A look at the past, an eye toward the future
MPC has long been an advocate of environmental sustainability, from sensible land use that preserves open space, to clusters of housing and retail near transit, to protecting regional water supplies. Now, with our new office space, we also can practice what we preach.
In February, 2009, MPC relocated to the landmarked Marquette Building, at 140 S. Dearborn St. MPC is proud to announce its office located earned the designation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold for Commercial Interiors. Read more about MPC's LEED Gold office space >>
Moving into our open, creative workspace coincides with a milestone: our 75th anniversary on March 12, 2009. I have been president of MPC for more than 13 years, and I am extremely proud of our significant policy success around housing and community development, transportation and infrastructure, and sensible growth. In the same breath, I am humbled when I reflect back on how much this organization has contributed to the fabric and landscape of the entire region. Transformed public housing, Museum Campus, Millennium Park, a modernized freight network — MPC provided the spark that created these and so many other regional achievements.
Of course, MPC and the region still have work to do. We also have extraordinary opportunities. The new administration in Washington clearly recognizes the value, contributions and potential of metropolitan regions. Chicagoland is uniquely poised as a laboratory for a new framework for federal investment that is goaldriven, right-sized, flexible, and coordinated. There is amazing ingenuity happening on the ground in communities across the region. Over the next several months, MPC will be working closely with its partners to elevate these examples of innovation, ensuring models will be replicated and rewarded in the future.
My now-deceased Grandma Hein gave me her mementos from the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair, where MPC made its debut. I wish I had a crystal ball to see what our successors will recall as MPC celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2084, and how we will evolve along the way. What I do know is — as Chicago celebrates the centennial of the 1909 Burnham Plan — we join optimistically with others in committing to make no small plans.