This project was a joint IDOT/City of
Chicago/Chicago Park District venture. Given the
wide range of transportation, social, economic, and
cultural issues along South Lake Shore Drive, the
project team arranged a series of Advisory Group
meetings to facilitate project coordination and
outreach throughout the duration of the project. The
Advisory Group consisted of the project sponsors,
elected officials, various community groups, and
concerned citizens. Coordination with this group
started with seeking agreement on design standards
and parameters prior to any design work being done
and continued through the design process. IDOT and
its consultant would attend the routine Advisory
Group meetings and present new design elements every
step of the way and continued to coordinate even
detailed aesthetic treatments towards the end of the
Phase I process. This coordination process was
complemented by a public hearing, which was held in
both open house and formal presentation format to
solicit the maximum amount of public input possible.
Coordination continued throughout Phase II and this
project is currently under construction receiving
positive views from the community already.
