Where Should the Burnham Memorial be Placed?

Two days ago we went to the meeting at Daley Bicentennial Plaza Fieldhouse to hear the architect, David Woodhouse, talk about his winning design of the memorial for Burnham Memorial which currently is planned to be placed on the north side of the Field Museum (where the tiered lawn is).

We didn't know what to expect, but coming in we've been pretty critical of the plan since this area is already nice. We've read articles from Blair Kamin and a press release from the Grant Park Conservancy (GPC) and initially agreed with them that this money ($5 million) would be better spent on other projects.

The project the GPC is lobbying for is updating the crossing at Queens Landing (which is the place where lake Michigan meets Buckingham Fountain). The image on the right is an illustration of what could be created (for about $25-$35+ million).

So the stage for the meeting was set and it was clear that most people in the audience weren't in favor of the winning Burnham Memorial plan at Museum Campus. Some of the highlights and valid points against the plan from the audience were:

• It's already a nice spot and the funds could be used in a better place (ie Queen's Landing)
  
• It's putting up two walls that block the beautiful view of the city
• It's taking away additional green space by paving over a nice lawn

However, our opinion was actually swayed in favor of the current memorial plan to place it in the Museum Campus. The best reason we heard was that one of the main goals of the 'Museum Campus' was to have educational components (ie - the Field, Adler and Shedd etc.). By placing this memorial in the Museum Campus it provides an additional educational resource. In our opinion it's important for people to realize that the beauty of Chicago was a vision and a plan...it didn't happen accidentally.

Although we still think Queen's Landing is an important public initiative it really should be viewed in a separate light. We commend the GPC for bringing this issue to light, however we think this project will have to wait until we know whether or not we get the Olympics. If we get the Olympics, this project will get done. Maybe England will do it for Chicago 2016 as a present from the London 2012 Olympics...

Burnham Memorial Needs to be a Bridge

Blair Kamin, who writes the Skyline blog for the Chicago Tribune, has a new article talking about a contest for a proposed memorial for Daniel Burnham. Burnham, who is widely known for his part in the creation of The Plan of Chicago, definitely deserves a memorial, but the museum campus isn't the place for it.

Kasman proposes a great alternative:

It was Burhnam who famously said: "The lakefront by right belongs to the people." But in settling on the Museum Campus site, a memorial competition committee of architects and civic leaders did a wonderful job of ignoring said people - and more worthy alternatives for Driehaus' cash.

What about putting the Burnham memorial at 31st Street, where it could enliven the lakefront across from the residential complex that Chicago intends to build whetheror not it is selected to host the 2016 Olympics?

Why not devote the resources for this competition to creating a bridge or tunnel that would allow pedestrians to cross Lake Shore Drive between Buckingham Fountain and the lakefront? That has long languished on the civic priority list.

We think those are great alternatives, just keep it off the lawn at the Museum Campus!

More Burnham Memorial Coverage

We've been following the competition and plans to build a memorial for Daniel Burnham on the Museum campus, so with that in mind we wanted to bring to your attention a post from Blair Kamin of the Chicago Tribune Cityscapes Blog.

Kamin thinks that the winning project would be an improvement for the Museum Campus, but an unnecessary use of resources that could be better used elsewhere:

There is much to like in the winning design, by Chicago architect David Woodhouse, especially how it would direct our attention outward to Burnham's real memorial -- the stunning cityscape of downtown Chicago.

Yet there is also much to question, particularly why equally fitting but much-needier lakefront sites, such as the derelict public space to the east of Lake Shore Drive near Buckingham Fountain, were passed over in favor of the already-sylvan Museum Campus.

We completely agree. In our opinion the Queen's Landing project would be a much better use of these funds. Below is a photo from his post showing a familiar scene at Buckingham fountain (west of lakeshore drive). It's a mess and could become much more pedestrian friendly if resources were devoted to it.
And here is a drawing of the potential idea for a renovation of Queens Landing:
This would be much more beneficial for the city and a great tribute to the man who is partially responsible for what it is today!

GPC to Hear Burnham Memorial Plans Tonight

According to Cityscapes (a Chicago Tribune blog):

The Grant Park Conservancy will hear from architect David Woodhouse, designer of the winning competition entry for the Burnham Memorial at the Museum Campus. The meeting is Tuesday, August 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Daley Bicentennial Plaza Fieldhouse, 337 E. Randolph ( just east of Columbus Drive).

For more background on this topic check out some of our previous posts.

Poll: Burnham Memorial Shouldn't Be in Front of the Field

Not a scientific poll, but we agree and will do our best to keep our eye out for more information in regards to the plans for the Burnham Memorial. For those of you who aren't familiar with this, check out some older posts we've done on the topic.

Burnham Memorial in Front of Field Museum?

Ok, so this isn't really new news, but we still don't like where it's heading. As you might have seen on Sloopin, Chicago Journal or The Skyline, plans and discussions continue to progress on a contest to create a memorial honoring Daniel Burnham (the man who created 'The Plan of Chicago').

From what we've read, the tiered grass in front of the Field Museum (see red outline in picture above) is being tossed out as an option for the memorial. If you've read some of our older posts, you know how we feel...but what do you think about this idea (see poll on the right)?

Burnham Memorial Winner Announced

Last week the AIA Chicago Foundation announced that Chicago-based firm David Woodhouse Architects won the contest to design the memorial for legendary Chicago planner David Burnham.

We've been following this story and it isn't a done deal quite yet. Regardless, the winning design doesn't seem to be too intrusive to us. The tiered lawn that currently is at the north side of the Field Museum will become a slight sloped hill instead. Personally we're a little upset about this component of the design as it's a great place to watch fireworks and just hang out.

For the designs of the three finalists click here. Personally the third place design from Sasaki Associates, Inc. was our favorite.