(photo by Lee Bey)
I thought about architect Harry Weese last week while strolling into a meeting last week at the former Time Life Building, the modernist bronze skyscraper at 541 N. Fairbanks Court.
A new look at the late architect Harry Weese
Jul. 19, 2010You be the judge: What roadway can Chicago do without?
Jul. 16, 2010
(photo by Lee Bey)
New York officials and civic activists this week are debating the demolition of the Sheridan Expressway, a mile-long interstate that links two other interstates in the South Bronx. With the roadway gone, residents would have better access to the riverfront and rumbling truck traffic could be rerouted elsewhere.
Officials are having community meetings and are looking to make a decision by 2012. But it got me thinking: What Chicago expressways and roadways do you think could be eliminated for the public good? I’m not talking about yanking up the entire Dan Ryan or pulling down the Kennedy expressway. But looking at the Sheridan as a model, could we prune away a expressway or big ramp with an eye toward enhancing the city’s livability?
I’ll start.
1. The Stevenson Expressway ramps to Lake Shore Drive: Removal of the ramps, or at least the northbound ones closest to the lake.
2. The Skyway ramps at 79th and Stony Island: The two block long off and on ramps have darkened this big intersection for decades.
Your turn…in the comments section below.
The star pupil: The Eye opens on State Street
Jul. 14, 2010
(photo by Lee Bey)
The three-story steel reinforced fiberglass eye sculpture--called, appropriately enough, "Eye"--debuted this week at downtown's Pritzker Park.
What lies beneath: A dug-up street reveals a bit of Chicago's history
Jul. 13, 2010
(photo by Lee Bey)
Street repairs near Lake west of Odgen have revealed a pretty sturdy-looking old brick road beneath layers of asphalt.
When architecture went hip-hop--PBS style
Jul. 12, 2010
Throw ya hands in the air for the above clip from "3-2-1 Contact," a 1980s public television program designed to teach kids math and science. The clip from the 1987 season features the still-emerging musical genre of hip-hop--and fast (for 1987) music video-styled editing to explain architecture to kids.‚
Architecture takes a holiday: Chicago people in photos
Jul. 8, 2010
(photo by Lee Bey)
I went to to the African-Caribbean International Festival of Life last weekend in Washington Park.