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CONTACT: Cindy McSherry, ULI Chicago, 773-549-4972

ULI Chicago Expert Panel Releases Final Report Outlining Recommendations for Pullman State Historic Site Redevelopment

ULI Chicago releases final report based on a Technical Assistance Panel conducted in October 2011 on the Pullman State Historic Site.

CHICAGO – (May 8, 2012) An eight-member expert panel led by ULI Chicago highlight their recommendations for the redevelopment of the Pullman State Historic Site in a report released today. ULI Chicago was engaged by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, in partnership with 9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale and the City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development, to study the historic site and surrounding areas and draft recommendations for redevelopment.

“The energy within the Pullman community and among its champions is outstanding. ULI Chicago is pleased to contribute our member’s expertise to address the future of this 130 year old historic site,” said Mike Szkatulski, Senior Managing Director, Mesirow Financial Real Estate Consulting, Inc. and Chair of the ULI Chicago Panel.

The panel’s report “The Pullman State Historic Site” outlines strategies to preserve the historic integrity of the site as well as unite existing redevelopment efforts and investment already underway in and around the Pullman neighborhood.

The panel emphasized the need for creative partnership at the national, state and city level, and among historic preservation and local neighborhood groups to realistically implement any of the report recommendations. The panel recommended a mixed-use, phased redevelopment that would re-activate both the Hotel Florence and Factory Complex for use by the community and visitors to the area and unite the entire Pullman neighborhood. Specifically, the redevelopment of the Factory Complex could include a museum to archive and interpret the histories of Pullman, space for creative industries or an art gallery, or light industrial use. The Hotel Complex could be re-opened as a restaurant with long-term options including an urban inn or office space for public agencies. Visit Chicago.uli.org for further information on panel recommendations or download a copy of the report.

The panel process is one component of ULI Chicago’s broad Technical Assistance Services program geared toward helping communities with challenging land-use issues. The Program provides access to ULI expertise and advice that communities could not obtain through any other process. The technical assistance panel (TAP) process brings together perspectives from market potential, land use and design, financing and development strategies, and organization and implementation professionals. TAPs are typically two-day intensive working sessions including site tours, community stakeholder interviews, and collection of all relevant community and market data. A final report is produced outlining recommendations.

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ULI Chicago (chicago.uli.org), a District Council of the Urban Land Institute, has more than 1,000 members in the Chicago land area. Organized in 1986, the district council celebrates 25 years in 2012. The ULI Chicago Technical Assistance Panel program draws upon ULI member expertise to provide creative and practical solutions to land use challenges in communities across the Chicago region and beyond. ULI Chicago’s TAP program was started in 2002.

The Urban Land Institute (uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.