Crain's Chicago reports a plan to invigorate the stretch of Michigan Ave. between Randolph St. and the Chicago river... i.e the stretch bounded by Millenium Park to the south and the Magnificient Mile on the north.

Chicago Business News, Analysis & Articles | Plan to fill the void on Mich. Ave. | Crain's

Crain's Communications happens to be at the northwest corner of this strip.

A quote: "The panel, co-sponsored by the Chicago Loop Alliance, the city's Department of Planning and Development and Alderman Brendan Reilly's office (42nd), is proposing the city build two sets of landscaped, ornamental steps leading from Michigan Avenue to the Illinois Center office complex, as "a modern adaptation of the Spanish Steps in Rome," according to a draft report obtained by Crain's."

The plan would involve razing buildings , using markers and lighting to create an entrance, and extending Lake St. to Columbus Dr. to improve traffic flow and access .