Let's talk about the Bloomingdale Trail

The last existing thread on the Bloomingdale Trail was about how the city contract was not going forward, and I believe it is now, so I’m starting this thread. Rahm Emanuel promised in his Transition Plan to complete the Bloomingdale Trail in his first term, and it looks like they are in fact getting started on the design. Below is info posted on the cityofchicago.org website this week. So far only $2.7 million of an estimated $70 million needed is in hand, though.

 

It would be great to be able to cycle from the lakefront via Armitage/Cortland and the BT all the way to Humboldt Park on a safe and scenic route.

 

Meetings will be held to get public input. I'm trying to think of why people may oppose the project, besides the obvious argument that $70 million should go toward fighting crime or funding schools instead. A Reader article reported about nearby homeowners complaining of squatters, vandalism, rock throwing by illegal trespassers currently. But once it’s a legal thoroughfare, I would hope that would be less likely. What will the “con” arguments be?

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June 8, 2011

Bloomingdale Trail design work gets under way

Preliminary design for the Bloomingdale Trail project is under way. 

Work has begun to develop concepts to convert a 2.65-mile unused, elevated railway line to a multi-use linear park for recreational users and commuters.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel has identified the Bloomingdale Trail as a priority to reach his goals of creating a world-class bike network, improving the pedestrian environment and creating new open space.

Public input will be a key component in creating plans to redevelop the Bloomingdale Line, which runs along Bloomingdale Avenue (approximately 1800 North) from Ashland to Ridgeway.  CDOT is leading the design, engineering and construction of the project in close cooperation with the Chicago Park District.

Under CDOT’s direction, ARUP North America—which was selected through a competitive RFP process and comprises a consortium of local and national firms—will tackle several tasks in the coming months:

• Schedule public meetings, the first of which will occur this summer

• Inventory the condition of 37 viaducts along the line

• Lead a design charette in the fall

• Perform geotechnical and environmental studies

• Create design guidelines and a phasing plan

The schedule for all public meetings, once determined, will be posted on the CDOT web site.

Among ARUP’s past projects are the “Water Cube” aquatics center for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.  Its team of subcontractors includes many notable architectural and engineering firms.

Many important community partners are integral to the design process, including the Trust for Public Land (www.tpl.org) , Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail (www.bloomingdaletrail.org/) and Chicago Park District.  The Trust, working with the city’s Department of Housing and Economic Development, has acquired parcels of land to serve as access parks and will facilitate public/private partnership activities.  The non-profit Friends advocates for the project and is helping build community support.  The Chicago Park District will own and maintain the Trail when it’s completed.

ARUP’s work is expected to be complete in late 2012.  No construction schedule has been determined yet.

The City continues to pursue funding for the project, while the Trust and Friends are working to raise private funds.  The full buildout is expected to cost between $50 million and $70 million, and the project may be phased as funding is made available.  About $2.7 million has been secured thus far for phase I design.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on September 7, 2011 at 2:43pm

Chicago Tonight, WTTW-Channel 11, 9/7/2011

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on September 7, 2011 at 4:25pm

http://www.thehighline.org/galleries/images

 

NYC did something similar.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on September 7, 2011 at 4:41pm

John Greenfield in The Reader compared the Bloomingdale Trail to New York's High Line this way:

"The Bloomingdale Trail is often compared to the high-profile High Line, which in June opened a half-mile stretch of its planned 1.5-mile conversion of an old elevated rail line on Manhattan's lower west side. The new space features native plants and shade trees, sleek surfaces, an undulating planked walkway, and lots of seating, including reclining wooden deck chairs for contemplating the unique city views. It's already had half a million visitors."

"It came into existence relatively quickly: the Friends of the High Line began lobbying for the conversion in 1999, and construction began in 2006. Still, Helphand says he's satisfied with Chicago's progress. 'The High Line and the Bloomingdale are very different beasts,' he adds. 'You think Bucktown's a wealthy neighborhood? Go to Chelsea.' Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and her husband, media mogul Barry Diller, alone donated $15 million to the $150 million project. 'And remember, our trail is twice as long. As far as I know it will be the world's longest elevated greenway.'"

 

From the wonderful photos you've posted, Mike, it looks like the High Line is more a place to plotz, rather than one to shvitz: the New York version doesn't seem as good for cycling as the Chicago version promises to be.


Mike Zumwalt said:

http://www.thehighline.org/galleries/images

 

NYC did something similar.

Permalink Reply by igz on September 8, 2011 at 2:27am

hey...

 

Community Meeting for the Bloomingdale Trail

Please spread the word:

When: Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 6pm-8pm
Where: Congress Theater (lobby), 2135 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60647

http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/blog/2011/aug/24/Public_Meeting/

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on September 8, 2011 at 2:37am

Love it. But people explode/plotz on the High Line? Maybe shmooze. Schmooze on the High Line, shvitz on the BT. Not to get off on a Yiddish tangent.

 

Thunder Snow said:

... 

From the wonderful photos you've posted, Mike, it looks like the High Line is more a place to plotz, rather than one to shvitz ...

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on September 8, 2011 at 4:36am
I went to Roosevelt High in Albany Park back in the '60's, when it was overwhelmingly a Jewish neighborhood.  We may have misused the word "plotz", but it always seemed to mean "sloppily and lethargically sprawl".  As in "He's a total slug--all he did yesterday was to plotz in front of the TV." Kind of what many of the High Line pictures show people doing.

Michelle said:

But people explode/plotz on the High Line? Maybe shmooze.

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on September 8, 2011 at 4:25pm

Bloomingdale will be more functional and recreational than than the NYC high line where it's just another place for the "look at me's" to go to.

 

I loved NYC when I lived there but I think I just wanted to leave the Midwest for a bit. A grand total of one year was enough for me.

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on September 8, 2011 at 4:40pm

Detroit also made a bike/multi use trail over old rails (though they had said it would be re-used for a light rail transit)

Backwards after and the before. Funny how they built it just like the freeways entrance ramps and all.

Permalink Reply by Joe TV on September 9, 2011 at 5:08am
The first time I heard about the Dequindre Cut I thought it was a hairstyle.

BK said:
Ahhhh...the Dequindre Cut!  A great little stretch to ride on in Detroit.  Also, a wonderful model for other cities to follow when contemplating how to convert old rail tracks.


Mike Zumwalt said:

Detroit also made a bike/multi use trail over old rails (though they had said it would be re-used for a light rail transit)

Backwards after and the before. Funny how they built it just like the freeways entrance ramps and all.

Permalink Reply by jennifer james on September 9, 2011 at 5:35pm
The Bloomingdale is obviously not as wide at the High Line. I do think that there will be a conflict with users up there. It just isn't very wide.  Would it fly as bikes only and not mixed use. Try advocating for that in the Rham powered completion rush. He promised some of his North side posse it would be done- some of it anyway. Enough to enhance their property values. I wouldn't hold my breath if I lived in Humbolt to see my section done any time soon.  If his constituency doesn't like the reality of the bike/ walk mix it will be a tough fight for bikes.
Permalink Reply by Night Owl on September 9, 2011 at 5:48pm
Actually the Bloomingdale is two feet wider than the High Line (32' vs. 30'), and the western section's external-associated infrastructure - namely, access parks - are further along, so that seems like the easier construction would be the Humboldt part.
Permalink Reply by jennifer james on September 9, 2011 at 5:54pm

I think that's really interesting and I'm glad to be corrected! I do think that the completion of parts into Bucktown will happen long before others but I would be glad to be wrong there too! I think that the lfp is a good example of the challenges of mixed use trails and I am concerned about how this will go for cyclists.

Every morning when I ride under it I imagine the lfp up there.

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