Jessica Papanek
Recent Posts
The Belmont Flyover: Learning From the Past and Planning the Future
| | 16 Comments
It’s going to be important for the city to learn the mistakes of the past, particularly the failure to promptly redevelop several lots that were left empty for five or more years after the Brown Line reconstruction was finished.
Active Trans Lauded Key Transportation Supporters at Their Annual Gala
| | No Comments
Last month the Active Transportation Alliance held their annual awards ceremony, recognizing three key supporters of local sustainable transportation efforts: Christopher Burke Engineering, MB Financial Bank and Slow Roll Chicago.
Good News: IDOT Reconsiders Trading Car Lanes for Bus Lanes on the Drive
| | 9 Comments
While it’s encouraging to see the state proposing a somewhat less car-centric version of the shoreline highway, their plans still leave a lot to be desired.
CTA and Pace Brainstorm Ways to Improve North Shore Transit Service
| | No Comments
Two transit agencies working toward a common goal is unfortunately a rare phenomenon in our country. Thankfully this has not stopped the CTA and Pace from joining forces to brainstorm ways to improve public transportation in the Chicago region. The two agencies, with assistance from Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, are currently working on the North Shore […]
IDOT Provides an Update on the North Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction Study
| | 55 Comments
Starting in 2013, the Illinois and Chicago transportation department have hosted a series of public meetings on the North Lake Shore Drive reconstruction study, dubbed “Redefine the Drive.” At a hearing in July 2014, planners introduced Chicagoans to the project’s latest purpose and needs statement (essentially a mission statement), while also asking attendees to chime in with […]
Experts Critique 28 Community Proposals for Logan Square ‘L’ Site
| | 10 Comments
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Planning Council concluded the Corridor Development Initiative, a series of three public meetings that brought area residents together to envision a new development atop the entrance to the Logan Square ‘L’ station. 35th Ward Alderman Rey Colón enthusiastically noted that this was by far the best-attended of the three meetings. The […]
Logan Square Residents Refine Vision For Development Atop ‘L’ Station
| | 11 Comments
The second of three Corridor Development Initiative meetings last week collected more detailed feedback about what Logan Square residents hope to see replace a municipal parking lot and under-used bus transfer plaza atop the neighborhood’s ‘L’ station. The meeting began with a brief audience survey whose results mirrored the findings from the previous meeting. During […]
“Everything’s On The Table” For North Lake Shore Drive, So Share Your Ideas
| | 7 Comments
Last week, city and state planners opened a call to the public to suggest potential elements for the North Lake Shore Drive reconstruction study, which they’re call “Redefine the Drive.” Almost a year ago, the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Transportation hosted a series of public meetings to gauge public support and solicit volunteers to join […]
Small Steps for IDOT Add Up to Giant Leap for North Lake Shore Drive
| | 12 Comments
IDOT’s revisions to the newly updated North Lake Shore Drive “Purpose and Needs Statement,” an opening salvo that sets the tone for the long process of rebuilding the Drive, might not quite be on the same scale as landing on the moon. However, a few seemingly minor text edits signal a huge shift in how […]
Tell IDOT to Rehab LSD as a Complete Street, Not a Speedway
| | 72 Comments
On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Transportation kicked off the feedback process for the the North Lake Shore Drive rehabilitation’s future alternatives analysis, at the third meeting of the project’s task forces. During the previous two meetings, it seemed like IDOT would insist upon just another highway project, with minimal benefits for pedestrians, transit users […]