If you haven’t been to Chicago, I highly recommend it. It is truly one of the greatest cities in America — and has now been dubbed “the greenest” as well. To cap off a string of eco-friendly initiatives, the “Windy City” is planning on building a 2-mile eco-bridge. A breakwater in the Monroe harbor, it will celebrate Chicago’s new green honor — and potentially give it an edge in a bid to compete for the 2016 Olympic games. From the article,
“The project was also intended to enhance Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The observation tower is a prominent and central place to house the Olympic flame. The breakwater provides ample space for rowing and sailing events in calm water and could offer terrific viewer access for these events. The ecological and educational advantages of the project are plentiful. The bridge showcases the ecology of the Great Lakes and provides a haven for fish and water plants.”
The bridge would also be ringed with wind turbines — providing energy efficiency, as well as showing Chicago’s dedication to sustainability.
I think it looks beautiful — and would truly add even more space to the city’s already impressive harbor offerings. For more photos of the proposed “Eco-Bridge”, jump here.
4 Comments
When I first saw the picture, I thought, okay, another pretty drive to see the city view…what’s to so green or sustainable about that!? The wind turbines won me over. I have visited the city many, many times and the wind off the lake ought to power quite a few buildings! Way to go, Chicago.
I don’t live in Chicago. I have never lived in Chicago. I would never live in Chicago. I have lived in several states and have been to many big cities. Chicago is by far the coolest, nicest and most fascinating city in the country. The architecture is nothing less than breathtaking. I almost got hit by cars several times walking around looking up at all the buildings. I was lucky enough to be in the city long before “terrorism” was a concern and was able to take panoramic pictures from the top of the Sears tower observation deck. It was great. What a fabulous experience. I also had friends that live in Chicago, say had because they are my ex-wife’s close friends thus no longer mine, that showed us around around the city. They took us to a great german restaurant. I don’t remember the name but I’m sure anyone in the know knows which one I speak of. Awesome food. We went to a jazz bar where they had big band with vocals on the menu and cigars and martinis all around. It was just great. I was there for a software convention on another occasion and walked around myself. I had a burger from a joinnt in the bottom corner of some building downtown. I have no idea where I was or what the place was called. It was hands down one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Not that the beef was good or the bun. The fries even sucked. BUT what made it so good was the special sauce they had on it. It looked like thousand island made with mayo, ketchup and mustard or something. I was fab. Shopping is great. It’s everywhere. What I really enjoyed though, again, was the architecture. I absolutely enjoyed looking at all the buildings. Just great. NYC has NOTHING on Chitown in terms of architecture. Plus Chicagoans tend to be much more polite.
Oh and I also went to Frank Lloyd Wright’s house out in the burbs. Amazing. Even the burbs have fab architecture. I love older houses. I’m from Reading PA where row homes are the norm. I always loved how they looked. Chicago doesn’t have row homes but the houses are of similar style but larger and with yards. Our friends had one not far from the Wright house. Yeah it was old. Yeah it was small. Yeah it needed work. But it was a real gem. Loved it. Sure the rooms were small but that was part of it’s charm. My ex didn’t like em but that’s one of the many reasons she’s now an ex. I found the houses to be warm and inviting. Lovely. A great place to have a family near a big city.
I highly recommend anyone who has never been to Chicago to do themselves the favor and go see it. Spend a few days and see the sites. You won’t be disappointed by any means.
This picture looked like a Dubai project, just another slap in the face to “western ideals”. I’m glad Chicago will be one of the cities here in the US that will make architecture, aesthetics, and utility one in the same. To top it all off, sustainable. Beat that Dubai.
I live in Chicago. Great great city in the summer. Unbelievable strides forward in the last decades.
I’m 42, and I can remember smelt fishing on Navy Pier with my Dad when it was a rotting pier long abandoned by the navy. Now I take my kids there to ride on the ferris wheel and see air shows over the lake.
The ENTIRE length of Chicago lake front is public land. As far as I know Chicago is the only city that can say that. Biking is great.
The museum campus is another huge recent improvement. It’s a giant grassy park connecting the Planetarium, Aquarium, and Natural History museum to the lakefront. Fireworks there are great. I remember years ago when it was cut in half by lake shore drive.
This project would totally fit with Chicago, I hope it happens.
Man, am I glad winter is over. Chicago winter. ugh.