2016 Games to close Lakefront Path
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-olympics-visit-05apr05...
Plans for the proposed 2016 Olympic Village and lakefront sports venues would force cyclists, runners and walkers to divert from long stretches of the paths east of Lake Shore Drive during virtually all of July and August 2016.
Questions about the diversions were raised by a video of village plans shown to the media Saturday afternoon after the city's bid committee presented them to the visiting evaluation commission from the International Olympic Committee.
Chicago 2016 bid officials conceded that closings—which they called "redirection"—for security reasons would dramatically alter recreational use during the weeks encompassing not only the Olympics (July 22-Aug. 7) and the Paralympics (Aug. 17-29), but a "lockdown" period beforehand.
The city also would restrict vehicle use on Lake Shore Drive south of downtown, and it was unclear whether automobiles would be able to travel the length of one of the city's major roads.
Doug Arnot, Chicago 2016 director of venues and games operations, said bid officials are working with city and state transportation officials to "ensure a connection with the bike paths." "Our proposal would be for a 'Bike the Drive' throughout the Games," he said.
The village plan includes a bridge at 29th Street from the residences west of Lake Shore to a restricted recreational area for athletes east of Lake Shore, so it may be difficult to persuade security officials to allow either non-accredited people on foot or bicycles or non-accredited vehicles to pass under the bridge. Arnot said those issues were under discussion with security agencies working under the title of "Chicago Olympic Security Command."
He said there was no discussion with the IOC evaluation commission about the impact the Olympic plans would have on recreational users of the area. One bicyclist group is not amused.
"It would be a shame for the city to invest in [improvements along the lakefront bike paths] and then break that connection when the whole world's watching," said Margo O'Hara, spokeswoman for the Active Transportation Alliance.
Chicago 2016 officials say the post-Olympic legacy of the plan—providing access from west of the drive to what Arnot called an underutilized area of the lakefront—would outweigh the temporary dislocations for recreational users of the area.
Lakefront paths would likely be closed from as far north as Monroe Harbor, site of the rowing venue, to 31st Street, the south end of the Olympic Village site.
Arnot said the closings would begin two to three weeks before the Opening Ceremony in the areas around the Olympic Village and one to two weeks ahead in areas near other sports venues along Lake Shore Drive, including Soldier Field and McCormick Place.
The video Chicago 2016 unveiled Saturday showed an Olympic Village that would include private "sky terraces" and dramatic lake views from some of the 2,500 units in approximately 21 buildings.
The developments came as groups from Bronzeville and Kenwood protested Saturday that the Olympics could drive them out of their homes
Plans for the proposed 2016 Olympic Village and lakefront sports venues would force cyclists, runners and walkers to divert from long stretches of the paths east of Lake Shore Drive during virtually all of July and August 2016.
Questions about the diversions were raised by a video of village plans shown to the media Saturday afternoon after the city's bid committee presented them to the visiting evaluation commission from the International Olympic Committee.
Chicago 2016 bid officials conceded that closings—which they called "redirection"—for security reasons would dramatically alter recreational use during the weeks encompassing not only the Olympics (July 22-Aug. 7) and the Paralympics (Aug. 17-29), but a "lockdown" period beforehand.
The city also would restrict vehicle use on Lake Shore Drive south of downtown, and it was unclear whether automobiles would be able to travel the length of one of the city's major roads.
Doug Arnot, Chicago 2016 director of venues and games operations, said bid officials are working with city and state transportation officials to "ensure a connection with the bike paths." "Our proposal would be for a 'Bike the Drive' throughout the Games," he said.
The village plan includes a bridge at 29th Street from the residences west of Lake Shore to a restricted recreational area for athletes east of Lake Shore, so it may be difficult to persuade security officials to allow either non-accredited people on foot or bicycles or non-accredited vehicles to pass under the bridge. Arnot said those issues were under discussion with security agencies working under the title of "Chicago Olympic Security Command."
He said there was no discussion with the IOC evaluation commission about the impact the Olympic plans would have on recreational users of the area. One bicyclist group is not amused.
"It would be a shame for the city to invest in [improvements along the lakefront bike paths] and then break that connection when the whole world's watching," said Margo O'Hara, spokeswoman for the Active Transportation Alliance.
Chicago 2016 officials say the post-Olympic legacy of the plan—providing access from west of the drive to what Arnot called an underutilized area of the lakefront—would outweigh the temporary dislocations for recreational users of the area.
Lakefront paths would likely be closed from as far north as Monroe Harbor, site of the rowing venue, to 31st Street, the south end of the Olympic Village site.
Arnot said the closings would begin two to three weeks before the Opening Ceremony in the areas around the Olympic Village and one to two weeks ahead in areas near other sports venues along Lake Shore Drive, including Soldier Field and McCormick Place.
The video Chicago 2016 unveiled Saturday showed an Olympic Village that would include private "sky terraces" and dramatic lake views from some of the 2,500 units in approximately 21 buildings.
The developments came as groups from Bronzeville and Kenwood protested Saturday that the Olympics could drive them out of their homes
Views: 42
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ali on
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I don't think people realize what a great opportunity it would be for Chicago to host the Olympics...We did a project about a feasibility of Olympic Games when I was in college, and in general, it returns the investment a city made two fold or more just within the games, and we would also get to keep the stadiums, facilities, housing, and the transportation improvements to boot! Yes, it will cause some pain as the city starts building and getting ready for the games but it will be here to enjoy for us all after everything is done! Not to mention having the convenience of watching the games in our own city. I support the bid and will continue doing so!
-Ali
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Permalink Reply by Vondo on
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I have to agree. People say it will cost a ton of money, and it will. But I look at like this, its not like they wouldn't spend that money on other things anyways. I was against millennium park too, but now that it is there, I am glad it is. I bet a lot of other people will feel the same about the Olympic games. It will bring good return on investment, and the pride to showcase our town for the world.
Ali said:I don't think people realize what a great opportunity it would be for Chicago to host the Olympics...We did a project about a feasibility of Olympic Games when I was in college, and in general, it returns the investment a city made two fold or more just within the games, and we would also get to keep the stadiums, facilities, housing, and the transportation improvements to boot! Yes, it will cause some pain as the city starts building and getting ready for the games but it will be here to enjoy for us all after everything is done! Not to mention having the convenience of watching the games in our own city. I support the bid and will continue doing so!
-Ali
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Permalink Reply by Weir's beard on
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Close it. It's a death trap during those months anyway. Errant kids, parents, roller bladers, people walking 3 wide, 3 wide persons walking, etc. It's a nightmare.
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Permalink Reply by Dottie on
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Ha, true. I don't mind sticking to Lincoln/Wells for two months.
Weir's beard said:Close it. It's a death trap during those months anyway. Errant kids, parents, roller bladers, people walking 3 wide, 3 wide persons walking, etc. It's a nightmare.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
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also agree. LSD is too crazy for me. I prefer cars to ipodish rollerbladders/joggers.
Dottie said:Ha, true. I don't mind sticking to Lincoln/Wells for two months.
Weir's beard said:Close it. It's a death trap during those months anyway. Errant kids, parents, roller bladers, people walking 3 wide, 3 wide persons walking, etc. It's a nightmare.
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I stand corrected, thanks M.A.R.K. I have taken the path the last couple days for work and it would be a huge loss for the non motorized community of Chicago to lose it.
M.A.R.K. said:While I agree that the path can become a cluster in the summer months, the option will simply be taken away from you. What about those who use it later at night when its not so packed? Im sure some of you have used it from time to time at night. Not even as a cyclist, but someone who wants to enjoy the beach for the day, go for a run, walk the doggies, etc. etc. etc. It stretches much further then just cyclist access. While I think it might be a great oppertunity for Chicago to host the games(it has yet to be shown to me how), I dont feel the impact in the people hwo live there is worth it, not in the least.
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