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Coastal Zone information Center NEAR SOUTH Maum 7awr 'W"u or%& ff@UIJL INFORMATION CENTER DEVELOPMENT AREAJUN 14 1977 Department of Development and Planning City of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, Mayor i-4 @Near South Development Area City of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, Mayor John G. Duba, Commissioner of Development and Planning January 1967 Contents page 2 Purpose of the Development Area Reports page 5 Planning Framework page 5 Existing Conditions and Recommendations page 5 Residence page 10 Schools page 11 Recreation page 11 Business page 12 Industry page 12 Institutions page 12 Transportation page 18 Summary PURPOSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AREA REPORTS In order to relate long-term basic policies to con- tives, proposals, and improvement programs, so discuss the preliminary findings and proposals of temporary needs and varied conditions, a con- that varying viewpoints can be considered before the report. Findings will be modified, other ideas tinuing process is required for formulating and final decisions are made about specific projects. sought, and approaches to resolving issues will refining plans and programs for Chicago com- The recommendations in the Development Area be explored. munities. Planning, programming, and the actual reports are ideas and suggested projects for con- -Appropriate revisions in the proposals will then construction of new homes, factories, transit, and sideration. They do not represent final plans for be made, which will result in a planning frame- other facilities are all parts of a complex process of the areas, nor do they cover all the issues that will work for the Development Area. After public dis- decision-making which can be coordinated best have to be dealt with. The reports recognize that cussion, the report would be adopted by the by sub-sections of the city. not all planning problems have immediate solu- Chicago Plan Commission as a policy guide in A series of reports on specific areas of the city has tions. In some cases questions are raised for which review of projects and programs for the area. been prepared to initiate discussion of issues, answers have not been determined, in the expec- -Using the pla'nning framework as a guide the problems, and possible solutions. This discussion tation that the best solution will evolve through department will work with the agencies involved will lead to more detailed policies and programs discussion. to meet the area's critical needs and achieve local to help government and citizens coordinate their In this report, the statements of objectives and objectives by adjustment of programs and activities and achieve their goals more effectively. programs for the Development Area are limited scheduling of projects. This will be a continuing There are 16 Development Areas, covering the to the more evident community facility, trans- process requiring the maintenance of communica- entire city, each with a population of 150,000 to portation, renewal, and institutional needs and tions and the revision of programs as administra- 250,000 and with a land area of 6 to 20 square opportunities. Through community discussion and tive and staff capabilities are improved. miles. Each report recommends, in more specific continuing research, additional objectives and terms, land use changes, residential and indus- program approaches will be identified and de- From Plans to Action trial improvements, and transportation improve- veloped. These will include specific proposals for ments needed to achieve the policies of the Com- coordinating park, school, and traffic facilities and Chicago is constantly changing. Therefore, from prehensive Plan in that area. for relating industrial and business district im- time to time, each planning framework will be provements to urban renewal and transportation amended to reflect new needs or changes in Coordinating Development projects. objectives as a result of continuing study and The various kinds of projects that the city under- Of special importance will be the identification discussion. takes-street improvements, new schools and of community social needs and the evaluation of In recent years new transportation facilities, urban parks, urban renewal, and the human relations and alternative programs of facilities and activities. In renewal, and other public and private develop- community action programs-need to be related some areas, private institutions may cooperate or ments have greatly improved the city's appearance, to each other if they are to produce maximum new privately sponsored activities may be estab - livability, and opportunities. Other projects are benefits for the communities they serve. In other lished to achieve major educational, recreational, under way or planned. Still greater effort and words, the best way to improve the city is not on or health objectives. In otherareas, public agencies change will be necessary if Chicago is to meet a project- by- project basis but in accordance with such as the Board of Education or Chicago Park its commitment to the goals of the Comprehensive an over-all, coordinated program that assures the District may modify their programs or start new Plan. In the coming years sections of the city proper time and location for each item. services to expand opportunity for individuals and must be rebuilt or rehabilitated to meet high expec- Chicago is too large to deal with as a whole in families. tations for living standards. New ways must be scheduling specific projects. Area plan and Gen- found for dealing with related social problems and eral Neighborhood Renewal Plan experience has Steps in the Review Process for broadening opportunities for all Chicagoans. demonstrated the need for an intermediate step Several specific steps will be followed in review- The Development Area reports have been pre- between the level of the total city and the level ing and revising the Development Area reports: pared to inform Chicago citizens what the Com- of the specific project. The boundaries of the prehensive Plan's recommendations mean to each Development Areas are drawn to provide a prac- -Each Development Area report will be dis- locality, to provide a means whereby city officials tical means of dividing up the city for planning tributed to civic organizations and other private exchange information with citizens about the purposes. There is enough detail which residents groups, both within the local area and c 'ity-wide. needs of their communities, and to develop a can readily recognize so that the scale of the area Citizen participation in Development Area plan- cooperative planning procedure. Achieving the facilitates effective citizen participation. The De- ning will be an essential objective. kind of city envisioned in the Comprehensive velopment Areas offer a means for citizens and -City representatives will meet with groups and Plan will call for the ideas, the widespread support, government officials to discuss planning objec- elected officials with an interest in each area to and the involvement of the people of Chicago. 2 NEAR SOUTH DEVELOPMENT AREA The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 However, some portions of the Near South in Jackson Park spurred residential devel- are still badly deteriorated, and other areas opment on the South Side of Chicago. The need community facilities. The nature and early growth of housing in the area was timing of future programs are of special also encouraged by excellent transporta- significance because of the area's strategic tion facilities: the Jackson Park elevated, location and because of the need to build a network of streetcar lines, the Illinois upon existing public investments as advan- Cen itral commuter service, and frequent tageously as possible. service by the New York Central and Penn- As a guideline for future development, the sylvania railroads. Much of the housing Comprehensive Plan calls for high residen- stock today dates back to the 1 9th century. During its history, the Near South area of tial densities in this section of the city. the city has been severely affected by such The Near South area is close to the Central problems as overcrowding of residential Business District, adjacent to the lakefront buildings through conversions, physical de- and large parks, and well-served by rapid terforation, rapid increases in the number transit-all factors calling for a high level of of recently migrated low-income families, density. This does not mean that the area adverse mixtures of industry and housing, should be uniformly developed with high- heavy traffic in residential areas, and inade- rise housing. It is uniquely suited to a very quate community facilities. wide variety of residential types, including To meet these problems, Chicago has un- single-family housing. dertaken an extensive program of public Programs in the Near South Development improvement in the Near South Develop- Area must provide for the expansion of edu- mentArea, which is bounded by Lake Mich- cational and medical institutions, as well as igan and the Dan Ryan Expressway and for related residential and business facilities. extends from the Stevenson Expressway Recreation and transportation facilities in to the Chicago Skyway and 67th Street, the Near South area serve regional func- This effort has produced new, racially in- tions. Improvements in roadways and rapid tegrated middle-income housing, stimulat- ed private rehabilitation, and provided transit will be required to accommodate effi- space for the expansion of such institutions ciently the heavy flows of traffic to and from as Michael Reese and Mercy hospitals and the Loop. Also, recreation facilities, particu- the Illinois Institute of Technology. These larly those on the lakefront, need to be ex- developments have been important steps panded to serve the people of the entire city, toward the achievement of Chicago's phys- as well as those living in adjacent neighbor- ical, social, and economic goals. hoods. 3 STEVENSON EXPRESSWAY Al P S 31ST LAKE MEADOWS 35TH CHA IDA B. WELLS CHA PFRSHING CHA 43RD CHA 47TH CHA HYDE PARK-KENWOOD 51 ST URBAN RENEWAL AREA 'CHA GARFtELD IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS 59TH 63RD WEST WOODLA Y., ONSERVATION 67TH Lu z cr V) cn cn U) Lu ui z u z cr 0 >- m W < z 0 CL CL X X < 0 1.1 cr F, cn Z a- uj < C6 0 >- cr En cr z Planning Framework Objectives Public programs in the area should be di- rected toward the following long-range ob- jectives: 1. Continue to improve housing, through redevelopment, rehabilitation, and conser- vation, in sections where programs have not already been undertaken. Develop a variety of housing types with an over-all high level of density. Provide an oppor- tunity for a maximum number of families to live near the lake and near the central area. 2. Develop and expand social service pro- gramsto increase opportunities, relieve dep- rivation, and encourage participation in Characteristics civic activities for all Near South residents. Near South Development Area 3. Improve community facilities and busi- ness centers to serve and enhance resl',den- Residence in Good Condition tial areas. 4. Provide for the expansion needs of major Residence in Need of Some medical and educational institutions and for Improvement related housing andfacilities in nearbyareas. 5. Provide for a limited amount of indus- trial development, in planned districts, with Residence in Need of Major Repair emphasis on research and service industries. 6. Expand regional recreation activities 11 Business Concentration along the lakefront and in major parks, 'im- prove local recreation facilities to serve Near South neighborhoods. Industrial Concentration 7. Improve rapid transit facilities and major streets to serve Loop-bound traffic - reduce through traffic on local residential streets. Park Existing Conditions Institution and Recommendations Residence A Elevated Structure a Blighting Influence The 1960 population of the Near South Development Area was 385,000. Its boun- daries include seven community areas as B Blighted Area defined by the Chicago Community Inven- tory -. Douglas, Oakland, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Washington Park, Hyde Park, C Overcrowded High School and Woodlawn. This Development Area was the first part of the city to contain a major concentration D Serious Housing and Environmental Problems of Negroes, and by 1960 the area's popu- lation was 87 per cent non-white. The white E Inadequate Lakefront Facilities residents live in racially integrated areas- the Hyde Park-Kenwood community and in new buildings in residential, redevelopment F Adverse Mix of Land Use projects. The financial status of families in the De- Adequate Housing, Some Environmental velopmentArea ranges from belowthe pov- G Problems erty line to upper middle-income.' For ex- ample, in the census tract where Prairie 5 Shores s the only residential development, 7@7, M the median income was $7,837, well above the city-wide median of $6,738. But the median income for Chicago Housing Au- thority units was only $2,915, and the Near South contains 42 per cent of all the city's public housing. Median 1959 family income figures for other sections of the Develop- ment Area indicate a general level below the city-wide average: Communl'ty Meolian Family Income Oakland $3,412 VW 4,329 Grand Boulevard Washington Park 4,806 Woodlav\ln 4,797 Hyde Park 6,7@2 Kenwood 4,852 Jill About one-tenth of the. area's 11 .6 square v miles is covered by completed or scheduled redevelopment programs, including public housing and the clearance portions of urban renewal projects. An estimated 76,000 people, 20 per cent of the Near South De- velopment Area's population, live in these rebuilt sections. Much remains to be done in the area, how- One of the five buildings at Prairie Shores, containing ever. Of its 128,600 housing units, 87,700 moderate-rental apartments at a location convenient to downtown and the Michael Reese-Mercy Hospital com- are in unrenewed areas. Of these more than plex. This land, as in the Lake Meadows development to one-third were substandard in 1960. About the south, was made available for private redevelopment 23 per Cent of the units in unrenewed areas through the urban renewal program. were overcrowded (more than one person per room). The over-a1l density of the Near South De- The Robert W. Roloson Houses at 32nd and Calumet, aM designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1 890's, The striking velopment Area should be maintained at a design and architectural details of the four townhouses high level. However, in several unrenewed were innovations in their era. Rehabilitation could make sections, conversions, over-crowding, and these homes among the most attractive of the city's his- excessive land coverage have resulted in torically and architecturally important residences. densities too high to be accommodated adequately by existing structures and com- munity facilities. In areas designated for new development it is possible to achieve high densities without overcrowding, by carefully planning the locations of structures, by closing streets not needed for traffic, and by varying building types and heights. At the same time, usable open space would be increased and community appearance improved. There should be a wide variety of housing types in the Development Area to attract families of a broad range of ages, back- grounds, and income levels. The area today contains outstanding examples of effective - u community integration-economic, social, racial-and this quality should be expanded and strengthened. 6 Generally in the Near South area, intensively The specific recommendations for residen- Stateway Gardens and Robert Taylor developed sections with tall residential tial improvement in the Development Area Homes. Additional public housing is scat- buildings should be near the lakefront, are discussed by sub-sections. tered throughout the central south section. large parks, and transit stations. High- Other parts of the section face serious phys- density housing can include both family North ical problems. The section as a whole, and units and small apartments. Medium-den- This is the section of the Near South De- particularly its northern part, ranks among sity housing, including larger units suitable velopment Area north of 35th Street. Most the poorest in the city in housing quality. for families with children, should predomi- of the area has been or is in the process of Information available on such social-eco- nate elsewhere. Some sections recommend- being completely rebuilt. nomic factors as income, employment, edu- ed for redevelopment facing Jackson and Lake Meadows and Prairie Shores, east of cation, delinquency, and health point up Washington parks are appropriate for a South Park Way between 26th and 35th the need for a coordinated social-physical combination of residential building types. streets, provide approximately 3,700 pri- approach to effective area-wide improve- There is also a need to tie together the resi- vately built, moderate-rental apartments on ment. Because of the degree of physical dential neighborhoods of the Near South land made available through the city's ur- deterioration and mixed land uses, it may Development Area, visually and function- ban renewal program. To the west of Prairie be necessary to remove between 30 and ally. This can be done by developing park- Shores is the Department of Urban Renew- 50 per cent of the existing structures. The malls and walkways to connect major cen- al's 1 28-acre Project 6 area. A portion of southern portion of the area, near Washing- ters of activity, by reducing traffic on local this area is being rebuilt with the South ton Park, should require less clearance. Until streets, and by placing community facilities Commons development, which will include other renewal programs can be planned and at locations that are easily accessible to 1,400 units in a variety of housing types. scheduled, code enforcement should be more than one neighborhood. Sections that New residential and institutional buildings strengthened to prevent further deterioration. have already been redeveloped should be have been constructed on the Illinois Insti- The central south section has good rapid linked with other parts of the area as they tute of Technology campus. In addition, transit service. The rapid transit elevated are renewed, and greenways should con- renewal projects have made possible the structure, however, is a blighting influence. nect business centers, schools, the lake- construction of the Lake Meadows Shop- Its relocation to elsewhere in the Near South front, and large parks. ping Center and two new parks. The Dear- Development Area is discussed in the trans- Programs for the Near South Development born Homes and Prairie Avenue public portation section of this report. Future de- Area must do more than just improve the housing projects are also in this section. velopment in the central south section physical environment. Some sections con- The northern section also contains the "Gap should provide for high-density housing front social problems-such as delinquency, Area," located between Lake Meadows and near rapid transit stations. Some high- poverty, and poor health-that are greater the 1ITcampusand bounded by3lstStreet, density housing also should be built facing detriments to sound community develop- 35th Street, South Park Way, and Washington Park, but more fam ly-type ment than physical blight. Effective im- Michigan Avenue. units would be emphasized in other parts provement programs must involve public Housing conditions in the area are among of the area. and private social agencies serving the area. the worst in the city. At least 80 per cent of Washington Park, an important asset to the Both physical and social efforts can and buildings are structurally deficient in some are.a, is. well-equipped with a field house, should augment each other. Urban renewal way. It is recommended that this area be swimming pool, tennis courts, and other and relocation programs help bring to light rebuilt in a variety of housing types with facilities. Park-malls and landscaped walk- the need for certain types of social services. greenways and park facilities linking the ways are recommended to link Washington In turn, social service activities can stimu- adjacent Lake Meadows and I IT areas. The Park with other parts of the area. lateindividual responsibility and citizen par- Douglas elementary school should be re- The section as a whole lacks small parks ticipation so essential to the physical im- placed on a site with adequate playground and playground space next to schools. A provement of neighborhoods. space. A community activities center, shop- special need is a neighborhood park with Programs in the Near South area should ping, and other neighborhood facilities athletic fields at DuSable High School, 49th include (1) an expansion of social, educa- should be considered in redevelopment and State. tional, and recreational services, (2) new plans for the Gap Area. Renewed business centers and a full range types of services and techniques, and (3) of community facilities should be included improved coordination of the services pro- Central South in any redevelopment plans for the area. vided by public and private agencies. Pro- This area extends west from Cottage Grove grams designed to enlarge economic between 35th and 51st streets, and west North Kenwood-Ciakland opportunities through education, job re- from South Park Way between 51st and This section is bounded by 35th and 47th training, vocational guidance, and job 63rd streets. The Dan Ryan Expressway is streets, Cottage Grove Avenue, and Lake placement will be of particular importance the western boundary. The Chicag-o Hous- Michigan. Both public housing and resi- to this area. When the over-all income level ing Authority has nearly rebuilt two areas dential redevelopment projects are under is raised, it will be possible for residents of within the section.- the area between 35th way or completed in the area north of 39th the area to improve the quality of their and 39th, from South Park Way to Cottage Street. But in the area south of 39th Street homes and support a wider range of public Grove , and the area south of 35th Street on to 47th Street, a conservation and rehabili- and private services. the west side of State Street, including tation program is needed. 7 The exact nature and scope of renewal ac- tion cannot be determined before detailed surveys are made. However, it is reasonable me that 20 to 30 per cent of the to assu require removal and replace- structures wi I '01 ment with new housing and community facilities. A conservation program would improve- build upon and strengthen the 40 4- ments already made both to the north and the south. A portion north of 47th Street, from Cottage Grove to the lake, is now under study by the Department of Urban Renewal. _4 Hyde Park-Kenwood Vol The 856-acre Hyde Park- Kenwood area has received national attention as one of the first, and most successful, conservation- type u & rban renewal pro'ects the country. Execution of the project began in 1959. 1100'1 The dilapidated structures in the area have been cleared, and approximately 1,800 new housing units will have been built by the WMW time the project is fully completed. The ,NNW MEMO main emphasis is on the rehabilitation of Four-story walk-up apartment buildings near 53rd Street nearly 24,000 existing housing units in and Prairie Avenue, typical of the dense development and excessive land coverage in many parts of the Near South 2,300 buildings. By mid-1 965 more than Development Area. 1,500 structures either met the plan's prop- erty rehabilitation standards or were in the process of rehabilitation. The renewal plan also provides for other In the background is partof the Chicago Housing Authority's necessary improvements-such as ex- Bobert Taylor Homes, the nation's largest public housing panded school sites, neighborhood parks, development. More than 4,000 families live in its 28 build- and shopping centers. Improvements al- ings. - ready made and the remainder of the pro- VOL- gram comm tted for the area will insure the continued health and attractiveness of this r stable, racially integrated community. "Fillfrg.. golf of F It 0 8 Jr off', Woodlawn is ddW -bounded by the Midway This community Plaisance, 67th Street, Cottage Grove Ave- -has been a nue, and Stony Island Avenue port of entry for migrants to the city since the area was first settled in the late 1 9th century. It is largely an apartment district, with some row houses and numerous apart- ment hotels. The community is now seri- ously overcrowded with more than 25 per k@ cent of all housing units having one or more F persons per room in 1960. An area just south of 60th Street is already scheduled for redevelopment. There will be University of Chicago expansion and other institutional development between 60th and 01 , 7,'1 61st streets, with middle-income housing built along both sides of Cottage Grove between 60th and 63rd streets. Other parts of Woodlawn face serious hous- ng and environmental problems. It is est' mated that between 30 and 40 per cent of A the existing buildings cannot be economic- ally rehabilitated. Redevelopment should be Is undertaken in the areas east of the Illino' Central tracks and near 63rd and Dorches- ;' Ns ter. The Department of Urban Renewal now has the 63rd-Dorchester area under study. A In other parts of Woodlawn, the removal of substandard buildings would provide an opportunity to expand play areas next to 'A.6- ,.. ublic schools. Woodlawn should be main- P -all high tained as a community with an over level of density. A variety of residential types lit, should be retained, however, with higher J4 density housing fronting on parks and ad off, jacent to transit stops and with lower densi - t es elsewhere. -mm momp Much of the commercial frontage on 63rd Street is badly deteriorated and can. be re- d in conj . h the eventual move unction wit replacement of the elevated structure with a modern rapid transit line. A ma*or neigh- borhood business center is recommended at A small park provides welcome open space in an intensely 63rd and Cottage Grove and a smaller cen- built-up Near South residential area. Rear yards in other ter at 63rd and Woodlawn. parts of the area could be developed in a similar way. Stony Island Avenue is a barrier to access to Jackson Park. Park and recreation areas west of Stony Island could be connected Buildings near South Park Way and Oakwood Boulevard. to Jackson Park with major overpasses, es- once luxurious single-family homes, have been converted peicially at the Midway Plaisance. New to apartments which have become overcrowded and phys- neighborhood parks and playgrounds are ically deteriorated. This area is recommended for rehabilita- needed in the community. It is recom- ti on. mended that landscaped walkways connect Woodlawn with the Midway Plaisance Lind Washington and Jackson parks. West Woodlawn pot This section-bounded by Washington Park, the Chicago Skyway, Cottage Grove, ;2 -has been maintained and South Park Way as a stable, middle-income neighborhood in fairly good condition. The removal of scattered dilapidated buildings and small pockets of substandard housing would help Z'@ to conserve the quality of the area. West A: Woodlawn would benefit from the up-grad- ing of the Woodlawn community and from the plan to construct middle-income hous- ing along Cottage Grove Avenue south of 61 st Street. In addition, reduction or elimi- na 7i tion of the adverse influences of the ele- M, vated structure and obsolete commercial 0 . strip along 63rd Street should be a major _V" o jecti b ive. 4, West Woodlawn south of 63rd Street has been designated as a conservation area. In 1960, only 13 per cent of its housing units 9 were listed as substandard. Within the con- servation area, the Department of Urban KI Renewal has established a small study area in the vicinity of 69th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. Redevelopment of the area with middle-Incorne housing and a small shopping center is recommended. West Woodlawn needs more open space, Its actual and potential population density but not as badly as other sections, because is lower, More playground space should be provided next to elementary schools, and Al, some local streets could be re-used as pe- destrian walkways, Schools 1@ -A. The Near South Development Area con- mentary schools, tained 67 public ele branches, and upper- grade centers In 1965. Twenty-one of these were built since 1955, many to accommodate the increasing num- ber of children living in public housing proj- ects in the area, Because of the great in- crease in the school-age population, it also has been necessary for the Board of Edu- cation to lease some Chicago Housing Au- The Commonr, a cluster of individually owned townhouses thority apartments for classroom use. at 52nd and Kimbark, an attractive example of inner-city family housing. The inner court provides protected recrea- According to 1965 Board of Education data, tion space for residents and their children. 61 of the 67 schools have average class- room occupancies in excess of the board's A typical Kenwood home, on Woodlawn Avenue. This recommended goal of 30 pupils per room, community of largo single-family residences has been main- The current city-wide public schools aver- tained in excellent condition. age of 32.5 pupils per room is exceeded in ........ 46 of the 67 schools. Most of the schools lack adequate playground space, and many 44 are more than 50 years old. More than 200 classrooms would be A needed, at the present level of enrollment, WI. 0!1,1@ to meet the objective of 30 pupils per room. A` I I ion pat Vl'@ Because of changing family migrati @4 terns and birth rates, classroom needs must constantly be reviewed. Additional facilities are needed to replace over-age classrooms, as well as all those now in mobile units and ams pu ion blic housing apartments. Modernizati @Jl of many remaining schools and provision of adequate recreation space are also needed. I n the Near South area there are four general 3 -Phillips, Forrestville, Du- high schools Sable, and Hyde Park, Dunbar Vocational High School also is in the area. These schools are facing an acute shortage of space as the large number of children born in the I 960's reach high school age. Dunbar adjoins a 1 6-acre park, but the other k7 A&Ui 13 schools are greatly in need of ad' Jacentrec- reational space. Opportunities for additional Board of Education- Park District joint facil- 10 ities should be explored. The Board of Education has proposed two . . ........ 1 1 1Z 17"ZI new high schools, Forrestville and Ken- wood, to relieve overcrowding in the De- velopmentArea. In addition, DuSable, Hyde Park, and Phillips are in need of modern- @4, ization. Recreation Five miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline 77 It 14 4;@ bound the Near South Development Area. This portion of the lakefront, including Jack- 411 17, 11,tJ son Park and part of Burnham Park, must be developed further. The Comprehensive Plan recommends extensive landfill to cre- ate additional large park areas. The location awl and form of this expansion will be deter mined bythe lakefront study now underway. I vkaa@I Regional activity centers are recommended AL in the lakefront parks at the terminal points of the one-mile major streets. Additional pedestrian bridges or underpasses at Lake Lake Meadows Shopping Center, an excellent example of a Shore Drive and the Illinois Central tracks modern community-level business center built as part of are also proposed, generally at the half- an urban renewal project. It replaced obsolete, deteriorated mile streets. commercial strips. Regional recreation facilities should also be Harper Court, at 52nd Street and Harper Avenue, a group of small stores arrd galleries, offering unique and indi- added or expanded in Washington Park. vidually designed products. Artists and craftsmen work on This is an excellent location for serving the premises in some of the shops, making pottery, candles, Chicago's South Side. As indicated earlier, and musical instruments. A sunken courtyard provides smaller parks, playgrounds, and landscaped space for outdoor exhibits. walkways are recommended throughout the Development Area. Business low Most of the mile and half-mile streets that have not been included in improvement programs in the Near South Development ;If Area are lined with deteriorating commer- cial buildings. These business strips have high vacancy rates and reflect the poor physical condition of adjacent residential areas. Urban renewal projects in the area have re- moved deteriorated commercial strips and provided for the development of several new business centers of modern design with adequate off-street parking. These in- clude the Lake Meadows shopping center and smaller centers, such as Kimbark Plaza and Harper Court, which was developed i in Hyde Park by a non-profit corporation as a N display and sales center for artists and craftsmen. As further urban renewal programs are un- dertaken in the area, remaining strip com- mercial development should be consoll- @Vi dated into business centers that meet con- temporary standards. Additional major neighborhood shopping facilities compa- Af@ @,,3 '4 7, -Ag a_yW A ';,J RA,- PM 5 Uri WAR Jf 4 7 This land, part of the Garfield- LaSalle urban renewal proj- ect, will be cleared and rebuilt as a light industrial district extending between the Dan Ryan Expressway and New York Central Railroad. When redeveloped the area will provide modern, attractively designed plants with adequate off-street parking and loading space. rable to the Lake Meadows and Hyde Park lied light industries near the Illinois Institute Land will soon be cleared at the northern centers, as well as smaller neighborhood of Technology. Scattered plants in residen- end of the Woodlawn community for Uni- and convenience shopping centers, are tial areas should be relocated to industrial versity of Chicago expansion and a Veter- needed at various other locations in the districts as part of community-wide im- ans' Administration Hospital. Near South Development Area. Shopping provement programs. Both Michael Reese and Mercy hospitals, facilities should be developed as part of Also recommended in the Comprehensive in the northeast corner of the Development broader community improvement and re- Plan for industrial use is the strip of land Area, will soon be nearly surrounded with newal programs. between the New York Central Railroad new development. Possible expansion of Other kinds of commercial activities that tracks and the Dan Ryan Expresswayfrorn Michael Reese could be accommodated in do not require shopping center locations 47th to 55th streets. The Department of an area immediately north of the hospital. are needed to serve the Near South area and Urban Renewal already has designated part This would also provide a link between the other parts of the city. The Comprehensive of this strip for redevelopment with light Michael Reese and Mercy complexes. Plan recommends special service districts, industry. Another possibility would be to use air rights near major streets and expressways, to ac- over the Illinois Central right-of-way for commodate such firms as auto and repair Institutions either hospital buildings or other suitable shops, plumbing and heating stores, and activities. Such development would bridge building material outlets. Two locations in Among the institutions in the Near South over a major barrier and could be designed the Development Area are proposed for Development Area that have been able to to provide better access to lake shore recre- special service districts: south of 55th Street undertake expansion and renovation pro- ation for residential areas to the west. between the Dan Ryan Expressway and the grams because of urban renewal projects New York Central right-of-way, and in the are Mercy Hospital, Michael Reese Hos- vicinity of 63rd-64th and State Street. pital, Chicago Osteopathic Hospital, Illinois Transportation Institute of Technology, the University of The Near South Development Area contains Chicago and its associated institutions, and many major north-south transportation Industry the Jewish Children's Bureau. routes serving the Central Business District. Industrial development should be limited Other important institutions now in the area However, construction of the Dan Ryan to special types at carefully selected loca- are the American Bar Association head- Expressway has greatly relieved traffic @@on- tions in order to preserve the residential, quarters, the Midwest Inter-Library Loan gestion on these streets, and several which institutional, and recreational functions of Center, the Chicago Theological Seminary, had served as major carriers can now be the Near South Development Area. Woodlawn Hospital, Illinois Central Re- de-emphasized. Space should be made available for the search Hospital, and LaRabida Tuberculosis The Comprehensive Plan identifies trans- development of research activities and al- Sanitarium. portation corridors of high accessibility 12 along the east and west edges of the Near and Indiana avenues. In the future, it may Park line should be studied to gain maxi- South area. These corridors contain the Dan also be possible to close additional streets mum service to the area and to eliminate Ryan Expressway on the west and Lake when the primary thoroughfares in the De- environmental problems. Shore Drive on the east. The plan further velopment Area, such as Michigan Avenue, One alignment possibility would be to ex- designates Michigan and Cottage Grove are up-graded to recommended standards. tend the existing Jackson Park route east- avenues as primary north-south thorough- Eventually, portions of all major streets must ward to the Illinois Central Railroad right- fares. Primary east-west thoroughfares are be up-graded to meet anticipated traffic of-way south of Roosevelt Road. From 31 st, 47th, 55th, and 63rd streets, and Per- volumes. Some local streets can be elimi- about 36th Street south, this line would shing Road. These streets are part of a city- nated or redesigned in connection with re- extend to 63rd Street in an alignment along wide network of high-level traffic service development or conservation activities. Cottage GroveAvenue, where itwould con- and, consequently, will require major im- nect with the proposed Crosstown transit provement. Their prime function will be to Transit line. Other alignments are possible, includ- distribute expressway traffic and provide The Near South Development Area is pres- ing along South Park Way. Extension of the direct connections between major func- ently served by Chicago Transit Authority new Jackson Park line south of 63rd Street tional areas of the city and its metropolitan rapid transit and the Illinois Central Rail- would be possible should rapid transit be region. road commuter line. The Jackson Park rapid proposed to serve other development areas Secondary thoroughfares include portions transit line uses the elevated structure that to the south. of State Street; South ParkWay; Woodlawn runs south through the Development Area Such a new alignment, together with the Avenue; Lake Park Avenue; and 35th, 43rd, as far as 63rd Street, and then east over Dan Ryan transit line, would allow broader 51st, 59th, and 67th streets. These carry 63rd to Stony Island Avenue. The Engle- and more convenient service throughout smaller volumes of traffic and serve as links wood branch also uses this structure as far the Near South Development Area. The new between primary thoroughfares and local south as 60th Street, where it continues line should serve specific areas of need, service streets. Secondary thoroughfares westward. such as McCormick Place, the Michael will require less extensive improvement and The planned provision of rapid transit in the Reese Hospital complex, the Lake Meadows need not be continuous throughout the city. median of the Dan Ryan Expressway will and Prairie Shores developments, as well as Several changes in the street pattern have produce a service area that overlaps with potential new high-density developments already been made as part of improvement that of the present elevated. And, as in over the Illinois Central Railroad air rights. programs in the Near South area. The city is other parts of the city, the relation between Direct transit service would also be avail- now in the process of up-grading State this elevated structure and its surrounding able to the University of Chicago. In addi- Street and Michigan Avenue between 26th environment has been poor, and blight has tion to alternative alignments, the question and 35th streets, thus allowing the possible resulted. These difficulties indicate that the of alternative designs (open-out, elevated, elimination of parallel portions of Wabash possible eastward relocation of the Jackson subway) should be thoroughly considered. 13 Transportation Patterns in the Near South Area Many of the major north-south transporta- tion lines leading to the Chicago Central Business District pass through the Near South Development Area. This fact offers an important advantage of high accessibil- ity, but the traffic carriers unnecessarily J _J fragment the area into land units which will not support cohesive community develop- ment. The Comprehensive Plan designates the area paralleling the Dan Ryan Expressway as one of a system of corridors of high accessibility. Such high-intensity activities as business centers, institutions, high- density housing, and industrial districts would locate along these corridors. They would make advantageous use of the rail and road facilities, and in turn they would attract users to support the transportation lines. Changes in local streets are suggested to create patterns that will encourage sound development along the Dan Ryan corridor. These diagrams illustrate the existing trans- portation pattern in this part of the Near South area and two alternative ways in which this pattern could be changed in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. In AlternativeA, Michigan Avenue has been up-graded to primary thoroughfare stand- ards and connected with the Chicago Sky- way. In Alternative B, both Michigan and State have been improved. In both alter- natives, South Park Way remains a collector street, and Prairie, Indiana, and Wabash avenues have been closed. The east-west mile streets serve distributor-collector functions. A new rapid transit line has been installed in the Dan Ryan median strip. __J 1 NUNN L11 I Existing 14 77@ M j 3 L L ERSHING - --- -- kERSHt -A H 7T Ao 4 ARFLELD ARA@LD ff -7 4J ut z L 4,1 Alternative A Alternative B 15 Environmental Patterns in the Near South Area This part of the Near South Development Area contains a complex of high-rise public housing buildings west of State Street. The section east of State Street, recommended for redevelopment, contains badly deteri- orated residential buildings, scattered in- dustrial and commercial use@, and serious social problems. A major goal in new development here is to relate the public housing complex more closelytothe restof the community. Another important consideration is that this section is part of the Dan Ryan high accessibility corridor, and new development would be related to the 'improvements and street re- alignments described in the transportation diagrams. These alternative plans illustrate two ways in which the area could be rebuilt as a sound 47TH community in an attractive environment, in accordance with Comprehensive Plan ob- :_M V jectives. In Alternative A, State Street has been closed and the public housing com- plex connects directly with a park-mall. In Alternative B, State Street has been re- 40"M":1 tained, and pedestrian bridges connect the a IN public housing with the mall to the east. In both alternatives, the closing of some 44fH- F77-1 streets and the removal of the South Side NO-WA-W 011 elevated structure have formed relatively traffic-free land units that are more con- -7- L1'1@1:"11_177171 0-, clucive to sound development. The area east of State Street has been rebuilt mainly f,,,,in@eqg Se, 50TH with housing at an over-all high-density -1 z levei, appropriate to this portion of the high Vi2 accessibility corridor. The system of park-malls and greenways connects residential neighborhoods with 51 ST business centers, the improved DuSable High School, and expanded recreation fa- Existing cilities. Deteriorated commercial strips along major streets have been removed, and bus- iness acitvities have been consolidated into attractive centers near major street intersec- tions. These centers could contain needed community facilities, such as a library or Residential health center, and offices for social services, in addition to shops. Business Parks- Institutions Na, MN Industrial 16 IL I L] 47TH 47TH- 4VVH 49TH ?z 0 tc @@51 ST -6-1 -ST- - @j L--j Alternative A Alternative B 17 Summary Avenue, and the Illinois Central right-of-way is suggested for an extensive residential conserva- The illustration opposite this summary presents an tion -rehabilitation program which would also in- overview of the major concepts identified through crease open space, improve community facilities, the Development Area process at this stage. reduce through traffic, and provide consolidated Through this device it is possible to see how each business centers. of these ideas contributes to the design of the H. The Hyde Park-Kenwood area is a significant total fabric for the Development Area: example of the benefits which can accrue to a Planning Framework A. The Near South pattern of thoroughfares, as community through an active conservation and Near South Development Area part of the city-wide circulation system, is over- rehabilitation effort. Continuing work is needed developed. It is therefore proposed that Michigan to provide all necessary community facilities and Avenue and Cottage Grove Avenue be up-graded services. Residential to major street standards, while sections of State 1. The University of Chicago has been a major Street, South Park Way, and Woodlawn and Lake force in the redevelopment of its surrounding com- Park avenues remain as north-south collectors. Institutions Michigan Avenue south of 63rd Street will have munity. It has drawn related institutions and edu- a direct connection to the Chicago Skyway. cational facilities into the area and has improved the residential fabric through provision of housing Business B. It is proposed to improve rapid transit service for students and affiliated personnel. It will have in the Near South Development Area by locating similar beneficial effects on Woodlawn as campus one line in the median strip of the Dan Ryan Ex- and related development proceed south of the Industry pressway. Study will be given to the possible re- Midway. location of the Jackson Park fine. J. The rerouting of South Lake Shore Drive C. In order to create a unified medical complex through Jackson Park will define the two major Parks in the vicinity of Mercy and Michael Reese hos- functional districts of the park. One of these is pitals and to clear deteriorating structures, the inland-oriented and will afford increased oppor- entire area bounded by the Stevenson Expressway, tunities for neighborhood -park interaction. The A Major Street Improvements Michigan Avenue, 26th Street, South Park Way, other portion will concentrate on water and lake- and Michael Reese's current west and south limits front activities and will include minor landfills at should be made available for medical expansion the 57th, 63rd, and 67th street beaches. Other B Improvement of Rapid Transit Service and development. lakefront improvements north of Jackson Park will D. The north central portion of the Near South generally add to existing shoreline developments C Expansion of Medical Institutions area includes some of the city's most distinctive by means of landfill projects. urban renewal, institutional improvements, and K. Woodlawn is one of the city's most challenging public housing. The "Gap Area," the remaining por- communities for planning. The University of D Residential and Related Redevelopment tion of the north central section lying between Chicago south campus development, middle-in- the Illinois Instituteof Technologyand the reside-n'- come housing, a proposed Veterans' Hospital, and tial renewal areas to the east, requires substantial a planned business center at 63rd and Cottage E Community Improvement clearance of its substandard structures. Here, Grove will all have definite effects upon the re- varied residential redevelopment, provision of a development of Woodlawn. The remainder of the park-mall system, and reduction of through traffic community requires a program which will provide F Improvement of Residential Environment would enhance the area's potential as a desirable substantial redevelopment east of the Illinois Cen- residential neighborhood, near educational and in- tral right-of-way. In the rest of the area, a con- stitutional facilities. certed rehabilitation -conservation program is sug- G Community Improvement E. The central portion of the Near South area is a gested. The more serious social problems of this rapidly deteriorating area requiring as much as 30 area must be met with a large commitment of H Continuing Community Improvement to 50 per cent clearance. Provision must be made new, increased, and more effectively coordinated Program for adequate community facilities, increased open services. space, reduced through traffic, and improved busi- L. In the Washington Park area, residential im- University of Chicago ness centers. and Related Development provement programs are advocated. Park improve- F. The corridor between the Dan Ryan Express- ments are also suggested to provide new and J Lakefront Recreational Development way and Michigan Avenue, stretching from 35th improved recreational facilities, reduce through to 55th streets, includes a major concentration of traffic movements in the park, and create a new public housing. This residential development could regional point of interest, such as a museum, zoo, K Woodlawn Community Improvement have an improved relationship to the adjacent or golf course. communities to the east with the de-emphasis or M. A part of the industrial district along the Dan redesign of State Street as a major thoroughfare, Ryan Expressway has been designated for rede- L Washington Park the design of park-malls and recreational open velopment by the Department of Urban Renewal. and Community Improvements space, and the improvement of community facili- The remainder of the area should be strengthened ties and institutions. through the development of new industry and M Industrial Corridor Development G. The area bounded by 35th, 47th, Cottage Grove special service districts. 18 Adz, 019 Ar ode 4f @,G el oi"Fl All Department of Development The preparation of this report and Planning was the responsibility of: City of Chicago Dean L. Macris John G. Duba Jerral T. Harper Commissioner Martin R. Murphy Louis B. Wetmore Deputy Commissioner Among the department staff William R. Marston who made significant contributions Deputy Commissioner to the content ofthis report: Thomas J. Bacouris Dean L. Macris Marshall E. Baskin Assistant Commissioner Kyle G. Benkert General Plan Division John G. Doolen Thomas P. Melone Gerald A. Estes Director Robert E. Hayes Area Development Division Gene 0. Marx Jerral T. Harper Sheri F. Naditch Director S. Dwight Scott Eric G. Yondorf Project Coordination Division George J. Nollet Others who contributed Director to the report Analysis and Development Rosemary T. Coty Donald J. Skinner Robert Gordon Assistant to the Commissioner John P. O'Donnell Zoning Division Raleigh Spinks Philip Zeitlin Those who aided Director in the production of Capital Improvements Division the report : Thomas Kapsalis Daniel P. Lydon Director James C. McInerney Referrals Division Marjorie W. Macris Sam Venturella Samuel Mazzone Assistant to Deputy Commissioner Richard Youhn Program Coordination Division Charles C. Sklavanitis This report has been prepared as a Assistant to the Commissioner discussion document. Many city Graphics Division departments and agencies, private James C. McInerney organizations, and community groups Director have already made contributions to this report, and their assistance is Public Information Division gratefully acknowledged. The Daniel P. Lydon Department of Development and Director Planning looks forward to continuing Administration Division and expanding these relationships in Jerome J. Jacobsen the future, as Development Area Director proposals are reviewed. Assisted by a grant administered by the Renewal Assistance Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Section 405 of the Housing Act of 1959. COAST SE CTR AL @IIIIRV 3 6668 14111770 7