New City, a major development that will extend the Clybourn Corridor south of Lincoln Park, has languished for years.
Yesterday Chicago Real Estate Daily reported that the project signed another anchor tenant and secured $182 million in financing to move forward. A 59,000 square foot Dick’s Sporting Goods will join an 82,000 square foot Mariano’s and a 52,000 square foot ArcLight Cinemas as lead tenants.
Plans for the development include 360,000 square feet of retail space, 40,000 square feet of medical office space, a 19-story, 199-unit apartment tower and an 1,100 car parking garage.
Site prep work was already underway when I stopped by yesterday.
The intersection of North Ave, Clybourn Ave and Halsted St is already one of the most congested on the north side. Another major development, zoned for up to 550,000 square feet of retail, is also in progress just west of New City.
Will traffic experience complete gridlock when these projects are complete?
If they’re all luring 1,100 more cars to the area with free parking, then yes, there will be gridlock. More parking = more cars = more gridlock. The problem is that retailers and developers assume people are all chained to cars and don’t attempt to attract people without attracting cars. More people = good. More cars = traffic. The trick is bringing the people and getting them to leave the cars at home or parked somewhere else (shared parking). With a train station right there and a shift in the area toward pedestrian-oriented retail, this should not be a huge challenge.
How do you go shopping without a car? How do you get all your stuff home?
I usually walk and carry, take the train or bus, sometimes ride my bike with a backpack, or sometimes take a cab if I get something really clunky. It’s really not difficult — in fact, it’s easier than dealing with the hassle of traffic and parking, which is why I stopped driving. I live close to the stores I shop at, so I just go when I need something, rather than waiting until I need a trunkload of stuff. I never have more than two bags of groceries – if I did, I’d use a small cart for groceries. I often go to Sur La Table and Crate and Barrel for random things and take the train, since they’re only a block from the station. If they weren’t near the train, I would take my business elsewhere.
Does anyone know how many stories the new apartments will be? I live near this area of construction and I don’t want my view blocked.
Sarah,
As clearly stated in the post – 19 stories.