- Gary: ‘The next comeback story of the Rust Belt’
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- Gary, Ind., Mayor-elect Karen Freeman-Wilson thinks her city is ready to tell a different story – and she’s not alone: Some 500 people from Gary, Northwest Indiana and greater metropolitan Chicago filled the Genesis Center on Tuesday, Dec. 13, for “Gary: City of Promise,” a…
- Even at mid-speed, rail improvements can crank up Illinois' economy
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- This op-ed by MPC President MarySue Barrett appeared in Crain's Chicago Business May 3, 2010.
As Illinois and neighboring states explore how a high-speed rail network could transform the Midwest, the Chicago area stands to gain employment and attract new economic development. The question is, how…
Local ideas inform regional and national trends-
Building on lessons learned by local leaders, MPC, and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus during the first round of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning submits massive regional proposal for NSP 2.
Northwest Indiana takes to heart Burnham’s famous appeal, “Make no little plans….”-
The Marquette Plan, Northwest Indiana’s ambitious plan to revitalize and protect its Lake Michigan shoreline, reflects many of the ideals embodied in Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago. The plan earned MPC’s prestigious Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning in 2007.
- Reinventing investment for a more livable Chicago region
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The second event of the MPC-CAF summer discussion series, "Reinventing Public Investment", focused on how federal policies in housing, transportation and economic development have shaped decisions and community development in the Chicago Region.
- Goal-Driven, Right-Sized and Coordinated: Federal Investment Reform for the 21st Century
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- In the midst of an unprecedented economic downturn, community, civic, government, nonprofit and foundation leaders across metropolitan Chicago are planting encouraging seeds of innovation. MPC has released a white paper documenting some of those innovative local efforts, and is seeking more examples to further build the case for federal investment reform.
- Conservation easements still the way to go for agricultural preservation
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- Illinois Senate Bill 286, which would have empowered county governments to create farmland preservation easement programs, died in the House on May 7, 2009. One argument against easements is that zoning is an effective tool to preserve farms. MPC offers a handful of reasons to the contrary.
- MPC and ULI “Discover Asia on Argyle” in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood
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Uptown’s Argyle Street is one of the more unique, multicultural commercial corridors in Chicago. MPC and ULI organized a Technical Assistance Panel in November 2008 to recommend ways to promote and improve this dynamic, one-of-a-kind, business corridor. Read the recommendations for moving forward with a new vision.
Transit Innovation: Staying Connected-
- Every two weeks, MPC uncovers best practices from around the world and delivers them right to your inbox in Talking Transit. This week, MPC explores wireless internet connectivity on trains, in stations, on boats, and in terminals.
Transportation Investment Accountability Act garners support from key lawmakers, media-
The Illinois General Assembly passed a “mini capital” program during the last week of March; the program only accounts for a portion of Gov. Quinn’s larger, $26 billion proposal, and did not include reforms for selecting transportation investments. MPC continues to push for these reforms.