November 11, 1973 – Chicago Tribune
architecture critic Paul Gapp reports on five projects contained in the
proposed $15 billion Chicago 21
plan. The first priority is to alter the
Cabrini-Green public housing project and its surrounding area radically enough
so that it will “serve as a pilot program for public housing thruout [sic] the
city.” [Chicago Tribune, November 11, 1973] The second major project involves the
construction of a Franklin Street “connector,” running just east of the Chicago
River, connecting the Dan Ryan Expressway with the central business
district. Another major focus is the
construction of a central area subway, something that would allow the
destruction of the Loop elevated system.
Also in the plan is a proposal to create a vast new residential area for
120,000 people just south of the Loop on an unused railroad yard. Finally, the plan urges the creation of new
residential developments in other areas of the city with a special
consideration given to residential conversions of downtown office buildings. The above photo shows Cabrini Green as it
existed at the time. Drive north or
south on Halsted or east and west on Division today, and you will see a far
different scene.
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