Barack Obama supports closing Cornell Drive, a six-lane road next to the future site of the Obama Presidential Center, to automobile access. He cites safety concerns and the need for green space.
Designs for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park were recently unveiled, and the discussion has turned to transportation. The former president supports pedestrianizing Cornell Drive, "a mostly six-lane road that runs north-south through the park, only a few hundred feet east of Stony Island Avenue, another north-south arterial. Cornell was carved through Jackson Park in the 1960s, despite the efforts of local residents and parks advocates to keep the green space intact."
John Greenfield reports that while some local leaders "have opposed the idea, arguing that it would create carmaggedon, the former president noted that it's important not to get so 'fixated on traffic that we lose sight of what's possible.'"
To assuage concerns about through-traffic and auto access to the site, Obama "added that his foundation is in talks with the city and the University of Chicago about possibly adding parking at the east end of the Midway Plaisance, located just west of the library site, and building a pedestrian overpass to get visitors safely across four-lane Stony Island Avenue."
FULL STORY: Obama: Closing 6-Lane Road by Presidential Library Will Create a More Vibrant Public Space
Chicago Moves Forward Legislation on Obama Presidential Center
The former president's Obama Presidential Center, to be constructed in Chicago's Jackson Park, has faced opposition from nearby residents concerned about its effects on the area.
Obama's Presidential Center Raises Displacement Concerns
As the former president seeks to distinguish the Obama Presidential Center from for-profit development, many locals still want to see a binding community benefits agreement.
Obama Library Displacement Concerns: City Council Falls Short of Local Demands
The Chicago City Council has approved an ordinance intended to protect residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the planned Barack Obama Presidential Center.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service