Posted 5 years ago
Press contact: Jessica Cabe | PR and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance jessica@chicagoloopalliance.com | 312-782-9160
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SOCIAL: #ElevateStateChi #inTheLoopChi
@loopchicago @ChicagoLoopAlliance @ChiLoopAlliance @Chicago-Loop-Alliance
CHICAGO—Chicago Loop Alliance has released the project timeline and details on the first community workshop for Elevate State, its forthcoming corridor plan for State Street. The first workshop will focus on retail and business mix, demographics and development context. Elevate State - Market will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, on the second floor of Block 37 in room 232-238. The meeting is free, and the public is invited to attend part or all of it, but interested parties are encouraged to RSVP here. For more information and to sign up for updates on the plan’s progress and how to get involved, visit LoopChicago.com/ElevateState.
In January, Chicago Loop Alliance announced it is producing a State Street corridor plan, to be released by the end of 2020. The Elevate State plan is a forward-thinking vision for the State Street corridor in Chicago’s Loop community. Urban design and landscape architecture firm Site Design Group, Ltd. (Site) was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to create the plan, which will include recommendations on character, aesthetics and infrastructure; public space; transportation and mobility; connectivity; retail and business mix; and technology. Site is leading a consulting team for the plan that includes Arup, CLUE Group and Floating Museum.
In addition to attending the upcoming community workshops, anyone interested in offering input on State Street can share their experiences using #ElevateStateChi on social media and/or texting ELEVATE to #63566.
“When we decided to create a plan for State Street, we knew we would need to emphasize community engagement,” said Kalindi Parikh, Chicago Loop Alliance’s Director of Planning. “Like any other plan, our consultants will analyze data and conduct quantitative research, but State Street is the heart of the city; if that’s going to remain true into the future, we need to develop it with input from all of the people who use it.”
Elevate State workshops will convene the public to share feedback on today’s State Street and envision the ideal State Street of the future. These workshops offer an opportunity to provide input that will directly impact the 2020 Elevate State corridor plan. Workshop topics will include market (April), transportation (May) and urban design (June). Dates and details of workshops in May and June will be announced soon.
After the community workshops are completed, Chicago Loop Alliance will host visioning workshops at ACTIVATE events in July, August and September. ACTIVATE is a series of pop-up arts programs that transforms alleys and other urban locations into creative exhibition spaces, bringing artists and the public together for an evening of exploration, interaction and celebration of the arts.
Finally, the plan will be developed in November and revealed in December of this year.
“The last time Chicago Loop Alliance developed a plan for State Street in 1987, almost all of the recommendations in that plan were implemented,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “So this is a very exciting undertaking. We don’t plan to just create a document and let it fade away; it really will serve as a roadmap for our work on State Street.”
Chicago Loop Alliance and Site believe Elevate State can become a model plan for the next generation of urban streets.
“The amount of participation for Elevate State is inspiring,” said Ernie Wong, Principal of Site. “As we're just beginning the engagement process, folks want to see an iconic and transformative urban corridor filled with activity and excitement. The enthusiasm is provocative, and our thoughts are starting to churn. We can't wait for more input. Get on board, folks; it'll be a fun ride.”
About Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA)’s mission is to create, manage and promote high-performing urban experiences, attracting people and investment to the Loop. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015, and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation produces public art projects and events. For more information, please visit www.loopchicago.com.
About the consultant team
Site Design Group, Ltd. (Site)'s award-winning projects have impacted nearly every neighborhood in the City of Chicago. From neighborhood parks to commercial streetscapes, school campuses to community planning projects, the professional staff of Site's progressive thinkers hail from around the globe. Site is inspired by the spaces and people that make up their communities to bring a high level of creativity to each of their projects. Their commitment to strive for the highest level of design is translated into a commitment of stewardship from the clients they serve. Great design equals great communities. Learn more: site-design.com.
Arup is a firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists working across every aspect of the built environment. With 14 offices in the Americas, Arup’s Chicago practice located in the Loop will lead transportation, mobility and technology for Elevate State. Learn more: arup.com.
CLUE Group (The Community Land Use and Economics Group) is a small, specialized consulting firm that helps community leaders create vibrant downtowns and neighborhood commercial centers. CLUE Group will lead the economic analysis and strategy throughout the Elevate State planning process. Learn more: cluegroup.com.
Floating Museum is a non-profit arts organization that creates new models: exploring relationships between public infrastructure, public art, community organizations, civic institutions and municipal government. Floating Museum will contribute to Elevate State through vital insight on arts and culture. Learn more: floatingmuseum.org.
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