2nd and 3rd Busiest Downtowns besides NYC?? (Chicago)

[tigerboy]

Surely there is not argument really. Chicago if we include Oak St down to Congress Parkway is by far the biggest Downtown outside NY and attracts by far the biggest working population.

[DANNYY]

How are we going to compare this:



To something like this:


?????

[emathias]

Originally Posted by tmac9wr

When/who was that? I'm not sure if I was the one saying Boston's downtown was busier than Chicago's...but I do know that our downtown workforce density & downtown population is greater than that of Chicago's (although our downtown is considerably smaller than Chicago's. But our overall DT population is still greater).

The paper that was cited showing Chicago with a lower workforce density, they listed chicago's CBD as over 3 square miles. I really don't think that's the case unless you include a lot of primarily residential areas, a chunk of Grant Park, a chunk of rail yards - or all three. The Loop proper, which has the majority of the jobs, is almost exactly 1 square mile. In that square mile, the employment density approaches that of Midtown Manhattan. The rest of the CBD is a little south, a little west and a little north of the Loop proper, stretching North along Michigan Avenue. I don't see how you'd get to more than 2.25, maybe 2.5 square miles at the high end without including areas that are definitely not business areas.

With a more accurate number, you're looking at Boston levels of employment density in Chicago.

[MDAllstar]

It will be interesting seeing the office space numbers, population numbers, and downtown work force numbers in 5-10 years. Some downtowns are already built out and other downtowns are under going massive expansion and gentrification. Definetly something to look forward to.

[theother]

Originally Posted by DANNYY

How are we going to compare this:



To something like this:


?????

Wow nice Chicago pictures...did you by any chance take them?

[ronaldojernkins]

I agree Chicago's skyline is much bigger and better than Seattle's. But that photo of Seattle is totally misleading and doesnt even include most of the skyline. Here's a couple of better ones:

Originally Posted by DANNYY

How are we going to compare this:



To something like this:


?????

[ronaldojernkins]

Originally Posted by Caymon83

I would have to say Chicago is pretty easiest the 2nd businest downtown.

After that I think it is a little less clear. Durring rush hour, DC would probably come out on top given its huge office space. But outside of rush hour, SF has more going on (assuming we are counting Union Sqaure, etc)

IMO, it would be
2) Chicago
then I could see various arguments for: DC, BOS, PHIL, SF for 3-6. Then probably SEA at 7.

This is 100% spot on.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by ronaldojernkins

I agree Chicago's skyline is much bigger and better than Seattle's. But that photo of Seattle is totally misleading and doesnt even include most of the skyline. Here's a couple of better ones:

where as the Chicago pics he showed aren't all the skyline either...
looking back the other way




and aerial showing part of 12 mile long skyline.

nor is the DT area thick, or, for a city with waterfront, use it's waterfront as well




north side of the skyline

south side

[graphic girl]

Hey Danny -- love the image you have posted with Navy Pier in it. Did you take it?

[suburban_boy]

I would say Chicago has the second busiest downtown. However, Isn't New York's downtown smaller than Chicago? Midtown Manhattan is the busiest of them all. I think the list should go: 1) Midtown Manhattan 2) Chicago 3) Downtown Manhattan 4) DC 5) 6) Philly 7) San Francisco 8) Boston 9) Seattle.