How many blocks are in Chicago?

It’s a simple question, but an answer that’s not so easy to find. When asked on Chicago-based Facebook pages, including Windy City Historians and Forgotten Chicago, responses included 12,000, 18,000, 25,600 and 32,200, among several others guesses.

Asked by DNAinfo to reveal an authentic answer, Peter Strazzabosco, the Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, provided one.

The city’s mapping system identifies about 20,800 unique blocks in the city, Strazzabosco said.

“These are blocks surrounded typically by four streets in a rectangular pattern, but also possibly having different shapes and sizes depending on the development pattern of a given area,” Strazzabosco said.

Strazzabosco said Chicago’s arterial streets — for example Irving Park Road and Belmont Avenue — are generally a mile apart. Since most rectangular blocks are about 660 feet long, there are typically eight blocks between major arterials, though more are possible depending on how the blocks are oriented within the grid pattern. The short side of most rectangular blocks are about 330 feet, he said. The distances generally correspond to the center of the surrounding streets, not curb to curb.

Strazzabosco noted a number of diagonal streets sometimes change the shape of blocks into more of a triangle shape. Other manmade and natural features that can change block sizes and boundaries include highways, waterways like the Chicago River and railroad tracks.

“Of the 20,800 blocks, most are typically bordered by four streets in a grid pattern across the city,” Strazzabosco said.

Justin Breen  Reporter/Producer writes in dnainfo.com/

images: dnainfo

Have you seen Chicago’s new LED streetlights, being tested in seven neighborhoods?

Whether you love them or hate them, the city wants to hear from you before making its final decision on replacing more than 270,000 lights.

A feedback survey on the Smart Lighting Project is open until Jan. 9 — click here to weigh in. Questions include how the bright white LED lights affect visibility and how they compare with existing orange-hued high-pressure sodium bulbs.

Here’s where to view the test bulbs:

• Touhy Avenue: Paulina Street to Ashland Avenue. Paulina Street: Touhy Avenue to Chase Avenue. Alley from Ashland Avenue to Paulina Street between Touhy Avenue and Chase Avenue.

• Jersey Avenue: Bryn Mawr Avenue to Hollywood Avenue. Hollywood Avenue: Jersey Avenue to Spaulding Avenue. Alley from Bryn Mawr Avenue to Hollywood Avenue between Jersey Avenue and Spaulding Avenue.

• Hamlin Avenue: Augusta Boulevard to Iowa Street. Augusta Boulevard: Hamlin Avenue to Lawndale Avenue. Alley from Augusta Boulevard to Iowa Street 
between Hamlin Avenue and Ridgeway Avenue.

• Wood Street: 46th Street to 47th Street. 46th Street: Wood Street to Wolcott Avenue. Alley running south from 46th Street between Wood Street and Honore Street.

• 73rd Street: Bennett Avenue to Euclid Avenue.
 Bennett Avenue: 73rd Street to 74th Street.
 Alley from 73rd Street to 74th Street between Bennett Avenue and Euclid Avenue.

• State Street: 107th Street to 108th Street.
 107th Street: State Street to Michigan Avenue.
 Alley from 107th Street to 108th Street between State Street and Lafayette Avenue.

• Longwood Drive: 115th Street to 116th Street. 115th Street: Longwood Drive to railroad tracks. Alley from 115th Street to 116th Street between Longwood Drive and Hale Avenue.

Here are some of the new restaurants, stores and transit stations coming to the city in 2017.

New 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station (South Terminal)

What: The station at the south end of the Red Line has remained open as it undergoes a $240 million renovation that will expand the station north and south of 95th Street, increase the number of retail spots and make it easier to transfer to a bus. The new south building is expected to open this year. The building north of 95th is expected to open in 2018.

Where: Roseland

When: This year

Amazon Books

What: The online retailer is opening its second brick-and-mortar bookstore on the Southport corridor. In 2015, the brand opened its first one in Seattle. The plan has brought criticism from the city’s independent booksellers.

Where: 3443 N. Southport Ave.

When: This year

American Writers Museum

What: The museum will honor American authors as varied as Mark Twain and Dr. Seuss. Chicago authors will get their own dedicated hall.

Where: 180 N. Michigan Ave.

When: Early this year.

Culver’s

What: The Wisconsin-based fast food chain known for ButterBurgers and frozen custard is expected to open its first restaurant in Chicago this year. The question is which neighborhood will get the first one. The owner of the Bronzeville franchise has said his could open as early as February.

Where: Near 35th Street and King Drive, 4901 W. Irving Park Road and 3500 N. Clark St.

When: As early as February

Growling Rabbit

What: The popular Far North Side eatery is closing its original Rogers Park digs and reopening with an expanded food and drink menu that includes tea-infused cheesecake, fish tacos and homemade beer caramel.

Where: 5938 N. Broadway

When:  January

H Mart

What: H Mart is a popular Asian grocery store chain with more than 50 locations in the United States. Chicagoans will no longer have to trek to suburbs like Niles and Naperville to stock up on international goods. The West Loop location will be H Mart’s first store in Chicago.

Where: 722 W. Jackson Blvd.

When: This year

Jolly Pumpkin Brewery’s Fourth Restaurant

What: Jolly Pumpkin Brewery plans to open its fourth restaurant, and its first outside Michigan, in Hyde Park. The restaurant said it will be sure to have its golden ale Oro de Calabaza on tap, as well as 30 other beers and ciders, plus wines and craft cocktails. Hamburgers, truffle fries, pizzas and a “perfect chicken sandwich” will likely be on the menu.

Where: 1504 E. Harper Court

When: Late spring to summer.

Kitsune

What: It’s a Japanese-inspired restaurant featuring ramen from Iliana Regan, who already has made her name with Michelin-starred Elizabeth Restaurant in Lincoln Square.

Where: 4229 N. Lincoln Ave.

When:  End of January

SafeHouse

What: The spy-themed restaurant from Milwaukee is opening its second location in Chicago sometime this year. If it’s anything like the original, customers (or “agents”) can only enter by going through a secret door or knowing the right password.

Where: AC Hotel, 60 E. Ontario St.

When:  This year.

Unnamed restaurant at the Museum of Contemporary Art

What: Part of a $16 million renovation at the museum, the new restaurant will be helmed by Jason Hammel, the man behind Logan Square’s Lula Cafe.

Where: 220 E. Chicago Ave.

When: This year

Washington/Wabash “L” station

What: The massive $75 million station is expected to become the fifth-busiest weekday “L” stop.

Where: The Loop

When: Spring

Whole Foods Market

What: At 75,000 square feet, this will be Chicago’s second-largest Whole Foods Market and will replace one up the street from it in Lakeview.

Where: Northeast corner of Ashland, Lincoln and Belmont avenues

When: Spring

New Wilson Red Line station

What: The $203 million overhaul of the Wilson Red Line station began in 2014 and is expected to be complete this fall. The station has remained open throughout the project. The final version will feature a new station house and new entrances.

Where: Uptown

When: Fall

Wintrust Arena

What: A rather controversial project due to the partial use of public funds for it, the 10,000-seat, $173 million arena will be the new home of DePaul University’s basketball teams.

Where: Indiana Avenue and Cermak Road

When: Fall, In time for the 2017-18 DePaul basketball season.