The Calumet River is largely responsible for the existence of much of southern metropolitan Chicago. Stories of Native Americans, wetlands, explorers, bridges, the Underground Railroad, steel mills, landfilling, unions, tragedies, and movie-making define the legacy of this river. More importantly, these stories coincide with the physical remains of one of the most highly industrialized regions in the world.

A strong case can be made for preserving and displaying pieces of this legacy along the river corridor. Tourism is a $22 billion industry in Illinois. Cultural tourists spend more, take longer trips, visit more attractions, and stay overnight more often than any other type of tourist. European countries and a few U.S. cities have boosted their tourism industries by investing in the preservation and adaptive reuse of former industrial sites.

Investing in open spaces and historic structures along the river could also, paradoxically, boost industrial redevelopment. Practice shows that businesses are more likely to locate a new facility in a community that is economically, socially, and culturally vital. The concepts explored in this Vision would contribute significantly to Southeast Side vitality on all levels.

The Calumet Area Land Use Plan (right), developed by the City of Chicago, was a major step toward acknowledging the coexistence of industry and open space. However, industrial zoning (shown in pink) still dominates the 5 mile corridor from Lake Michigan to 127th street, leaving no room to profit from the river's many other assets.

Many Southeast Side leaders agree more can be done to drive economic redevelopment and improve quality of life. To be sustainable, planners must capitalize on all the river's assets.

Therefore, a process to identify possible public open spaces with historic significance in the corridor began in November 2003. Sites were selected with the following in mind:
• No hindrances to industrial traffic,
• Proximity to neighborhoods,
• Consideration for general safety,
• Views with historical significance,
• Current uses by the community,
• Security of neighboring properties.

Common themes emerged through the open space and historic inventorying process, creating further desire to see the Vision through. They are as follows:

Tourism spending contributes $22 billion to the Illinois economy each year. Why not attract some of that to the Southeast Side of Chicago? There are examples throughout the country of cities that have capitalized on their shipping ports and industrial prominence as ways to create diverse economic growth, including Duluth, Minnesota and Boston, Massachusetts.

This form of tourism attracts visitors for the longest stays and prompts them to spend the most money in the local economy than any other type of tourist. Oral histories of former steel workers, the steel making structures themselves, churches, architecture, even The Blues Brothers movie all fit into the context of cultural tourism.

Only a few historic steel making structures still stand in the Calumet region. The Acme Coke Plant and Hulett Iron Ore Unloaders have been designated together as one of Illinois' Top Ten Most Endangered historic sites by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. An extensive partnership effort is under way to save these structures and convert them into a comprehensive industrial and labor exhibit in the Corridor. Click here to learn more about Chicago's historic steel making structures.

Many Southeast Side youth and adults see the river only for its nuisances — bridge delays, noise, and dust. Informing residents of the river's important history and by viewing the massive river activities could serve to create community pride in place; thus, no longer focusing solely on the nuisances. Residents could truly appreciate the significance of the working river.

Furthermore, hundreds of fishermen use the river regularly, but they must trespass through unsafe abandoned properties. Creation of public access through small open spaces on the river could alleviate much of this. Increasing green space is also known to improve people's perceptions of their neighborhoods, reduce crime, and prompt further voluntary community greening efforts.

The Calumet River connects the Southeast Side to the south and west suburbs of Chicago via the Little Calumet and the Cal-Sag Channel, and to downtown Chicago via Lake Michigan.

If realized, the Calumet Corridor Vision would create a synergy among revitalization efforts underway by the City of Chicago, South Suburban Mayors and Managers, and the State of Illinois.

I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor: Legislation is being planned to extend the boundaries of the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor into the Calumet region, including southern Chicago metro area. This extension would benefit efforts by the south and southwestern suburban municipalities to redevelop their river corridors.

Find out more about the I&M Canal and efforts downstream, including the Little Calumet River and Cal-Sag Channel:

I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor

South Suburban Mayors and Managers:
Open Space Initiative, River Corridor Council