Wednesday, May 13, 2009

South Chicago LEED Neighborhood Development

Green Bean Chicago:
As part of an effort to stimulate sustainable and equitable economic development in one of the more socioeconomically distressed areas of the region, the City of Chicago is sponsoring one of the largest sustainable neighborhood revitalization developments in the country. Consisting of 1,140 acres in the South Chicago neighborhood, the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) plan will serve as a guide to the city for sustainable redevelopment on the south side for the next 25 years.

Currently responsible for the redevelopment plan is City Planner Marilyn Engwall, who has been a part of the effort for nearly a decade. Engwell stresses the comprehensive nature of the redevelopment and the necessity to engage in sustainable community building. “This is a plan—a long range plan—and not a project,” she stated, adding, “This is an area that definitely needs development.”

Developed by the U. S. Green Building Council, LEED ND projects take the building standards of LEED and many of the hallmarks of new urbanism, and apply them to an entire area. In addition to requiring new homes in the South Chicago LEED ND to be certified as LEED Silver or better, the initiative incorporates LEED ND standards of easy access to transit, close walking distance to schools and parks, and the remediation of environmentally unsuitable sites. Plans exist for the integration of the three existing Metra stops in the neighborhood with an elaborate transit network reliant on the streetcar—a system that has already gained some traction and financing among local merchants. Whether this part of the plan will happen will take years to determine.

The importance of transit is underscored by the sheer size of the planning area. Encompassing acreage roughly the size of Chicago’s Loop, the redevelopment area is bounded by 79th Street and 93rd Street to its north and south, respectively, and extends easterly from Commercial Avenue to the shore of Lake Michigan. Comprising a large chunk of the plan is the former home of U.S. Steel aligning the lake—presently a brownfield unsuitable for development and an eyesore unseemly to local residents.
Read the whole thing!

Of interest because perhaps many of us 6th Warders might be interesting in new opportunities for retail and perhaps new opportunities for recreation. Imagine a new lakefront beach or park just a brief drive away on say 87th Street. One can only hope.

No comments:

Post a Comment

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Comment Moderating and Anonymous Comment Policy

While anonymous comments are not prohibited we do encourage you to help readers identify you so that other commenters may respond to you. Either read the moderating policy for how or leave an identifier (which could be a nickname for example) at the end of the comment.

Also note that this blog is NOT associated with any public or political officials including Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer!