Robert Mier papers, 1968-1989, bulk 1982-1989

Processed with funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

This collection is open for research use.

All rights owned by the donor, including copyright, were deeded to Chicago Historical Society. Copyright may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law, unless otherwise noted.

Gift of Robert Mier (1989.0920).

Robert Mier papers (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, discussion papers, and other working files of Robert Mier, a Chicago city planner, professor, and social activist who served as commissioner of economic development for the City of Chicago in the Mayor Harold Washington administration and as assistant for development and planning in the Mayor Eugene Sawyer administration. Materials pertain to projects with which Mier was engaged, including authoring the 1984 development plan Chicago Works Together; proposals for collateral development at O'Hare Airport, renovation of Navy Pier, and building of various sports facilities; and the proposed 1992 Chicago World's Fair. Also present are correspondence, meeting minutes, and other papers related to Mier's involvement in the mayoral and reelection campaigns of Harold Washington.

Robert Mier (1924-1995) was a Chicago city planner, professor, and social activist. Mier taught urban planning and public administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he founded the Center for Urban Economic Development in 1978. He served as commissioner of economic development for the City of Chicago in the administration of Mayor Harold Washington (1983- 1987). Notable amongst his accomplishments while holding this position was authoring the 1984 development plan Chicago Works Together. Mier also served as assistant for development and planning to Mayor Eugene Sawyer (1987-1989).

Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, in the Mayor Harold Washington administration neighborhood and economic development policy papers, include: Thom Clark papers, Robert Giloth papers, Elizabeth Hollander papers, Ken O'Hare papers, Judith Walker papers, the Harold Washington collection of papers, Kenneth M. Reardon's dissertation on Local economic development in Chicago, and the Chicago Mayor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs records.

Forms part of the Washington Administration Neighborhood and Economic Development Policy Papers (at Chicago History Museum).

• Names
  • Mier, Robert--Archives
  • Sawyer, Eugene
  • Washington, Harold
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Department of Economic Development
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Department of Planning
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport
  • Community Workshop on Economic Development (Chicago, Ill.)
  • World's Fair--(1992 : Chicago, Ill.)--Planning
• Subject
  • Airports--Illinois--Chicago--20th Century
  • City planners--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • City planning--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Economic development--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Elections--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Exhibitions--Illinois--Chicago--20th Century
  • Fairs--Illinois--Chicago--20th Century
  • Historic buildings--Remodeling for other use--Illinois--Chicago
  • Mayors--Illinois--Chicago--Election
  • $aMunicipal officials and employees$zIllinois$zChicago$y20th century.
  • Recreation Areas--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Sports facilities--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Stadiums--Illinois--Chicago--20th Century
• Geographic Coverage
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Economic conditions--20th century
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Officials and employees--20th century
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Politics and government--20th century
  • Navy Pier (Chicago, Ill.)--Conservation and resoration

The collection is arranged in nine series.

Series 1, Department of Economic Development, 1982-1988 (box 1-3)

Series 1 contains memoranda, reports, policy studies, newspaper clippings, brochures, and other papers pertaining to Mier's work as head of the City of Chicago Department of Economic Development under Mayor Washington, and subsequent work with the department as advisor to Mayor Sawyer. Topics include daily operations, budgets, personnel, and departmental task forces, as well as plans and programs developed by the department, including the 1984 strategic plan authored by Mier: "Chicago Works Together".

Series 2. Economic Development Commission, 1978-1988 (box 3-5)

Series 2 consists of memoranda, meeting minutes, reports, briefings, correspondence, membership information, and other papers related to Mier's efforts with the Economic Development Commission, a group of business and civic leaders tasked with prompting business growth in Chicago. The majority of materials consist of reports and proposals on economic development research and initiatives.

Series 3. Development Subcabinet, 1983-1989 (box 5-8)

Series 3 contains memoranda, correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, and other papers related to Mier's work as a chairman of the Development Subcabinet, a group comprised of commissioners from various departments of the city of Chicago, inlcuding aviation, housing, planning, public works, the Department of Economic Development, and others. Included are subcabinet liason research and initiatives.

Series 4. Department of Planning, 1986-1988(box 9-12)

Series 4 consists of memorada, correspondence, reports, studies, and other papers pertaining to the City of Chicago Department of Planning. Topics include plans to revitalize Chicago's boulevards and riverfronts, as well as a State Street revitalization project.

Series 5. Collateral development at O'Hare Airport, 1985-1989 (box 12-13)

Series 5 consists of memoranda, correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, and other papers concerning collateral development at O'Hare Airport. Present are presentations to the major and others, as well as requests for proposals (RFPs).

Series 6. Navy Pier Development, 1980-1989 (box 14-16)

Series 6 contains memoranda, correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, proposals, and other papers pertaining to work performed by Mier under the auspices of the Department of Economic Development related to the renovation and revitalization of the Navy Pier historic structure for use as a recreation facility. Included are early concept plans for redevelopment, impact studies, and task force reports. Also present are materials related to special events held at Navy Pier.

Series 7. Sports facilities development, 1982-1989 (box 16-23, oversize folder)

Series 7 consists of memoranda, correspondence, meeting minutes, press releases, reports, proposals, public hearing testimonies, newspaper clippings, and other papers on sports facilities in Chicago. Topics include the locations of a new stadium for the Chicago Bears and a new Comiskey Park, and the installation of lights at Wrigley Field in 1988. Also present are materials pertaining to a failed 1986 multi-use stadium plan and records of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, owner and operator of Comiskey Park (later known as U.S. Cellular Field). Present is an oversized image of the Chicago Stadium (1987).

Series 8. 1992 Chicago World's Fair, 1972-1987 (box 23-25)

Series 8 contains memoranda, correspondence, reports, financial plans, public hearing testimonies, drafts of intergovernmental agreements, newspaper clippings, and other papers related to the proposed 1992 Chicago World's Fair. The majority of materials pertain to the financial feasibility and economic impact of the fair.

Series 9. Other projects and programs, 1968-1989 (box 26-44)

Series 9 consists of correspondence, reports, development plans, briefing and position papers, articles, and other working files of Robert Mier. Topics include the Community Workshop on Economic Development, of which Mier was a co-founder; affordable housing; a study of Chicago as financial center; industry; transportation; and other economic and planning topics. Also present are materials pertaining to Mier's involvement in Harold Washington's 1983 mayoral campaign and 1987 reelection campaign.