JRA logo   Jacobs/Ryan Associates Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Wabash Plaza triangle  
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JRA Wabash Plaza
Image courtesy of Todd Augustiniak
The commemorative plaza located at the riverwalk level of Wabash and Wacker Drive, is the first and largest plaza built on the Chicago River. It has handicap ADA accessible walks, built-in and freestanding planters, a lawn, shade and ornamental trees, and a memorial fountain in the lower level plaza. The amphitheater can seat more than a thousand people for viewing events. The plaza offers year round visual interest and ties the street level to the riverfront.   Vietnam Veterans Wabash Plaza Aerial
    Image courtesy of Ross Barney Architects
JRA_Wabash Plaza_Memorial Plaque   JRA_Wabash Plaza_Amphitheater Seating and Fountain
Image courtesy of Kate Joyce Hedrich Blessing Photographers
Working with a planning document originally prepared by DLK Architecture, JRA first assisted the Chicago Department of Transportation and Ross Barney + Jankowski through design and then consulted with engineers at K-Plus Engineering, Ltd. through construction administration. Planting included bald cypress trees, pear trees, shrub roses and annual flowers. Included in the design process was presentation of ideas to the Mayor’s landscape review committee.
Image courtesy of Kate Joyce Hedrich Blessing Photographers
 
JRA_Wabash Plaza_Amphitheater 2
JRA_Wabash Plaza_Amphitheater 3  

Mayor Daley dedicated the plaza on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2005 to throngs of people. The project was favorably reviewed by Blair Kamin in the Sunday Chicago Tribune (June 24, 2007). It won the 2007 ACEC Engineering Excellence Merit Award, an Illinois AIA Award and the 2008 Illinois Chapter ASLA Honor Award. The success of Wabash Plaza lead to the development of the Chicago Riverwalk from Michigan Avenue to Lake Street.

Client: Chicago Department of Transportation; Architect: Ross Barney + Jankowski; Planning: DLK Architecture Inc; Engineers: K-Plus Engineering Ltd; Design Engineers: Collins Engineers Inc; Constulting Engineers: Shah Engineering
Wabash Plaza_Perspective into Park
 
 
 
 
JRA logo   Jacobs/Ryan Associates Landscape Architects triangle
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  www.jacobsryan.com (p) 312.664.3217 / (f) 312.337.1550   1527 N. Sandburg Terrace, Chicago IL 60610