The United Center Redevelopment Plan
Planning Strategy for the United Center:
A Redevelopment Plan for the United Center and its Surrounding Surface Parking Lots
Sean P. Terry
Masters in Urban Planning and Policy Candidate
College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
University of Illinois at Chicago
November 20, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Statement of Planning Problem
Intent for Work
Chapter 2
History of West Haven
Historical Perspective on Madison Street
Chapter 3
STADIUM DEVELOPMENT – THE NEAR WEST SIDE
The Chicago Stadium
The United Center
Chapter 4
REDLINING AND RECOMMENDATIONS – THE UNITED CENTER
Overview of Current Physical Conditions of the Site and Recommendations for Improvement
Chapter 5
IMPLEMENTATION
Chapter 6
CONCLUSION
List of Figures, Tables and Charts
Chapter 1
Introduction
The United Center, located on 1901 W. Madison, is home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, the respective professional basketball and hockey teams for the city of Chicago. Constructed in 1992, the United Center was built to replace its once longstanding predecessor, Chicago Stadium, a structure that previously sat on virtually the same footprint for sixty-five years. Since the United Center opened in 1994, the stadium has come to be identified as a major anchor for Chicago’s Near West Side Community, and has become a source for major tourist attraction.
Since its inception and development, the United Center and the owners, Jerry Reinsdorf (Bulls) and William Wirtz (Blackhawks), have shown a moderate level of commitment to the community in which the stadium is situated. Whether it was the agreement reached with the Near West Side Community Development Corporation to assist in the development of replacement housing for the families displaced as a result of the stadium development in 1992, or the continued social services support to families in transition from
A Redevelopment Plan for the United Center and its Surrounding Surface Parking Lots
Sean P. Terry
Masters in Urban Planning and Policy Candidate
College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
University of Illinois at Chicago
November 20, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
Statement of Planning Problem
Intent for Work
Chapter 2
History of West Haven
Historical Perspective on Madison Street
Chapter 3
STADIUM DEVELOPMENT – THE NEAR WEST SIDE
The Chicago Stadium
The United Center
Chapter 4
REDLINING AND RECOMMENDATIONS – THE UNITED CENTER
Overview of Current Physical Conditions of the Site and Recommendations for Improvement
Chapter 5
IMPLEMENTATION
Chapter 6
CONCLUSION
List of Figures, Tables and Charts
Chapter 1
Introduction
The United Center, located on 1901 W. Madison, is home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, the respective professional basketball and hockey teams for the city of Chicago. Constructed in 1992, the United Center was built to replace its once longstanding predecessor, Chicago Stadium, a structure that previously sat on virtually the same footprint for sixty-five years. Since the United Center opened in 1994, the stadium has come to be identified as a major anchor for Chicago’s Near West Side Community, and has become a source for major tourist attraction.
Since its inception and development, the United Center and the owners, Jerry Reinsdorf (Bulls) and William Wirtz (Blackhawks), have shown a moderate level of commitment to the community in which the stadium is situated. Whether it was the agreement reached with the Near West Side Community Development Corporation to assist in the development of replacement housing for the families displaced as a result of the stadium development in 1992, or the continued social services support to families in transition from