Hayward

I don't think (downtown and adjacent area's) is that much cheaper than Manhattan. I do think Chicago is perttier, than NYC as a whole. It's pretty cheap. Rent on the Magnificent Mile is on average $2.25/sqft/month. Plentiful supply of downtown 1 BR condos for under $1 Million. That's the allure of Chicago. Big City Experience at a bargain price.

I can see on this page I'm not the only one experiencing weird weather. Here's a shot today from the observation deck of Kemper Tower. This public floor was last open in the 1970's and was reopened this weekend. What a lost treasure, the views are incredible!

Suicide is an unacceptable alternative to personal problems. Do society a favor and don't die. Get help. We don't want you to die, because you will inconvenience the rest of us, and you just might have a better life.

I was talking about this at the bar tonight. While it's really time in my age group to start having kids, there was some of my high school friends that had children very early on. The girls really let themselves go. Whatever, as long as they are happy I guess. But I've noticed it's a trend with people that really didn't go to college and just stayed back in the small town. I mean there really isn't much else to do except get married and raise a family. Thank God I went to a great school that forced me to explore a bigger world out there. Settling down can wait. And I want to be sure I'm making enough money to take care of my kids. Seems like 99% of my friends from college agree with that.

I would contest this, but I think people here already know better that there is quite a bit of architectural diversity across the city. If you go out on the West and southwest sides you'll find neighborhoods entirely different from the more common areas that tend to be featured on this forum. We haven't had a Brighton Park / BOTY or Garfield Park thread in awhile that always seems to surprise people. I think the issue is Chicago is so incredibly large with little geographical variation, these huge neighborhoods just run together and changes in building style are nuanced. There's also the fact that most who live in the nicer neighborhoods, or visit the city will only ever see 20% of the city. I was astounded heading up to Avondale this summer and seeing Los Angeles style art deco. Never would have expected it. I don't see the point of calling the residential stock "cheap garbage." I think your observation is pretty sophomoric. Chicago has always historically been blue collar and immigrant. You can definitely tell the neighborhoods where the wealthy lived in their brownstones and mansions from the simple...but slightly ornamental brick walkups, bungalows, or wood frames. These homes are built to last and have the finest of interiors that are considered a luxury in modern construction. Every city in America has neighborhoods where the level of architectural embellishment falls off toward generic, simple character. But that's inherent of anyplace where the majority of the populace was working class.

Anyone that makes their child their profile picture receives an automatic de-friend from me. I've defriended 2 cousins and 1 friend from college for this. One of them emailed me on the issue, asking if something was wrong. I told her the last thing I want people to see on my timeline in the Friends box is a picture of little kid. That's just creepy. No one will understand that this is actually my cousin's child. Facebook only shows a name and a picture. I don't mind bad photography. Though I don't like extremely close zoomed in photography. Amazes me how people's fat faces will sometimes fill the entire frame.

Very cool time-lapse video of the Torrence Rail bridge installation on Chicago's Southside. The 400' bridge was lifted into place, all in one piece. The purpose of the project was to clear at grade crossings and increase speed and efficiency of commuter rail. While the bridge is primarily designed for trains, bicyclists and pedestrians will be allowed to cross it as well. The total cost of the project was $101 Million and is part of the $7 Billion Building a new Chicago Plan and Infrastructure Trust.

So I recently got a hoax message on fb from a former hs teacher But it has good intentions, no?

Wow those sparks are crazy. I remember standing on that circle pier thing in the river taking pics back in 2006.

BMW already makes high performance bicycles (non electric) Plus the frame weld and paint jobs are so much more professional looking than any bicycle manufacturer out there. Only a matter of time before car companies pair "lifestyle accessories" with their vehicles. You'll start seeing Toyota and Chevrolet bicycles. Ideally motor vehicle technology in these bikes like regenerative braking, hydraulic brake lines, condition response interface, high intensity lamps and signaling, etc that are already luxuries on bicycles will become standard. Bicycle technology has lagged so far behind that of automobiles so car companies getting involved with hopefully improve innovation.

Formerly Known as Waterview is now 111 West Wacker. The tower was originally supposed to be 1040' at 90 floors but work stopped and the construction kept the building skeleton frozen at 27 floors. It was legally declared "abandoned" shortly later. The structure is intact and undamaged, but will require modifications for an entirely new design. Here's what the new design will look like. As of this week, construction work will finally return to this site. Related Midwest Waterview back when it had a crane on top. The city threatened to sue concerned the crane could collapse any day and it was eventually removed.

Hmmm, I don't really picture a bar scene on that particular stretch of few blocks. Further up toward the Uptown theater...yes. But the Wilson station is in an area with a retail vibe. The addition of Target and Aldi reinforce that commercial spirit. Considering this structure will be linked to the main station house, it will probably be fast food or grocery store related.

It's unlikely to get demolished. But an embarrassing and predictable situation in Detroit's development trends. I've witnessed so many downtown buildings worthy of preservation fall to the wrecking ball....all for nothing. I seriously thought it was at the point where it would stop (at least downtown.) Haven't heard much of a voice from PreservationDetroit either. I mean usually local preservation organizations would splatter their website with activism when this stuff happens. Get the public energized about it, tell us why the building is important, show us photos, tell us where to send letters. Instead I find no information about it. Instead an online petition created by a concerned individual from Brooklyn, NY and a hell of alot out-of-state signatures. Is there something wrong with this picture?

Great set! The apple store is sure coming along.

Excellent! I rode the Expo line a couple weeks ago. The slow surface level zone along Flower is kind of annoying, but once it hits those separated / elevated portions it really flies. You gotta have a pic of where the track just ends up in the air. It screams action scene.

We gave our cat regular NSAID pain relievers for arthritis. I don't know if improved quality of life that led to 21 years of age. But treatment was better than nothing.

I was trying to achieve the quality of your SF photos and failed. You need to post more of them. they are amazing Dinner on the roof this evening.

Architecture. Legally I cant say "architect". At least not yet

Big embarrassment today for the Detroit Police Department: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/19402202/2012/08/28/problem-solvers-help-detroit-carjacking-victim-facing-big-impound-fee

She was a legal Montana driver.

I just read this comment in huffpost in reguard to the above story. "It is important to remember that this man has a family and before y9u throw out your insensitive comments please give his family time to grieve the loss of a son, father, and friend.. I knew this man and he was a good person who was just a big kid and unfortunately made a mistake that cost him is life...." Seriously shut up You choose your destiny and what you do in public, whether good, humorous, horrible, or fatal will result in public reaction. This story could have easily been about a man playing a prank who caused two young girls to veer off the road and wind up dead crashed into the tree. This father and friend has just set the perfect example for the rest of society how you can ruin a family and endanger the public over doing something so foolish.

I was expecting the two bottles of cough syrup to have blood coughed up all over the drawing.

I'm envious of that boardwalk. All we got here in the Chi is a nasty mile of concrete.

Overall I'm happy with it. It's no marvel of architecture but it shouldn't be expected. Its purpose is to provide a comforting environment to the families inside and not draw attention to the outside. However the warm red brick was a welcome splash of color in a neighborhood full of glass towers. I should also point out they have control over the next door properties. They've essentially preserved the last shreds of fine grain commercial activity in Streeterville. I think that deserves a huge applause but I'm not sure many people care or have ever noticed. I think the biggest issue on grand is building the plaza deck and new stairs. Right now the city is arguing with private building owners over who should repair double decked sidewalks. Seems like no one wants to claim responsibility.

Nice! Soon St. Cloud will have commuter rail access to downtown Minneapolis.