Ambitious Plan Would Transform Chicago’s North Side

Chicago-based developer Sterling Bay unveiled its plan to transform at least 70 riverfront acres on the north side of Chicago into Lincoln Yards, which would include thousands of homes, along with offices, public parks and skyscrapers as tall as 70 stories, the Chicago Tribune reported. A community meeting in July drew hundreds and was standing-room only, reflecting the intense interest in the project to transform a former industrial area between Lincoln Park and Bucktown. Sterling said the initial plan consists of 12 million sq. ft. of buildings, divided roughly evenly between residential and commercial. A Sterling Bay representative explained the development would be lower density near existing neighborhoods and higher density near the expressway. Thousands of jobs would be created, and the city would reap nearly US$89 million in zoning fees, the source said. However, huge challenges remain, including ensuring adequate infrastructure and resources such as schools.