Why less development of the South Side ? (Chicago, Evergreen Park: apartments, houses)

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by rparz

Give it time, once the economy starts coming back around. Development and investment will pick back up in Douglas and Bronzeville as the north side and south loop is only so large.

Yep, and I would hope the development wouldn't be necessarily expensive housing. If they could develop things and keep it within $1000/month for a 1 bedroom, it would be awesome..and still have its own identity.

I know, wishful thinking...but the last thing we need is another Lincoln Park. That would probably be hard, especially given the proximity of Douglas/Bronzeville to the Loop. I have a friend in Bronzeville who likes it, but he always states how there's nothing to do around there. I know there's a few nice apartment complexes in Bronzeville now.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yep, and I would hope the development wouldn't be necessarily expensive housing. If they could develop things and keep it within $1000/month for a 1 bedroom, it would be awesome..and still have its own identity.

I know, wishful thinking...but the last thing we need is another Lincoln Park

Probably not. You're going to pay for proximity to the loop and short commutes. The people investing in this are doing to make a profit, and the most profit is in 'luxury apartments.'
When's the last time you've seen an advertisement for 'mid-level living' and thought 'ohh, I want to live there!'

That would probably be hard, especially given the proximity of Douglas/Bronzeville to the Loop. I have a friend in Bronzeville who likes it, but he always states how there's nothing to do around there. I know there's a few nice apartment complexes in Bronzeville now.

You'd have to buy around now to lock in your cost while it's still relatively affordable.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by rparz

Probably not. You're going to pay for proximity to the loop and short commutes. The people investing in this are doing to make a profit, and the most profit is in 'luxury apartments.'
When's the last time you've seen an advertisement for 'mid-level living' and thought 'ohh, I want to live there!'

For a typical boring young professional, yeah I know. It won't happen in those neighborhoods. Other neighborhoods like Logan Square, part of UK Village, and Pilsen are lucky because the development was there along the transit line. There's some near the Indiana Green Line stop, but yeah, it's not necessarily the balance between housing stock and stores/restaurants/bars that other areas have.

[rparz]

I think it'll happen -- eventually.

Look at places like Ukie Village and Humboldt park. It wasn't very long ago they were considered 'scary places.'

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by rparz

I think it'll happen -- eventually.

Look at places like Ukie Village and Humboldt park. It wasn't very long ago there wasn't much going on there except shootings.

There's still a lot of shootings going on in Humboldt Park. There's some small parts that are not that dangerous now, but HP is a big neighborhood area wise.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by marothisu

There's still a lot of shootings going on in Humboldt Park. There's some small parts that are not that dangerous now, but HP is a big neighborhood area wise.

True, but it's well on the way to turning around. Look at 'West Bucktown.' I use UK and HP as an example as the public transit isn't all that spectacular there as well.

Point is there is some interest and reason to go, as opposed to previously 'stay out at all costs.'
I think you can bank on seeing similar action heading south starting in Bronzeville.

[Gemini1963]

Originally Posted by marothisu

In all honesty, a lot of development can be spurred by ease of public transit. There's a reason why on the north side and west sides in the popular neighborhoods, you have a lot of establishments within an easy walking distance of the L. The problem with the L on the South Side is that the train stations are right in the middle in the freeway, and then there's surface roads ontop of that on the side that the NW side doesn't necessarily have for awhile.


I really wish the L went through Hyde Park and down to Jackson Park, not the Metra.

As one who is living out in Beverly at the moment, I really agree with this, that public transportation will be key to incorporating and developing the south side. We have a good Metra link to downtown, but that's it - and actually, by "good" I mean that it's a nice direct train ride . . . when it goes. The schedule, especially on weekends (and during parts of the weekdays/evenings) is really inconvenient.

It's really pleasant out here, but you do get to feeling a bit stranded sometimes, and it's a hassle (especially on weekends and in the evenings) to have to think SO much about when the trains will be (or won't be) coming.

Another little feature that needs correcting in my opinion is that Beverly is dry (alcohol-wise). Not that I want a bar at every corner, or anything, but I think the restaurants here would be better and busier if they weren't prohibited from serving alcohol. But who knows, maybe having it be dry is creating an atmosphere that I don't even know I'm enjoying.

[jsk1983]

Originally Posted by Gemini1963

As one who is living out in Beverly at the moment, I really agree with this, that public transportation will be key to incorporating and developing the south side. We have a good Metra link to downtown, but that's it - and actually, by "good" I mean that it's a nice direct train ride . . . when it goes. The schedule, especially on weekends (and during parts of the weekdays/evenings) is really inconvenient.

It's really pleasant out here, but you do get to feeling a bit stranded sometimes, and it's a hassle (especially on weekends and in the evenings) to have to think SO much about when the trains will be (or won't be) coming.

Another little feature that needs correcting in my opinion is that Beverly is dry (alcohol-wise). Not that I want a bar at every corner, or anything, but I think the restaurants here would be better and busier if they weren't prohibited from serving alcohol. But who knows, maybe having it be dry is creating an atmosphere that I don't even know I'm enjoying.

I thought there were bars on the west side of Western? I think only part of it is dry.

[Gemini1963]

I believe the west side of Western is Evergreen Park. Maybe there are parts along Western where that isn't so; I could be wrong.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Gemini1963

I believe the west side of Western is Evergreen Park. Maybe there are parts along Western where that isn't so; I could be wrong.

There are bars on the west side of Western in the city limits, the most well known of course being Cork and Kerry.