Friday, June 13, 2008

An Olympic vid and the Aldermanic meeting


Via Second City Cop, the subject matter seems to be talking down the whole concept of bringing the Summer Olympics to Chicago. Heh, I was thinking exactly about the idea that if Chicago gets the olympics there can be 5 stars on the municipal flag instead of 4. Those stars represents such events as a world's fair, a Columbian Exposion, to name a couple of events off the top of my. One of those stars represents the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, but I was trying to think positive here.

Also I went to the Aldermanic meeting were amongst such subjects as hospice care, lead poisioning, & information about a financial seminar being held on the south side we had some community outreach from the Chicago 2016 team. The presentation was very good it looks like the west side will get that swimming pool in Douglas Park and the venues will largely be in public parks around the city especially in Grant Park and Lincoln Park. Of course most of us are familiar with the olympic stadium that is proposed to be built in Washington Park.

We had a flyover presentation over the various venues to be used for the Olympics. A video of the Mayor and Democratic nominee Barack Obama at a rally for the Olympics. I guess it was before I was there to take a few pictures. The speech were Obama said he's be finishing his second term as President and he'd like to walk from his Hyde Park home to the games in Washington Park.

There were a number of good questions during the Q&A portion. Will 95/Dan Ryan be upgraded? Will there be an open bidding process? Will minority firms be allowed to bid on any projects? Will there be set asides for minority firms? Could the Olympics affect property taxes?

It was also mentioned that Chicago State University might see some Olympic activity. That would mean that there might be some traffic at 95th Street. Of course 95th has just finished upgrading a year or so ago. Another subject touched upon was the extension of the CTA Red Line out south.

The idea was to decrease use as stated by Ald. Lyle. I don't see a time where 95th will cease to be a bus terminal, however the traffic won't be what it one was when that extension is placed online. Especially since many bus riders taking not only CTA, but Pace as well might be able to continue their trips by train if the Red Line goes further south.

It was great to see the Olympic team stop by into the neighborhoods to talk about the Olympic games. It looks great, but of course as you saw with Second City Cop there might be some naysayers. I like the idea of an upgraded CTA the key to the viability of Chicago in its Olympic bid.

Still if you're asking my opinion, well I'm not all gung-ho about the Olympics coming to Chicago. I won't be so eager to place another red star on the flag of the City of Chicago. What other benefits will there be for residents?

No comments:

Post a Comment

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Comment Moderating and Anonymous Comment Policy

While anonymous comments are not prohibited we do encourage you to help readers identify you so that other commenters may respond to you. Either read the moderating policy for how or leave an identifier (which could be a nickname for example) at the end of the comment.

Also note that this blog is NOT associated with any public or political officials including Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer!