May 02, 2011

Urban Landscaping

Intergrading the Landscape
Leed Buildings
People Spots
Curbies
Street Landscaping
In 2008, the city has had the largest number of green rooftops in the country. Chicago has appeared on many 'top green cities' lists.  For example, EarthLab Foundation named Chicago as the greenest city in the country. In Popular Science’s February 8, 2008 issue, Chicago ranked #9 out of fifty greenest U.S. cities.
photo - Inhabitat.com
Chicago City Hall
In order to receive this distinction both private and public entities must earn the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design  (LEED) certificate. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings and water efficiency. 
USBFC text
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), 
LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
LEED 
Lake View Buildings:

The Center on Halsted

'Center on Halsted's dedication to advancing the community includes creating a healthier, greener environment for all. With this in mind, our building was designed not only to be functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also environmentally conscientious. We capture and recycle rainwater using the natural filtering powers of specific plants and topsoil found in our rooftop garden. After filtering the rainwater, we store it in the basement, chlorinate it and then reuse it as non-potable flushing water. Our roofing consists of white material—instead of traditional tar—reducing the overall energy consumption of the building and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Additional green design principles can be found inside the building including recycled carpeting throughout, 'fly ash' concrete and salvaged brick. The building maximizes natural lighting and utilizes an automatically adjusting ventilation and lighting system designed to be used only when space is in use, decreasing our consumption of electricity. In 2008, Center on Halsted became one of the first buildings in Chicago to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.' - Center on Halsted

The Jewel 
on Southport
Our Police District 
19th District Headquarters
Northwestern 
Medical Building
photo above - their blog
photo below - MP Med Properties
The Residences
across from Wrigley Field

RMK Management announced that The Residences at Addison & Clark, a 148-unit luxury apartment complex located across the street from historic Wrigley Field, has earned LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), contributing to Chicago’s No. 1 ranking in the nation for the most green-certified apartments. The apartment building, located at 1025 W. Addison St. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, welcomed its first residents last fall. “Earning LEED Silver for this development is about more than construction methods, eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems,” said Anthony Rossi Sr., president of M&R Development and chairman of RMK Management. “This was a complicated brownfield site with dilapidated structures from the 1880s, contaminated soil, underground tanks and a tangled web of utility lines that pre-dated World War II. We are proud to deliver a best-in-class building with experiential retail and luxury apartment homes, along with improved streetscapes, modernized utility infrastructure and ample parking to benefit the whole neighborhood.” - REjournals

views - apartment guide.com

The Lake View's 
Master Plan

'Our architecture emphasizes the creative use of sustainable materials to seamlessly blend landscape with the built environment, creating an enriching experience for occupants, and exerting a minimal impact on the surrounding landscape. Instead of supplanting or suppressing, we aim to create a mutually beneficial exchange between environment and edifice, where buildings don’t dirty, pollute, or drain, but instead, clean, purify, and inspire. This approach allows us to create site-specific, energy-efficient, sustainable architecture.' - Moss Design

Moss Design Renditions

Street Landscaping
for Clark Street

The 2013 N Clark Street Strategic Plan: 
Lakeview East is the sole service provider for Special Service Area #8. The Special Service Area (SSA) is an economic development tool that allows additional real estate property taxes to be levied to fund added services for a defined area. Committee Members: Geraldine Lichterman (Vice Chairman), Bob Smith (Treasurer), Diane Tanios , Jake Elkins-Ryan; Dan Wolf (Chairman), Sam Giarratano, Paul Loaiza (Secretary); and Tony Klok. The services funded through the SSA #8 tax are in addition to services generally provided by the City. These services benefit those properties that are located within the boundaries of the SSA. Lakeview East property and business owners will benefit from special services that will enhance the commercial district, retain and attract business and financially support small business. 
- Lake View East Chamber of Commerce
Lake View Patch photo
 Lake View Patch photo
Lake View Patch photo
 Lake View Patch photo
 Lake View Patch photo
 Lake View Patch photo
 Lake View Patch photos
The Current Clark Street 
Strip as of 2012
unknown source
some of the problems spots
 LakeView Patch photo
LakeView Patch photo
 LakeView Patch photos
Special Service Area #17
basically located along the Redline tracks 
from Irving Park Road to Diversey Parkway

As of January 1, 2017, Lakeview East is the sole service provider for Special Service Area #17. The Special Service Area (SSA) is an economic development tool that allows additional real estate property taxes to be levied to fund added services for a defined area. The services funded through the SSA #17 tax are in addition to services generally provided by the City. These services benefit those properties that are located within the boundaries of the SSA. Central Lakeview property and business owners will benefit from special services that will enhance the commercial district, retain and attract business and financially support small business. Some of these programs will include:

1) Façade Improvement Program

Property and business owners receive 60% rebates for improvements to storefront facades.

2) Maintenance Program

The SSA #17 maintenance crew will sweep by your store to ensure a clean environment. During seasonal weather snow removal and street vacuuming will be performed. Special detail work such as graffiti removal is part of their daily routine.

3) Landscaping

Floral and plantings spread across the commercial district throughout the year. Annual contracts with professional landscapers will maintain all planters and flower buckets.

A 'People Spot' 
on Southport
People Spots are temporary platforms adjacent to sidewalks, typically within existing parking lanes. By expanding the sidewalks, they create seasonal space for outdoor seating and dining. As a place-making tool, they also contribute to an increase of pedestrian volume and help promote economic development in retail corridors according to the City of Chicago 'Make Way for People' program. 
 2013 photo - Lake View Patch
 2013 photo - Lake View Patch
 2013 photo - Lake View Patch
2013 photo - Lake View Patch
 2013 photos - Lake View Patch
Curbies
in 2023
Dotting the Landscape
Lincoln Avenue/Wellington/Southport
 Intersection
A Moss Design
photo - Southport Corridor News & Events
The issues for the local community were backed-up traffic in the intersection, increase pedestrian safety, ambulance & emergency vehicle access on Wellington Avenue, traffic pattern delays, increasing length of traffic light on Southport Avenue, and remove the snow during the Winter months
the opinions on Facebook
Re-thinking the Intersection
in 2016
a Google view from Streetsblog Chicago
Still Trying to Re-Solve the Problem 
in 2022
under the Tracks
Areas along the Brownline for plazas
"This is an exciting step in what promises to be a great addition to a great Chicago community," Mayor Emanuel said. "Projects like the Lakeview Low-Line give residents opportunities to experience & explore their city in new ways and form bonds between residents, families and businesses. The 'Lakeview Low-Line' re-envisions the half-mile space beneath the CTA elevated tracks between the Southport and Paulina stations as an exciting Chicago art destination and a fun and dynamic path connecting Lake View. To activate this underutilized space, mural walls along the walkway will play host to rotating art exhibits, creating a larger-than-life outdoor gallery. An interactive light installation along the length of the path will playfully celebrate the ‘L’ structure, creating a quintessentially Chicago experience. And new green-space and plazas will beautify the neighborhood and provide opportunities for programming. 
Plans began in 2018.
photo below - NBC Chicago
Bike Lanes 
on Belmont
Bike Lanes 
on Broadway
 2018 photos - Greg O'Neill
2022 pdf file

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