CME.07 – The Chicago Riverwalk Expansion at Wolf Point
Team Members Heading link
- Sergio Gonzalez Lozano
- Hung Le
- Pau Mateo
- Ricardo Rivera
- Nancy Robles
- Alex Sanchez
Project Description Heading link
The Chicago City Riverwalk is an attraction that brings tourists, locals, and ultimately revenue for the city. Any opportunity the city has to improve its beautiful downtown area is always considered. Currently, the city is planning a removal and relocation project of the Carroll Avenue Bascule bridge. After the removal of the Carroll Avenue Bascule bridge, the city plans to use this space to add some features to the Riverwalk. This addition will extend around Wolf Point to the Grand Avenue Bridge.
The scope of the project is the structural and conceptual design of the Chicago Riverwalk addition. The addition will be a concrete deck and will also include restaurants/retail stores, gardens, communal spaces, while all being ADA compliant for improved safety of the public. The mentioned features will be connected by the main walkway running from Wolf Point to the Grand Ave Bridge. The team was given a lot of freedom in conducting this feasibility project of the Riverwalk. These project deliverables will consist of drawings, 3D modeling, and animated videos in order to portray the new Riverwalk addition.
The final design of the Riverwalk expansion will be approximately 2,270 linear feet along the river embankment edge, while expanding 25 feet outwards into the river from existing embankments. This will bring the site area to approximately 58,600 square feet. Although the final goal is to complete the expansion of the riverwalk to Grand Avenue bridge, given the time constraint, the scope of this project will only focus on the area between North Orleans Street bridge and the Kinzie Street bridge. This section will be approximately 1,350 linear feet with the site area being 34,150 square feet. The site area includes three different functional areas: accession/entrance areas, communal spaces and restaurant/retail bar area. The first phase of the project will focus on the project design, load calculations, loads/structure behavior stimulation and production of the 3D modules. Phase two of the project will be the contract plan preparation and land acquisition portion. Land and contract preparation will follow City of Chicago and EPA guidelines. The final phase is the construction phase, where the foundation, concrete/steel structural components, exterior/interior building installation and the environmental features will be constructed. As well as, the project access points and public services will be designed and constructed based on the guidelines from ADA 2010; which provides comfortable service, safety and accessibility for the disabled. The completion of the Riverwalk will not only attract more tourists but ultimately generate more revenue for the city.