CANCELLED

Diverse influences, from politics to traffic engineering, have created expressways that divide and define many Chicago neighborhoods. Blurring these barriers can re-knit divided/struggling neighborhoods and knit new/healthier neighborhoods. Motivating the controlling agencies, from Illinois Department of Transportation to Chicago Transit Authority, can lead to dramatic change and creative use of the expressway air-rights.

The objectives of this IPRO project are:

• Develop a viable/sustainable approach for knitting the Illinois Medical District (IMD) to the burgeoning Near West Loop
• Leverage the $3.5B economic engine of the IMD to benefit a larger community
• Serve as a model to other expressway centric areas in Chicago
• Bring much needed connections / open space / development opportunities / public benefits
• Develop neighborhood gateway / icon / identity from the expressway

The approach that the team is expected to take encompasses the following research and development tasks:

• Research:
  • Previous Illinois Medical District studies
  • Medical district development trends
  • Malcolm X College’s revamp focus on medicine / medical training
  • Blackhawk Community Training Center
  • History of Chicagoland expressways
• Develop:
  • Proposal to knit the Illinois Medical District (IMD) to the Near West Side
  • Neighborhood gateway / icon / identity from the expressway
  • Financial analysis
  • Stakeholders’ interest / influence

Course Downloads: