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CHICAGO (CBS) — Is Chicago’s Magnificent Mile at risk for massive store closures? Just two months ago it was the epicenter of unrest. Then this week there was a murder on Oak Street and Michigan Avenue. All of that is on top of a pandemic that has taken a toll on everyone. The Mag Mile businesses aren’t unique, but Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) said it is the recent violence and spike in burglaries that is causing real concern now.
With downtown retailers suffering a major blow due to Covid-19, civil unrest, unstable leadership and a downward trending economy, it’s only a matter of time before downtown declines into a state of despair similar to major cities in the 60s and 70s if swift action is not implemented by city officials.
Leading up to COVID-19, it was predicted that American suburbs would decline as more upwardly mobile individuals relocated to city centers. I personally think the events of 2020 have changed that narrative.
With downtown retailers suffering a major blow due to Covid-19, civil unrest, unstable leadership and a downward trending economy, it’s only a matter of time before downtown declines into a state of despair similar to major cities in the 60s and 70s if swift action is not implemented by city officials.
Leading up to COVID-19, it was predicted that American suburbs would decline as more upwardly mobile individuals relocated to city centers. I personally think the events of 2020 have changed that narrative.
Thoughts?
I think that you're spot-on, and Mayor Lightfoot needs to partially shoulder the blame. While she wasn't out there breaking windows and looting (at least, I hope not), she did not order police to do what they needed to do in order to stop it. Kind of a modern-day "Nero fiddled while Rome burned" scenario. New York City is supposedly going through the same thing right now with money fleeing the city. Will it be temporary, or permanent? I think Chicago has something like fifty million tourists a year, and they don't come to see Alsip. That's why downtown was always protected from riots, looting, and violence. But not in 2020.
Good Luck with That. I'm pretty sure that Harold Washington would have done more than raise a few bridges, I can't believe there came a time when I would say, "I sure do miss that guy". Or Jayne Byrne. Or Eugene Sawyer. Or Michael Bilandic. Or Little Richard. But especially Little Richard's Dad. Ain't nobody (except Jusse) gonna miss Kimmy after she's gone, she is definitely part of the problem as well.
With downtown retailers suffering a major blow due to Covid-19, civil unrest, unstable leadership and a downward trending economy, it’s only a matter of time before downtown declines into a state of despair similar to major cities in the 60s and 70s if swift action is not implemented by city officials.
Leading up to COVID-19, it was predicted that American suburbs would decline as more upwardly mobile individuals relocated to city centers. I personally think the events of 2020 have changed that narrative.
Thoughts?
A lot of people at the beginning of the pandemic speculated that this virus marked the beginning of the end for financial districts like the Loop. It really appeared that companies could maintain the same productivity 100% remotely. Now, it's looking like that may not be the case; there has to be at least some face to face interaction.
I think the majority of companies will eventually want their employees back downtown. Most companies will have more liberal work from home policies. Many will adopt the "flex" model or whatever.
The point is that tourists will follow once the office workers return. And once the tourists return, the Magnificent Mile will come back.
I hate seeing the boards go up downtown like that. As soon as the danger seemed to be coming back, my friend tells me that a couple of the high end stores started boarding up their windows.
now that would be horrid, that stupid mayor lightfoot who is evil and has a big ego problem, not only can she not run the city, but now if she takes it down, due to her incompetence and ego and hatefulness especially toward Trump, then she is not only ruining the city, but maybe being the linchpin on bringing it down.
Funny that im hearing on the news that Detroit has a good handle on the crime there and is getting better. What he is doing is community policing so they have like more Mr Officer Freindly's (remember that when you went to grammar school).. wow if Detroit is becoming safer than Chicago, that is a miracle. but it may be happening.
Detroit is not safer, it is in fact worse than last year at the same time. Almost all large cities are seeing an uptick in crime with so many people not working, some not qualifying for unemployment, money tighter everywhere, and the police departments stretched to the max sometimes because of covid circulating within the depts.
I think some people would prefer that Chicago and other large cities experience decline because they don't like Lightfoot or want cities to decline because they are democratic strongholds.
Cities are certainly suffering more because of the pandemic, but I think they will come back stronger than ever once we have a vaccine. Millions upon billions of people worldwide that love the vibrancy of cities miss the close interaction, hustle and bustle, and will rush to experience it again asap!
Its been posted there are 20-blocks of Madison Av in NYC with 50% frontage unoccupied. That is merely others assesements with no stats. Stats are best. The Philadelphia forum also has had for many months comments of losing retail downtown to KOP a Suburban city with huge mall just outside the city.
Still a thread popped up with a just out list of America's 100 best cities. Lo and Behold .... Chicago is number 4 after NYC LA and SF. they have 26 criteria. It has its own thread for the link and comments. Of course a nortorious Chicago knocker posted whose idea and why is Chicago on the like... LOL.
Our Nations Retail has been getting wacked for some time now like this century. Chicago still managed to be above the worst cities seen losses. Getting just the new largest Starbucks Roastery to go into the former Crate and Barrel building was a possitive. Sadly Neiman Marcus going Bankrupt is not a good thing. They already announced the closing of a spanking brand new just opened like a month before the Pandemic and a Flagship of a mall in the New massive Hudson Yards development of NYC as a loss that will test the development and retail for years to come.
So far there is not claims that the Chicago Neiman Marcus is already closing for good? Oak St boutiques have had ongoing thief for years sadly. They write it off and move on. They are professional thiefs too.
Did the newer Dior and Versace close permanently and other boutique stores?
The Viagra Triangle is going strong filled with people on the street even closed for more tables....
*** What Chicago and especially N Mich Av needs ..... is the return of TOURIST. They were a HUGE COMPONENT that is hurting. Why some cannot understand that is a huge factor. Crime no help but not new to Oak St with professional robberies. Retail hurting in so many cities and lack of all the tons of TOURIST hurts tremendously that is not Chicago mayors fault of any city mayor. The Pandemic is to blame.
The Chicago forum does not allow Crime threads. But these constant totally POLITICAL ONES and much RHETORIC of DOOM get old now too.
Just GIVE STATS of closed stores permanently and other stats to prove the Last Rites death bed prayers and crying warranted.The Philadelohia forum has a thread ongoing for years called - Retail coming to Philly and it is also on Retail lost and closed for good sadly.That forum is at least more pro-Phily's future then this one and less prone to just political rhetoric and bashing. Though they have little love for their current political leaders there either.....
With downtown retailers suffering a major blow due to Covid-19, civil unrest, unstable leadership and a downward trending economy, it’s only a matter of time before downtown declines into a state of despair similar to major cities in the 60s and 70s if swift action is not implemented by city officials.
Leading up to COVID-19, it was predicted that American suburbs would decline as more upwardly mobile individuals relocated to city centers. I personally think the events of 2020 have changed that narrative.
Thoughts?
Actually, the suburbs will decline mantra was popular about 10 years ago but since mid decade the suburbs are dominating by far again, COVID or not. The central cities never outpaced the suburbs, only slowed the suburb growth a few years.
Chicago lost 200,000 people 2000-2010, then started gaining until about 2014/2015, and has been losing pop. since this as well as the metro area and state.
I think this recent civil unrest, war on police, and inept local leadership will accelerate Chicago city population but there are broader forces at work causing a general population decline in the metro and state. COVID certainly isn’t helping many cities in the long-run.
But the narrative about the suburbs wasn’t changed by COVID and its fallout or the rioting as these 2 factors have certainly changed things for the worse, city-wise especially.
Its been posted there are 20-blocks of Madison Av in NYC with 50% frontage unoccupied. That is merely others assesements with no stats. Stats are best. The Philadelphia forum also has had for many months comments of losing retail downtown to KOP a Suburban city with huge mall just outside the city.
Still a thread popped up with a just out list of America's 100 best cities. Lo and Behold .... Chicago is number 4 after NYC LA and SF. they have 26 criteria. It has its own thread for the link and comments. Of course a nortorious Chicago knocker posted whose idea and why is Chicago on the like... LOL.
Our Nations Retail has been getting wacked for some time now like this century. Chicago still managed to be above the worst cities seen losses. Getting just the new largest Starbucks Roastery to go into the former Crate and Barrel building was a possitive. Sadly Neiman Marcus going Bankrupt is not a good thing. They already announced the closing of a spanking brand new just opened like a month before the Pandemic and a Flagship of a mall in the New massive Hudson Yards development of NYC as a loss that will test the development and retail for years to come.
So far there is not claims that the Chicago Neiman Marcus is already closing for good? Oak St boutiques have had ongoing thief for years sadly. They write it off and move on. They are professional thiefs too.
Did the newer Dior and Versace close permanently and other boutique stores?
The Viagra Triangle is going strong filled with people on the street even closed for more tables....
*** What Chicago and especially N Mich Av needs ..... is the return of TOURIST. They were a HUGE COMPONENT that is hurting. Why some cannot understand that is a huge factor. Crime no help but not new to Oak St with professional robberies. Retail hurting in so many cities and lack of all the tons of TOURIST hurts tremendously that is not Chicago mayors fault of any city mayor. The Pandemic is to blame.
The Chicago forum does not allow Crime threads. But these constant totally POLITICAL ONES and much RHETORIC of DOOM get old now too.
Just GIVE STATS of closed stores permanently and other stats to prove the Last Rites death bed prayers and crying warranted.The Philadelohia forum has a thread ongoing for years called - Retail coming to Philly and it is also on Retail lost and closed for good sadly.That forum is at least more pro-Phily's future then this one and less prone to just political rhetoric and bashing. Though they have little love for their current political leaders there either.....
Yep, it's a national phenomenon driven by BLM riots and Covid. I can't wait to get back to office downtown for work. Work from home is not efficient and most companies will be putting their workers back in offices
Likely will. Although, I really don't know what to expect across the board.
I grew up on the east coast in a pretty affluent suburb with one of the nicest malls in the country. Apparently there are rumblings that it may shutdown because so few stores (other than the larger anchor department stores) are planning to open in the foreseeable future.
Similarly, a neighboring suburb that is known for its charming downtown with local, unique bars and restaurants; several are shutdown for the foreseeable future.
In the Boston forum, they were talking about how many of the large retail stores in their upscale shopping districts are shutting down.
Bottom line; I think suburbs and major cities are going to be deeply affected by this. It very likely will lead to the decline of these districts, and cities (and everyday life) will not be the same for a long time.
I don't think the Protests will have long term impacts, although city leadership needs to protect businesses better. The next thing to brace for will be in a couple of years when the trial of Chauvin and the officers happens. If he does not receive a significant charge or God help us all if he is acquitted, Chicago and almost all major US cities may burn to the ground and may no longer be left standing. Then there will be a literal decline/death of the Magnificent Mile.
In the short-term, vaccines, treatments, and people following public health guidelines are more important than ever if we want to get back to "normal" (including cities) from COVID.
Brick-n-mortar retail has been in decline the past few years just like certain cities, like Chicago, have and continue to see population declines. COVID, the unrest, and spiraling gun violence will have many, including families especially, thinking whether it’s worth staying in the city proper all underwritten by the out-migration driver known as public schools.
The big chains, high-end boutiques, and hotels will survive as will Michigan Avenue. It’s obviously the small businesses that will take the bigger hit and job losses.
The current local leadership is not exactly reassuring that we’re being protected.
Is Chicago going to see tumbleweeds rolling down Michigan Avenue? No.
The population decline is, however, a red flag, despite all the good things in and about Chicago.
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