The summer edition of the Currents newsletter has been published. Topics include: the start of construction of the first cluster of 24 Parkhomes which will range in size from approximately three to four thousand square foot each; various property updates for Tides, The Regatta, The Chandler, and more; Chicago’s win in its bid to be the Candidate to host Olympics in 2016; and potential developments along the south side of the Chicago River - just on the other side of East Wacker from Lakeshore East.

To view the full newsletter which includes several photos and artist renderings see — http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/pdfs/MGL_CurrentsSUM07web.pdf

The Construction Writers Association (CWA) will meet at the Hotel Allegro, Chicago, IL, from October 10 to 12, 2007.  The association’s midyear meeting will feature a tour of the Lakeshore East development, an education session focusing on digital media, a session featuring construction-related topics, and an awards dinner.

CWA’s Thursday morning education session will include:  Judy Schriener, formerly editor of McGraw-Hill’s construction website, on writing for the web; Toni Antonetti of Public Relations Chicago on new tools available to writers; and blogging, podcasting, and other new techniques with John Usherwood, eChannel Commercial Manager, MPSD – Global Brand Management, Caterpillar Inc. A wrap-up session will cover the pros and cons of digital and print media.

The $4 billion Lakeshore East development site was the largest available urban acreage in Chicago.  Previously a 9-hole golf course made out of a wasteland, it covers 28 acres east of Michigan Avenue along the Chicago River. Magellan Development Group LLC is creating this luxury village including housing, retail, recreation, and a school.  Three residential buildings have been completed, and three more were nearing completion earlier this summer. The spectacular 82-story Aqua Building is currently under construction.  CWA attendees will visit with the developer and tour the site on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday evening will feature the CWA Marketing Communication Awards and Website and Electronic Communications Awards Dinner.

On Friday morning, the midyear meeting session will highlight the 82-story Aqua Building, designed to combine condos, rental apartments, a hotel and retail spaces.  Ron Klemencic, president of engineering consulting firm Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Inc., Seattle and Chicago; David Alexander of the James McHugh Construction Co., Chicago, IL; and James Loewenberg, AIA, co-CEO of Magellan will be on hand to discuss the Lakeshore East development. Design architect Jeanne Gang has also been invited.

Building Information Modeling, commonly called BIM, will also be introduced.  Mark Woodburn, AIA LEED AP, of DMJM Design will be a panelist.  A software supplier, building owner, and a contractor have been invited to participate on this panel.  We are  also planning a session with representatives of the Illinois Tollway, who will discuss open tolling and variable pricing proposals, concepts that are becoming popular throughout the US.

The CWA Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday afternoon at the Hotel Allegro.  Observers are welcome at this session.  A welcoming reception has been scheduled for Wednesday evening at the offices of Concrete Products magazine, published by Penton, in the IBM Building.  Reservations are needed for the reception due to building security, but there is no charge for Wednesday events.

Rooms at the Hotel Allegro will be $219 per night.  The reservation cut-off date is Friday, September 14, 2007.  To book, call 800-643-1500 and mention the “Construction Writers Association.”

Registration fees for members will be $125 for the Friday midyear meeting, which includes the Thursday evening Awards Dinner, and $125 for the Thursday morning education session – or $240 for both.  Nonmembers will pay $150 for each session or $290 for both.  Nonmembers are encouraged to join CWA for $100 individual annual dues and attend the meeting at member registration rates. There is no charge to attend the CWA Board of Directors Meeting, the welcome pizza party, or the Lakeshore East development tour.

Construction Writers Association is a non-profit, non-partisan, international organization for journalists, publicists, photographers, and marketing communications professionals serving the information needs of the construction industry. By providing opportunities for networking, education, recognition, and fellowship, CWA helps foster a strong community — and improve the quality of construction writing. CWA’s website is http://www.constructionwriters.org/.

In the past week a bunch of planters have appeared along Randolph St.

On the east end of the street on the south side across from Outer Drive East this presents a problem as the sidewalk was not very wide to begin with and now more than half the sidewalk has been claimed by the behemoth planters. 

Click on the thumbnail to view the full photo.

I just missed it in this photo but picture the “weave” pedestrians must now engage in when passing others along the sidewalk. Our family’s double stroller barely fits on the remaining strip of sidewalk. You can imagine with passing groups or during special events such as the Fourth of July fireworks how sidewalk traffic will have to spill out into the streets potentially causing obstacles for drivers.

Also, in this photo you can see a city worker or contractor picking up a beer can that has already been attracted by the planter. Not only do they block the sidewalks, but they also serve as garbage bins by passers-by.

Click on the thumbnail to view the full photo. 

In talking with several other residents about the poorly planned decision to place planters on this sidewalk, one person mentioned “where’s Natarus when you need him?” Well, we do have an Alderman who the majority of voters in the Ward voted for in the last election – Ald. Brendan Reilly who just recently took office.

You can call his office @ (312) 642-4242. Tell him to look at the photos at http://blog.new-eastside.com or come out and watch the “Randolph weave” himself. By the way, Mayor Daley’s office number is (312) 744-3300. I’m sure it would not hurt to call his office as well.

Richard Ward has posted a number of images and pictures depicting the planned Chicago Spire which were presented to Friends of the Park on March 15th, 2007 http://www.neweastside.org/ChicagoSpire2007.html.

The Tribune recently published a story on the Chicago Spire Development – Streeterville Organization of Active Residents “will hold the first public meeting on March 26 about the proposed Chicago Spire, a 2,000-foot, twisting design that has won worldwide attention. ‘They didn’t get into traffic at all. We need a lot more information on traffic,’ said Gail Spreen, SOAR’s president.”

The developer’s web site is at http://www.shelbournedevelopment.com and they also have a web site specifically for the Chicago Spire project at http://www.thechicagospireonline.com. Also see Chicago Spire press release.

Tom Finnegan posted this series of photos of places around New Eastside.. photos include Outer Drive East and Grant Park along with various spots in the Cancer Survivors Park and other high rises such as Harbor Point, North Pier Tower, and Lake Point Tower. Thumbnails of all the pictures are here –
http://www.pbase.com/temper/chicago__new_eastside.