The Department of Planning and Development and the Metropolitan Planning Council will co-host a panel discussion with leading development and design minds on the future of Chicago’s Riverfront from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.

 “From Waste to Wonder: Developing The River as Chicago's Second Coast” will take place as a part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial and the ongoing River Edge Ideas Lab exhibit, an interactive look at 27 concepts for the future of Chicago’s Riverwalk open through early January at 72 E. Randolph St.

The panel will be moderated by Todd Palmer, executive director of the Chicago Architecture Biennial. Panelists will include:

• John Buck, Chairman of The John Buck Company
• Erin Cabonargi, Director of Development Services at Sterling Bay
• Philip Enquist, Partner in Charge of Urban Design and Planning at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
• David Reifman, Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development

 “This will be an open discussion about the future of our riverfronts, and how designers, developers and City planners can work together to reimagine Chicago’s second coast,” said Commissioner Reifman.

A short question and answer session will follow the panel. Those who cannot attend are welcome to submit questions ahead of time to dpd@cityofchicago.org.

The event is free and open to the public. Due to facility requirements, the City asks that attendees RSVP ahead of time on Eventbrite.

The River Edge Ideas Lab is accepting public input at the exhibit and online at ChiRiverLab.com, and it’s presented as part of Mayor Emanuel’s ongoing effort to turn the Chicago River into the City’s next recreational frontier. Currently, 17 miles of river trail are in place or under construction, with plans for about seven more miles being finalized.

DPD will incorporate the public feedback from the River Edge Ideas Lab into updated River Design Guidelines in 2018; the guidelines were initially adopted in 1999 and last amended in 2005. The updated 2018 guidelines will offer best practices to create a continuous pedestrian and bicycle path with accessible connections and open spaces incorporating integrated landscaping, artwork and lighting. 

The River Edge Ideas Lab is sponsored by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Comcast, Related Midwest and the 601W Companies and is a partner program of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, the largest architectural and design exhibition in North America. More information on the Biennial’s programming is available at www.chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org.

For recent press coverage of the River Edge Ideas Lab, visit www.chiriverlab.com/press.