Medical Mile/Michigan Street Developments

[GRDadof3]

SO they are taking down the ramp at the corner of Michigan and Bostwick? Hmmm I'm surprised they didnt incorporate a parking ramp into that giant wall. At least then it would seem somewhat functional. Looking at it again, it looks like it IS a parking ramp, just not an open one...

It will be a NEW & IMPROVED parking ramp, complete with 30' high concrete wall and emergency vehicle access. I hear it will be able to withstand a direct "bunker buster" hit

[torgo]

It will be a NEW & IMPROVED parking ramp, complete with 30' high concrete wall and emergency vehicle access. I hear it will be able to withstand a direct "bunker buster" hit

It'll be a parking ramp with accessory children's hospital!

[snoogit]

It will be a NEW & IMPROVED parking ramp, complete with 30' high concrete wall and emergency vehicle access. I hear it will be able to withstand a direct "bunker buster" hit

it also has a rooftop garden, dont forget that.

[GRDadof3]

You're right, snoogit. The rooftop garden is a nice touch, and will be nice for patients to get outside for awhile and probably have a great view.

[RustTown]

BTW, I'm confused. Why do they keep calling this a 12-story building? Am I missing something?

[GRDadof3]

I was wondering that too, LMich. If you figure a two-story lobby level, then I count 7 floors, plus 2 in the obelisk-thingy, that's 11. Maybe there is a floor within the parking ramp levels. I'd have to see the floorplans to see what they mean.

[RustTown]

That has to be what it is. To me, it's a 10 story building (allowing for a 2-story lobby), with 1 partially underground level. That is, unless the renderings were drawn before, and they've increased the number of floors since. Whatever happens, it's obvious that this has to be preliminary, because it doesn't look very workable at the moment.

[GRDadof3]

I noticed the other day that the excavators breached the earth wall at Division Avenue near Michigan. I'll have to see if I can get some photos today.

[woz]

I noticed the other day that the excavators breached the earth wall at Division Avenue near Michigan. I'll have to see if I can get some photos today.

I noticed that, too. Does anyone know if the service road they're putting in along 196 will connect to Division?

[OneSweetWorld]

this might sound dumb, but this isnt the project where they're building those 3 medical towers, is it? if its something different, can anyone show a rendering or something, or a link to another thread?...thanks

[Nitro]

I noticed that, too. Does anyone know if the service road they're putting in along 196 will connect to Division?

Yes it will connect to Division. My understanding is this is a temporary road to be used during construction. It will probably be discontinued after construction is over.

Nitro

[mpchicago]

With the "scorched earth" policy up on Michigan Street, it reminds me of the late 60's urban renewal. The difference here is that they are not destroying landmark architecture, just Burger Kings and parking ramps!

[GRDadof3]

this might sound dumb, but this isnt the project where they're building those 3 medical towers, is it? if its something different, can anyone show a rendering or something, or a link to another thread?...thanks

Yes, it is, grandraggidy. You're in luck, I just updated the New Developments thread today:

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...35entry232093

[OneSweetWorld]

thanks grdad, that is a great update :-)

[designcritic]

I noticed that, too. Does anyone know if the service road they're putting in along 196 will connect to Division?

Yes it will

[GRDadof3]

Photo update from today showing the "cut" in the Division Ave hill:

It's hard to imagine that the front of the Western tower will face Division right here

Edited October 27, 2005 by GRDadof3

[Veronica]

Photo update from today showing the "cut" in the Division Ave hill:

It's hard to imagine that the front of the Western tower will face Division right here

Used to be you had a pretty good view if you lived on the hill atop that painted 1826. Now folks will be looking at another building. AH yes....progress....

[Rizzo]

^Yah just tell that to GR2NY on ssp

[joeDowntown]

It'll be nice to have another building fronting Division. It will also move Downtown proper and Monroe North a bit closer together...

Joe

[bwindi25]

Just putting in my two cents again regarding this project:

1) Where is concrete plan for pedestrian scale and retail as part of the development?

2) How does this project enhance or degrade the Plainfield/Leonard TOD in the Master Plan?

3) Why is the city going around communities to increase the width of Michigan and College overpasses?

Sorry if this is redundant, but I don't want to get dazzled by the development and loose sight of the potential impact.

[GRDadof3]

I'm just basically reporting, although parts of this project are pretty exciting. I think the train may have already left the station in regard to this project and how it affects the Master Plan. The only remedy at this point would probably be an attorney I hear there's a good one right down the hill from you

[bwindi25]

I'm just basically reporting, although parts of this project are pretty exciting. I think the train may have already left the station in regard to this project and how it affects the Master Plan. The only remedy at this point would probably be an attorney I hear there's a good one right down the hill from you

yeah, please don't take my comments as disrespect to you or your post. I love the pictures and appreciate the enthusiasm for downtown development.

I just like offering a more neighborhood approach to some of these larger developments. Sometimes I think architects treat their buildings like they sit on a pedestal instead of on the floor surrounded by 20 other projects. Who is asking what the context is and how your project fits into its surroundings?

[torgo]

yeah, please don't take my comments as disrespect to you or your post. I love the pictures and appreciate the enthusiasm for downtown development.

I just like offering a more neighborhood approach to some of these larger developments. Sometimes I think architects treat their buildings like they sit on a pedestal instead of on the floor surrounded by 20 other projects. Who is asking what the context is and how your project fits into its surroundings?

I agree, and I think the point you raise is a good one, as hospitals and their accessory functions seems to be notorious for a lack of connection with the life of the street or the neighborhood in which they are located. Just because it is a hospital shouldn't mean the developer/architect gets a blank check to build whatever god-awful box they feel like building. It is just important that a hospital connects to the surrounding area as it would be if an condo building or hotel were getting built, IMO.

Does the plan for this development include ground-floor retail? If so, that would be cool. I'll bet that not many health-related centers in the USA include retail in the design. Anyone have details??

[designcritic]

I agree, and I think the point you raise is a good one, as hospitals and their accessory functions seems to be notorious for a lack of connection with the life of the street or the neighborhood in which they are located. Just because it is a hospital shouldn't mean the developer/architect gets a blank check to build whatever god-awful box they feel like building. It is just important that a hospital connects to the surrounding area as it would be if an condo building or hotel were getting built, IMO.

Does the plan for this development include ground-floor retail? If so, that would be cool. I'll bet that not many health-related centers in the USA include retail in the design. Anyone have details??

There is ground floor food/retail in the project but it will not front the sidewalk. Do to the sloping site there will be a plaza level where vehicles enter from Michigan Street. The retail will be at that level. If you go to the GR Development Briefs Topic you can see the plan for the plaza level.

[mpchicago]

Does the plan for this development include ground-floor retail? If so, that would be cool. I'll bet that not many health-related centers in the USA include retail in the design. Anyone have details??

Well, I know one Health Care Center that is including retail as apart of their development, and it's in your backyard.

Metro Healthcare Village