Once known as "Little Hell" for its copious industrial plants, Goose Island is a rare, relatively undeveloped investment opportunity. Centrally located, it may one day house swanky offices.
Known better as a beer, Chicago's Goose Island has finally caught the eye of developers and investors. Location is the main draw. Just north of downtown, Goose Island has easy access to vibrant neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wicker Park. To the east of Goose Island lies the erstwhile site of Cabrini-Green.
"Because it was designated by the city as a planned manufacturing district in 1991, the patch of land remains free of residential high-rises. The largely unchanged landscape, and its isolation, makes it one of the rarest urban planning opportunities in the country."
It is estimated that "40 percent of Goose Island is ripe for redevelopment within 20 years. Longtime tenants such as Big Bay Lumber, FedEx and Waste Management soon will be joined by a federally funded digital manufacturing lab and Amazon.com's first distribution facility in the city, among other new uses."
If Goose Island is destined to become a glorious office park, significant transportation investment will be needed. "A successful transformation will require infrastructure upgrades. Only one pedestrian bridge spans the river, and auto traffic frequently chokes the streets on and around the island."
FULL STORY: This neighborhood could be a model for urban planning by 2025
Chicago's Disappearing Multi-Unit Buildings
The city is seeing a rapid loss of its signature two-, three-, and four-flat residential buildings, which historically served as affordable housing for working-class families.
A 'Wild Mile' on the Chicago River Utilizes Floating Gardens
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‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
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Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research