CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Chicago's downtown has undergone significant changes since the pandemic, from office overhauls to the ways we get back-and-forth each day. As part of WBBM's in-depth series, the current state and future of downtown offices is discussed.
Michael Edwards, president and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance, said when it comes to the number of people working downtown, Chicago's doing better than most big cities.
"We are hovering over 50%...51 to 55%, which is higher than the average across the country which is more like in the high 40s," said Edwards.
Edwards said that's partly due to what downtown Chicago offers.
"What we call our secret sauce, which is arts and culture," said Edwards.
Edwards said how people get downtown is also important, and he said that’s why the Chicago Transit Authority needs to be safer with more consistent service.
"We need to make sure it's safe. We need to make sure it's clean,” said Edwards. “We need to make sure that it's healthy and meets people's expectations. Things like the Chicago Transit Authority to kind of be more consistent, to be safer, present themselves as a better public transit system. I think that would help a lot.”
Steve Stratton, executive managing director of the commercial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, says downtown's recovery also includes reimagining the future of some office space.
"It's going to be a little different. It may not be quite as much in the way of office space,” said Stratton. “You might convert some of the office buildings on LaSalle Street to residential.”
Stratton said downtown Chicago has many positives that will aid its recovery.
"It is a spectacular setting on the lake. Great infrastructure,” noted Stratton. “ It's got a tremendous education support system, you know Roosevelt, DePaul, Northwestern, University of Chicago, downtown…You've got a very strong talent base, and that will not go away. I think Chicago's going to have a rebound and get back to its greatness.”
Tune in on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. when WBBM's Cisco Cotto will host a wide-ranging discussion with experts about the state of our downtowns. Listen to WBBM on the Audacy app, desktop, smart speaker or wherever you listen to the radio.
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