Wilson Station Chicago, Illinois Strategies for the Chicago Transit Authority’S Iconic Station in Uptown
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Chicago, Illinois Wilson Station Wilson Station Chicago, Illinois Strategies for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Iconic Station in Uptown April 23–26, 2012 A Governors Advisory Panel Report About the Urban Land Institute THE MISSION OF THE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE n Sustaining a diverse global network of local practice is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and and advisory efforts that address current and future in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. challenges. ULI is committed to Established in 1936, the Institute today has nearly 30,000 n Bringing together leaders from across the fields of real members worldwide, representing the entire spectrum of estate and land use policy to exchange best practices the land use and develop ment disciplines. Professionals and serve community needs; represented include developers, builders, property own ers, investors, architects, public officials, planners, real estate n Fostering collaboration within and beyond ULI’s member- brokers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers, ship through mentoring, dialogue, and problem solving; academicians, students, and librarians. n Exploring issues of urbanization, conservation, regen- ULI relies heavily on the experience of its members. It is eration, land use, capital formation, and sustainable through member involvement and information resources development; that ULI has been able to set standards of excellence in n Advancing land use policies and design practices de velopment practice. The Institute has long been rec- that respect the uniqueness of both built and natural ognized as one of the world’s most respected and widely environments; quoted sources of objective information on urban planning, growth, and development. n Sharing knowledge through education, applied research, publishing, and electronic media; and © 2012 by the Urban Land Institute 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW Suite 500 West Washington, DC 20007-5201 Cover photo: Thomas W. Eitler All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission of the copy- right holder is prohibited. 2 A Governors Advisory Panel Report About ULI Advisory Services THE GOAL OF ULI’s Advisory Services Pro gram is to participants in ULI’s panel assignments are able to make bring the finest expertise in the real estate field to bear accurate assessments of a sponsor’s issues and to provide on complex land use planning and development projects, recommendations in a compressed amount of time. programs, and policies. Since 1947, this program has A major strength of the program is ULI’s unique ability assembled well over 400 ULI-member teams to help to draw on the knowledge and expertise of its members, sponsors find creative, practical solutions for issues such including land developers and owners, public officials, as downtown redevelopment, land management strategies, academicians, representatives of financial institutions, evaluation of development potential, growth management, and others. In fulfillment of the mission of the Urban Land community revitalization, brownfields redevelopment, Institute, this Advisory Services panel report is intended to military base reuse, provision of low-cost and affordable pro vide objective advice that will promote the re sponsible housing, and asset management strategies, among other use of land to enhance the environment. matters. A wide variety of public, private, and nonprofit organizations have contracted for ULI’s Advisory Services. ULI Program Staff Each panel team is composed of highly qualified profes- Gayle Berens Senior Vice President, Education and Advisory Group sionals who volunteer their time to ULI. They are chosen for their knowledge of the panel topic and screened Thomas W. Eitler Vice President, Advisory Services to ensure their objectivity. ULI’s interdisciplinary panel teams provide a holistic look at development problems. Annie Finkenbinder Best Director, Education and Advisory Group A re spected ULI member who has previous panel experi- ence chairs each panel. Caroline Dietrich Panel Associate, Education and Advisory Group The agenda for a panel assignment is in tensive. It Gwen McCall includes an in-depth briefing composed of a tour of Senior Administrative Manager, Education and the site and meetings with sponsor representatives; Advisory Group hour-long interviews of key community representatives; James A. Mulligan and a day of formulating recommendations. Long nights Managing Editor of discussion precede the panel’s conclusions. On the Joanne Platt, Publications Professionals LLC final day on site, the panel makes an oral presentation Manuscript Editor of its findings and conclusions to the sponsor. A written Betsy VanBuskirk re port is pre pared and published. Creative Director Anne Morgan Because the sponsoring entities are responsible for signifi- Graphic Design cant preparation before the panel’s vis it, including sending Craig Chapman extensive briefing materials to each member and arranging Senior Director, Publishing Operations for the panel to meet with key local community members and stakeholders in the project under consideration, Wilson Station, Chicago, Illinois, April 23–26, 2012 3 About the ULI Foundation THE MISSION OF THE ULI FOUNDATION is to serve ment has contributed about $2 million during the past as the philanthropic source for the Urban Land Institute. three years to support many key content initiatives. The Foundation’s programs raise endowment funds, major gifts, and annual fund monies to support the key Governors Advisory Panels initiatives and priorities of the Institute. Philanthropic gifts The Governors Advisory Panel (GAP) program is unique from ULI members and other funding sources help ensure in that the ULI Foundation funds the program completely. ULI’s future and its mission of providing leadership in the Governor John S. Hagestad has generously funded the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining program for the next three years. Like Advisory Services thriving communities worldwide. panels, GAPs will be organized as interdisciplinary panels The Foundation exists to support the content develop- that can help communities address important land use ment and dissemination efforts of the Urban Land and real estate development issues. Institute and to educate the public—and those making decisions on behalf of the public—about responsible Officers land use practice and patterns. Whether creating scholarship opportunities for worthy students, publish- James D. Klingbeil ing original research on critical land use issues, or Chair convening decision makers to discuss current industry Richard M. Rosan developments, the ULI Foundation enables members President to make a visible difference in communities around the world—and in the lives of countless individuals within Staff those communities. The ULI Foundation has benefited David Howard from the generous philanthropy of many donors, who Executive Vice President see in their giving an opportunity to provide for others Andrea Holthouser through an organization that has meant so much in Vice President, Individual Giving their own lives and careers. Janet Fernandez Executive Assistant Jessica Waymouth Governors Development Team ULI governors are a select group of members united by their commitment to ensuring the future of the organization. Becoming a governor is one of the most profound ways to make a visible difference to the future of our nation’s communities as well as our collective professions. The Governors Program funds the largest and most significant endowment for ULI. The endow- 4 A Governors Advisory Panel Report Acknowledgments THE PANEL WISHES TO THANK the city of Chicago The panel also thanks ULI Chicago, especially Ben for hosting this Governors Advisory Panel. A special Ranney, Greg Hummel, and Cindy McSherry, who thanks goes to Chicago Transit Authority President helped identify the need for a panel, organized many Forrest Claypool and the members of the board of the logistical issues, and participated in the tour, and staff for their time and effort on this project: working dinners, and briefings. Eva-Dina Delgado, Steve Hands, Jeffery Hulbert, Finally, the panel acknowledges the more than 20 indi- Carole Morey, Kevin O’Malley, Rebekah Scheinfeld, viduals who were interviewed. Representing a diverse John Titzer, William Trumbull, and Jeff Wilson. The and informed public, the passion and understanding of panel also wishes to thank Tom Ambry and Joanna these stakeholders provided valuable information and Littrell of Chicago Transit Partners. perspectives, greatly aiding the panel in its analysis. A special thanks goes out to Stina Fish, whose time and effort in preparing the briefing materials and the involvement and coordination of the panel’s interviews and tour were invaluable. Wilson Station, Chicago, Illinois, April 23–26, 2012 5 Contents GAP Panel and Project Staff ......................................................8 Background and the Panel’s Assignment .............................................9 Initial Observations and the Market ................................................12 Primary Recommendations ......................................................14 Conclusion .................................................................21 About the Panel ..............................................................22 Wilson Station, Chicago, Illinois, April 23–26, 2012 7 GAP Panel and Project Staff Panel Chair ULI Project