PROPOSED LAKESHORE IMPROVEMENTS PREPARED FOR THE LAKESHORE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, INC. GRAND AVENUE TO NORTH AVENUE CHICAGO, IL
architecture + planning + interior design 224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE. SUITE 1400 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604 1 | 9/08/2014 VOICE 312-554-1400 FAX 312-554-14012 VOA Associates Incorporated is honored to submit a proposed plan for consideration as part of the study currently being conducted for Chicago’s lakefront between Grand and Hollywood Avenues. VOA Associates Incorporated has designed a new master plan for Chicago’s lakefront between Grand Avenue and North Avenue. The proposed Lakeshore Improvements have been endorsed and are sponsored by the Lakefront Improvement Committee, Inc. The original version of the plan was developed by VOA in 2006 in anticipation of the Burnham Plan Centennial of 2009. VOA was inspired by our staff’s strong connection to the lakefront as well as our continuing interest in the vision contained the Burnham Plan for Chicago, and by various proposals that had evolved in the community concerning improvements to this portion of the lakefront. Our plan has been presented to numerous individuals and groups over the past several years, and was recently presented to the public at the Chicago Community Trust’s On the Table event. Two driving factors are key inspirations for the Lakeshore Improvements plan. First, Lake Shore Drive is aging and requires modernization to improve safety, mobility, connections and accessibility. There are several segments of Lake Shore Drive that have become ongoing safety concerns. Examples include the dangerous S-curve south of Oak Street Beach and the bottleneck-prone and dangerous area where it accesses Chicago Avenue. As a highway along a body of water, it is battered by the elements. Aging revetments protecting the drive must be replaced. The beaches and lakefront are not easily accessible to pedestrians coming from Michigan Avenue and areas west of the drive. Second, Rebuilding Lake Shore Drive presents a once in a century opportunity to create a lakefront to better serve Chicago and all of Illinois. Enclosed is a summary and diagrammatic program for Proposed Lakeshore Improvements. We strongly urge you to seriously consider the proposal and we welcome further comments and inquiries.
PROPOSED LAKESHORE IMPROVEMENTS GOALS: • Connect neighborhood pedestrian areas, neighborhoods and lakefront parkland • Expand parkland space along the lakefront • Mitigate Lake Shore Drive hazards and noise • Create a “green” terminus to the North end of Michigan Avenue • Protect the shoreline • Create a safety buffer between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan • Eliminate conflicts between pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles
2 | 9/08/2014 PLAN SUMMARY: Creates 1.2 miles of new shoreline Adds 60 acres of parkland Specific features • Create new parkland over Lake Shore Drive between East Lake Shore Drive/Oak Street and Scott Street Beach in a “Green Underpass”, a green space which connects to Oak Street. • Create a 745,000 square foot Breakwater Island, inspired by barrier islands from Burnham Plan, will provide additional protection to lakeshore. • Significantly expand beaches at Olive Park and Oak Street Beach. • Extend a new esplanade to North Avenue. • Mitigate highway hazards and noise, and straighten the S curve on Lake Shore Drive. • Creates a safety buffer between Lake Shore Drive and the lake. • Separate pedestrians and bikes on the Lakefront Trail. • Create a pedestrian-friendly terminus or gateway to Michigan Avenue. • Protect Oak Street Beach from erosion via a new beach configuration.
Enclosed: Diagrams/Maps of Proposed Lakeshore Improvements
3 | 9/08/2014 HISTORIC CONTEXT HISTORY Regional and birds eye views of the Chicago plan and a picture of Daniel Burnham, all circa 1909
4 | 9/08/2014 SITE PHOTOS EXISTING
5 | 9/08/2014 GRAND AVENUE TO NORTH AVENUE: BEFORE Existing conditions with Olive Park on left and North Avenue Beach visible on the right
Michigan Avenue Lakeshore Drive EXISTING
Break Water
Lakeshore Drive Beach “S” Curve Olive Park Olive Promenade Lincoln Park North Avenue Lakeshore Park Lakeshore Oak Street Beach
6 | 9/08/2014 GRAND AVENUE TO NORTH AVENUE: AFTER Proposed Concept Solution
Michigan Avenue Lakeshore Drive
Break Water
Lakeshore Drive PROPOSED Island Beach Expanded Olive Park Olive Underpass Promenade Lincoln Park Below Green Below North Avenue Oak Street Beach New Break Water New Relaxed “S” Curve Relaxed Lakeshore Park Link Park Lakeshore
7 | 9/08/2014 BEFORE: EXISTING
8 | 9/08/2014 AFTER: PROPOSED
9 | 9/08/2014 BEFORE: EXISTING
10 | 9/08/2014 AFTER: PROPOSED
11 | 9/08/2014 TYPICAL SECTION Proposed Concept Section at Connected Lakeshore Park PROPOSED Lake Bike Path Shore Drive New Water Edge
12 | 9/08/2014 TYPICAL SECTION Proposed Concept Section at Connected Oak Street Beach PROPOSED Lake Bike Path Shore Drive Beachfront
13 | 9/08/2014 PROPOSED
14 | 9/08/2014 Lakeshore Park Link Concept Vignette PROPOSED
15 | 9/08/2014 Lakeshore Park Link Concept Vignette PROPOSED
16 | 9/08/2014 Lakeshore Park Link Concept Vignette IN CONCLUSION
This plan will add nearly 60 acres of park land area and 1.2 miles (6,258 feet) of additional shoreline
This will be a LEGACY project for Chicago, emphasizing ideas and concepts reflected in the Burnham Plan, efforts to preserve and enhance the lakefront, and the Central Area Action Plan
The project is a complement to memorialize the centennial of the BURNHAM PLAN
The inclusion of highway reconstruction and replacement of the deteriorated revetments along this portion of the shoreline enhances the possibility of MULTIPLE FUNDING sources CONCLUSION
17 | 9/08/2014 VOA Associates Incorporated, founded in 1969, is an international design firm with offices in Chicago, Illinois; Highland, Indiana; New York, New York; Orlando, Florida; Washington D.C.; São Paulo, Brazil; Shanghai, China; and Beijing, China.
Our firm serves these markets Commercial + Mixed-Use, Corporate Interiors + Not-for-Profit, Education, Entertainment + Cultural, Government, Healthcare + Proton Beam Therapy, Hospitality, Multi-Family Housing + Residential, Retail.
We offer comprehensive services embracing many disciplines including Architecture, Interior Design, Programming, Medical Planning, Master Facility Planning, Urban/Land Planning, Strategic Planning, Landscape Design, LEED Consulting.
A recognized leader in design, VOA’s work stands the test of time. Our designs are sophisticated. Our approach is efficient. Our value is proven.
architecture + planning + interior design 224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE. SUITE 1400 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604 VOICE 312-554-1400 FAX 312-554-14012 18 | 9/08/2014