A Historic Project Site
Jackson Park, located along Lake Michigan on Chicago’s south side, has a celebrated history having been designed by Frederic Law Olmsted and having hosted the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The park’s history is expanding as the site chosen for the Obama Presidential Center (OPC).
Bringing Cultural, Natural Resources, Economic, and Educational Benefits to the City of Chicago for Generations to Come
Civiltech is thrilled to be part of this landmark project and, as part of the C*NECT team, provided environmental, transportation design, water resources, landscape architecture, and structural services for the transportation improvements necessary to construct the OPC and implement the Chicago Park District’s South Lakefront Framework Plan.
A Complex Phase I Process
Civiltech staff led the complex, multi-faceted Phase I process, which addressed federal actions within a historic park. This included coordination with City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Services, Chicago Park District, State Historic Preservation Office, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Obama Foundation, various City agencies, and over 85 Consulting Party Groups. Civiltech authored the Environmental Assessment, and the federal review culminated in February 2021 with a Finding of No Significant Impact NEPA Determination.
Design Services
Civiltech also provided Phase II Design services, including roadway design, drainage and pump station design, planting plan design, and structural design QC/ QA. Civiltech’s design included the widening of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive to improve traffic flow, new pedestrian underpasses to connect communities to natural areas, and vegetation restoration to align with Frederick Law Olmsted’s initial 1871 vision for Jackson Park.
Nature-based Solutions
Civiltech’s Design Services utilized Nature-based Solutions services to mitigate impacts to the Great Lakes Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration areas located within Jackson Park. These are federally funded landscape preservation areas with native plantings that enhance and help restore the diverse natural habitats.
Converting Roadway to Parkland
The project addressed changes in travel patterns that will result from closing roadways in Jackson Park. This conversion of roadway to parkland connects once fragmented habitats and recreation areas in Jackson Park. Strategic safety and operational improvements to the transportation network will improve access and circulation for cyclists, pedestrians, and wildlife.
This Project Incorporates the Following:
- Historic project site
- Multiple federal processes
- Connection to natural areas
- Vegetation restoration
- Landscape preservation areas
- Reconfiguration of transportation network within Jackson Park
- Mobility and safety improvements for all modes of transportation
- Enhanced trail connections
- Curb extensions and pedestrian refuge islands
- ADA improvements
Scope of Services
- Environmental Assessment (Lead)
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Agency Coordination
- Stakeholder Involvement
- Community Outreach
- NEPA/404 Merger Process
- Section 106 Process
- Section 4(f) Evaluation
- Traffic Analysis
- Location Drainage Study
- Historic Preservation
- Noise Analysis
- Combined Design Report
- Phase II Roadway Design
- Drainage and Pump Station Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Nature-based Solutions
Funding
State
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