Chicago Infrastructure Thread (design, money, location)

[Lookout Kid]

I think this plan is terrible. We should instead take that $15 billion and invest it in Uptown. More specifically, Buena Park. And even more specifically, my condo in Buena Park. Now that is a good use of public money!

[Lookout Kid]

Back to reality... As far as I'm concerned, we can't spend enough on the Central Business District. I'd like to see investment in the neighborhoods too, of course. But the CBD is what kept Chicago going strong through the post-war abandonment years, and it's the economic generator that prevented us from becoming another Detroit. Richard J. Daley was often criticized for investing too much money downtown and for being too cozy with business leaders, but we'd be in dire straits if he had not built things like McCormick Place and helped modernize a downtown that was ailing (at a time when most downtowns were ailing across the country). I know Richard J. and Richard M. are easy to criticize and are far from perfect leaders, but the upside to having an oligarch is that they get it done. What would Paris be without Henry IV and Baron von Hausmann?

The downside to the all powerful mayor, of course, is "urban renewal" and Robert Moses. This is what we got when we tried to "invest in neighborhoods".

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by chet everett

The whole problem is the way that your pitiful state regulates purchases by the various agencies and municipalities.

If Metra or CTA or the Park District wants to buy "normal goods" they must go to competitive bids and the bids come back looking pretty much like what you'd pay if you want to a normal store and paid list price plus upcharges for delivery and such. Not the best deal but nobody really gets shafted.

When any agency wants to buy "custom solutions" they are allowed to have NO BID contracts because the assumption the customization is not off the shelf. What happens is there are MASSIVELY INFLATED contracts for all the work and the hardware and the ongoing maintaince and the ONLY firms that get those no bids contracts are pumping MILLIONS back into the campaign coffers of crooks from Blagovejich to the Commisioners of the Water Reclamation District.

Folks we HAVE elections that are "publicly funded" it is just that those funds are OUR inflated taxes and fees that ONLY get recycled by contractors into keeping the INCUMBANTS in power!!!!

"I feel your pain".
I just hope people wake up and get rid of Stroger and the rest of the tax-a-holic cronies. I know the problem is bigger than that but it is a tangible first step.
......now how can we redirect the fed stimulus money that averages out to $43,000 per PERSON. Man, if I took that lump sum and invested it it would be VERY stimulating.
Lookout has very valid points, infrastructure is appealing because you can see the results. And, although it is hard to quantify, you do get a return on investment through retaining and attracting business, residents and tourists.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I think this plan is terrible. We should instead take that $15 billion and invest it in Uptown. More specifically, Buena Park. And even more specifically, my condo in Buena Park. Now that is a good use of public money!

come on! you know it would only go to build 20 more stories on to the wilson yard project! (Speaking of, are they going all out with building that super fast or what??)

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

There is the site of the old Merc though. Good thing we tore it down to create another vacant lot in the loop. Maybe in 20 years we'll get that schlock they're putting up at block 37.

Ouch.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

come on! you know it would only go to build 20 more stories on to the wilson yard project! (Speaking of, are they going all out with building that super fast or what??)

The cleanup of the toxic soil and the digging of the foundation took such a long time that is appears to many that they are building really fast, but IMO they are moving at average speed.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

The cleanup of the toxic soil and the digging of the foundation took such a long time that is appears to many that they are building really fast, but IMO they are moving at average speed.

Not to mention all of the neighbors bitching and causing a ruckus. Oh wait, that had no effect.

[Carantini]

Originally Posted by lookout kid

i think this plan is terrible. We should instead take that $15 billion and invest it in uptown. More specifically, buena park. And even more specifically, my condo in buena park. Now that is a good use of public money!

hahaha!!

[Carantini]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Back to reality... As far as I'm concerned, we can't spend enough on the Central Business District. I'd like to see investment in the neighborhoods too, of course. But the CBD is what kept Chicago going strong through the post-war abandonment years, and it's the economic generator that prevented us from becoming another Detroit. Richard J. Daley was often criticized for investing too much money downtown and for being too cozy with business leaders, but we'd be in dire straits if he had not built things like McCormick Place and helped modernize a downtown that was ailing (at a time when most downtowns were ailing across the country). I know Richard J. and Richard M. are easy to criticize and are far from perfect leaders, but the upside to having an oligarch is that they get it done. What would Paris be without Henry IV and Baron von Hausmann?

The downside to the all powerful mayor, of course, is "urban renewal" and Robert Moses. This is what we got when we tried to "invest in neighborhoods".

actually, McCormik place is considered, even by the city government, to be one of the biggest mistakes ever made.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by Carantini

actually, McCormik place is considered, even by the city government, to be one of the biggest mistakes ever made.

Yeah? Then why did they expand it multiple times?