are not a part of Grant Park. This is not to be considered lack of respect, on my part, for the work already done. Such is not the case, and furthermore, I too highly esteem the Burnham project, which is the basis for the shaping of these territories, to desire any alterations in its execution. In working out my plan I have had to start from new premises, and my chief aim has been to achieve a unified style.
Besides, I know that some projects are near
execution in certain parts of the section my plan embraces, and I assume that much more is under consideration which will conflict with my plan. However, I have deliberately steered clear even of these in order to obtain a comprehensive view of the problem in all its ramifications. I have kept within the limits of the existing and the possible.
I have not aimed to present that plan which
shall he executed, hut one that can he.
INTRODUCTION
S
INCE my project concerns only Grant Park and its surroundings, it has not been necessary for me to speculate upon Chicago’s city plan as a whole and its guiding ideas. That would have carried me too far. It is only the region near Grant Park, to the North, South and West, that influences the plan, and my studies have not gone beyond that section.
Remarkable, in the large American cities, is the strong concentration of all commercial activities in a small central area. It would be a good thing if such concentration could be prevented in city planning and several centers be provided as in large European cities. Then several difficulties in communication could be more easily remedied. I feel, however, that such an improvement would be too violent an operative attack on American psychology and the soul of its large cities. The attempt would be too artificial and would not lead to happy results.
This tendency to concentration is strongly marked in Chicago, its so-called loop being very restricted relative to the city’s large total area. It comprises at present only about forty city blocks, and one is compelled to look for an expansion.
Its extension Westward is circumscribed by various causes, chief among them the numerous railroads situated there. How far the loop may expand to the South depends mainly on the development of the railways here, and in connection therewith, the straightening of the Chicago River South of Roosevelt Road.
The greatest possibility of development must be anticipated on the North.
Already we note here a decided tendency toward expansion in connection with the new North Michigan Avenue and the Link Bridge across the river. This tendency will be further strengthened by the Illinois Central’s decision to release its property East of North Michigan Avenue and North of Randolph Street for tbe erection of modern business buildings.
It is only a question of time when it will be more generally understood that the Chicago River has lost its character of river and is simply a canal, and that the small water traffic it carries does not necessitate lift bridges. With the introduction of fixed bridges the expansion of the loop enters a new phase.
The section beyond the river, North of and nearest to the Illinois Central’s above mentioned
property, will gradually become too expensive for manufacturing and harbor purposes, and thus we shall have to anticipate here, too, at least to a certain degree, an invasion of commercial life. So much for the sections to the West and North of Grant Park.
If we turn our attention to the South we find here, in the Burnham project, the lagoon park an already settled question about to be put into execution. Between this park and the city sections to the West lie the Illinois Central’s wide railroad yards. Since this road will be electrified in the near future, it is probably only a question of time when the company will be given air rights above its property. The advantage of this is evident. The park gains by coming into direct con
SKETCH MAP OF A SECTION OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO NORTH FROM TWENTY-THIRD TO ERIE STREETS AND WEST FROM GRANT PARK TO
HALSTED STREET
Besides, I know that some projects are near
execution in certain parts of the section my plan embraces, and I assume that much more is under consideration which will conflict with my plan. However, I have deliberately steered clear even of these in order to obtain a comprehensive view of the problem in all its ramifications. I have kept within the limits of the existing and the possible.
I have not aimed to present that plan which
shall he executed, hut one that can he.
INTRODUCTION
S
INCE my project concerns only Grant Park and its surroundings, it has not been necessary for me to speculate upon Chicago’s city plan as a whole and its guiding ideas. That would have carried me too far. It is only the region near Grant Park, to the North, South and West, that influences the plan, and my studies have not gone beyond that section.
Remarkable, in the large American cities, is the strong concentration of all commercial activities in a small central area. It would be a good thing if such concentration could be prevented in city planning and several centers be provided as in large European cities. Then several difficulties in communication could be more easily remedied. I feel, however, that such an improvement would be too violent an operative attack on American psychology and the soul of its large cities. The attempt would be too artificial and would not lead to happy results.
This tendency to concentration is strongly marked in Chicago, its so-called loop being very restricted relative to the city’s large total area. It comprises at present only about forty city blocks, and one is compelled to look for an expansion.
Its extension Westward is circumscribed by various causes, chief among them the numerous railroads situated there. How far the loop may expand to the South depends mainly on the development of the railways here, and in connection therewith, the straightening of the Chicago River South of Roosevelt Road.
The greatest possibility of development must be anticipated on the North.
Already we note here a decided tendency toward expansion in connection with the new North Michigan Avenue and the Link Bridge across the river. This tendency will be further strengthened by the Illinois Central’s decision to release its property East of North Michigan Avenue and North of Randolph Street for tbe erection of modern business buildings.
It is only a question of time when it will be more generally understood that the Chicago River has lost its character of river and is simply a canal, and that the small water traffic it carries does not necessitate lift bridges. With the introduction of fixed bridges the expansion of the loop enters a new phase.
The section beyond the river, North of and nearest to the Illinois Central’s above mentioned
property, will gradually become too expensive for manufacturing and harbor purposes, and thus we shall have to anticipate here, too, at least to a certain degree, an invasion of commercial life. So much for the sections to the West and North of Grant Park.
If we turn our attention to the South we find here, in the Burnham project, the lagoon park an already settled question about to be put into execution. Between this park and the city sections to the West lie the Illinois Central’s wide railroad yards. Since this road will be electrified in the near future, it is probably only a question of time when the company will be given air rights above its property. The advantage of this is evident. The park gains by coming into direct con
SKETCH MAP OF A SECTION OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO NORTH FROM TWENTY-THIRD TO ERIE STREETS AND WEST FROM GRANT PARK TO
HALSTED STREET