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.

Navy Pier was named the No. 1 tourist destination in the country based on Lyft rides after the company released its list of the most visited places by ridership on Wednesday.

The “Lyftie Awards” is an annual award given to the places where Lyft riders across the country frequent the most.

Chicago destinations such as Wrigley Field won for the most visited event venue. Parlor Pizza Bar for the most visited restaurant and Ogilvie Train Station won for the most visited train stop, along with Soho House Chicago, which was named the No. 1 trending destination in Chicago.

Evan F. Moore Reporter/Producer writes in dnainfo.com/

It’s amazing how people don’t even realize how much Chicago cabbies know about the city. They roam the streets of the Windy City say in and day out, they can probably find their way around with their eyes closed.

And that’s the great thing about legitimate Chicago cabbies, like Universal Taxi cabbies. They’re not just regular drivers who will take you from point A to point B. They’re people who can share a little bit about the city with travelers who have never been this side of the world. They’re those who can lead you to the places only locals know about, the ones that travel magazines haven’t discovered.

But then, not all Chicago cabbies are legitimate, and this could mean a bad thing. It means that they could cheat you out of your money, or take routes you don’t want to take. They can be rude and impolite and not have any accountability at all.

This is why it is extremely important for you to choose licensed cabbies, even if you don’t see one around. Going for an unlicensed cab can heighten the risks that come with your travels. Part of the deal here is knowing ow to spot the fake ones from the real ones. In this case, here are a few things you have to take note of:

• Chicago cabs are granted medallions.

Basically, a medallion can be purchased or leased, but the number of medallions granted are limited simply because the city does not want a huge surge of cabs all over the city. The medallion should be displayed on the vehicle’s hood at the top right side.

• Chicago cabs carry a numeric code.

This numeric code should not only be seen on the medallion, but all over the cab as well. Consider this number as the cab’s personal ID. It’s something that distinguishes and identifies one cab from the other.

• Chicago cabbies are not required to wear uniforms.

Don’t be surprised if you get picked up by a cabbie who’s not wearing a uniform of some sort. See, Chicago cabbies are not required to wear any kind of uniform. There isn’t even any rule about what color their cabs should be – any color will do.

• Chicago cabs are usually required to have partitions, except for independently-owned ones.

The City of Chicago requires cabs to have some sort of partition between the driver and the passenger. However, if the cab is independently-owned or operated, then they are exempted from this rule. This has often cause some confusion among taxi passengers, as they end up assuming that a cab is fake when they do not have the partition.

To make sure you’re getting on a licensed and legitimate cab, use a cab company that you’re familiar with. You can try downloading the Universal Taxi app and booking trips through it. This way, you can make sure that no matter what happens, you’ll have a legitimate cabbie waiting for you right outside your door each and every time.

The countdown to Christmas and New Year’s Eve continues, which means we have some amazing holiday options in Chicago for all to enjoy this weekend! Whether spending the evening soaking in the activities in Chicago’s Andersonville or taking a tour of downtown’s beautiful lights at night, you’ll find there’s no better place to be. Here are 8 things coming up on the calendar — it’s time to make weekend plans!

Late-er Night Andersonville
December 16 

Are you a procrastinator when it comes to holiday shopping? Are you at your most productive when the stress of a quickly approaching holiday is giving you a little extra motivation? Then stop by Andersonville for a “late-er” than usual Late Night Andersonville. Take advantage of 4 more hours of the same discounts from Late Night Andersonville, plus enjoy free entertainment, refreshments and pictures with Santa.

 

 

Sidetrack Saturday Market
December 17 // FREE

Looking for more markets in Chicago? Shop local with a Bloody Mary in hand at Sidetrack, Boystown’s flagship bar, at their monthly Sidetrack Saturday Market. You’ll find cheeses, pies, juices, preserves, confections and more.

 

 

“Six Stories Up in a Snowstorm”
Now through December 18 // Tickets start at $17

Middle-school kids and their adult mentors with and without disabilities are stranded in a ski chalet haunted by an abominable snow beast. They try to melt his heart with stories and songs of overcoming differences; the result is often moving and hilarious! The 90-minute show at the Athenaeum Theatre can be enjoyed by adults and children ages six and up.

 

 

Holiday Celebrations in Millennium Park
Now through December 18 // FREE

Millennium Park will be home to numerous holiday celebrations this season! Santa’s Midwest headquarters will be open to children of all ages, where they can visit and have their picture taken with Santa Claus throughout the holiday season. Snap a selfie in front of the Christmas Tree, on display through the first week of January.

Other events include the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and Caroling at Cloud Gate, the Friday night sing-a-long in front of “The Bean”.

 

 

“The Winter’s Tale”
Now through December 21 // $58–$88

In December, the award-winning British company Cheek by Jowl returns during “Shakespeare 400 Chicago” with a new production of one of the bard’s greatest plays. Writing “The Winter’s Tale” after completing his great tragedies, Shakespeare broke new ground.

Unity of time, place and action are hurled aside as we move across Europe—from court to country, from high tragedy to low comedy—in a story that spans 14 years. A delusional and paranoid king tears his family apart, but the struggle for redemption yields flickers of hope. Initial darkness gives way to joy as Time leads the characters to a shattering conclusion.

 

 

The Joffrey Ballet’s World Premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s “Nutcracker”
Now through December 30 // Tickets start at $35

Discover the magic of Chicago’s mysterious 1893 World’s Fair through the eyes of a child in the Joffrey’s astounding new “Nutcracker”—brilliantly reimagined by Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Be part of dance history as the Joffrey Ballet celebrates our beloved city and unlocks a world of wonder for the 21st century in an electrifying holiday tale that will leave you breathless.

 

 

Holiday Lights, City Lights Tour
Now through December 30 // $30 | $27 for CAF members

See downtown Chicago’s beautiful city lights at night and the holiday lights on Michigan Avenue aboard a heated trolley. The tour includes two stops with views of the city and holiday lights. Learn how both man and nature impacted the development of the city and hear the stories of the architects, developers and leaders who played key roles in shaping the city.

 

 

“A Christmas Carol”
Now through December 31 // Prices vary

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with “A Christmas Carol”—Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition! Experience the joy of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption—now featuring more stage magic and surprises than ever! Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys through his past, present and future to discover the importance of friendship and love.

Uber was named the official rideshare partner of Metra on Wednesday.

The partnership, which is scheduled to start in February 2017, will be a three-year agreement, Metra officials said.

“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we look for creative ways to generate revenue that can impact our agency’s bottom line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “In addition to generating much-needed revenue for Metra, we believe this partnership with Uber will help address the ‘first mile/last mile’ challenge for customers who need a quick and easy way to get to and from a Metra station.”

The partnership will be the first time Metra has entered into an agreement that will not only generate non-fare revenue but will also attract customers who need a first-mile/last-mile connection.

“We already know that many Chicagoland residents use Uber to get to and from public transit stations during the first or last mile of their commutes. By embarking on this first-of-its-kind marketing partnership with Metra, we hope to encourage even more Chicago residents to opt into multi-modal transit options instead of driving solo,” said Marco McCottry, general manager of Uber in Illinois and Indiana. ‘When more people choose to share the ride instead of driving themselves, we can reduce congestion and pollution in our city.”

Uber’s name will be featured on a wide range of promotional materials, including posters displayed at train stations and on Metra trains, timetables, mailing inserts and at ticket office windows, officials said.

The rideshare company’s message will be featured on the railroad’s website, social media channels and in the agency’s customer newsletter. Uber will also be able to distribute promotional information at Metra’s train stations, officials said.

Should bicyclists abide by the same traffic laws as motor vehicles at intersections? A new study from DePaul University suggests they shouldn’t always have to.

The study, published Monday by DePaul’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development, observed 875 cyclists at six intersections in Chicago and found that only one out of 25 obey stop signs and 2 out of 3 run the red lights when there’s no traffic.

Yet the study suggests implementing a “Idaho Stop” law at four-way stop intersections, which would allow cyclists to regard stop signs as yield signs and that at red lights, they would only have to stop long enough to determine whether it was safe to cross. The idea is to maintain bicyclists’ momentum.

The Idaho Stop, named after a yielding law passed in that state in 1982, has not been adopted in any other states, though some parts of Colorado recognize a limited form of the law called “Stop as Yield.”

The current bike law in Chicago states cyclists “must follow all rules of the roadway including … stopping at stop signs” and obey traffic signals, according to a Safe Cycling Guide published by the Chicago Department of Transportation.

The DePaul study says “stop sign intersections, especially four-way stops, tend to be less risky for cyclists practicing the Idaho Stop because even if cross-traffic is present, motorists are required to stop.”

The study suggested implementing a pilot program that would allow Idaho Stops at select signaled intersections with relatively low traffic volumes and during late-night hours.

The DePaul researchers cited an analysis of 707 bike crashes from 2010 to 2013 that showed that intersections with signals were associated with more bicycle crashes.

“Thus, if cyclists are legally permitted to yield and proceed through an intersection when cross-traffic is not present, they can clear the intersection before more traffic becomes present,” the researchers write.

Another study cited by the DePaul report found that in the year that followed the implementation of the Idaho Stop Law, cyclist injuries in Idaho declined by 14.5 percent. The study also concluded that having cyclists follow the same rules of the road as drivers may be in fact more dangerous.

The DePaul researchers recorded bicycle behavior at intersections in Logan Square, Edgewater, Wicker Park, Bucktown, River North and Hyde Park.

The study, by Jenna Caldwell, Riley O’Neil, Joseph P. Schwieterman and Dana Yanocha, also found:

• Biking is on average faster than other modes of transportation when getting from point A to point B. When compared to public transit and UberPool, biking proved faster than public transit on 33 of the 45 trips and faster than UberPool on 21 trips.

• Bike use in Chicago has skyrocketed.

In 1990, 0.3 percent of commuting trips were by bike; by 2000 it was 0.5 percent. In 2015, it was 1.4 percent, four times the rate of 1990.

• The city issued about nine tickets per day to bicyclists. Between 2006 and 2015, there were 13,150 such tickets issued, mostly for sidewalk violations.

• Men tend to be more aggressive riders than women, and that aggressiveness may allow men to avoid crashes with trucks.

In 2016, there were at least six bicycling deaths in the city. Most recently, a woman riding her bike in Roscoe Village was killed in a collision with a flatbed truck at an intersection. In July, Chicago saw the nation’s first bike-sharing fatality when a Divvy rider was also killed at an intersection by a large flatbed truck.

The DePaul report was the focus of Tribune transportation reporter Mary Wisniewski’s column on Monday.

Chicago recently was named the most bike-friendly city in the nation by Bicyclingmagazine, which cited the city’s extensive plans to construct protected bike lanes and its use of Divvy bike share system among other things.

If you drive Foster Avenue just east of the Edens Expy. this week, get ready to slow down.

One lane of westbound traffic on Foster Avenue will be closed Tuesday through Thursday between Pulaski Road and Keeler Avenue while crews replace a small steel bridge beam over the Chicago River.

Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th) notified constituents of the construction work via social media, saying the beam was “seriously deteriorated.”

The stretch of Foster between Pulaski and Cicero was completely closed this fall while the Illinois Department of Transportation rebuilt the Foster Avenue bridge across the Chicago River.

The small beam, which connects the larger bridge beam was discovered to be “rusted clear through in several places and the IDOT district bridge engineer ordered its replacement,” Laurino said.

The westbound outside lane of Foster will be closed 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.