Chicago Tribune

Blair Kamin reports on proposals from five teams of celebrated designers vying to re-imagine Navy Pier. They reflect big ideas, and big budgets.

Preservationists say Lathrop Homes should be preserved, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) says it should be "transformed", but what do the residents think?

There might be something to the analogy, opines Blair Kamin, when comparing the building's star status to its contribution to the urban setting.

LEGO bricks can be just as much an architectural medium than a toy, according to this profile of one "LEGO-certified professional" hired to recreate buildings for the company's architecture series.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-design Emil Bach House in Chicago will be brought back to original, historical accuracy. Reportedly going well beyond budget, the century-old house will be rented to overnight guests when completed.

About $20 million in all, the grants will go to improvements to the CTA and the city's first bikeshare program. This is just one of 46 projects nationwide getting funding this round from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

According to Tribune staff reporter Ameet Sachdev, "owners of the Chicago Cubs bought property across the street from Wrigley Field from McDonald's Corp. for $20 million, expanding their opportunities to redevelop areas around the stadium."

In Chicago, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is willing to spend $500,000 to survey their riders to see how the public feels about the bus and train services.

Plans for the transformation of the art deco Viceroy Hotel date back to the Daley administration. The project will be financed by both state funds and the current mayor's revamped tax-increment financing program.

They're no longer totally synonymous with sprawl, reports Lew Sichelman, and are beginning to be found in in unlikely places--indicative of a move to brownfield over greenfield development. Changing consumer preferences explain why.

Chicago aldermen have challenged the times at which the contentious parking fee would be enforced, namely in the early morning and evenings. Mayor Emanuel and his staff have responded, but, according to the Tribune staff, maybe not adequately.

In downtown Chicago, the parking lots add an extra $2 "congestion" tax for parking the whole day. Instead, many park illegally at Metra Station receiving parking tickets just to avoid the congestion pricing.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to tax parking downtown is not the solution to a regional problem primarily affecting highways, the industry says.

Last week, local officials announced that the troubled city's largest employers, including three hospitals and a university, will begin offering incentives to lure workers into buying homes in the area. Geoff Mulvihill reports.

Blair Kamin uses Columbus, Ohio's retail development on the Cap at Union Station as a success story. What can Chicago learn from this design strategy that at once addresses economic development and the enrichment of the cityscape?

Zipcar is a car sharing service based in Cambridge, Mass. The program allows you access to a car for either several hours or the whole day. Illinois contracted with the company giving its state employees access to nearly 500 vehicles.

Chicago aldermen are toying with just that idea, which would involve a one-percent income tax on those who work but don't live in the city. Hal Dardick reports on the discussion.

States' borrowing ability may be limited and federal deficit reductions are expected to leave municipal market in limbo, report Kathy Bergen, Kristen Mack and Monique Garcia for Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a change to local rules that would allow urban gardens to expand and sell produce within the city.

A lakefront steel plant on Chicago's South Side that has been abandoned since 1992 is the venue of the Dave Matthew's Caravan July music festival.