When the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee make, or fail to make, decisions on regional planning, the suburbs between them are affected.
Chicago Mayor Rahn Emanuel and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, along with Gary, IN, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson were scheduled to all speak about region-level planning at a Metropolitan Planning Council luncheon Wednesday, though Emanuel didn't make it due to a city council meeting running overtime, the MPC said.
The Milwaukee and Gary mayors, according to the MPC, named several areas where the three Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana cities could cooperate:
- support the region’s existing and emerging industry clusters
- protect Lake Michigan
- preserve the region’s position as the nation’s transportation hub
"We have allowed outsiders to define us as the Rust Belt, and all of the negative connotations that come along with that," said Mayor Barrett of Milwaukee. "I think it is time that we as a region promote America's Fresh Coast."
Gary's mayor echoed that.
"We recognize that Chicago is the anchor, but we also know Gary has a lot to offer, from our lakefront, to industry, to the Gary-Chicago International Airport," said Mayor Freeman-Wilson. "If all three cities commit to work together, there's a real competitive advantage there."
Mayor Emanuel sent a statement saying, "I am committed to embracing opportunities for regional collaboration, and I will continue to work with fellow mayors from the Midwest to foster economic opportunity and job growth throughout the region."
In this global economy, Milwaukee's Mayor Barrett said, "Chicago, Gary, Milwaukee and their suburbs comprise one mega-region. To remain relevant and competitive, our tri-state region needs leaders from all three metros working together to support the assets we share, address the threats we face, and pursue the opportunities we can all benefit from – while continuing to celebrate the unique character of the places we call home.”
MPC held a similar conference July 17 in Milwaukee at Marquette University.
Two studies recently found the region has lagged in economic development because development efforts were so fragmented, according to the Chicago Tribune. The number of governmental agencies, duplication of services and poor transportation have also been .
MPC said an independent, competitive analysis of the tri-state region released in March helped set the stage for the event. Also, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is creating the Tri-State Alliance for Regional Development.
Prior to the luncheon, MPC asked civic and business leaders from across the mega-region to identify opportunities for the mayors to coordinate more closely on critical tri-state priorities. Their ideas are featured in The Cities That Work blog series on MPC’s blog, The Connector.
Kudos for out-of-the-box thinking, but I think your plan would constitute a giant waste of public funds.
What if they made a single limited access highway along the route of current county road KR along the Racine-Kenosha County line, and then improve the north-south connections of the roads in Mount Pleasant and Somers, the two communities that would border this road? This could greatly increase connections between the two cities to the interstate, ultimately attracting more business to the two counties. I think that this could work in the future if the traffic counts and population (especially in Kenosha County) keep on increasing. Just an idea that I've had for a while.
Racine is the only city of 80,000 people in the midwest that is 9 miles from the interstate. Waukegan is 7 miles from 41 and has the same problems that Racine does.
It also seems a bit redundant, just to save a handful of drivers a potential 30 minutes of additional travel time. Would the convenience justify the additional expense? Not to mention that whatever IL did on their side, it would most certainly be via the Toll Highway Authority, and the Waukegan plaza currently represents the highest toll collection point on the Tri-State, thus one would expect any toll collections on the new limited access route you're proposing to be even steeper. Perhaps a better solution would be to build small, 2 lane in both directions, limited access spur lines off of 94 that go into the hearts of Racine, Kenosha, and Waukegan. Would such a proposal satisfy this crowd? It would certainly be much more economical and taxpayer friendly!
I concur with your idea - either a single (both communities together) or dual (each community serviced separately) spur line off of I-94 would accomplish the goals sought by Jeff and would be much more economical than running a new route down from 794.
Transportation is one of the largest headaches for Manufacturers and they consider it in their decisions. Think outside the box HOFFA - and BTW - we just learned this as part of our six-sigma/LEAN training - if I recall, you are a Lawyer.
There isn't one four lane highway between the city of Racine and Milwaukee, while we have two four lane highways between Racine and Kenosha. 794 would address that problem by giving us quick, direct access to downtown Milwaukee. 794 it seems, will be extended south to Ryan Road in the future. Extending it into Racine would be wise. North-south access has to be improved along the lakeshore. Racine is 16 miles from Cudahy, yet it takes almost 30 minutes to get there. Waukegan is 27 miles away and is nearly a one hour trip. Regional planners since the 1960's have said there needs to be another n-s arterial east of I-94, they are right. @Bryan, Racine County had a plan on the books around 1987 when the marina was built that proposed a freeway loop be built on KR and also 4 Mile Rd that would go to Hwy 31. The only part of the plan implemented was widening Hwy 31.
Spring Street (Hwy C) that is also along eastside of Union Pacific's freight line is Roma Lodge property. that might half to relocate that area, to build 794 roadway. What I like to get that point is; why not forget about 794, take KRM rail line to whatever wanna go. Chicago, Milwaukee, Waukegan, Bayview, Evanston, and just relax. no worry about driving around, spending monoy for gas, parking lot fee, and no worry about Tollway fee. that is my point!
Legislations saying that NO ONE ever want Mass Transit, because of they want differance way to get there. but it will cost money for gas, but it's up to them. so let build more Freeways, State Roads, City Roads, and Parking Lots. Legislation's Committee Mister Robin Vos said that NO one ever ride Mass Transins. it's waste of money for empty bus, and train. I'm still taken Metra's train from Kenosha to Waukegan, Glencoe, Evanston, Ravenwood. then I take an CTA to what ever I go in Chicago.