Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metropolitan Planning Council

Rendering of the affordable TOD as seen from the Longman & Eagle sidewalk cafe on Schubert.

Logan Affordable TOD Opponents Discuss Their Concerns, Proponents Clap Back

By John Greenfield | Apr 17, 2019 | 45 Comments

The group opposing the project says they want an RFP process and changes to the design. The local alderman says they're actually opposed to the 100 units of affordable housing.

Bock, Breyer, and Wennink. Photo: Lynda Lopez

How Mileage-Based User Fees Could Help Solve Our Infrastructure Funding Crisis

By Lynda Lopez | Feb 28, 2019 | 13 Comments

Experts gathered at the Metropolitan Planning Council to discuss the strategy, also known as a vehicle miles traveled tax.

MPC Study Highlights Importance of Transit for Attracting Businesses

By John Greenfield | Nov 12, 2018 | 13 Comments

The report also underscores the importance of getting the business community to support more funding for public transportation.

MPC’s #BustedCommute Campaign Highlights Failing Transportation Infrastructure

By John Greenfield | Mar 24, 2018 | 1 Comment

The social media campaign aims to light a fire under state lawmakers to adequately fund transportation infrastructure.

Jahmal Cole and Darryl Holliday speaking at MPC event about CTA, segregation, and Cole's organization. Photo: Audrey Wennink/MPC

Youth Organization Founder Jahmal Cole Said CTA Should Be Free

By James Porter | Mar 16, 2018 | 45 Comments

"Out of all the big ideas," said Cole, "I think it should be free, and it should be extended.

Illustration: Bobby Sims, Chicago Reader

Can the CTA and Metra Learn to Play Nice?

By John Greenfield | Feb 8, 2018 | 30 Comments

Benefits of increased cooperation could include fare integration and an alternative to the costly Red Line extension.

"Like any other machine, they're either a benefit or a hazard." -- Rick Deckard, "Blade Runner"

NACTO’s Autonomous Vehicle Guidelines Could Help Chicago Avoid a Dystopian Future

By John Greenfield | Nov 9, 2017 | 3 Comments

How do we make sure self-driving technology leads to our city looking more like "The Jetsons" and less like "Blade Runner"?

The new warming house at the 111th Street station in Pullman. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Pullman Transportation Access is Improving After National Monument Designation

By Steven Vance | Mar 2, 2017 | 7 Comments

soutYou probably knew that President Barack Obama designated parts of the Pullman neighborhood and the former Pullman Company Porter train car factory as the Pullman National Monument in February 2015. The accomplishment was based on 20 years of campaigning by residents and leaders to get a national park designation. What you probably didn’t know was that […]

The Lockbox Amendment Would Hinder the State Government

By Steven Vance | Oct 17, 2016 | 13 Comments

Note: Streetsblog Chicago’s Steven Vance and John Greenfield have different opinions about the lockbox amendment. Read John’s take here. On every ballot in Illinois right now – early voting and mail-in voting has begun – there’s a question asking if the Illinois constitution should be amended to ensure that money that comes from gas taxes, […]

More Thoughts on the TOD Debate as the Boom Moves Into Its Next Phase

By John Greenfield | May 25, 2016 | 13 Comments

One thing’s for sure: As the current transit-oriented development boom unfolds along Milwaukee Avenue it’s bringing major changes to the affected neighborhoods. Many people agree that adding dense, low-parking development near Blue Line stations is a good strategy for reducing car dependency. But there’s been debate about whether the new wave of high-end TOD buildings […]

It’s a Lobby-palooza! Join MPC’s 43 Minutes for $43 Billion Infrastructure Push

By John Greenfield | May 17, 2016 | 1 Comment

Are you ready for (almost three-quarters of) an hour of power? That’s what the Metropolitan Planning Council has planned for Wednesday, May 18, at 11 a.m., when they’ll hold the 43 Minutes for $43 Billion transportation infrastructure lobbying jam session. They’re asking Chicagoland residents to call their legislators and contact leaders in Springfield to ask them […]

Why Does Ramirez-Rosa Want to Rezone a Parking Lot by the Logan Stop?

By Steven Vance | Apr 7, 2016 | 10 Comments

A parking lot next to the Logan Square Blue Line station that’s ripe for redevelopment is under review for a zoning change. 35th Ward alder Carlos Ramirez-Rosa intends to change the zoning district from a very low-density, mixed-use B1-1 designation to RT-4, a residential district designation. That type of zoning allows only single-family homes and two-flats. Rodrigo Anzures-Oyorzabal, […]

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