The master plan completes an important urban neighborhood in Downtown Chicago. The plan also completes the last remaining development site within the Illinois Center Planned Community begun in 1969. The master plan creates clear development blocks, a comprehensive network of streets and new open spaces that connect Lakeshore East to other developments and amenities in the city. A vibrant new neighborhood for thousands will emerge within walking distance to public transit and downtown offices in the Loop.

The central feature of the plan is a new public park built on 'real' ground, where trees and native plants can flourish. Located within the park, a site will be reserved for a public elementary school. Paired with a new park district fieldhouse, this neighborhood focal point creates a setting, which will attract families to live downtown and strengthen the identity of the existing residential neighborhood.

Site / Study Area -28-acre site located in Downtown Chicago where the Chicago River joins Lake Michigan -One of the largest remaining vacant development sites in a major downtown in the United States -Bounded by 3 levels of Columbus Drive on the west, 2 levels of Lakeshore Drive on the east, 3 levels of Wacker Drive on the north and 3 levels of Randolph Street on the south

Urban Design & Planning Goals The master plan addresses a series of existing physical constraints and 'urban barriers' including an existing 3-level roadway system. The plan also addresses an isolated development site which was disconnected from the city and the waterfront.

The Master Plan needed to reflect the interests of both the private and public sectors. Through a series of public meetings and workshops the plan addressed neighboring residents concerns. Through interaction with several public agencies, the planning process provided consensus and closure to the 30-year Illinois Center Master Plan which had begun in 1969.

The plan, while meeting the developer's program, established firm controls on future development such as building heights, bulk and density that the city could enforce over the long life of the project.

Urban Design & Planning Issues / Constraints

Existing Physical Constraints -3 - level roadway system that acts as a barrier -A site that is isolated from the City and disconnected from the Chicago Riverfront and Lakefront -Existing utilities and easements for future utilities that run throughout the site

Community Concerns -Views from existing residential towers -Neighborhood Character -Through-traffic from Lakeshore Drive into Downtown -Public elementary school location -Neighborhood amenities - grocery store, retail, community center

City Concerns -Provide a linkage to Chicago Riverfront -Provide a linkage to Lakefront -Minimize traffic Impacts -Appropriate scale of development -Building separation / setbacks -Emergency access -Development phasing which is a complete entity in each phase -Development controls -Quality of architecture / building materials

Urban Design & Planning Principles -Complete an urban neighborhood in downtown Chicago -Respond to a unique and challenging urban context -Connect the city to the river and lakefront -Reinforce the edge of the city -Create a small block development pattern -Create a livable downtown neighborhood -Make a greener downtown -Engage and resolve the 3-tiered roadway system -Reach a consensus through an open planning process -Guide future public and private development over the next 10 to 15 years -Build the park, the heart of the neighborhood, first

Key Elements of the Plan

Description of the Program -Master plan supports up to +/- 9.7 million gross square feet of development -The plan lowers the overall density from previous proposals on this site due to an increased amount of open space, additional local streets, and lower density development.

Master Plan Program includes: 2.2 million gsf of potential mixed-use / office use 1300 hotel rooms 4800 residential units 6-acre public park public elementary school / park district fieldhouse

Public Process Extensive city and community review over 18 months including over 40 presentations, meetings and workshops:

-Three large-scale (+/- 500 people) public meetings for neighboring residents were sponsored by the ward alderman -City of Chicago agencies were engaged throughout the process including review by: -Department of Planning and Development -Department of Transportation -Chicago Park District -Mayor's Office for Disabilities -Chicago Fire Department -Several community interest groups were brought into the process on a regular basis including: -Metropolitan Planning Council -Friends of Grant Park -Friends of Downtown -Grant Park Advisory Council -Near East Side Association of Residents (N.E.A.R.) -Lakefront Alliance -Open Lands Project

The master plan was refined throughout the process following input from the city and community. Some of the changes include the following:

-Creation of additional landscape setbacks and interior gardens -Reduction of building heights -Increased building separation and refined building orientation -Extension of the below-grade Chicago Pedway System to connect to the neighborhood -Location of the school and refinement of the school program to include space for a park district fieldhouse

Implementation Through negotiations between the developer and city, a comprehensive Planned Development Amendment was orchestrated. The Master Plan and Design Standards created through the PD process will guide future public improvements and establish firm controls on future private development.

Passed by the Chicago Plan Commission on March 15, 2001 and adopted on March 20, 2001 by the Zoning Committee of the Chicago City Council, the Design Standards will act as a bench-mark for future development proposals at Lakeshore East. If consistent with the intent of the PD, detailed site plan submittals may now be approved at a planning staff level.

This 100 page document has also become a model for future planned development design standards in the city.

Client Lakeshore East LLC d.b.a. Magellan Development Group, LTD / Near North Properties, Inc.