Millennium Park, Chicago A N EXAMPLE OF URBAN PARK PLANNING AND DESIGN
Location
A park was envisioned for the Chicago Lakefront as a part of the Burnham Plan. Burnham envisioned a frontyard for the city. Approximate location of Millennium Park A portion of modern day Grant Park Birdseye view of development as it would have occurred in the Burnham Plan.
Millennium Park Grant Park
Current Park Map
The park is a green roof Train Train
Characteristics of Interest The park site was a surface parking lot for 900 cars in 1997 Park was completed in 2004 24 acres in size; approximately 12 acres of hard surface and 12 of green Base cost: approx. $500 million - $220 million raised by private donors; $270 from city Research indicated that it was the #1 urban tourist attraction in the US in 2006 (higher than Las Vegas and Central Park) and remains in top 5 Estimate $2.6 billion annually in tourist spending related to the park Over 1000 FTEs created by the park (e.g., visitor service)
Characteristics of Interest (continued) Ten new condo projects in last 5 years (over 3,600 units) adjacent to the park Property values around the park have risen 40% more than those just a few blocks away Revenue from garages and a TIF are being used to pay off the debt (bonds) The park is not part of the local park district but is managed by Millennium Park Inc. (501-C3) and Dept. of Cultural Affairs The park is owned by the City of Chicago Revenue from bus stop advertising across the entire city is used to maintain the park
A Tour of the Park
In the parking garage Starting from underneath
Harris Theater for Music and Dance The theater is underground and well below the water table
Harris Theater Roof A left over space turned event site.
McDonald s Cycle Center Rent bikes to tourists and store bikes for commuters
Pritzger Pavilion Designed by Frank Gehry
The Great Lawn - Blue Grass Turf - Is cordoned off at times
Choice of Seating Free concerts every Friday during summer Just starting an international music festival free concerts every day of the week
Overhead Structure Designed to create roof effect and to support sound system Unexpected bonus Canadian Geese won t fly through.
AT&T Plaza & Cloud Gate The Bean Beautiful sculpture but gate is a misnomer
Cloud Gate (The Bean) Made of 168 stainless steel plates welded and buffed $70, 000 spent to clean finger prints annually
The Bean Reflects people and the city Roost for gulls
McCormick Tribune Plaza Dining in summer Free skating in winter
Chase Promenade South Burnham Pavilions
How visitors behave in parks Nice climbing challenge Had to retrofit and sign it
Lurie Garden Water to touch Native plants, prairie look
The park is comprised of many room like areas In the Lurie Garden designers used the garden hedge as a wall The steel form is an artistic frame for the hedge
BP Bridge (pedestrian only) Also a Gehry design, serpentine form reflects the pavilion Turned out to be a good sound barrier
Crown Fountain Very touchable water People playing become a show for others
Crown Fountain Filmed faces of "regular" Chicago residents are rotated Yet another room in the park another experience
Wrigley Square Formal, reflects Roman columns found around the city Quieter room not as much activity
Take Home Points The park was planned, designed and constructed through political will (Mayor Daley) and a public private partnership The park is one of many in US at the heart of major urban revitalization projects most are also partnerships (e.g., The High Line in NYC; Discovery Green in Houston) Major implications for local jobs and revenue through tourism the park generates People are moving into this downtown area because of the park
Take Home Points Elevation differences, vegetation and some structures create room like experiences throughout the park. Good design incorporates thought about what visitors will do: Touch Sit, Lay Climb Roll, Slide Splash Watch How does wildlife figure in? Birds will roost and poop People are interested in it (not the poop:) Can become dependent pests (not good for them or visitors)