New Zoning Ordinance Crosses T's

"The most important zoning change we have is the 'T'," says 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus, not shy in noting it was his idea in the mid-1990s.

When Natarus looks out across the city's landscape, he sees railroad tracks spreading from Downtown like tentacles. While much of it is used by Metra commuter rail lines, some lines are no longer in use. Natarus' idea includes allowing the Chicago Transportation Authority to use railroad tracks.

"If you put the CTA on all those railroad tracks, you will see real estate people build around those tracks," Natarus believes. For that to happen, though, railroad companies have to be brought to the table, he adds.

Building along the railroad lines is essential in bringing development out to the neighborhoods, says Natarus, whose ward includes Downtown. "We have to take the pressure off the central area in terms of traffic," he adds. "We have land. We are not like New York…I took a drive to the South Side, and I haven't seen as much vacant land in my life."

While the idea of a Crosstown Expressway running north to south from the Northwest to Southwest Sides has been around since the administration of Richard J. Daley (who died in 1976), Natarus believes the "T" district could offer a vehicle for making it happen before Richard M. Daley decides to leave city hall. He believes O'Hare and Midway airports could be linked, as well as Gary, IN.

"We could put a high-speed rail on there tomorrow, if we can get the railroads to the table," Natarus insists.