Hayward

I use a Nikon D7000 and then other times my iphone. But I get around to many of these places on my longboard, so it's kind of risky to carry the D7000. Here's a shot from today of 500 N LSD. Compare and contrast to the picture above

This was taken St. Patricks day

^ Damn I had the guts to try that stuff Twice before. I tend to drink canned beverages fast, regardless what they are. That doesnt work with four loco...at least the original formulated version. Since then I've heard the energy ingredients have been eliminated

Since I've moved here 3 years ago, I've never been inside any of the theaters. That's really cool you took some photos. I have been in the office building portion of Cadillac Palace though...and very little of it is untouched by modernizations. The interior still maintains its historic appearance.

It's like front and center lol

^ I'm pretty sure the city owns ROW now. It wouldn't make much sense for the rail companies to continue holding onto that land since it's becomes a liability at that point and has no future in freight. There's been RFPs as recent as 2010 but no further action...or it's just been shelved for now. The Kinzie Street Railroad bridge still does have operational capacity despite that its controls and drive mechanics have been decommissioned. Since it's a city landmark, it should see continuing inspections and maintenance when critical. Here's a shot of 500 N. LSD. I would have gone outside to take this, but it was too damn cold

I keep pushing back my need to get a new car. I obviously don't need it for short trips since I live downtown. But even for the longer trips, I just rent a car from enterprise. It's far more affordable...even for several days a month and you usually get a newer car. I can also choose a car based on my needs. An SUV if I'm taking my bike someplace or a Prius for very long drives when I don't have much cargo and I really need to save on gas.

Had this building been standing today, I have no doubt (legitimate) renovation plans would have been in the works. The talk back then was all condo, condo, condo, condo. Look, people don't want to throw down a bunch of money and a mortgage in Detroit yet. However, the rental market is hot right now and I think just because it could have been rental there would have been eligibility for a ton of public subsidies. The building was solid. The joke during its demolition was the difficulty in taking it down, despite that it was deemed dangerous. They had to cut through alot of that steel and pull it down because it would take forever otherwise. You can see Sherman's "Corner with a view" photo being obliterated in this youtube video I don't believe "pull down" demos are legal in many major cities....but apparently Detroit.

My trip to the dentist almost got more serious. I get to the building which has a bank of 12 elevators. I board the 1 elevator people are getting in. Door lights are green. 5 seconds later a voice...."stand clear, the doors are about to close.". Lights turn red "Do not board". At the last second a guy swings his briefcase into the 3 inch gap and hits me right in the mouth. He apologizes quickly, but what an ass. Just wait for another lift. And don't try and run on when it's already full.

This past weekend, I had this grand idea to bike up to Milwaukee from Chicago. It's about 90 miles each way on a trail that runs, for the most part, all the way there. Some friends decided to join me part of the way. I took these pictures on my phone....and that's all I was carrying along with my wallet. Unfortunately the weather didn't turn out as promised. It just got cloudier and colder and remained in the low 40's. I got up slightly past Racine to make it 80 miles, then 15 miles back to Kenosha, then rode around town to make it an even 100 miles. I then boarded a MetraRail train back to Chicago. These photos show the way there + Racine. Kenosha will be the next thread. On the way up near the North Channel Trail in Chicago we saw this house being moved Breakfast in Highland Park....18 Miles North of downtown Chicago At about 25% of the way to Milwaukee the trail switches to concrete near the Naval Station at Great Lakes Just South of Waukegan Through Waukegan and Zion it's a miserable stretch of crushed limestone. It's okay to ride a road bike on it....just annoying after awhile. After passing Zion it starts to get rural Here's the un-ceremonious border crossing between Illinois and Wisconsin. Just a humble pedestrian bridge. The trail becomes asphalt pavement rest of the way Kenosha, but I'll save more for a later thread Finally I reach Racine. About 75 miles from home. Cold, tired, and miserable But I forced myself to take pictures. Now before you ask "Where's the people????" It was miserable out. And I probably looked like a fool pedaling about the wrong way on streets taking pictures of buildings. Hey look, a blue thing FLW Worn, but interesting neighborhood commercial district I saw on the way out Back on the road Stay tuned for Kenosha

Coast at LSE / The New East Side AMLI River North

Tonight I picked up an i-go car (just like zip-car, but local). When I started the ignition...brights...wipers...loud radio all on. Who the hell leaves a car like that.

Uh oh. Look what arrived in Chicago.

^ That is not right.

Many familiar places! Great photos

I haven't been there in forever. Last time I was there I was only 6 years old!!! I still remember that atrium with the arches and it smelled like formaldehyde....does it still?? This building (Montgomery Ward) is missing its hat.

Those stiffeners look shot, but swap em and add a new deck and this bridge could be a pedestrian bridge. It would easily cost $150,000 to rehab it though

Here's some quick phone pics from today Ronald McDonald and Optima The white building being renovated to the left is part of the construction too...obviously to preserve side views for as long as the highrise is standing. Coast and a television filming(?) Bonus

Very good! Those duplexes are unique

Such a shame. Last time I saw this place it was in good condition. Thanks for getting these photos before the inevitable happens.

I think this is the first time since I've moved in that groups of people have lingered in the hallway talking. Sure people can be loud and rowdy heading to the elevators. It's not a big deal...just a minute or two of noise. But 30 minutes of the same people that keep stepping in the freight elevator, then back out moments later...then stairwell....then down the hall....then fire escape....then back in the hallway....then down the hallway...back to the elevator. What is going on? Do I want to know what's going on. Can you do whatever it is more quietly. I should point out people are really well behaved because of our building management. Oh they...or should I say SHE really gets involved. She can be really nice if you are well behaved and respectful. But have an attitude or create problems in the building and it's HELLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! My building actually has great yelp reviews. The only parts where points are docked are HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for checking out the thread! I love Coast too. It's unbelievable how fast it's moving. Photos from Sunday 500 N LSD Tri-Hotel AMLI K-Station

I've received development news from my Alderman on continuing conversion of Esquire Theater and tear down / rebuild of two neighboring properties. The two walkups it will replace are interesting in some ways...architecturally not that great since they've long been stripped of their character. So as long as Oak Street maintains a balance between new and old structures, I think the replacement option will be ok. Just don't make it a habit. New renderings released http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=fn8xeqcab&v=001Xj-HQOIjbAU1LdUSLg7GFRFJnIg4Mkch_nvzPk74DZfJG2C-rtey7Xrm0T_TU88Zk3amAM7-SKMpGI3tXLSR8BsZ7QEx179Nj_NmITrqYho%3D

Michigan Avenue and Oak. Close! Though I'm looking at Wells and Division in a new building...which I'll be taking the red line since my office is moving a few blocks south near Jackson. You're in a great area btw. Tons of great places along Clark and right by the zoo / lake

My numbers have gotten more accurate in the 3 years Ive lived and worked at the same places By bike (95% of the time....even winter) 12 minutes or 6 minutes going 25-30mph in the centerlane of chicago's Michigan ave. By bus 18 minutes. Buses arrive every minute. Yep, 60+ buses per hour at the stop near my apartment By skateboard. Usually 15 minutes. The city requires me to be on the sidewalk but because I have a longboard I can be on most streets. But downtown I'm restricted to sidewalks. I only do this when I go to work early because there's less pedestrians. Walking. 25 minutes I wake up at 7:40. In the office by 8:25, leaving a couple minutes to get a breakfast in the cafe downstairs.