Chicagoist: For Apple, North & Clybourn > Block 37

Louis Frascogna

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:15:53 -0600

North/Clybourn is literally one of the worst areas in the city. They might as well put it in a mall in Schaumburg. No one walks there, the traffic is horrendous most of the time, and the only stores there are national chains that have no interest in the community. Block 37 could have been a pretty cool location and would have been accessible to every business person and student in the city.

mike_thoms

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:49:05 -0600

That's exactly what it is. Once you get over that new bridge it's all up in the air...4 stop lights in the span of 3 blocks, all manner of people and their shopping bags crossing wherever they want...it's insane. And that's right now, without the new shopping center going in where the YMCA was, or the new Whole Foods complex.

ophmarketing

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:12:29 -0600

BYW, my above comment was in reply to smussy's question: "DOES the loop cater to a slightly lower socio-economic group?" Not sure how it ended up here.

ophmarketing

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:10:34 -0600

Residentially, not so much. But from a retail standpoint, most definitely. Look around: H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, Macy's, Filene's Basement, Loehman's, Radio Shack. Not exactly catering to the Gold Coast.

Bronto

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:27:17 -0600

That area is the Heart of Darkness.

SWorld

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:29:51 -0600

If ever there was a CLEAR EXAMPLE of how DEVELOPERs don't care about a Community-- they just care about maximizing profit, look at Smith's comments. It's not about doing the RIGHT THING for neither the State Street nor Lincoln Park areas. And the developer certainly does not give a damn about what it does for Chicago. They are just about recession proofing their developments AT THE EXPENSE of the people in the North/Clybourn area AND, at the expense of people who could use a good computer store near the south side of Chicago. Hey dumbass developer: just like WalMart learned that if you max out locations in suburbia, eventually your only remaining markets (where you can sell your goods) are among the middle class and people of color (i.e. non whites). They had better build a garage on that site (too), or parking and congestion will reach epic [horrific] proportions. I hope the Zoning Dept requires a parking garage of some kind. I HOPE YOU RESIDENTS AROUND NORTH & CLYBOURN FIGHT FOR A GARAGE ATTACHED TO THAT APPLE STORE. It will need one to keep congestion down and the quality of life up. (And describing this area as "Lincoln Park" is stretching the neighborhood boundary, but is an obvious attempt to provide SNOB APPEAL.)

SWorld

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:29:31 -0600

smussy

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:23:46 -0600

as someone who uses PT, the north/clybourn location will be much easier to access by PT (for me) than the mich ave one ... whenever it gets built. but i'm curious ... DOES the loop cater to a slightly lower socio-economic group? i've never thought i'd be able to live in/around the loop, yo. (i've never really wanted to, but still ... pretty pricey, no?)

Navin

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:15:03 -0600

Its a great spot, right off the red line. That area is a mess, only if you are stuck in a car/bus. Which means it's a mess for everyone who doesn't live directly North or South of there and on the redline. Much easier for me personally to jump on the train to the loop than be stuck on the North Ave. bus.

drdave88

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:44:36 -0600

They have been mulling this over for more than 18 months, why did it take so long? They demoed that site and had to site on it, its about time. Its a great spot, right off the red line. That area is a mess, only if you are stuck in a car/bus. Given the huge YMCA land purchase just to the south with a grocery store, more stores and 300+ residential units, Apply we will be sitting pretty.

drdave88

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:43:18 -0600

cookie66

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:35:33 -0600

tabing speaks the truth. there are thousands and thousands of students living and schooling within blocks of 37. most with with their own macbooks, ipods and iphones. that alone should have been good reason to keep it on state street. then add thousands & thousands of regular workers and tourists who pass by that area every day. i'd shop state street any day over the mess at north and clybourn.

Stealth

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:29:43 -0600

"The Loop is playing to a slightly lower socio-economic group than North and Clybourn. Macy's says "ahem..."

JessNevins

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:19:21 -0600

That's slightly more accessible than the one downtown. At least you don't have to dodge American Doll moms just to get your macbook fixed.

mike_thoms

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:11:20 -0600

As if that area wasn't overcrowded enough