tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post8171109047694189370..comments2024-03-26T09:42:38.709-05:00Comments on ArchitectureChicago PLUS: Finishing the Chicago Riverwalk, Part Two: Opera on the River? (or Maybe just some Jazz).Lynn Beckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03759748613223711212noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-59455762456037063192013-02-13T21:23:22.798-06:002013-02-13T21:23:22.798-06:00D'oh.
Proofread twice, post once...
The thi...D'oh. <br /><br />Proofread twice, post once...<br /><br />The third to last paragraph should have read:<br /><br />"But, if there's not, places like The Magnificent Mile/Millenium Park, State Street and the Randolph Street Theatre District are likely to struggle as result of the Chicago Riverwalk's success. If there is sufficient foot traffic to support all of these, then all districts, will prosper."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-30857445341046817432013-02-13T21:19:17.168-06:002013-02-13T21:19:17.168-06:00Whereas the idea of dividing the Chicago Rivewalk ...Whereas the idea of dividing the Chicago Rivewalk into unique zones for selling the concept up the foodchain is probably useful, I suspect the visitors will ultimately see it as a singular experience.<br /><br />What's not coming through for me is what that ultimate experience is intended to be.<br /><br />I am also concerned about the affects the focus on making the Chicago Riverwalk a visitor destination (analogous if not similar to Millennium Park) are going to be on adjacent urban districts. I read many years ago that as great as San Antonio's Riverwalk was as a destination and image enhancing amenity, it also tended to empty surrounding streets, especially at night. Have these effects been considered?<br /><br />This is just me, but Michigan Avenue has been Chicago's equivalent to Barcelona's La Ramba for visitors. Perhaps there are now enough local population density and out of town visitor in and around the Loop to support a second great pedestrian destination.<br /><br />But, if there's not, places like The Magnificent Mile/Millenium Park, State Street and the Randolph Street Theatre District are likely to struggle as result of the Chicago Riverwalk's success. If there is not sufficient foot traffic to support all of these, then all districts, including the Riverwalk, will likely struggle for attention.<br /><br />The Riverwalk is a great, great idea – in theory. I hope it is in practice as well. And I hope the laws of unintended consequences do not apply here.<br /><br />And so, my only question is this – how do the Powers That Be expect this new amenity to affect surrounding districts and features in positive and potentially less than positive ways? Or, is this an idea whose time is not quite ripe based on actual marketplace demographics and opportunities?<br /><br />I realize I sound like a hater. I actually love the Chicago River, and hope the expansion of the Riverwalk is great success. It's implications, however, are quite worrisome...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-56942950874343145342013-02-13T14:49:05.006-06:002013-02-13T14:49:05.006-06:00 I love the staircase leading down to the river. I... I love the staircase leading down to the river. It reminds me of the Veterans Memorial Stairs. Great place to hang out in the summer. <br /><br />Having theatre on the river is an incredible idea, coupled with the staircase. I hope it happens!Matt Maldrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12589044056172003151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-71460081867427445872013-02-13T10:59:08.201-06:002013-02-13T10:59:08.201-06:00My geography skills are less than stellar (sorry, ...My geography skills are less than stellar (sorry, Robert Kaplan), so I turn to Wikipedia, which must be true because it's on the internet, right?<br /><br />"Bregenz is the capital of Vorarlberg, the westernmost federal state of Austria. The city is located on the eastern shores of Lake Constance, the third-largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, between Switzerland in the west and Germany in the northwest.Lynn Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759748613223711212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-60300604101535136472013-02-13T10:50:00.410-06:002013-02-13T10:50:00.410-06:00sorry meant to say "are you sure"sorry meant to say "are you sure"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10923291.post-15415715854863600702013-02-13T10:49:27.974-06:002013-02-13T10:49:27.974-06:00I am sure that Lake Constance borders on Austria? ...I am sure that Lake Constance borders on Austria? I thought it was between Germany and Switzerland??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com