Image Bank

As the Marquette Interchange transitions into I-794 between downtown, ramps and bridges soar above blocks that border the Menomonee and Milwaukee rivers and the thriving Historic Third Ward. While some buildings have been redeveloped here, the freeway disrupts their connections to the rest of the city and limits development of riverfront land that elsewhere is in high demand.
Second Street under I-794
Milwaukee, WI 53203
disinvestment, disruption, freeway design, i-794, marquette interchange, modernization, ramp design, street grid
 The Marquette Interchange is so intrusive that uses at street level are seriously compromised. While sidewalk life in other parts of MIlwaukee is vibrant (see Brady Street photo collection), the Marquette Interchange resulted in the demolition of a building formerly occupying this vacant lot. The remaining buildings shown here, across the street from the city's new Amtrak and Greyhound station, are underused.
Milwaukee east of Marquette Interchange
Milwaukee, WI 53203
disinvestment, disruption, freeway design, modernization, ramp design, street grid
 A block east of the compact Kennedy Expressway's compact Adams St. on- and off-ramps, the disruption of the freeway is a memory and city life (and investment) begins returning to normal.
Chicago neighborhood east of Kennedy interchange
chicago, IL 60607
disruption, freeway design, investment, modernization, ramp design, street grid
 All traces of the once-rich city street grid and the historic fabric have been obliterated by the modernized Marquette Interchange.
Marquette Interchange (ground view)
Milwaukee, WI 53203
freeway design, modernization, ramp design, street grid
The sweeping, intertwined bridges and ramps of the Marquette Interchange grew larger with the project's complete "modernization" till they completely dominate views from St. Paul Avenue.
Marquette Interchange (from St. Paul Avenue)
Milwaukee, WI 53203
modernization, ramp design, street grid, urban freeways
 Like the rest of the new Marquette Interchange, these off-ramps are sweeping, fully "modernized" and designed for higher speeds before deceleration. The ramps chew up large amounts of formerly taxable land.
Modernized off-ramp (Marquette Interchange)
Milwaukee, WI 53203
freeway design, modernization, ramp design
 Another view of the relatively short, narrow and tight ramps feeding the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood. As opposed to "modernized" ramps in other cities, these create relatively less disruption to the city's valuable surface street grid.
Urban Freeway On-Ramp (Kennedy Expressway)
Chicago, IL 60607
modernization, ramp design, street grid, urban freeways
 The ramps feeding the downtown Kennedy Expressway in Chicago are short, narrow with tighter turning radii than is common in "modernized" freeway design. As a result, posted freeway speeds are slower (45 mph), the disruption to the city grid is fairly limited and surrounding property values are not as depressed.
Urban Freeway Off-Ramp (Kennedy Expressway)
Chicago, IL 60607
modernization, ramp design, street grid, urban freeways
The Kilbourn Reservoir was once the high-ground from which drinking water flowed to many Milwaukee households. Unused for decades, it was then a gated and overgrown mound that one of the city's longest streets, North Avenue, had to circumvent on its way from Holton Street east towards the Prospect-North hub, the North Point Water Tower and Lake Michigan. Now thanks to the Milwaukee Water Works and plenty of input from the site's Riverwest neighbors, it's a park with arguably the best views in the city.
Kilbourn Reservoir Park
Milwaukee, WI 53212
city views, Kilbourn Park, Milwaukee, Riverwest
 Kitty-corner from Prospect's most famous tenant, the Rib House, this triangular pocket park is a wonderful space.
Triangular pocket park at Prospect
Longmont, CO, 80501
pocket park, Prospect, townhouses
 Solar panels cover al south-facing roof sections of this mixed-use building, where the satellite dish announces that the Tusk Bar is one of the better spots in the neighborhood to catch a Broncos game.
Solar Village at Prospect New Town (view from street towards alley)
Longmont, CO, 80501
Green building, Green Urbanism, Prospect New Town, Solar Village
 At this mixed-use building with a parking court, solar panels not only cover much of the rooftop but also serve as door and window awnings. Learn more about this project's green features at http://www.conservationcenter.org/assets/upload/SolarVillageProspect.pdf .
Solar Village at Prospect New Town (alley view)
Longmont, CO, 80501
low-carbon urbanism, Prospect, solar panels, Sustainable Urbanism