The initial proposal for North Grant Park was made available to approximately 15 organization-stakeholders in a conference room at the Chicago Park District headquarters on Fairbanks on September 16, 2010. NEAR was represented by it's President, Richard Ward and Steven Cohen. Because in 2003 and earlier in 2010, we had the experience of slides no longer being available after being introduced to the public, it was important to photograph the exhibits. That was only permitted with the promise that they would not be made public, until the consultants had an opportunity to modify the initial drafts, based on the input from the park district, stakeholder-organizations, and the Bloch Foundation. The proposed relocation of the Cancer Survivor's Garden to either the Rose Garden north of Buckingham Fountain OR the southwest corner of Daley Plaza was presented directly to the Bloch Foundation executive director two weeks ago, and the request to move is being presented to her board. (UPDATE - The Bloch Foundation Board voted unanimously to remain at the present location.) We will await their decision to either approve or reject the move. We will also begin to analyze the legality and community support of raising the level of Peanut Park and the elevation of the land bridge over Lake Shore Drive. The consultant team from New York and the park district were requested to reconsider our recommendation to improve the "desire path" from Peanut Park down to the corner of Lower Randolph and Lower Harbor that would improve the existing access from the growing number of high rise buildings in the New Eastside. Also, the entire North Grant Park initial plan ignores the possibility that the Children's Museum may not have money to move and/or the courts may reverse the city council's approval.
Initial Proposal for North Grant Park presented September 16, 2010
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Page Visits
Note that the Cancer Survivors Garden has been "moved" and the Children's Museum has been included (No options presented if Bloch Foundation exercises contract option to reject move, or museum fails court challenge.)
Note "High Point" may violate 1839 Covenant that was confirmed by Illinois Legislature in 1984...and the 4 Illinois Supreme Court Decisions in 1897, 1902, 1909, and 1911.
To Lower Randolph and Lower Harbor and SAFER route to Lakefront and Navy Pier (EXISTING, however needs cleaning and lighting, and handicapped 5% slope path from Peanut Park.)
Please share your Ideas and opinions.
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Entry from Lower Randolph Missing
Entry from Lower Randolph Missing
Proposed bridge over Lake Shore Drive would cost an estimated $30 million ....
(or entire budget).
To Middle Randolph, Lakefront and Navy Pier (EXISTING, however, a dangerous mix of 22 lanes of low and higher speed traffic from surprise directions.)
<---Existing "Desire Path"
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It is requested that the consultants and park district explain why the current "Desire Path" from A to B to C is apparently not being considered.
Note that the quiet atmosphere of the respected Cancer Survivors Garden would not be disturbed. As this is being typed on 9-25-10, the pounding bass of the music from the Breast Cancer Race for a Cure would be very disturbing, if the Cancer Survivors Garden was moved to the Rose Garden behind the stage, or adjacent to the stage at Monroe and Columbus. Moving the quiet Survivors Garden to the middle of Lollapaloza and other loud festivals does not respect the inspirational objective of the 14 messages in the current traditional garden.
Where is this view in the proposed North Grant Park plan?
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The site can be unified by connections both north and south of the Cancer Survivors Garden
How high will the High Point (HP) be raised above the ground level of Peanut Park?
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It appears that excessive space is being reserved to a private concession in a public park.
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<----Why is the "approved" Fieldhouse not mentioned?
How many of the 12 existing Tennis Courts will be rebuilt?
Where is the existing ice rink?
Where is the existing Children's Playground?
It is currently adjacent to 14,000 residents.
EMAIL ADDED November 9, 2010
From: Richard Ward
To: Gia Biagi – Chicago Park District, Director of Planning
Michael Van Valkenburgh – North Grant Park Architect
Bob O’Neill – Grant Park Conservancy
Date: November 7, 2010
Subject: WHAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE ?
I agreed to hold back sharing the graphics while changes were made to the initial plan presented 9-16-10. I have to announce the scheduled meeting on 11/17 within the next few days. We must decide if sufficient changes were made (like recognizing the need for a handicap slope walkway to the Lower Randolph access entry, and not relocating the Cancer Survivors Plaza based on their 50-year agreement and recent confirmation).
Please advise by Tuesday 11/9, what changes have been made to the graphics presented 9/16. If no significant changes were made, I will include a link to the graphics, so those attending the meeting will have time to formulate their opinions and provide more effective feedback.
This meeting should have been held at the Daley Plaza Fieldhouse, within the North Grant Park project area, for the convenience of the majority of persons that attended the first 4 "city-wide introduction meetings". Making the majority of interested persons (in the previous meeting sign-in records) walk 1.5 miles, take a cab or 2 buses is not being sensitive to the convenience of all interested citizens.
Reference: http://neweastside.org/MPtoNavyPier5.html
Thank you, Richard
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Richard F. Ward, President, NEAR
New Eastside Association of Residents
155 N. Harbor Dr. #5101
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone Link (312) 473-7931
www.NewEastside.ORG
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