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Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on December 11, 2019 at 4:40am

Here's Streetsblog's writeup, with lots of endorsements of Biagi from transportation advocates:

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2019/12/10/advocates-laud-lightfoots-pi...

This is a good sign: Biagi worked a Gang Studios and "They were always Active Trans' Bike Commuter Challenge champions. The only company above 100 employees to reach 100% participation and they do it every year," according to the guy who used to run the commuter challenge.

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Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on December 11, 2019 at 6:21am

Checking on past involvement in any other projects, and how those ultimately worked out?

https://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/northerly-island-path-collaps...

Not that any of this is easy... a lot of factors in play.

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Permalink Reply by ad on December 12, 2019 at 7:53am

To be fair to Studio Gang, the plan they presented had elements included to deal with the wave issues, including barrier islands and break walls.  Those elements weren't implemented, and when you only implement half the plan and the results predictably play our poorly, not sure how much value there is to use that poor result to evaluate the planner.    

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Hutchinson on December 12, 2019 at 10:59am

The Northerly Island Framework plan that Studio Gang worked on was completed in 2010. At that time Gia Biagi was still working as director of planning and development at the Park District. She didn't join Studio Gang until 2015.

The Framework Plan is basically a high-level concept plan and Studio Gang hired another subconsultant to design the shoreline protection (which as noted included barrier islands/reefs). Studio Gang wasn't involved beyond that. The Park District worked with the US Army Corp of Engineers to develop the detailed design and construction of the shoreline elements, which is the part that failed.

https://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works-Projects/Northe...

None of this really has anything to do with Gia Biagi's ability to lead CDOT, or her stance on bikes. 

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Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on December 13, 2019 at 2:36am

As mentioned, not that any of it's easy, and, a lot of factors in play, some of which you guys touched on.  A concern at either organization (both at SG and Park District) may be the design culture and lack of emphasis on feasibility.  Those aren't necessarily reassuring at either organization in light of Northerly Island, that's all.  The risk in any of this is an environment where people sit in a charrette with things that look great on paper but don't pan out in the real world. That's how we get Milwaukee Ave or westbound Randolph from CDOT too. 

Other parties to point the finger at? You're right of course, the Army Corps, etc.  Still, hopefully Northerly Island (and Milwaukee Ave. elsewhere) offer lessons learned and things all work out. Meanwhile, whatever process lead to approving that whole barrier strategy and it's cost really needs a re-evaluation.  

 

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