CALUMET Calumet Area Implementation/Action Plan May 1999 Community Areas: Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, South Chicago, South Deering, East Side, Hegewisch, Riverdale, Calumet Heights, West Pullman Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), Arthur Anderson LLP DPD initiated the Calumet Area Implementation/Action Plan to identify development potentials for the Calumet Area, include West Pullman. The plan addressed the mismatch of industrial demand and land supplied identified in the City of Chicago Industrial Market and Strategic Analysis (DPD, 1998). The plan identified significant infrastructure assets remaining from the industrial uses that could be repurposed and repositioned. The plan focused on promising market trends and identified four business opportunity sectors (intermodal transportation, just-in-time production, packaging/logistics and power generation) and one existing business retention sector (steel processing). General Recommendations: Focus on intermodal transportation by expanding rail intermodal facilities and related industrial sites; Attract suppliers for auto industry in proximity to Ford and others; Expand production for food packaging and auto industry; Develop new power generating facilities and related rail/barge transportation operations; Retain existing steel processing operations and expand heavy truck capacity. Specific Recommendations: Designate the entire Calumet area a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district; Develop a master road plan, including heavy truck routes, rail grade separations and site access streets; Create a land use plan that incorporates key sites identified in the plan; Pursue public/private development opportunities, make incentives available for development, such as TIF, energy zones, lease tax abatements; Market and promote the area; Create a trail and park system that protects wetland and natural areas while accommodating industrial uses; Unite existing organizations, key business stakeholders, the city, state, region, the federal government and the development community behind a plan which would be implemented through a dedicated agency structure. Plan Maps and Data References: Study area map, p. 4; Key development opportunities, pp. 38-39; Individual opportunity site maps, pp. 42-67; Proposed heavy truck routes, p. 72; Largest employers, A-4; Intermodal facilities, A-8; Freight railways, A-9; Waterways, A-18. Highlighted Accomplishments: Initiated several of the 13 opportunity sites identified: Ford Supplier Park, Pullman Park/103 rd Street, Finkle Steel/Burnside and South Works/USX; Created the Open Space Reserve plan was created; Began developing trails for public use; Released the Millennium Reserve report (2014), which builds on this plan s recommendations in many ways, such as the need for a unified vision, intergovernmental and inter-departmental cooperation, positive marketing and public/private partnerships. Key Unfinished Projects: Attract new uses and complete the redevelopment of remaining opportunity sites; Update Torrence Avenue, 130 th Street and other key arterials; Create a dedicated agency structure Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 1
to unify organizations, stakeholders, government entities and departments in achieving common goals and vision; Finish CREATE rail projects in area and identify with railroads additional capacity improvements needed; Expand eco-tourism potentials of area through Millennium Reserve, Hegewisch Marsh and Ford nature center projects. Calumet Area Implementation Action Plan Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 2
Calumet Area Land Use Plan December 2001 Adopted by Chicago Plan Commission February 2002 Community Areas: Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, South Chicago, South Deering, East Side, Hegewisch, Riverdale, Calumet Heights Chicago Department of Planning and Development, with Chicago Department of Environment, Calumet Area Industrial Commission, Openlands Project, Southeast Chicago Development Commission Prompted by enormous opportunities for both industrial revitalization and protection of important open space, DPD initiated the Calumet Area Land Use Plan to determine appropriate land uses. The area's importance can be seen in its inclusion in Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago, in which he addressed how Lake Calumet and the Calumet River should be developed to create harmony between industrial use, open lands and recreation. General Recommendations: Identify and plan for industrial development on large, viable tracts of land with excellent access to transportation; Create a Calumet Open Space Reserve, with connected green spaces; Develop design guidelines for buildings, industrial entrances, rights-of-way, and open spaces; Include river-edge and lakeside enhancements and emphasize natural landscaping and storm water management to enhance habitat for native plants and animals; Promote energy efficient and environmentally sustainable design and construction techniques. Specific Recommendations: Increase load capacity of existing streets to match tonnage regulations in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan; Complete an industrial road from Torrence Avenue to Avenue O at 126th Street, across southern end of Calumet River; Add 4,000 acres to the Calumet Open Space Reserve; Create a detailed plan for bike and pedestrian paths; Expand forest preserves; Add 2,500 acres to existing 1,440 acres of protected wetlands and natural areas; Explore feasibility of using landfills as open space as well as revenue generation through methane recovery. Plan Maps and Data References: Chicago neighborhoods in the Calumet area, p. 17; Calumet area land use map, p. 18. Highlighted Accomplishments: Created the Open Space Reserve Plan. Key Unfinished Projects: Invest in Illinois Port District properties that have strong potential; Catalyze the redevelopment of brownfields. Calumet Area Land Use Plan Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 3
Calumet Open Space Reserve Plan Adopted by Chicago Plan Commission February 2002 Community Areas: Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, South Chicago, South Deering, East Side, Hegewisch, Riverdale, Calumet Heights Chicago Department of Planning and Development, with Chicago Department of Environment, Calumet Area Industrial Commission, Openlands Project and Southeast Chicago Development Commission The Calumet Open Space Reserve is a 3,900-acre complex of wetlands, prairies, trails and recreation lands first proposed in the Calumet Area Land Use Plan. From its inception, the vision for acquiring, managing, restoring and protecting lands in the reserve has been recognized as a shared, cooperative effort between governmental entities. General Recommendations: The plan recommendations span six units and 27 sub-areas (marshes, ponds, rivers, shores, etc.). Broadly, it is recommended that Illinois Department of Natural Resources become the owner of lands in the reserve that are known to provide habitat for threatened and endangered species; that the Forest Preserve District's Burnham Prairie and Powderhorn Lake and Prairie be expanded and buffered by acquisition of adjacent lands; that the Chicago Park District manage lands that people will use for recreation; that the proposed Ford Calumet Environmental Center provide programming focused on the environmental, industrial and cultural history of the area; that the area known as the "Cluster Site" be prevented from contaminating and degrading adjacent wetlands and natural areas through run-off; and that a complex of trails, bike lanes and bike routes will connect the sites to one another and to the many Chicago neighborhoods in which the Reserve is located. Plan Maps and Data References: Maps Booklet: Map of management units, p. 1; Open space opportunities, p. 2; Calumet Prairie unit, p. 3; Calumet Wetlands unit, p. 4; Little Calumet River unit, p. 5; Wolf Lake unit, p. 6; Lake Calumet unit, p. 7; Grand Calumet River unit, p. 8; Proposed bike connections, p. 9; Calumet bi-state region, p. 10 Highlighted Accomplishments: Purchased some properties for wetlands/openlands preservation, such as Deadstick Pond, Heron Pond, Van Vlissingen Prairie, Indian Ridge, O Brien Lock Marsh, Whitford Pond and Hegewisch Marsh; Began conversion of Big Marsh to a dirt bike park with trails and treetop adventures. Key Unfinished Projects: Continue acquiring property for Open Space Reserve; Explore feasibility of using landfills as open space and/or revenue generation through methane recovery; Complete system of bike trails and provide public access to Lake Calumet; Develop Ford Calumet Environmental Center. Calumet Open Space Reserve Plan Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 4
Pullman Technical Assistance Plan October 2011 Community Area: Pullman Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, with Urban Land Institute (ULI) The town of Pullman was built in the 1880s by industrialist George M. Pullman for his Pullman Palace Car Company, which produced luxurious sleeper railroad cars. The town was annexed to Chicago in 1889. Today, the site consists of a 12.5 acre Factory Complex, including a three-story Administration building, built in 1881, and the 1 acre Queen-Anne style Hotel Florence, built in 1914. They have been largely unused, vacant or underutilized and are in various stages of deterioration. The Factory Complex was the target of a devastating arson in 1998. The state has spent $25M in purchasing and renovating the properties; they are still not fit for occupancy. The Pullman TAP met to identify redevelopment ideas for the Pullman State Historic Site. General Recommendations: Create a mixed-use, phased redevelopment through an economic and community lens, versus a forensic preservation of historical artifacts; Focus resources on short-term, low-cost steps to reactivate the Hotel Complex as a community asset; Create and implement districtwide improvements for wayfinding, streetscaping and design treatments to cohesively identify the site; Undertake a Phase 1 environmental study and archeology assessment of the site; Create a comprehensive, long-term management and use plan for the site; Issue an RFP to identify a missiondriven partner the manage the site s redevelopment. Specific Recommendations: Open a café on the first floor of the Hotel Florence, focused on local residents; Remove fencing around the Factory Complex and install an interpretive trail; Build a Visitors Center in the Administration Building; Create a museum in the North Factory Wing; Use the Rear Erecting Shops for income generating uses/tenants; Enhance the Factory Complex site with community gardens, apiaries, and pedestrian trails; Create a strategic partnership with Chicago Architecture Foundation; Create a linear corridor along 111 th Street from the Bishop Ford to Cottage Grove, with identifiers, wayfinding signage, etc.; Approach the State of IL Central Management Services and/or Chicago Public Buildings Commission to identify potential synergies and efficiencies, such as locating city and state agency staff at or near the Pullman site; Discuss partnerships with Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Dept., Streets and Sanitation and the RTA to coordinate public way improvements that coincide with Pullman s design treatments; Explore federal partnerships with agencies such as the National Park Service. Plan Maps and Data References: Historic boundaries, p. 7; Vision of district, p. 13 Highlighted Accomplishments: Continued to move forward with process to obtain national monument status, with the September 2013 release of the National Park Service study concluding that the area is worthy of serious consideration as a new National Park and the January 2014 introduction of bill S1962 by Senators Durbin and Kirk to establish the Pullman National Historic Park; Began efforts to obtain National Park status directly from President Obama through the American Antiquities Act of 1906; Completed a Phase I and II environmental assessment of the factory site; Completed the $3.5 million partial restoration of the Hotel Florence. Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 5
Key Unfinished Projects: Re-open hotel and café; Complete archeological assessment and preliminary plans for remediation of factory site; Obtain National Park designation. Pullman Technical Assistance Panel Report Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 6
CTA Red Line South Extension December 2012 Community Areas: Roseland, Pullman, West Pullman, Riverdale and others that would be served by feeder buses and park-and-ride facilities Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Developing Communities Project, Loyola University Center for Urban Research and Learning The 5.3 mile, $1B extension to the CTA s Red Line would provide three substantial benefits: improved access to jobs and other amenities; streamlined CTA and Pace bus-to-rail connections for routes south of 95th Street, substantially reducing travel times; and catalyzed economic impact and increased livability in the highly distressed south side community of Greater Roseland. General Recommendation: Extend the CTA Red Line from current 95 th Street terminus to 130 th Street. Specific Recommendations: Build four new stations at 103 rd Street, 111 th Street, 115 th Street and 130 th Street; Alleviate congestion at 95 th Street. Plan Maps and Data References: Technical Report: Transit accessible areas before and after expansion, p. 8; Increased access to amenities within an hour commute of the proposed 111 th Street Station, p. 10; Bus transit ridership (2006), p. 11; Average commute time, p. 13; Housing and transportation costs as a percentage of income per household, p. 18; Mode share, as a percentage of commuting workers, p. 18; Total annual vehicle miles traveled per household, p. 18; Employment locations for Greater Roseland workers, p. 20; Access to jobs, p. 21; Access to higher education facilities, p. 23; Access to retail locations, p. 25; Access to retail locations, p. 29; Access to medical facilities, p. 30 Highlighted Accomplishments: Began preparing the draft Environmental Impact Statement; Applied for funding from the Federal Transit Administration by the CTA; Identified a locally preferred alternative for routing, which is along the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way with a stop at Michigan Avenue rather than 115 th Street; Identified an additional alternative, which is to build an elevated rail structure above Halsted Street. Key Unfinished Projects: Complete Red Line extension. CTA Technical Report Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 7
Altgeld Gardens Philip Murray Homes Master Plan September 2013 Community Areas: Riverdale Chicago Housing Authority, Teska Associates Altgeld Gardens is a Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) public housing project located on the far south side of Chicago. According to the 2000 Census, residents are 97% African American. Built in 1945 with 1,498 units, the development consists primarily of two-story row houses spread over 190 acres. As one of the first public housing developments ever built in the United States, it is considered a historic landmark. The master plan is designed to enhance the quality of life for residents from social, economic, educational, recreational, health, safety and sustainability aspects and includes a landscape plan, phasing, schematics and designs, and projected development costs. The master plan specifically addresses the 635 non-rehabilitated, vacant dwelling units, which includes 466 non-rehabilitated units at Altgeld Gardens and 182 units at Philip Murray Homes. General Recommendations: Explore a retail development at the southwest corner of 130 th Street and Ellis Avenue; Develop a new library and community center at 131 st Street where the former store building is located; Plan for an additional 10,000 SF of healthcare service space; Strengthen the Educational Campus with a co-located early childhood center and GED/job prep skills for adults; Provide outdoor classroom and ecosystems for students and residents as part of the Educational Campus; Improve Carver Park with new tennis, basketball, football/soccer fields, and baseball/softball fields. Specific Recommendations: Install sidewalks along 130 th Street and Doty Avenue; Reconfigure bus routes to serve the proposed new 130 th Street Red Line CTA station; Install sidewalks to connect Altgeld Gardens to 130 th Street; Install a multi-use path along the IL Harbor Belt Railroad to Beaubien Woods; Build an intermodal station that combines the new CTA station with a new station on the Metra South Shore line; Improve lighting in and around the station; Eliminate S. Ingleside Avenue between 131 st Street and 132 nd Street to accommodate the installation of the proposed Market Commons; Extend Ellis Avenue to provide a green boulevard from 131 st to 134 th ; Extend 134 th Street from Carver Park to the eastern point of Block 16; Construct Greenwood Avenue and 134 th Street; Complete construction of St. Lawrence Avenue; Add bus stops for the 353 and 108 bus routes at 130 th and Ellis; Build off-street parking; Provide bus service (CTA or PACE) to the new Pullman Park shopping center; Create family apartments (2-4 BR); Create senior 1BR, first-floor apartments; Create intergenerational housing (2-4BR) for grandparents raising grandchildren; Match social and other services to new housing types and populations; Construct new early childhood center; Renovate playground at Aldridge Elementary School; Create outdoor classrooms at Educational Campus; Retain Carver Wheatley, Bond Elementary and Hawkins High School in Educational Campus; Connect Carver Military Academy with trails; Expand TCA Health Clinic with additional 10,000SF; Relocate Altgeld Murray clinic to a commercial site; Retain pool and locker rooms; Build new co-located Fieldhouse and Environmental Center in Carver Park; Retain United Church; Relocate library to 131 st Street and Ellis into new building; Retain Building B for future use; Move offices for Foundation for Family Empowerment, UCAN Family Works and East Lake Management to Children s Building after early childhood program is relocated; Qualify for Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits in consultation with IL SHPO staff; Improve parking lots, sidewalks and Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 8
roadways; Improve stormwater management and storm sewer systems; Upgrade building utility connections for the Fieldhouse, library and retail buildings; Consider LEED ND certification and energy efficiencies to reduce costs over time. Plan Maps and Data References: Preferred concept plan, p. 3; Housing recommendation schematic, p. 5; Economic development schematic, p. 6; Service recommendation schematic, p. 7; Education schematic, p. 8; Transportation schematic, p. 9; Parks and open space schematic, p. 10; Environmental health and green design schematic, p. 11; Green boulevard schematic, p. 15; Phasing for preferred concept plan, p. 18; Landscape master plan core area, p. 20; Landscape plan details Blocks 11, 12 and 13, p. 21; Landscape plan details Block 16, p. 22; Landscape plan details Carver Park, p. 22; Study area map, p. 30; Zoning map, p. 33; Rehabilitated homes, p. 35; Residential blocks, p. 36; Transportation systems, p. 39; Public and private streets serving Altgeld Gardens, p. 42; Proposed roadway crosssection for Ellis Avenue, p. 43; Existing, new and resurfaced/reconstructed roadways, p. 45; Existing, new and resurfaced/reconstructed roadways and sidewalks, p. 46; Retail market area, p. 48; Retail areas in the vicinity of Altgeld Gardens, p. 50; Housing market area, p. 58; Affordable family and senior housing properties within the housing market area, p. 63; Current services at Altgeld Gardens, p. 70; Design alternatives schematics, p. 75; National register eligible structures, p. 90; Annual electricity and natural gas consumption breakdown, p. 105; Energy consumption modeling charts, p. 104 Highlighted Accomplishments: Completed study September, 2013. Key Unfinished Projects: Install sidewalks along 130 th Street and Doty Avenue; Reconfigure bus routes to serve the proposed new 130 th Street CTA station; Develop retail and service uses to serve Altgeld residents and new CTA station; Build a new library and community center at 131 st Street. Altgeld Gardens Murray Homes Master Plan Executive Summary Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 9
Millennium Reserve: Opportunities for Action June 2014 Community Areas: Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, South Chicago, South Deering, East Side, Hegewisch, Riverdale, Calumet Heights in addition to areas outside Chicago in Cook and Will counties Governor Pat Quinn The Millennium Reserve Steering Committee was created March 1, 2013 and was charged with identifying specific projects of regional significance, recommending policy initiatives to be pursued by the State of Illinois and partner organizations, and identifying potential funding sources for projects. The Millennium Reserve Steering Committee was composed of public and private sector partners with expertise in various issues of concern and represented different interests. General Recommendations: Open public access to Lake Calumet; Build the Blue Island Intercollegiate rowing center and marina; Develop and implement the Millennium Reserve Natural Areas Conservation Compact; Implement a Millennium Reserve Industrial Jobs workplan; Catalyze the redevelopment of brownfields; Propose and fund a Millennium Reserve land development program; Communicate the assets of the Calumet Region; Support national heritage designations for distinctive regional landscapes; Support and promote the proposed Pullman National Historical Park; Develop future conservation leaders; Acquire and build the strategic connections missing in the Calumet Area trail system; Review and revive the Ford Calumet Environmental Center; Improve stormwater management through investments in and coordination of green infrastructure solutions; Develop the Millennium Reserve outdoor recreation partnership and framework plan. Specific Recommendations: Create an agreement between the Illinois International Port District and potential land managers for long-term public access; Build a rowing center on the Cal-Sag trail, at Fay s Point, in Blue Island; Protect and manage 23 different ecologically important sites listed on the Illinois Natural Area Inventory in order to support biodiversity goals; Create an array of financial and policy tools that support the redevelopment of brownfields, such as raising $1.5M for the Southland Community Development Fund; Link three distinctive National Heritage Areas (I&M Canal, proposed Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in Bronzeville, Hyde Park and Woodlawn, and a proposed Calumet National Heritage Area); Elevate Pullman s status from National Historic Landmark to National Historic Park or National Monument; Build trail heads at an outdoor performing arts center in Hammond, IN and the visitor s center at the William Powers Recreation Area in Chicago; Appoint a dedicated project team to determine a course of action for the Ford Calumet Environmental Center with a timeline of no more than 6 months; Combine the forces of the Chicago Park District, IDNR, Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association to develop outdoor and adventure recreation attractions that will serve as destinations for outdoor adventure and bring economic development. Highlighted Accomplishments: Released report June, 2014; Initiated obtaining National Monument Status for Pullman Historic District (see Pullman summary for detail). Millennium Reserve: Opportunities for Action Chicago Neighborhoods 2015 Plans Synthesis Calumet February 2015 Page 10