHmlpAloPGu_d72yWgHkIevvWZJuMSt0J0MvoY0NYh33q_vJIhO64pVKIwEAEmqbungZir1mqbwIiUg2Gn7Ums-oE1yHhqsgGWBnvTHl-gmdmQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.26.17+PM.png" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from Chicago's Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan.</td></tr>
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Neither the McCaffrey plan nor the transportation study mention bicycling very much. They say that Lincoln Avenue should provide continuous bicycle lanes in both directions along its length, but then they also advocate for lengthening the left turn lane into the parking garage, and their own drawing doesn't reflect a continuous bike lane.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoEdDZYat3_3fdzmbkvYq7XVNaMKeq4gFHex5th8G9DFLl8WY1OmDkgL5mQRjKoagRLzPgwd8qKiDMFiJwQrBvJnqZ4opCS_Y4IpbiHOMxS6HmnpH-6E_Atix-pR3hSYCF8g_mGkU_Wc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+9.39.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoEdDZYat3_3fdzmbkvYq7XVNaMKeq4gFHex5th8G9DFLl8WY1OmDkgL5mQRjKoagRLzPgwd8qKiDMFiJwQrBvJnqZ4opCS_Y4IpbiHOMxS6HmnpH-6E_Atix-pR3hSYCF8g_mGkU_Wc/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+9.39.21+PM.png" height="252" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are many trade-offs when it comes to street design due to limited space. Bumpouts are great for pedestrians, but they also reduce the amount of space in which bicyclists can maneuver. Lengthening a left turn lane into a parking garage by making the existing bike lane disappear isn't something we expect to see in Chicago in the year 2014. Any changes made in connection with the redevelopment of this site must be in line with the city's Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan and its Complete Streets policy, which takes into account effects of changes on all modes of transportation, not just that of motor vehicle drivers. Which brings us to the last of our opinions.<br />
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THE FULLERTON/LINCOLN/HALSTED INTERSECTION<br />
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It's big, it's ugly, it's unavoidable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXNQbAko0JlE_Lh0gZ5PaVwiAKDrnf3VfhlJ7Qo7yd_0eZPXQyUa25YCWDRsSaDkEFpPaBYdc53w6XZgYqbgw5pRBhqrswLKBR7k5hK5vkxPd7TMNfWIp2rNIIQMDj38qv1KVwrabubQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.58.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXNQbAko0JlE_Lh0gZ5PaVwiAKDrnf3VfhlJ7Qo7yd_0eZPXQyUa25YCWDRsSaDkEFpPaBYdc53w6XZgYqbgw5pRBhqrswLKBR7k5hK5vkxPd7TMNfWIp2rNIIQMDj38qv1KVwrabubQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.58.35+PM.png" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
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The KLOA transportation study includes a 12-hour traffic count in February 2012 (when Children's Memorial was still serving patients at the site) to track the number of trucks, other motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles passing through the intersection. What I found most interesting is that more than 16,000 people traversed this intersection on foot during that time period. The percentage share of pedestrians was 34% over the course of the day, peaking at 43% during the evening rush hour of 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. (The number of bicyclists in the course of the day was 578, or 1.2% total mode share, but note that this was in the winter month of February, and numbers would be much higher in the other three seasons.) So clearly this is a very important intersection for pedestrians.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvWykWJMNB-K2N9iRcycnwMqfCPXPo6lC1R7LOdGtFskweGJsUE2SIPKObYxmMuBJW5VC_c-V-6mwJCnYQwwStUgzbhHGNucC9xYh8GpK4oVgPb1LnMbZT9NL9ktcirYiALVcuoPT6-w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.06.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvWykWJMNB-K2N9iRcycnwMqfCPXPo6lC1R7LOdGtFskweGJsUE2SIPKObYxmMuBJW5VC_c-V-6mwJCnYQwwStUgzbhHGNucC9xYh8GpK4oVgPb1LnMbZT9NL9ktcirYiALVcuoPT6-w/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.06.48+PM.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
It's also a very dangerous intersection for pedestrians. The wide crossing distances, short cross times, and large volume of cars means that there are a large number of pedestrians injuries each year. The CDOT 2011 Pedestrian Crash Analysis reflects that it was tied for 9th for the most number of crashes involving pedestrians in the entire city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoMXM3MzsBYTwua6i1Q_Rkjnzjqbr7Na7QWGLZB2Lu8fxpFWb-hJHw5AvYaKeGn0TgNCGGC71AF-p3H9s6eJe2LryKVfSKhQRTseVL653fmWo-aWZQot9t6u_M3wYl5nFxRiLWMx_nEM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.32.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoMXM3MzsBYTwua6i1Q_Rkjnzjqbr7Na7QWGLZB2Lu8fxpFWb-hJHw5AvYaKeGn0TgNCGGC71AF-p3H9s6eJe2LryKVfSKhQRTseVL653fmWo-aWZQot9t6u_M3wYl5nFxRiLWMx_nEM/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.32.25+PM.png" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from CDOT 2011 Pedestrian Crash Analysis.</td></tr>
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Bicyclists suffered a high number of injuries in the intersection, too. The <a href="http://chicagocrashes.org/#zoom=16&lat=41.89592&lon=-87.65493">Chicago Crash Browser </a>shows that there were 22 collisions involving motor vehicles and bicyclists from 2005 to 2012 in or very near this intersection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ24XI02pQkY6B2swoqSuWrHi3q7pcryEojmDD6Outnx54WyYhJKDCtD3MGihlWkfzaEIRm52qfhFacX4QL-5KelDWvT6Qzj_CiWG00RVyrOUOJDn21ulVaIsx-DignlmCD7l7stQCHf4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.29.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ24XI02pQkY6B2swoqSuWrHi3q7pcryEojmDD6Outnx54WyYhJKDCtD3MGihlWkfzaEIRm52qfhFacX4QL-5KelDWvT6Qzj_CiWG00RVyrOUOJDn21ulVaIsx-DignlmCD7l7stQCHf4/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.29.06+PM.png" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot from the Chicago Crash Browser.</td></tr>
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Clearly, this intersection needs real changes to help people to walk and bike across it safely. We've thought about this intersection a lot to see if we could come up with some great solutions, but honestly, its complexity is beyond our layperson abilities, and it needs the professional input of people who are well-trained in Complete Streets policies, who we luckily have in place at the Chicago Department of Transportation.<br />
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What we at Bike Walk Lincoln Park can recognize, however, are suggestions that are <i>not</i> conducive to improving safety for walking and bicycling. The new McCaffrey proposal suggests adding new turn lanes on Fullerton, and extending the right and left turn lanes on Lincoln and on Halsted. These changes would be effectively dedicating <i>more</i> space for cars on the street, and every time that's done, it eliminates the possibility of converting space for other modes of transport.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk6ZFyxhyphenhyphenDz1VAKb-xZT7WsF7D306I6U1JB9jfR70ViP-Df11jh2WFKzIEJx-5qETn8wrH7h3KX1CKM0q2ZlAKQJBz7yLvjY3Sr7pKC-1WcGAdeds5Ba0bmE6AkW3so2rn22u3jg-JXw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.58.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk6ZFyxhyphenhyphenDz1VAKb-xZT7WsF7D306I6U1JB9jfR70ViP-Df11jh2WFKzIEJx-5qETn8wrH7h3KX1CKM0q2ZlAKQJBz7yLvjY3Sr7pKC-1WcGAdeds5Ba0bmE6AkW3so2rn22u3jg-JXw/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+3.58.52+PM.png" height="238" width="640" /></a></div>
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The KLOA report notes that they studied whether a direct crosswalk could be provided on Fullerton to connect pedestrians who are walking east-west along Fullerton. The KLOA authors call it a "shortcut" but it's not a shortcut; it's simply the most direct route. Currently, people on foot are made to walk a longer, indirect, two-stage route and wait for two signal cycles (once to cross Halsted, once to cross Lincoln) in order to continue along Fullerton. Incredibly, at some of the crossings, the green light for cars appears for many seconds before the green light for pedestrians so that cars can turn, before pedestrians are "allowed" to proceed, and then the pedestrians are given a short crossing time. In effect, there's a Leading Driver Interval in place here. Hello, 1964? (None of these details are mentioned in the KLOA report.)</div>
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In any case, the authors said that a "shortcut" crosswalk for Fullerton would indeed reduce the travel distance and the travel time for pedestrians, but then they quickly added "it does increase the vehicle delay at this intersection." </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiozBNQVNXLoO_N49qGQ_dtN3sazdktpbchA8_tCynaSS08F4MB2xR5NZi3nEKFDf7mDhyphenhyphensFzAGfkYVWIhM-MlkmvbG1Et6yR6ltQWjNpnB6exskwmIm7Ud2oMTW0HKHn729vt5TZC9dI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.04.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiozBNQVNXLoO_N49qGQ_dtN3sazdktpbchA8_tCynaSS08F4MB2xR5NZi3nEKFDf7mDhyphenhyphensFzAGfkYVWIhM-MlkmvbG1Et6yR6ltQWjNpnB6exskwmIm7Ud2oMTW0HKHn729vt5TZC9dI/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.04.43+PM.png" height="184" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the KLOA transportation study.</td></tr>
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Maybe a direct crosswalk for pedestrians would delay motor vehicles a few seconds. We'd like to point out that this intersection was probably last redesigned decades ago, and 16,000+ pedestrians a day have been delayed every day since then. We're thankful that under Mayor Emanuel's administration, there's a clear recognition that people who are walking are not second-class citizens. We want to encourage people to choose modes other than private motor vehicle whenever possible, and providing safe, convenient and direct routes for people walking, using transit, and riding bicycles is a high priority. That commitment starts with steps like providing direct crosswalks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujbbeu8G6dWmlbh1zrP-_Y5YzlHlhcEcnMsG0zoOM_40tE3ciNPnEWFZrM5Ot8OXr-17zWICf7hMjnEJyV849IRfAMuTec_g05SIBJVXPgU7IS4_FWBUmL4-O4jDwRuKJUtOGvkTriQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.11.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujbbeu8G6dWmlbh1zrP-_Y5YzlHlhcEcnMsG0zoOM_40tE3ciNPnEWFZrM5Ot8OXr-17zWICf7hMjnEJyV849IRfAMuTec_g05SIBJVXPgU7IS4_FWBUmL4-O4jDwRuKJUtOGvkTriQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.11.09+PM.png" height="228" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The modal hierarchy as spelled out in Chicago's Complete Streets guidelines (see <a href="http://www.bikewalklincolnpark.com/2013/04/complete-streets-guidelines-designing.html">our prior post</a>).</td></tr>
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As I said, we don't have the solutions for this intersection, but this generic intersection graphic below is an example of what might work better: Decrease crossing distance for pedestrians, increase sidewalk width, add bus shelters (and bike racks!), remove turn lanes, increase the angle of turns to slow drivers during the turns, add direct crosswalks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5f23v2egT4i26ljMoQXohE5FtlmvjO6pKacmgv0XLDPdeqdP13mTft6sdUHRRiuhTKse96gLvzuI3MZn-HZhQx7MCqibG_fP0Nd7UymRBIx3ED_-kMLmdfVuuaxaG-ldFS6LmlEFpRI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.21.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5f23v2egT4i26ljMoQXohE5FtlmvjO6pKacmgv0XLDPdeqdP13mTft6sdUHRRiuhTKse96gLvzuI3MZn-HZhQx7MCqibG_fP0Nd7UymRBIx3ED_-kMLmdfVuuaxaG-ldFS6LmlEFpRI/s640/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+4.21.06+PM.png" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from Chicago's Complete Streets guidelines.</td></tr>
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Those are some of our opinions on the proposed changes. What are yours? Did we miss any important points? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below!</div>
Bike Walk Lincoln Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10901957031606116893noreply@blogger.com9