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For those of us who live in Lakeview or end up there pretty often, the amount of car traffic there can be pretty awful. This was sent to me, and it seems like it's a pretty crappy deal by an alderman that I thought would be more in favor of reducing traffic in his turf:

Alderman Tom Tunney is negotiating with the Cubs, and he wants more parking -- as much as 20 percent of Wrigley Field's capacity.*  Many of us feel Lakeview has enough cars on our streets already, and we would rather see investments in bicycling, transit, shuttles and sidewalks instead to serve residents and visitors.  Do you agree?
Please sign the petition TODAY and send this message to Alderman Tunney and the Cubs.  The Cubs have set a deadline of Monday, April 1 for an agreement around renovations, parking, and more.  They need to hear our voice.

Thanks!

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Except for the free remote parking, I agree. The parking should not be free.

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

At the risk of sticking my neck out and having one of you guys step on it, that sounds not too bad if it is actually executed as written.

Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune article:

Tunney had announced that the Cubs were considering a two-story parking structure on what is now a gravel lot near Clark and Grace streets to create up to 500 additional spaces, but that resulted in an online petition opposing the move.

The deal announced Sunday instead envisions the end of $6 fees for remote parking at DeVry University, which has about 1,000 spaces. It also calls for reconstructing a lot on the 1100 block of Eddy Street, south of Addison, which would create about 100 additional parking spaces, partly for overflow from the hotel. The hotel would have 75 spaces.

The city also would develop a "marketing and awareness campaign" to encourage people going to games to use remote parking or other transportation, like CTA trains and buses or bicycles. That is something sought by the petition signers who opposed the Clark and Grace parking garage.

Wait, you mean our complaining online actually accomplished something?!

Kevin C said:

Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune article:

Tunney had announced that the Cubs were considering a two-story parking structure on what is now a gravel lot near Clark and Grace streets to create up to 500 additional spaces, but that resulted in an online petition opposing the move.

So 200 busy bodies did get to decide how a neighborhood of 40,000 deals with their parking issues?

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Wait, you mean our complaining online actually accomplished something?!

Kevin C said:

Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune article:

Tunney had announced that the Cubs were considering a two-story parking structure on what is now a gravel lot near Clark and Grace streets to create up to 500 additional spaces, but that resulted in an online petition opposing the move.

Interesting graphic from the Trib. Notice that they will remove a parking lane from Waveland to expand the bleachers.

No, the alderman and the Ricketts ultimately made that decision.

Duppie 13.5185km said:

So 200 busy bodies did get to decide how a neighborhood of 40,000 deals with their parking issues?

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Wait, you mean our complaining online actually accomplished something?!

Kevin C said:

Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune article:

Tunney had announced that the Cubs were considering a two-story parking structure on what is now a gravel lot near Clark and Grace streets to create up to 500 additional spaces, but that resulted in an online petition opposing the move.

It's happening again!  Alderman Tunney has worked with a developer to turn an apartment building/health club into a massive parking structure at Clark and Addison.  493 parking spaces are planned, where the Zoning Code only requires 74.  I live near here, and I can't see why locals would drive to work out - so the parking must be for Wrigley events, encouraging driving right when traffic is at its worst.

If you oppose excessive parking and car traffic, sign the petition.  http://www.change.org/petitions/m-r-development-and-alderman-tom-tu...

I think it would really help if we advertised how easy it is to use the CTA to get to the game in the suburbs. Many suburban people naturally rely on their car for everything, including trips into the city. Being from Des Plaines, I grew up taking the blue line in instead. I am actually astounded at the number of friedns I have accompanied on their first CTA rides, when they've lived in the suburbs their whole lives. One of my very close friends was simply astounded that I knew how to take the bus back to Logan Square from Wrigley after a game, she was sure we'd be lost. I don't think we're doing a good enough job of making it really, really, really simple for suburban people to learn how to get themselves in and out of the city, and provide enough park and ride type locations (the one at cumberland on the blue line is a great example.) 

There seemed to be parking by addison and lincoln when I lived near there. Unfortunately most people are too damn lazy to walk 15 min.

Tunney is a huge disappointment.
 
Suzanne said:

It's happening again!  Alderman Tunney has worked with a developer to turn an apartment building/health club into a massive parking structure at Clark and Addison.  493 parking spaces are planned, where the Zoning Code only requires 74.  I live near here, and I can't see why locals would drive to work out - so the parking must be for Wrigley events, encouraging driving right when traffic is at its worst.

If you oppose excessive parking and car traffic, sign the petition.  http://www.change.org/petitions/m-r-development-and-alderman-tom-tu...

+1

h' $550 said:

Tunney is a huge disappointment.
 
Suzanne said:

It's happening again!  Alderman Tunney has worked with a developer to turn an apartment building/health club into a massive parking structure at Clark and Addison.  493 parking spaces are planned, where the Zoning Code only requires 74.  I live near here, and I can't see why locals would drive to work out - so the parking must be for Wrigley events, encouraging driving right when traffic is at its worst.

If you oppose excessive parking and car traffic, sign the petition.  http://www.change.org/petitions/m-r-development-and-alderman-tom-tu...

Cameron and Michelle are right. Before I lived in Chicago the transit system was a bunch of gibberish. I remember asking Chicago locals about where they live and folks would say 'right off this blue line stop' or 'right off that pink line stop' I remember being so clueless. One of my first times on the red line and I wanted to go north, how was I to know that 'towards Howard' also meant north. We had to ask someone. I also remember my first time cycling in the city and finding myself stupidly on the wrong streets in the loop. If you'd asked me 3 years ago about getting to Wrigely field from Indiana I would have told you to set the GPS and drive in. That would have been the safest way as a non-Chicago native.

 

Regional people need education and help navigating public trans.

Cameron 7.5 mi said:

In addition to the suburban fans there a lot of out of towners. The Cubs have a regional fan base and people come from out of state to go a game. Many of these people have never been on public transit in their life, and the idea of not driving to the game doesn't even occur to them. Additionally, there aren't many hotels in Lakeview, so Cubs fans end spread out around the city. Since they're cheap and right off the highway, the clusters of hotels near O'Hare are appealing. Someone who is not familiar with Chicago and rarely or never rides public transit is going to struggle getting from a hotel out by O'Hare to Wrigely on public transit without a lot of help.



Michelle said:

I think it would really help if we advertised how easy it is to use the CTA to get to the game in the suburbs. Many suburban people naturally rely on their car for everything, including trips into the city. Being from Des Plaines, I grew up taking the blue line in instead. I am actually astounded at the number of friedns I have accompanied on their first CTA rides, when they've lived in the suburbs their whole lives. One of my very close friends was simply astounded that I knew how to take the bus back to Logan Square from Wrigley after a game, she was sure we'd be lost. I don't think we're doing a good enough job of making it really, really, really simple for suburban people to learn how to get themselves in and out of the city, and provide enough park and ride type locations (the one at cumberland on the blue line is a great example.) 

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