Land Use Connection Breakfast

During this breakfast presentation, we explored the Redevelopment of the North Branch Area, and reviewed the recommendations of the City of Chicago’s recent North Branch redevelopment framework plan and the challenges and opportunities the North Branch area presents. On this panel was 2nd ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, Stacey Meekins of Sam Schwartz Engineering, and Adam Semel of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM).

Our panelists have a breadth of experience working in the North Branch area. Alderman Brian Hopkins’ ward includes large portions of the targeted North Branch redevelopment area. Stacey Meekins and Sam Schwartz Engineering were instrumental in creating the framework plan, particularly the transportation section, which showcases the current scenario and how to connect the area to the existing infrastructure grid. Adam Semel and SOM have worked on multiple development projects in the area already, including the C. H. Robinson and UI Labs developments, and addressed how redevelopment of industrial corridors, in Chicago and other global cities, can be a great challenge, but present many opportunities for the design community as well.