McDonald's Cycle Center
McDonald's Cycle Center | |
---|---|
East Randolph Street, Chicago | |
Coordinates | 41°53′2″N 87°37′15″W / 41.88389°N 87.62083°W |
Completed | June 2004 |
Technical details | |
Floor count | 2 |
Floor area | 16,448 square feet (1,528.1 m2) |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Muller&Muller, Ltd. |
Structural engineer | Ruben J. Baer Associates |
Other designers | Calor Design Group (mech engineers) |
Main contractor | FHP Tectonics (Paschen) |
McDonald's Cycle Center (formerly Millennium Park Bike Station)
Planning for the Cycle Center was part of the larger "Bike 2010 Plan", in which the city aimed to make itself more accommodating to bicycle commuters. This plan (now replaced by the "Bike 2015 Plan")
Environmentalists, urban planners and cycling enthusiasts around the world expressed interest in the Cycle Center, and wanted to emulate what they saw as a success story in urban planning and transit-oriented development.[2][13][14][15] Pro-cycling and environmentalist journalists in publications well beyond the Chicago metropolitan area described the Cycle Center as exemplary, impressive, unique and ground-breaking.[2][13]
History and background
Lying between Lake Michigan to the east and the Loop to the west, Grant Park has been Chicago's "front yard" since the mid-19th century. Its northwest corner, north of Monroe Street and the Art Institute, east of Michigan Avenue, south of Randolph Street, and west of Columbus Drive, had been Illinois Central rail yards and parking lots until 1997, when it was made available for development by the city as Millennium Park.[16] According to 2007 data released in 2008, Millennium Park trailed only Navy Pier as a Chicago tourist attraction.[17]
The Millennium Park bicycle center was designed by David Steele of the architectural firm Muller & Muller,[7] which won a $120,000 contract to design the station by Memorial Day 2004,[10] and commenced the design in August 2003.[18] This was at a time when bike stations were in place or being planned in several U.S. cities, such as Denver, and, in California, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Long Beach and Palo Alto. The station was developed as part of "Bike 2010 Plan" discussions, an initiative from Mayor Daley to promote Chicago as the most bicycle-friendly city in the United States. From the outset the plan was to have separate operators for the Cycle Center's rental and repair services, as well as its coffee and juice bar.[10]
The bike station had originally been planned to occupy 10,000 square feet (929 m2) and cost $2 million,[10][19] but when completed, the Cycle Center was 16,448 square feet (1,528 m2) and located on a larger exterior plaza.[18][20] The final two-floor design cost $3.2 million,[7] and a federal grant from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for projects that lessen traffic congestion and improve air quality funded its construction.[6][21]
The Cycle Center was completed in June 2004 and the official opening occurred on July 19, 2004, the Monday following the Millennium Park's grand opening gala.[18][21] Attendees for the ribbon cutting included Mayor Daley, CDOT Commissioner Miguel d'Escoto, Chicago Park District General Superintendent Timothy Mitchell, and representatives from the Chicago Bike Federation, Public Building Commission, Chicago Police Department, and Chicago City Council.[5] Managed by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT),[18] the Cycle Center is on the fifth and sixth floors of the Millennium Park parking garage.[5]
Although bicycle centers were already common throughout Europe,
The structure was originally named the Millennium Park Bike Station, but in June 2006 McDonald's announced a $5 million grant to underwrite the operations of the Cycle Center for 50 years.[1] The bike facility had been the last unsponsored component of Millennium Park. As part of the endowment, McDonald's agreed to be the sponsor of free summer physical fitness programs such as yoga, pilates, and a variety of dance class sessions in Millennium Park for 10 years.[12][28] McDonald's agreed not to use any of its traditional commercial signage such as the Golden Arches.[28] The McDonald's sponsorship of the Cycle Center and park fitness activity came just a few months after Chicago was named the fattest city in America by Men's Fitness.[29][30]
The Cycle Center was designed to encourage bicycle commuting to Millennium and Grant Parks as well as to work and other nearby downtown locations, such as the Art Institute of Chicago.[3][31] It represented two major initiatives by Mayor Daley in the 2000s decade: to promote cycling and to make the city greener by reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.[31]
Design
The physical focal point of the Cycle Center is an atrium that introduces the two lower levels of facilities and provides an aesthetic above-ground presence. The atrium, which has been praised by Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin more than once,[7][32] has a sloping solar paneled roof. The 120 solar panels produce 6.5 percent of the electricity supply required for the climate-controlled building.[21] The Cycle Center has an opaque design, with thin steel frames for its main windows. The interior design uses stainless steel and blond wood, and shade is produced by awnings.[7][33]
The Cycle Center included parking for up to 300 bikes, lockers, an Internet station, a café, bike rentals, bike repair and private stall showers.
Facilities
When the heated and
The Cycle Center is at 239 East Randolph Street (at Columbus Drive), and offered convenient connections to mass transit at the nearby
Membership
The Cycle Center offered a wide variety of services to its members,
In April 2005, the Cycle Center approached its 500-member capacity,
Rentals
The Cycle Center offered a wide variety of bicycle styles, models and accessories for hourly, daily, weekly or monthly rental.
Bike Chicago managed the rentals at the Cycle Center, as well as at
Repair
The Cycle Center's repair center offered full-time professional bicycle mechanics from 10 am to 6 pm during the summer, between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend inclusive, and part-time during the rest of the year.[38] The repair center had tools available for those who wanted to fix their bicycle themselves.[13][46]
Tours
The Cycle Center conducted two- to three-hour tours, with reservations dependent on the seasons. Tours included the
Critical review
The Chicago Tribune's architecture critic, Blair Kamin, gave the Cycle Center three stars (out of a possible four), described as a "gem" for the city and praised several elements of its detail.[7] It has received accolades from numerous architecture and bicycling enthusiasts.[52] Other Tribune writers described the station as an "oasis for the urban cyclist" and reminiscent of "a hip health club".[4][53] The Toronto Star described it similarly, saying that it was a "jewel-like glass building" with "amenities of an upscale health club"; it quoted a cycling advocate who said "It's not heaven, but it's close".[13] According to The Plain Dealer, the Cycle Center was the United States' "best-known bike station",[45] while The Oregonian describes it as "the ultimate in bicycle stations".[2] The Boston Globe felt that the Cycle Center put Chicago over the top as the nation's most cycling-friendly city.[15]
The Cycle Center avoided much of the controversy that beset most of Millennium Park by remaining open during the paid rental of a large portion of the park by Toyota on September 8, 2005.[54] What proved more controversial were McDonald's claims that, since it was providing a healthier menu and fostering grade school physical education in an effort to help its customers improve their health, sponsoring bicycle and exercise activity in the park augments the company's other initiatives.[1] Longtime writer for the Chicago Tribune and current Tribune health and fitness reporter, Julie Deardorff, described the move as a continuation of the '"McDonaldization" of America' and as somewhat "insidious" because the company was making itself more prominent as the social sentiment was to move away from fast food.[1]
The Cycle Center helped Chicago to become known as a cycling-friendly city. According to an article in
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Deardorff, Julie (June 18, 2006). "If McDonald's is serious, menu needs a makeover". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Brettman, Allan (June 23, 2005). "Official Recruits Portland To Build Bike Center". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ a b "Art & Architecture: McDonald's Cycle Center". City of Chicago. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d George, Doug (April 29, 2005). "Get in gear! – It's bike season, and we take you on a monthlong tour of the best cycling activities". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Daley Opens New Millennium Park Bicycle Station". City of Chicago. July 19, 2004. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Livingston, Heather (March 2005). "Millennium Park Bike Station Offers Viable Commuting Option". AIArchitect. The American Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f Kamin, Blair (July 18, 2004). "Bicycle Station – *** – Near Randolph and Columbus Drives – Muller & Muller, Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ https://chi.streetsblog.org/2023/03/24/confirmed-millennium-park-bike-station-will-now-only-serve-cops-instead-of-commuters
- ^ "Bike 2015 Plan". Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Bicycle Program. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f Washburn, Gary (June 13, 2003). "Bike depot plan may turn commute into easy ride". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b "Local Digest". Daily Southtown. October 24, 2005. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c "McDonald's to sponsor bicycle center". Chicago Sun-Times. June 10, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kalinowski, Tess (June 1, 2007). "Bike station in Windy City should show T.O. the way – Chicago's Cycle Center offers parking, showers; similar plan envisioned for Toronto's downtown". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c Barrett, Peter (May 25, 2007). "Would it work (here?)". The Age. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c Krcmar, Steven (September 19, 2004). "Bicyclists Feel Left Out In The Cold – Bikers Put Out After T Moves Racks Outdoors". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ Gilfoyle, Timothy J. (August 6, 2006). "Millennium Park". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
- ^ "Crain's List Largest Tourist Attractions (Sightseeing): Ranked by 2007 attendance". Crain's Chicago Business. June 23, 2008. p. 22.
- ^ a b c d "Project: Millennium Park Bicycle Station". City of Chicago. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ Yednak, Crystal (August 8, 2003). "Waves of change". RedEye. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b "Bike riders to get station that has class". Chicago Tribune. March 21, 2004. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Wade, Courtney K. (July 20, 2004). "City racks up points with bicycle riders". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ Cryer, Earl S. (May 24, 2007). "How Valet Parking Could Save the Planet". Time. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2008.
- ^ "Boub v. Township of Wayne, 183 Ill. 2d 520, 702 N.E.2d 535 (1998)". Illinois Courts website. October 22, 1998. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ "CDOT Bike Lane Project (1999–Present)". Chicagoland Bicycle Federation/McDonald's Cycle Center. 2003. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
- ^ a b Deardorff, Julie (May 16, 2004). "Cycling needs to gain traction as travel mode". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ a b "10 Other Great Biking Cities". The Washington Post. October 1, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ Barner, Craig (October 12, 2007). "Developments in transit – More and more, mass transit is becoming part of the community plan". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c Hermann, Andrew (June 10, 2006). "Millennium, McDonald's carve deal on bike facility". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ Blesch, Gregg Sherrard (January 29, 2006). "Chicago : Fat City : The city of the big waistline". Daily Southtown. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ Deardorff, Julie (February 5, 2006). "The fattest city' a heavyweight in pro-bike ratings". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c Hartger, Richard. "A Park with Wheel Appeal". Recreation Management. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ Kamin, Blair (July 18, 2004). "Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance – (star)(star) – 205 E. Randolph Drive – Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge, Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ a b Hermann, Andrew (June 10, 2006). "Get in gear! – It's bike season, and we take you on a monthlong tour of the best cycling activities". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ State Journal-Register. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
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- ^ a b "Services". McDonald's Cycle Center. 2006. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ "Memberships". McDonald's Cycle Center. 2006. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ "Events: Free Special Event Parking". McDonald's Cycle Center. 2006. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ Palmore, Rebecca (April 3, 2006). "Best Bets". RedEye. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ "Rentals: Bicycle Rental Price List". McDonald's Cycle Center. 2006. Archived from the original on May 31, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ "Two-Wheel Tips – Bike commuters lend advice for getting started". RedEye. June 8, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
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- ^ a b c Jarboe, Michelle (June 26, 2009). "Two-wheelers available for rent, so take a spin around downtown City Bikes launches service today as part of a larger plan for Cleveland". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ Reaven, Jim (2004). "Chicago Bike Station, 2004". New York Cycle Club Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ "Tours". McDonald's Cycle Center. 2006. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
- ^ Wehunt, Jennifer (May 26, 2006). "Three-Point Plan – Make the most of your long weekend". RedEye. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ Badowski, Christine and Chris McNamara (June 1, 2008). "Summer Pleasures – Have a blast". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ "DuSable Museum of African American History and Bike and Roll Chicago Announce the Inauguration of Chicago's Presidential Bike Tour". PR Newswire. May 26, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- ^ The End of the Chicago Trolley Era
- ^ "New Bike Station needs a couple of words to the wise". Chicago Tribune. August 1, 2004. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ Isackson, Noah (June 5, 2005). "Extreme Leisure – 20 Ways To Indulge In The Simple Joys Of Summer". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ Dardick, Hal (May 6, 2005). "This Sept. 8, No Bean For You – Unless you're a Toyota dealer. In that case, feel free to frolic because the carmaker paid $800,000 to own the park for the day". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
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- ^ Leone, Vikki (November 5, 2007). "Chain reaction – Issues In The News – Cycling In Melbourne". The Age. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
- Chicago Architecture Foundation. November 18, 2004. Archived from the originalon November 14, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2009.