ELEVATORS

Required Vertical Connections

Planned Development #70 as Amended March, 2001 by Chicago City Council

This is the base of the tall square structure in the SOUTHEAST corner of Randolph and Field Drive.

In 2001, the Chicago City Council approved Lake Shore East's Amendment to Planned Development #70 that included a VERTICAL CONNECTION at this location. Handicap Access must be available to FOUR (4) levels:

1.Upper Randolph

2.Pedway Access

3. Middle Randolph

4.Lower Randolph

Unfortunately, the Streets and Sanitation Dept. fenced off this area from access to Lower Randolph, but that does not eliminate the need for a 45 foot vertical handicap connection for the neighborhood.

The Field Harbor Garage Condominium Association proposed to fund only an enclosed two-level elevator on a triangle of available public land at the northwest corner of Lower Randolph and Field Drive.

It would not serve either the future Pedway level or Middle Randolph (to the lakefront). The Lakeshore East developer apparently is attempting to avoid the PD #70 financial responsibility to provide this required vertical handicap connection.

The proposed elevator also deviated from the quality standard and was not similar to the new all-glass neighborhood elevator near the Lancaster, that residents consider safer because activity in the elevator is very visible.

Because there were also concerns about our bad experience with the filthy elevator near the firehouse, the residents urged Alderman Natarus not to approve this proposed elevator.

Alderman Natarus agreed, however the need for a vertical handicap connection remains unsolved.

Middle Randolph Level to lakefront not handicap served.

City Council Approved PEDWAY Level not handicap served.

<.....Vertical Connection within structure adjacent to Cancer Survivors Garden Approved March, 2001 by Chicago City Council (Funding source not specified in developer created PD#70 Amendment.)

This page was last updated: June 14, 2008

The public elevator adjacent to the Lancaster sets the quality standard that the New Eastside residents expect. The all-glass openness also sets the safety standard for all the required vertical connections in our multi-level community.

While we are reviewing pedestrian vertical connections, we should also question the delay in extending the Pedway to the original buildings that were promised direct access at the concourse level from EVERY building since 1969. In 2001, Lake Shore East was allowed to write their own PD#70 Amendment that carefully shifted financial responsibility to "OTHERS" for the PEDWAY, that was not detected by the City Council. They didn't care who, just so it was not Lake Shore East. Because the city allowed themselves to be deceived and they still approved the following Pedway layout, we assume the city will accept the financial responsibility. Or the city could link their approval of an extra 160 feet for proposed Aqua Hi-Rise on the developer paying for the Pedway extension that is currently APPROVED, but still UNFUNDED.

Your comments, opinions, and ideas are always welcome to be shared with your neighbors and city officials.

"Developer increased profit by $11 million"

"Now feasible again in 2001, after being declared no longer feasible in 1993. However, developer is only paying for Pedway to Outer Drive East as of 3-15-2001. (Developer later defaulted on covenant with ODE.)"

"Omitted from 1993 Requirement without Notice"

CURRENTLY DIRECT PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO LAKEFRONT AND VEHICLE ACCESS TO LOWER HARBOR DRIVE.

... AND FUTURE VEHICLE ACCESS TO BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

<.......Location proposed by Field Harbor Garage