| CCAC Calendar
Download the CCAC calendar to learn the dates and locations for CCAC meetings through 2014. Remaining hosting organizations this year include DePaul University, The Field Museum, US Army Corps of Engineers, University of Illinois at Chicago, Sidley Austin LLP, and Bryan Cave LLP.
Download Calendar (PDF)
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| Share Your News with Us
Let us feature your newsworthy organizational stories here in CCAC eNews.Send them to Kelly O'Brien at (312) 602-5148 or kobrien@ccac.org.
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| Forward eNews to a Colleague!
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| CCAC eNews is the monthly newsletter of the Chicago Central Area Committee. For more information about the CCAC or to inquire about membership, please contact Kelly O'Brien at (312) 602-5148 or kobrien@ccac.org.
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Members Hear from Distinguished Central Area Developers at May Lunch Meeting
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At the monthly CCAC meeting on Tuesday, May 13, members heard from a distinguished panel of developers including Dan Levin, Founder and Chairman of The Habitat Company, John Bucksbaum, Founder and CEO of Bucksbaum Retail Properties, and Drew Nieman, Executive Vice President at U.S. Equities Realty. The meeting was hosted by Adair Schwartz of Cushman & Wakefield at the Chicago Yacht Club's Monroe Station.
Mr. Levin discussed the need to respond to the changing needs and desires of contemporary downtown residents by providing residential amenities previously not found in the Central Area that condo buyers have now come to expect, using The Habitat Company's current residential development project at 360 West Hubbard as an example.
Mr. Bucksbaum noted the importance for retail developers doing business in Chicago to recognize that the suburban strip-mall style of development is largely not welcomed by current inner-city residents and those making a return to city living. Such individuals favor higher densities and a rich mix of uses. Bucksbaum Retail Properties planned for both in current retail projects in Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. Mr. Nieman discussed an ongoing “right-sizing” trend of Central Area businesses consolidating into denser, smaller, but higher-quality spaces, and noted that such businesses are willing to pay more for smaller but better spaces. He noted that right-sized, technology forward spaces with good proximity to public transportation such as U.S. Equities' current 150 North Riverside project are popular in the current office market.
Members found all three presentations engaging and informative, and all in attendance were thrilled with the beautiful lakeside venue.
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June 10 Meeting Reminder
Join us at the next CCAC meeting on Tuesday, June 10 for a discussion about Chicago’s storied DePaul University and its impact on the growth of the city: “DePaul University: The Urban University as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development”. From Lincoln Park to the South Loop, from State Street to the Motor Row District, DePaul University has a long history of investing and fostering development in some of Chicago’s most storied neighborhoods. Jeffrey Bethke, DePaul’s treasurer, will discuss the university’s impact on Chicago, from its founding as the “little university under the ‘L’” to the recently announced collaboration with McPier to construct a 10,000-seat event center on Cermak Road. |
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University Center
525 South State Street
Chicago, IL (map)
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Jeffrey Bethke, Treasurer
Fran Casey, Communications Director
DePaul University
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CCAC to Help Lead Gary Airport Planning Charrette on June 13
On Friday, June 13 leaders organized by CCAC and the Alliance for Regional Development will participate in a special planning charrette focusing on the Gary/Chicago International Airport public/private redevelopment area. In April Gary, Indiana, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson formally requested CCAC's assistance in organizing the daylong planning charrette based upon CCAC's successful track record working with the Illinois Medical District commission at last year's IMD planning charrette.
This month, CCAC Executive Director Kelly O’Brien has worked closely with Gary Mayoral Advisor Bo Kemp and Steve Forrer, Executive Vice President of AFCO/AVPORTS, the City of Gary’s real estate development partner, to coordinate the CCAC's participation. CCAC has organized a group of individuals to lead breakout discussions covering airport development, off-airport development, transportation, and sustainability, as well as to assist with graphics production. The participants organized by CCAC include Erik Andersen and Tyler Meyr (Forum Studio), Christine Carlyle (Solomon Cordwell Buenz), Arathi Gowda and Luke Leung (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill), Chuck McCoy (LendLease), Tom Siwula (C&S Companies), and Steve Wilson (urban designer/architect).
Although Gary is beyond the Central Area, regional requests such as this raise the standing of the CCAC and the CCAC is honored to participate. To learn more about the Gary Airport planning charrette, please contact Kelly O'Brien at (312) 602-5148 or kobrien@ccac.org.
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Date Set for July Transportation Workshop
The CCAC will host a special workshop on Wednesday, July 16 examining current and potential projects to improve transportation access in downtown Chicago, including project ideas to move forward from 2009's Central Area Action Plan. The workshop will include high-level leaders and experts in all aspects of transportation, with the aim to inform members about Central Area transportation opportunities and challenges, and to identify issues and projects on which the CCAC may wish to focus. Additional information will be provided in the coming weeks.
The Transportation Workshop is the first of a planned series of workshops to take place throughout 2014 for CCAC members to examine potential ideas to move forward from the Central Area Action Plan's recommendations. The workshop series is a direct outcome of CCACs conversation at its February meeting with Brad McConnell, Chicago's Deputy Commission for Planning and Operations, regarding ways for CCAC to work as a partner to the city on key planning initiatives. The idea was further developed at the CCAC April panel discussion focusing on the Central Area Action Plan with Jon DeVries, Lori Healey, and Bob McKenna.
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Chicago Transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld to Brief Members on Loop BRT Project at July 8 Meeting
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As a helpful precursor to the Transportation Workshop, Chicago Commissioner of Transportation Rebekah Scheinfeld will discuss the Loop Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project at the July 8 CCAC meeting, to be held at the Field Museum. The project will begin construction this summer, and will include dedicated bus lanes and BRT stations on Washington and Madison streets in the Chicago Loop, as well as a new intermodal facility adjacent to Union Station. Additional details regarding the July meeting will be shared in the coming weeks.
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Your Dues Support the Work of CCAC
Thank you to CCAC members who have sent their 2014 dues checks. Our impact on critical Chicago planning decisions is strengthened by the active engagement of all of our members. If you haven't yet sent in your 2014 dues, we ask that you do so as soon as possible.
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CCAC Staff Featured by Chicago Community Trust
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On April 20, CCAC Manager of Economic Development Initiatives Michael Benami Doyle was the daily featured Chicagoan in The Chicago Community Trust’s On the Table centennial campaign to engage locals in conversations about the future. The campaign aims to generate new ideas, spark partnerships, and shape a public agenda around community sustainability. A longtime local blogger on urban and faith-based issues, Michael was featured for building community among local Jews-by-choice and calling for greater recognition of the importance of individual talent and creativity in Chicago area workplaces. The campaign culminated with a region-wide discussion event on May 12.
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