I spent last weekend up in Chicago. I hadn’t been there in over a decade, and although the City, for the most part, hasn’t changed all that much, there are some notable improvements, many of which provide lessons for those of us here in Alexandria.
Like Alexandria, Chicago was also decimated by a huge fire– only seven years after General Banks ordered the scorching of our fair City. There are only a handful of buildings that survived the Great Fire of 1871, and not surprisingly, they are well-preserved gems of the urban core. When you consider this– that one of the biggest cities in the country has been completely rebuilt during the past 140 or so years, you can’t help but marvel at the tenacity of the people of Chicago. Indeed, the fire actually spurred the development of Chicago, transforming the City almost immediately.
Taken from the top of the Sears Tower.
Of course, Alexandria is a little different. With the exception of a handful of structures, most of Alexandria’s “old” buildings were constructed in the late 1890s and early 1900s. No doubt, a confluence of factors– not least of which was the Reconstruction of the South– delayed the redevelopment of Alexandria. To be sure, we rebuilt, but it wasn’t sudden or precipitous. And we’ve had some serious difficulties addressing our historic inventory and character.
But that’s not the point I am getting at. Chicago is not exactly analogous to Alexandria, but it can teach us lessons:
1. Efficient, effective public transit.
2. Catalytic public projects. Museums, libraries, parks, amphitheaters.
Frank Gehry’s incredible amphitheater.
3. Bicycle lanes.
4. And what I believe they are doing best: Public art.
Probably the best spray park in the United States
5. A Sufjan Stevens song about them.
6. And did I mention the Art Institute?
CenLamar 
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