Michelle S
Michelle S's projects
Recent Activity
Commented on North and LaSalle
2 months ago
Mixed Use
Commented on North and LaSalle
2 months ago
The presence of two gas stations on a single block requiring ultra wide curb cuts, combined with the fact that both Clark and LaSalle have four lanes for motor vehicle traffic (plus parking and turn lanes) means that this vicinity is a noisy speedway of cars that is highly unpleasant to walk along, bike on, or cross as a pedestrian. Whatever is done with these properties, I hope you can work with the city and stakeholders like the History Museum and Moody to calm the street and make it safer.
Commented on North and LaSalle
2 months ago
It is a cool looking design, very unique. However, it doesn't need to remain in use as a gas station.
Commented on North and LaSalle
2 months ago
Just FYI that there is a Shell station half a block away to the south, at North and LaSalle. I agree that keeping one or the other as a gas station makes sense.
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Michael M
Parking actually *increases* congestion because it encourages car use.
Parking actually *increases* congestion because it encourages car use.
Supported a comment by Tim Sosa on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Tim Sosa
Housing (market rate or subsidized or a mix of both). Restaurants and retail on the ground floor might be good in a neighborhood that is already a dining destination.
Housing (market rate or subsidized or a mix of both). Restaurants and retail on the ground floor might be good in a neighborhood that is already a dining destination.
Supported a comment by Tim Sosa on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Tim Sosa
Considering the demand for housing and amenities in a neighborhood like Old Town, a surface parking lot is hard to defend. Almost any other use would be an improvement. Ground-floor commercial with apartments above makes the most sense here.
Considering the demand for housing and amenities in a neighborhood like Old Town, a surface parking lot is hard to defend. Almost any other use would be an improvement. Ground-floor commercial with apartments above makes the most sense here.
Supported a comment by Tim Sosa on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Tim Sosa
It encourages driving in a congested area, which endangers pedestrians in a very walkable neighborhood. The parking lot is an impermeable surface and therefore exacerbates flooding and water pollution. Asphalt reduces albedo, exacerbating heat island effects.
It encourages driving in a congested area, which endangers pedestrians in a very walkable neighborhood. The parking lot is an impermeable surface and therefore exacerbates flooding and water pollution. Asphalt reduces albedo, exacerbating heat island effects.
Supported a comment by ETHAN LESHER on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
ETHAN LESHER
This surface parking lot is wasted space that provides no economic or community value other than a space for people outside of the community to store their private vehicles, which we should be actively discouraging driving within our neighborhood. These lots are visually dreadful and do nothing to enhance the appeal of the area. This open space and wide lanes promote the act of speeding and pose a risk to pedestrians. We need more housing stock, wider sidewalks, narrower lanes, more retail/restaurant space, and more street lining trees - all of which this lot can and should provide!
This surface parking lot is wasted space that provides no economic or community value other than a space for people outside of the community to store their private vehicles, which we should be actively discouraging driving within our neighborhood. These lots are visually dreadful and do nothing to enhance the appeal of the area. This open space and wide lanes promote the act of speeding and pose a risk to pedestrians. We need more housing stock, wider sidewalks, narrower lanes, more retail/restaurant space, and more street lining trees - all of which this lot can and should provide!
Supported a comment by ETHAN LESHER on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
ETHAN LESHER
There are no positive benefits for this or any other surface parking lots within the Old Town Neighborhood.
There are no positive benefits for this or any other surface parking lots within the Old Town Neighborhood.
Supported a comment by Elizabeth M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Elizabeth M
Surface parking lots are a poor use of space in dense, walkable, vibrant neighborhoods. They create hazards for pedestrians.
Surface parking lots are a poor use of space in dense, walkable, vibrant neighborhoods. They create hazards for pedestrians.
Supported a comment by Elizabeth M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Elizabeth M
Any sort of public space, like a park. Mixed use commercial and residential. Community or cultural center.
Any sort of public space, like a park. Mixed use commercial and residential. Community or cultural center.
Supported a comment by Elizabeth M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Elizabeth M
Heat. Incentive to create more traffic, disincentive to use transit. A large amount of space reserved for limited use.
Heat. Incentive to create more traffic, disincentive to use transit. A large amount of space reserved for limited use.
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Michael M
There is nothing positive about a surface parking lot. Thank you for changing it into something useful!
There is nothing positive about a surface parking lot. Thank you for changing it into something useful!
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Michael M
Surface parking lots encourage car use, which raises air pollution. Additionally, they raise the ambient temperature of cities.
Surface parking lots encourage car use, which raises air pollution. Additionally, they raise the ambient temperature of cities.
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Michael M
Accessibility: do not provide any street parking adjacent to the building. Install steel bollards to protect pedestrians from vehicles. Provide abundant parking for micromobility vehicles like bikes & scooters. First floor: commercial leasing (let the market decide what shops are desirable). Above the first floor: 20 floors of market rate apartments and/or condos. We need more density!
Accessibility: do not provide any street parking adjacent to the building. Install steel bollards to protect pedestrians from vehicles. Provide abundant parking for micromobility vehicles like bikes & scooters. First floor: commercial leasing (let the market decide what shops are desirable). Above the first floor: 20 floors of market rate apartments and/or condos. We need more density!
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Michael M
Please ignore any feedback that encourages dog parks, more parking, and low density developments. Our country is in a housing crisis that can only be solved with more housing.
Please ignore any feedback that encourages dog parks, more parking, and low density developments. Our country is in a housing crisis that can only be solved with more housing.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Correction: Rest of the week, not year
Supported a comment by Robert E Brown on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Robert E Brown
A combination of shops and restaurants would be nice - even possibly a mix of offices or co-working space. This would be an opportunity for an attractive high-rise with rentals and/or condos.
A combination of shops and restaurants would be nice - even possibly a mix of offices or co-working space. This would be an opportunity for an attractive high-rise with rentals and/or condos.
Supported a comment by Robert E Brown on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Robert E Brown
its an extremely under-developed use of space in a vibrant neighborhood.
its an extremely under-developed use of space in a vibrant neighborhood.
Supported a comment by Emma Nippe on
North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Emma Nippe
physically protected bike infrastructure, wider sidewalks to accommodate sidewalk cafes + accessibility needs (strollers, wheelchairs, etc), traffic calming methods to reduce air and noise pollution
physically protected bike infrastructure, wider sidewalks to accommodate sidewalk cafes + accessibility needs (strollers, wheelchairs, etc), traffic calming methods to reduce air and noise pollution
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
This empty space is deadening to the vitality of Old Town's streetscape, and needs to have something amazing built there instead.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
Mixed Use
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
There should be a large building here that serves what the market will sustain, whether that be more housing units, commercial spaces, or a combination of the two.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
The intersection of two main urban streets should not be wasted on a surface parking lot. It's underutilized and an eyesore and can be put to much better use.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months ago
The community receives no benefits from this. Once a week on Sunday it is packed with cars and the rest of the year it's an ugly eyesore.
Supported a comment by Nate Lielasus on
North and LaSalle
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Nate Lielasus
Traffic through North/LaSalle/Clark is definitely a bit hairy and intersections are wide and intimidating.
Traffic through North/LaSalle/Clark is definitely a bit hairy and intersections are wide and intimidating.
Followed North and LaSalle
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Commercial
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months, 2 weeks ago
I think this space would be perfect for a new grocery store, like a Trader Joe's or Mariano's.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months, 2 weeks ago
The ground floor is sitting empty and is somewhat of an eyesore. I would hope that the sidewalk-level wall along Wells St would be improved during this planned development. The murals had their charms but their day has passed.
Commented on North and LaSalle
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Currently the ground floor is not being used for anything, so it's not providing any community benefits. The Treasure Island that used to be there was an important source of groceries for people in the immediate neighborhood.
Supported a comment by Herbert Wherer on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Herbert Wherer
Physically separated bike lanes
Physically separated bike lanes
Supported a comment by Ben Fay on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Ben Fay
Mixed use please! Street-facing retail and grocery on the ground floor and housing above it. But limit the amount of parking. This site is in a dense neighborhood and has great access to public transit. Don't waste the talents of David Adjaye by making him build parking structures.
Mixed use please! Street-facing retail and grocery on the ground floor and housing above it. But limit the amount of parking. This site is in a dense neighborhood and has great access to public transit. Don't waste the talents of David Adjaye by making him build parking structures.
Supported a comment by Elizabeth M on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Elizabeth M
Protected bike lanes. Wide walkable sidewalks. Shared streets. Public spaces for sitting. Reduced auto traffic and reduced on-street parking.
Protected bike lanes. Wide walkable sidewalks. Shared streets. Public spaces for sitting. Reduced auto traffic and reduced on-street parking.
Supported a comment by Molly F on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Molly F
Protected bike lanes. Adequate sidewalk space for both pedestrians and outdoor dining. Far too often in Old Town, which is a dense neighborhood close to transit, street space is prioritized for cars and parking than for actual human beings.
Protected bike lanes. Adequate sidewalk space for both pedestrians and outdoor dining. Far too often in Old Town, which is a dense neighborhood close to transit, street space is prioritized for cars and parking than for actual human beings.
Supported a comment by Gloria K on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Gloria K
Upscale grocer with specialty cheese, etc. Please don’t skimp on sidewalk space and keep street level facades to a comfortable and attractive, even traditional, human scale. Service areas hidden in interior alleys.
Upscale grocer with specialty cheese, etc. Please don’t skimp on sidewalk space and keep street level facades to a comfortable and attractive, even traditional, human scale. Service areas hidden in interior alleys.
Supported a comment by Jes B. on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Jes B.
Wide sidewalks, traffic calming, and areas where pedestrian activity is prioritized. *Protected* bike lanes and bike parking. Greenscaping. A bookstore.
Wide sidewalks, traffic calming, and areas where pedestrian activity is prioritized. *Protected* bike lanes and bike parking. Greenscaping. A bookstore.
Supported a comment by Jason Rosenblatt on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Jason Rosenblatt
Mixed-use with upscale grocer and cafe combo like Eataly. Roof top public setting for dining and exhibition space, like the top floor of the Modern Wing at the Art Institute.
Mixed-use with upscale grocer and cafe combo like Eataly. Roof top public setting for dining and exhibition space, like the top floor of the Modern Wing at the Art Institute.
Supported a comment by Jason Rosenblatt on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Jason Rosenblatt
Opportunities for local businesses and young entrepreneurs to open retail shops and restaurants. As a result the newest, most exciting retail and restaurants open in other neighborhoods like Fulton Market, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square. Would love to bring the diversity of dining and retail we see in those other neighborhoods to Old Town. Would also really appreciate an indoor/outdoor event space for markets, festivals, art exhibits, small music venues, craft fairs, etc. Some affordable spaces allocated for local artists and their galleries would be wonderful as well.
Opportunities for local businesses and young entrepreneurs to open retail shops and restaurants. As a result the newest, most exciting retail and restaurants open in other neighborhoods like Fulton Market, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Logan Square. Would love to bring the diversity of dining and retail we see in those other neighborhoods to Old Town. Would also really appreciate an indoor/outdoor event space for markets, festivals, art exhibits, small music venues, craft fairs, etc. Some affordable spaces allocated for local artists and their galleries would be wonderful as well.
Supported a comment by Andrew Zipparo on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Andrew Zipparo
Mixed use! Something big and tall with public space, activated alleyways, grocery + entertainment + office + living. This corner needs a grand gateway entrance. No parking podiums, please! Put it allll underground.
Mixed use! Something big and tall with public space, activated alleyways, grocery + entertainment + office + living. This corner needs a grand gateway entrance. No parking podiums, please! Put it allll underground.
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Michael M
What makes Chicago great is our world class architecture and density in the downtown area. I would love to see a mixed use building with high density and a solar-punk aesthetic similar to Taipei.
What makes Chicago great is our world class architecture and density in the downtown area. I would love to see a mixed use building with high density and a solar-punk aesthetic similar to Taipei.
Supported a comment by Michael M on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Michael M
Protected bike lanes with steel bollards, and bike racks
Protected bike lanes with steel bollards, and bike racks
Supported a comment by Rusty S on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Rusty S
Please design pedestrian and bike friendly intersections with raised crosswalks, planters, traffic calming, etc. Let’s be a world class city.
Please design pedestrian and bike friendly intersections with raised crosswalks, planters, traffic calming, etc. Let’s be a world class city.
Supported a comment by James P on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
James P
Bike parking and lanes on Clark street. Overall there is enough park areas. Small public area would be nice inside the new development area.
Bike parking and lanes on Clark street. Overall there is enough park areas. Small public area would be nice inside the new development area.
Supported a comment by Kimberlee Raymond on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Kimberlee Raymond
More divy bikes needed
More divy bikes needed
Supported a comment by Andrew D on
North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Andrew D
An interesting (read: non-blue glass square box) high rise residential.
An interesting (read: non-blue glass square box) high rise residential.
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
We need a real city feel at street level, with busy storefronts that serve both practical needs of residents (grocery, drug store, casual lunch places) and the interests of people visiting the neighborhood (theater, bars, restaurants). To create that, we need wide sidewalks, safe bike lanes, and excellent access via public transportation. There needs to be traffic calming because the drivers on LaSalle, Clark and North Ave in the study area drive like they're on a highway, to the detriment of anyone walking on the sidewalk, or crossing at the intersections. We need a lot more residences added to the area in question, including affordable units so that we have a diversity of people at all income levels living in our neighborhood. If there are storefronts added in the buildings, a certain number should be set aside to rent out affordably for small business/local ownership so that we can have non-chain restaurants to go to for a great plate of falafel or gyros or burger and fries at lunch time. Those local entrepreneurs can't afford to pay the rent that Chipotle or PotBelly can, and our neighborhood loses out because of it.
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Traffic
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Both
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
I'm an Old Town resident
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Somewhat Important
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Safety and walkability
Commented on North and LaSalle
6 months ago
Most of all, we need a quality, affordable grocery store. Trader Joe's would be ideal. However, the space should be made into a larger building that has grocery and retail in the lower floors and residences above it. Old Town is very walkable and the current wall facing Wells Street is deadening to street life. It needs to be more permeable, and add to the liveliness of the streetscape.