Brian Harrington

We're hosting our next general meeting next Wednesday at Beermiscuous! Meet endorsed candidates and get a sneak peak at how we plan to evolve into our new Local Chapter model.

Let us know you're coming: www.eventbrite.com/e/chicagos-n...

Join us at our next general meeting this coming Monday! We'll be reviewing progress, voting on our next endorsements, and working on strategic initiatives.

Meeting Details:
- Monday, September 29th
- Near North Branch, Chicago Public Library

Parking Day is next Saturday! We're taking over the lots at Dovetail and Demo breweries to show how we can better use space allocated for cars in our own neighborhoods.

RSVP with option to donate to urbanist candidates and causes: www.eventbrite.com/e/parking-da...

Get ready for PARK(ing) Day 2025! We're partnering with urbanist orgs and local leaders to take over the parking lots at Dovetail & Demo breweries on Saturday, 9/20.

Join us for a day of great beer, live music, kid-friendly activities, and supporting a more vibrant Chicago!

Seems like the red line station is out :/

Double Rainbow over Chicago on Wednesday Evening.

So it could’ve been an online poll, but they chose not to because they expect a certain outcome from the voting bloc. Then use that to show the alder “overwhelming support” for keeping things exactly as they are. Perfect system no notes

Brand new divvy station too 😎

A pedestrianized street lined with outdoor dining tables with umbrellas and twinkle lights over the entire street

Maybe someday, Chicago can aspire to have just one street as nice as the mostly pedestrianized city center in the 5th-largest city in Romania.

"By adding more frequent point-to-point trips on existing Metra lines, we’d be able to dramatically expand transit service at a fraction of the cost of more CTA extensions."

Excellent case for growth-minded infrastructure investments that would transform the region. #BuildTheTunnel

My dude knows how to work an angle

Chicago could be using a similar framework as South Bend to spur infill development. With a variety of pre-approved housing plans, the city allows developers to bypass a long & costly part of the process so they can focus on patching up the urban fabric.

Upzone the city and make it easier to build!

Filming on Caton St means unobstructed views of the mansions. See how nice streets look without cars 🙃

The 5 homes on the north side of the street were built for the 1893 World’s Fair to showcase the city’s different architecture styles.

If we want to get serious about growth, we need to get serious about transit. Chicago's leaders should be championing common sense solutions to improve mobility and enable us to grow.

I for one would welcome more neighbors. Chicago should be working to make it affordable for residents to stay and easy for new ones to arrive.

This decision, and others like it, are what keep us on the path to stagnation and fiscal decline. We can and should do better.

A whiteboard with "2024" in the center ornately decorated and all of our friend's signatures and drawings surrounding it.

Happy new year!

I saw two bald eagles this morning along the Chicago River's North Branch between Wilson and Lawrence. (Other people have seen a pair of eagles in this vicinity recently.)

CDOT is forming a new Division of Planning and Policy to lead long-range planning initiatives. They've issued a survey to get public opinion on their goals:
webapps4.chicago.gov/eforms/cdotp...

Yeah should be a separate post, just got excited after finally seeing the scaffolding down today after more than a year

A black and white photo looking east towards the Chicago skyline. The image was taken from a helicopter mid-day. The skyline is silhouetted against the bright sky. In the foreground Chicago Avenue cuts vertically through the center of the image. The road, however, jogs a bit making it slightly curved.

Chicago Avenue: A little kinky

1539 N Milwaukee has wrapped up its retail conversion to Abercrombie & Fitch. Originally completed in 1912 as a theater, the property was more recently home to John Fluevog Shoes (now a few doors down)

1745 N Damen, home to the future Kensington School Bucktown, replaced a group of low-rise buildings, including the former home of Mindy’s. Designed by Charles Vincent George Architects and built by the Lauder Group, it’s one of three new schools all using the same design (Lincoln Park completed)

Finally stopped by the new Barnes & Noble. Great to see this space being put to good use, although I’m still a Myopic guy

North Ave BRT 🤞🏼

How City Politics Has to Led to a Housing Shortage Chicago desperately needs more housing. But when it comes to building apartments, the city is its own worst enemy.

Chicago desperately needs more housing. But when it comes to building apartments, the city is its own worst enemy.
My latest for @chicagomag.bsky.social
www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

Pierce Ave mansions looking good in the sunlight this morning

1624 N Damen also replaces a longtime vacant lot, adding six new units and ground retail. Designed by 360 Design Studio and developed by Mavrek, it does not appear to include parking (multiple transit options nearby)

2248 W North Ave also replaces a vacant lot and was also designed by John Hanna. Once finished, it will add three new units of housing to the neighborhood, as well as first floor office space. Plans include 3 total parking spaces

2254 W North Ave used to be two lots (one vacant and one underutilized). It now has six units, ground floor retail, and 3 parking spaces. Developed by Volo Holdings and designed by Hanna Architects

Highlighting some local infill developments: