Lakeside will be a model for future development within the City of Chicago, and will be part of the LEED ® for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program.
The redevelopment of the abandoned South Works steel mill, a 518-acre brownfield site, emerged from a vision that began with planners, developers and community leaders in 1998. Planners were guided by a sustainable ethic which incorporates LEED ® for Neighborhood Development standards with the goal of attaining a platinum rating, creating a sustainable development with a mix of new housing, services, economic activities and parks. Lakeside will be served by the city’s comprehensive rail and bus transit and the extension of ped-bike commuter paths to downtown.
Social
• A compact, complete and connected neighborhood
• New park completes the lakefront
• Every home within a three minute walk to a park
• Collaborative design with public process
• Celebration of the heritage of the site and the neighborhood
• Connect existing neighborhoods to Lake Michigan for the first time
Environment
• A brownfield becomes a thriving community
• Reduced dependency on automobiles: transit, walk, bike, car share
• Protect water resources, treat stormwater with natural systems, incorporate grey water recycling and use native landscaping
• Harvest energy from solar and wind
• High-performance buildings
Economic
• A vibrant mix of uses on site
• Economic diversity
• A fiscally viable plan
• Reinvigorate a struggling community