More parks, transportation options top priorities for Lincoln Yards, says survey

Here’s how some residents feel about the $5B Sterling Bay redevelopment project

By Sara Freund Aug 8, 2018, 5:39pm CDT

The first community meeting was held for Lincoln Yards redevelopment in July, and 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins opened a survey to gather community feedback. The results of that survey, which only got 452 responses, was made public this week.

“It’s a process that’s going to take some time. I don’t want anyone to feel like this is the only opportunity they’ll have to comment,” said Alderman Hopkins at the July meeting. The comment and feedback period “will be extensive,” and if you have something to say he’ll listen. More meetings are tentatively planned and you can always submit concerns through Hopkins’ office.

Lincoln Yards is a massive redevelopment by Sterling Bay of former industrial-zoned land along the Chicago River’s North Branch between Lincoln Park and Bucktown. The $5 billion project masterplanned by architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill will transform nearly 53 acres.

More than half of the people who responded were not part of a neighborhood association. The rest included a handful of neighborhood associations including Sheffield Neighborhood Association and Bucktown Community Organization.

Nearly 38.2 percent of people who responded “hated,” or “did not care for” the plans that were presented by Sterling Bay at the meeting and online. About 39.9 percent “love it,” or thought it was “good.” Just 21.9 percent were neutral.

Most important for survey-takers was improvements to transportation infrastructure, plus the inclusion of more parks and green space. People were asked to rate the importance of nine different elements of the plan including community park space, transit options, commercial property uses, and traffic congestion issues.

Find some of the survey results below, and head to Alderman Hopkins’ website for the rest of the results and more information on the project.