The Sun-Times reports that the new section of the Chicago Riverwalk under Michigan Ave. opened yesterday. If you've ever tried to cross Michigan Ave. from the Riverwalk, you'll know this is a huge improvement over climbing the stairs up to street level, crossing the street three times (since there's no crosswalk going west), and going back down the stairs to the river. The underpass is also sure to provide much greater exposure for the Bridgehouse Museum, a little-noticed gem of a museum that was hidden on the Riverwalk on the west side of Michigan Ave. Be sure to go downtown to check it out.

Blair Kamin has given some much needed attention in the Tribune to the street design issues outside the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute: Art Institute's Modern Wing: Getting there can be risky. He points out the increase in jaywalking on Monroe as visitors from Millennium Park try to find the shortest route to the Modern Wing, and he suggests a mid-block crosswalk to remedy the problem. What's troubling is the City's response:

"Perhaps, as Steele says, the city can treat the problem crossing as effectively as it handled the successful, but sometimes troublesome, 2004 opening of Millennium Park.

Chicagoans are lucky to have a multitude of vibrant streets and public spaces to enjoy every day. From lunches outside in Millennium Park to coffee at a sidewalk table on Broadway in Lakeview, I certainly do my best to take advantage of the great places our city offers. These kinds of places not only are good for our quality of life, but they also contribute to the economic health of our region. In order to showcase Chicagoland's best places and remind Chicagoans why these places are so important, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has launched the "What Makes Your Place Great?" contest at PlacemakingChicago.com.

The contest is open through July 27, 2009. Email MPC your original photographs or videos of your favorite Chicagoland public space. Together with a 250-word-or-less description, your photos or videos should describe why this place is special to you and how it adds to your community.

The process for selecting art for the new Fullerton CTA station continues this week with a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Tue., June 9, at the Lincoln Park Branch Library, 1150 W. Fullerton Avenue. The community is encouraged to attend this meeting to review art proposals and provide feedback to guide the selection.

Following two public meetings in July of last year and January this year, Michael Dinges was commissioned for a mosaic artwork for the Fullerton station. A second, sculptural piece is now being selected for the station.

Artists / Artist-Teams nominated as finalists for the artwork competition for the Fullerton Station (north side/outdoor plaza):

• Actual Size Artworks (artist team of Gail Simpson / Aristotle Georgiades) (resides Stoughton, WI)
• Mary Brogger (resides Chicago, IL)
• Michael Dunbar (resides Springfield, IL)
• Michele Goldstrom (resides Chicago, IL)
  

Streetfilms has created a mascot of sorts for the livable streets movement with the mocumentary video below. The Zozo is a very clever and effective illustration of the issues with our human habitat that likely resonates well with the Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers generation. I only hope there will be a Zozo children's book in the near future to accompany Planetizen's Where Things Are, From Near to Far.