One growing trend in urban areas is giving interim-use brownfields a test drive, a concept where a vacant parcel of land is put to good temporary use while the permanent intended use is still being determined.
One of the more grandiose—and creative—interim-use applications occurred July 8-10 when 100,000 people gathered over three days at Chicago's former U.S. Steel South Works plant to hear 38 bands play as part of the Dave Matthews Band Caravan—the Grammy Award winning performing artist.
The music festival was the first major event held on the parcel of property, located from 79th Street to 87th St. on Chicago's far south side, since the plant was shuttered in 1992.
Neighborhood residents didn't mind the commotion created by the mass of humanity, because the event shone a light on the once-forgotten neighborhood and more importantly created some temporary jobs for those in the area to work in various capacities at the event. One resident told the Chicago Tribune that “it brings people to the neighborhood, trying to fix it up. Nobody knew we were here. They thought the city ended at South Lake Shore Drive.”
They know better now, thanks to the music festival. This area was once bustling with activity and residual flow of commerce. Steelworkers would end their grueling day and stop off at a local watering hole to blow off steam or order breakfast at a local diner after ending the third shift.
That was then: Homes were eventually boarded up and businesses had no other option but to close as this once vibrant area became a ghost town. Now, hope springs eternal thanks to the interim-use brownfield concept, as a local developer worked with the Dave Matthews contingent to ensure the site was safe and would be regarded as an attractive venue the young concert-goers. Deeming the three-day affair a success, the developer indicated that more events could be in the offing at this site.
The old steel plant site has been an obvious prime redevelopment target, but in the 19 years since the plant closure an ultimate redevelopment plan never came to fruition—ranging from a potential airport to a casino. The current plan is a $4 billion project that will be spread over 30 to 40 years, and would encompass new housing, shopping center and marina.
But one of the dilemmas that accompanies an ambitious redevelopment in a lower-income neighborhood is the tricky question of whether local residents could be able to afford to live there anymore since property values would rise significantly. Affordable housing is always what city fathers strive to carry out to avoid resident displacement; however, this goal is not always the final result.
In the interim period, at least a visionary interim-use brownfield is being put to good use...and enabling residents to feel good to know they are “back on the map” again.
