Chicago's 606 has proven popular among pedestrians, but the rise in property values near the amentity has made some feel unwelcome near the trail. Closing a stretch of the trail for a $200-a-plate dinner only makes that worse.
It's not uncommon for parks to close for a charity event, but closing the 606 during rush hour for a ritzy dinner, even for charity, seems tone deaf.
Residents living near Chicago's 606 trail have voiced concerns that they will be displaced by rising property values tied to the city amenity. A recent study seems to confirm those fears. "If the city is going to gain local support for trail projects in these and other gentrifying or lower-income communities, residents need some guarantees that they’ll be able to stay in communities, so that they can enjoy the benefits of the trails in the future," John Greenfield writes in Streetsblog.
The $200-a-plate dinner hosted by Rick Bayless was hosted on a stretch on the 606 that passes through the Bucktown Neighborhood, funds from the dinner went to support Chicago Parks Foundation and the Frontera Family Farmer Foundation. "The trail closure for the event, which was supposed to last from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, but actually started at 4 p.m., according to a report from DNAinfo’s Alisa Hauser, represented a minor headache for trail users," Greenfield, writes the bigger issue is message sent to those who fear being replaced by richer residents.
FULL STORY: Closing Trails for Fancy Events Sends the Wrong Message
Obama Library Displacement Concerns: City Council Falls Short of Local Demands
The Chicago City Council has approved an ordinance intended to protect residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the planned Barack Obama Presidential Center.
More Cities Pressing Pause on Development as Gentrification, Displacement Concerns Persist
Chicago and Atlanta both approved development moratoriums in areas surrounding new urban amenities this year. Other cities could soon add to the number.
Chicago's 606 Bike Path Made Gentrification Inevitable, Expert Claims
Because the rails to trails project left housing up to the market, rising rents were inevitable, claims a new report.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie