B Randy

Nothing damning. It's an extremely complex P3 (public private partnership) w/ three stations (Amtrak, Silver Line, Bus), multiple rail corridors/sets of platforms, and significant associated public facilities. There are ownership, leasing relationships between the developer, City, State and others related to these. Financials to build station facilities likely tied to the overall deal - which means a baseline project program and design is needed to get to go on the financial agreements w/ City. It's also been envisioned as a seamless mixed-use project, with buildings rising above, but also (lobbies, elevators, F&B, etc) coming to ground, where they have to interact and fit w/ all of the public facilities. So splitting off pieces and parts to be developed in advance is difficult and would likely always feel "separate". Not impossible, but also not in the best interest of a transformational design project. The real culprit is the Silver Line back and forth over the past year re: alignment + that prevented the design and financial agreements from getting to a place where things could be more final and move forward (again, b/c it's envisioned to be fully integrated into the overall and every alignment move that changes from the current plan causes many many ripples...) Unfortunately, these transformational P3s take time. But if done right are usually worth the wait when they finally get to go.

Agree 100%, and unfortunately, there is something that can get worse if they're not careful. At the corner of Trade and Graham.

Yes. Directly across 7th Street from Duckworths.

My understanding is Amtrak will come when Gateway Station is completed. Which has to be a couple of years out based on those renderings. I think the concept is that Silver Line will co-mingle w/ a rail trail at Gateway (that trail rendering concept above). But if Silver Line bypasses Gateway for some nearsighted agenda, that's likely not possible. Also interesting today is that Tepper's practice facility was just announced along the Silver Line route off of Monroe . Seems like connecting that to Gateway and the Stadium beyond would be a good idea? Of course...if the wackiness of the recent interlining studies/ agendas are any indication, nobody will be thinking about big picture city planning or growth when they make the ultimate decision re: routing...

Should be much more interesting. We will see!

Social media definitely not the place for thoughtful or informed insight into development

I actually think the notion that it's "skirting" Uptown is focusing a bit too much on present day. As in - where is the best route to serve the City that exists today - Trade and Tryon and Blue Line Corridor. The things we know and are comfortable throwing investment behind. If you think about where the current alignment runs and how it could transform the City - the already densifying Optimist/ Tryon neighborhoods across 277 + Levine / Gateway/ Hal Marshal properties being developed over the next 15 years + a transformed 277 at some point (please...) That alignment could actually be a central corridor moving through one of the more interesting areas of Uptown - big time urban residential - serving a multiple newer, diversely populated neighborhoods w/ transit, and a TOD bridge to an extended Uptown not currently in the picture but very possible. Let both lines create a new transit framework for Uptown. Anchor both ends of Trade with a major transit hub. Connect the two with incredible pedestrian experience and more frequent street car service, and let Uptown fill in around both lines over the next 50 years and completely transform the entire city. Just a thought!

SL access not an issue for Gateway. I believe it's actually a key component of current planning. Centralizing LRT in one swath of town seems shortsighted and lacking in ambition for a more active downtown w/ pockets of density throughout. Seems a better strategy would be current one, to decentralize transit, allow access to and from more neighborhoods, for more people and encourage TOD projects to include affordable housing. Instead of favoring a single corporate corridor (old way of thinking about Downtown).

Shoving everything into an underground station w/ a portal up to the surface. Limited natural light. Not a great recipe no matter how you dress it up (especially in this climate).

A LEGIT new multifamily building ON Tryon is a huge win for this part of town. HUGE. That critical mass is so needed in this spot. Will take whatever office is ready to go on this site. Tough area for office right now - lucked out that Truist moved in next door.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-flashback-state-street-pedestrian-mall-20191025-cos5svz7w5dvzgznqouu2xqimu-story.html

Do not believe that Silver Line will be underground. Would be very surprised if this is the plan.

These images can be archived. Completely new approach has emerged.

Blame Calatrava...

Remove 277 and you're cooking w/ gas.