Jesse Orr
@jessezorr.bsky.social
Once a development consultant abroad, now a Chicago civil servant.
Housing / transportation / politics / etc. opinions my own, but restrained.
Housing / transportation / politics / etc. opinions my own, but restrained.
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Honestly they should try to figure out how to automate the blue line with that money. There will be so much work for the operators on the others…
November 2, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Honestly they should try to figure out how to automate the blue line with that money. There will be so much work for the operators on the others…
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Is one possible reason for LIHTC projects' higher per unit costs in Chicago vs. market projects that they so often seem to be six stories? My understanding is that's where you can no longer do type III construction and there's a cost discontinuity chicagoyimby.com/2025/10/exte...
Exterior Completion Nears At 1237 North California Avenue In Humboldt Park - Chicago YIMBY
Exteriors are nearing completion for the new residential development from the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation at 1237 North California Avenue in Humboldt Park.
chicagoyimby.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Is one possible reason for LIHTC projects' higher per unit costs in Chicago vs. market projects that they so often seem to be six stories? My understanding is that's where you can no longer do type III construction and there's a cost discontinuity chicagoyimby.com/2025/10/exte...
Community meeting about this tonight at the Center on Halsted at 5:30PM - come join us!
new 10 story building proposed for 3611 N Halsted on the old Phoenix Electric Manufacturing site. 188 units, 77 parking spots
October 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Community meeting about this tonight at the Center on Halsted at 5:30PM - come join us!
Reposted by Jesse Orr
It's cool that when they think the audience is progressive, the Edgewater residents organizing against the Broadway rezoning say they're fighting gentrification, but otherwise they're pretty open about what they're worrying about
October 16, 2025 at 2:18 AM
It's cool that when they think the audience is progressive, the Edgewater residents organizing against the Broadway rezoning say they're fighting gentrification, but otherwise they're pretty open about what they're worrying about
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Finally got something out of my head that's been there a while: A capsule history of the mid-density Chicago apartment building daniel-kay-hertz.ghost.io/the-life-dea...
The life, death, and rebirth of moderate-density apartment buildings in Chicago
The pantheon of Chicago architecture tends to cluster at either end of the density spectrum. In one corner you have the trophy commercial skyscrapers; in the other you have icons of domesticity, the b...
daniel-kay-hertz.ghost.io
October 13, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Finally got something out of my head that's been there a while: A capsule history of the mid-density Chicago apartment building daniel-kay-hertz.ghost.io/the-life-dea...
Reposted by Jesse Orr
About 1% of US railway mileage is electrified, with only tiny steps taken to electrify more in recent years (Caltrain) www.fastcompany.com/91178844/ind...
Not nearly enough is made of the incredibly impressive feat Indian Railways has made to electrify almost 100% of its 135,000km of track, while also growing renewable sourcing. Huge:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...
Indian Railways to achieve net zero targets in 2025 itself - 5 years ahead of 2030 goal - Times of India
India Business News: Indian Railways is set to achieve net-zero targets by year-end, surpassing its 2030 goal through extensive electrification. Aiming for 95% electric tr
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:34 PM
About 1% of US railway mileage is electrified, with only tiny steps taken to electrify more in recent years (Caltrain) www.fastcompany.com/91178844/ind...
Read an article about the RPM TIF's high revenue generation (due to seeing it linked in City That Works news roundup @rsday.bsky.social @conordurkin.bsky.social) and it made me wonder... perhaps CTA should just use the TIF funding as a dedicated fund for local capital projects without fed funding.
October 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Read an article about the RPM TIF's high revenue generation (due to seeing it linked in City That Works news roundup @rsday.bsky.social @conordurkin.bsky.social) and it made me wonder... perhaps CTA should just use the TIF funding as a dedicated fund for local capital projects without fed funding.
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Malice, incompetence, or a secret third thing: on bureaucracy daniel-kay-hertz.ghost.io/malice-incom...
Malice, incompetence, or a secret third thing
There's a saying about bureaucracies that you should never attribute to malice what you can attribute to incompetence. This is typically the axis along which explanations for dissatisfaction with loca...
daniel-kay-hertz.ghost.io
September 30, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Malice, incompetence, or a secret third thing: on bureaucracy daniel-kay-hertz.ghost.io/malice-incom...
North Side folks without plans tonight - come hear me talk about Zoning and Development and tell us what you think we should be doing more [or less]!!
Submit any pre-meeting questions you want answered through the link below:
airtable.com/appd482bRGwK...
Submit any pre-meeting questions you want answered through the link below:
airtable.com/appd482bRGwK...
September 29, 2025 at 8:31 PM
North Side folks without plans tonight - come hear me talk about Zoning and Development and tell us what you think we should be doing more [or less]!!
Submit any pre-meeting questions you want answered through the link below:
airtable.com/appd482bRGwK...
Submit any pre-meeting questions you want answered through the link below:
airtable.com/appd482bRGwK...
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Stone pavings of Helsinki
I really would like to know the per sqm cost, the construction and maintenance budget, and who funds what and how because the quality of soil treatment in new developments is incredible.
In Montréal, we can't even afford to use stone in our most iconic main street.
I really would like to know the per sqm cost, the construction and maintenance budget, and who funds what and how because the quality of soil treatment in new developments is incredible.
In Montréal, we can't even afford to use stone in our most iconic main street.
September 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Stone pavings of Helsinki
I really would like to know the per sqm cost, the construction and maintenance budget, and who funds what and how because the quality of soil treatment in new developments is incredible.
In Montréal, we can't even afford to use stone in our most iconic main street.
I really would like to know the per sqm cost, the construction and maintenance budget, and who funds what and how because the quality of soil treatment in new developments is incredible.
In Montréal, we can't even afford to use stone in our most iconic main street.
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Chicago’s Divvy bikeshare shattered records in August:
🥇Highest month in program history: 995K rides
🥇Highest month for e-bikes: 500K+ rides
🥇Highest month for scooters: 200K+ rides
The City's efforts to make Divvy more affordable & accessible are paying off!
🥇Highest month in program history: 995K rides
🥇Highest month for e-bikes: 500K+ rides
🥇Highest month for scooters: 200K+ rides
The City's efforts to make Divvy more affordable & accessible are paying off!
September 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Chicago’s Divvy bikeshare shattered records in August:
🥇Highest month in program history: 995K rides
🥇Highest month for e-bikes: 500K+ rides
🥇Highest month for scooters: 200K+ rides
The City's efforts to make Divvy more affordable & accessible are paying off!
🥇Highest month in program history: 995K rides
🥇Highest month for e-bikes: 500K+ rides
🥇Highest month for scooters: 200K+ rides
The City's efforts to make Divvy more affordable & accessible are paying off!
Reposted by Jesse Orr
August 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
How could you not support someone with such excellent taste in television???
yo this guy is cooking
August 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
How could you not support someone with such excellent taste in television???
Reposted by Jesse Orr
Argyle, Wilson, and Cermak (Chinatown) are consistently three of the best-recovered CTA stops, while the rest of the Red Line sits at varying levels of average.
August 28, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Argyle, Wilson, and Cermak (Chinatown) are consistently three of the best-recovered CTA stops, while the rest of the Red Line sits at varying levels of average.
Reposted by Jesse Orr
The hits keep coming: Another proactive rezoning to B-3 (5-6 stories) on Cottage Grove in Bronzeville between 43rd and 47th
Another proactive corridor rezoning that flew under the radar! This one on Howard in Rogers Park (added to Broadway, Western, 95th, and 35th). Like 35th, this is more about commercial uses than density, but between the Red Line and Western there's a modest upzone blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/21/h...
Howard Street Rezoned With An Eye Toward Business Growth, Improved Public Safety
The zoning changes were approved last month by City Council in hopes of filling vacant storefronts and increasing foot traffic, Ald. Maria Hadden said.
blockclubchicago.org
August 22, 2025 at 4:02 AM
The hits keep coming: Another proactive rezoning to B-3 (5-6 stories) on Cottage Grove in Bronzeville between 43rd and 47th
They should have done this for Lincoln Yards and the 78.
Three towers of Sen̓áḵw (phase 1) rising above Kits 6 Reserve as reclaimed by the Squamish Nation near downtown Vancouver. senakw.com/place
Here emerging from trees on the Parkview Tower lot at the foot of the Burrard Bridge nearby (also formerly part of Kits 6). 1/
Here emerging from trees on the Parkview Tower lot at the foot of the Burrard Bridge nearby (also formerly part of Kits 6). 1/
August 26, 2025 at 3:52 AM
They should have done this for Lincoln Yards and the 78.
Reposted by Jesse Orr
SF barely beats NYC for most effective bus system, another place badly in need of rapid transit that actually serves the city. Crazy CTA buses are more productive than the L. Vegas has a better bus system than they get credit for, & the abysmal bus system in Dallas hampers its extensive LRT
August 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
SF barely beats NYC for most effective bus system, another place badly in need of rapid transit that actually serves the city. Crazy CTA buses are more productive than the L. Vegas has a better bus system than they get credit for, & the abysmal bus system in Dallas hampers its extensive LRT
What’s happening to the CTA here!?
Would be super curious to see this broken down by line. Also wonder what the 2019 stats would look like.
Would be super curious to see this broken down by line. Also wonder what the 2019 stats would look like.
The Subway is the most productive heavy rail system, matching the legendary Newark subway. Not far behind is LA, more evidence they should focus on subways in the urban core instead of slow & sprawling light rail.
CTA takes an L here but productivity will improve soon when they cut half the lines
CTA takes an L here but productivity will improve soon when they cut half the lines
August 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
What’s happening to the CTA here!?
Would be super curious to see this broken down by line. Also wonder what the 2019 stats would look like.
Would be super curious to see this broken down by line. Also wonder what the 2019 stats would look like.
Reposted by Jesse Orr
The Subway is the most productive heavy rail system, matching the legendary Newark subway. Not far behind is LA, more evidence they should focus on subways in the urban core instead of slow & sprawling light rail.
CTA takes an L here but productivity will improve soon when they cut half the lines
CTA takes an L here but productivity will improve soon when they cut half the lines
August 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The Subway is the most productive heavy rail system, matching the legendary Newark subway. Not far behind is LA, more evidence they should focus on subways in the urban core instead of slow & sprawling light rail.
CTA takes an L here but productivity will improve soon when they cut half the lines
CTA takes an L here but productivity will improve soon when they cut half the lines
On the one hand this station looks cool and accessibility retrofits (not just elevators but wider platforms etc.) are much needed.
On the other hand its hard to see us getting construction costs under control *at all* if a single station renovation costs $440M.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/s...
On the other hand its hard to see us getting construction costs under control *at all* if a single station renovation costs $440M.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/s...
State And Lake CTA Station Getting $440 Million Overhaul With Glass Roof, Elevators To Red Line
Car lanes around the station have been reduced ahead of an eventual "long-term closure" of the stop before it reopens in 2029, according to the city transportation department.
blockclubchicago.org
August 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
On the one hand this station looks cool and accessibility retrofits (not just elevators but wider platforms etc.) are much needed.
On the other hand its hard to see us getting construction costs under control *at all* if a single station renovation costs $440M.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/s...
On the other hand its hard to see us getting construction costs under control *at all* if a single station renovation costs $440M.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/s...
Reposted by Jesse Orr
California is so backward we first need to eliminate ***helicopter*** parking mandates???
August 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
California is so backward we first need to eliminate ***helicopter*** parking mandates???
More than three years after I went to my first community meeting about this, Clark Street Bike Lanes (Montrose to Winnemac) are finally happening!
August 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
More than three years after I went to my first community meeting about this, Clark Street Bike Lanes (Montrose to Winnemac) are finally happening!
This is in no way a dunk, but reading the blurbs of From Boom to Bubble makes it clear how much the discourse has changed - “overbuilding” discourse is the post-recession era replaced by emphasis on its opposite.
The question is which part of today’s discourse will be the same in ~10 years!
The question is which part of today’s discourse will be the same in ~10 years!
July 22, 2025 at 2:29 AM
This is in no way a dunk, but reading the blurbs of From Boom to Bubble makes it clear how much the discourse has changed - “overbuilding” discourse is the post-recession era replaced by emphasis on its opposite.
The question is which part of today’s discourse will be the same in ~10 years!
The question is which part of today’s discourse will be the same in ~10 years!
Reposted by Jesse Orr
This bungalow for sale in the 13th Ward has a pre-ADU:
- separate kitchen & bathroom in the basement
- compliant basement ceiling height
- a separate entrance from the outside to the basement without having to go through the main floor
Why block the homeowner from renting the basement out?
- separate kitchen & bathroom in the basement
- compliant basement ceiling height
- a separate entrance from the outside to the basement without having to go through the main floor
Why block the homeowner from renting the basement out?
July 19, 2025 at 3:25 AM
This bungalow for sale in the 13th Ward has a pre-ADU:
- separate kitchen & bathroom in the basement
- compliant basement ceiling height
- a separate entrance from the outside to the basement without having to go through the main floor
Why block the homeowner from renting the basement out?
- separate kitchen & bathroom in the basement
- compliant basement ceiling height
- a separate entrance from the outside to the basement without having to go through the main floor
Why block the homeowner from renting the basement out?
Reposted by Jesse Orr
846 marks the highest CTA Rail staffing levels since 2019. Solid flagger class too. On pace to hit those pre-pandemic numbers just in time for the fiscal cliff to hit.
July 17, 2025 at 10:19 PM
846 marks the highest CTA Rail staffing levels since 2019. Solid flagger class too. On pace to hit those pre-pandemic numbers just in time for the fiscal cliff to hit.