CHICAGO | City Casino

[lakeshoredrive]

Rivers at 78 would’ve been the more economical option.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by lakeshoredrive

Rivers at 78 would’ve been the more economical option.

You mean Rivers at Lakeside Center, right? The building was already construction (with all infrastructure in place and a huge concert venue included) in an ideal location for capturing the tourist/conventioneer crowd.

[Halsted & Villagio]

[QUOTE=Garynewman;10368306]https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/02/75195.html

Like I said, this project isn't happening, we're going to be stuck with the crappy temp casino. Another complete L by the Lightfoot/Johnson administration.


Wow. Someone sure is defeated. Look, there is already enough doom and gloom in the world during the era of Trump and President Musk, but there is no need to keep beating that drum daily here. Day to day life beats that drum enough.

And yeah, I put that Trump name in there because I have seen a lot of posts from posters like this new poster pop up a lot on Chicago forums everywhere lately. They have a clear agenda. It is abundantly clear that MAGA hates Johnson for standing up for migrants - and wants to infect the minds of Chicagoans to revolt against him.

Listen, you are wasting your time with that. Chicagoans are a strong bunch who think for themselves and will make their own decisions - and Chicagoan's ON THEIR OWN have decided that they want a new Mayor.

Welcome to the forum btw --- and btw, the sky is not falling. We will get through this.

[r18tdi]

Urbanize Chicago has a bunch of new (but not so great quality) images showing a revised design, as reportedly approved by DPD. More here:






HKS Architects

[ardecila]

I was wondering what the west side of this box would look like (facing the new Jefferson St). As I suspected, it's not great. Reminds me of Motor City Casino in Detroit, just vast blank walls that are not very well disguised. The facade materials seem to be a downgrade from the renderings shown before too. Terrible way to kickstart what is supposed to be a new, mixed-use neighborhood here.

I'm surprised Alden Capital (Tribune owner) is letting them use the gothic "Chicago" sign from the Freedom Center, but I guess they allowed it for Tribune Tower residences. These private equity ghouls have no respect for the brands they own, but they're happy to get a nice check....

If there's a silver lining, it does seem like the riverwalk side will actually be fairly nice and lined with planted areas, multiple restaurants, casino entrances and outdoor patios. Also the giant Vegas strip-style car turnaround has been massively reduced in size and moved to a mid-block location, so it's not the first thing people see driving by on Halsted. And the massive blank walls of the casino box with upper parking levels, I suppose, are still better than the freestanding satellite garages and parking lots that were proposed before. This way the casino is self-contained and future development will not be restricted. My hope was that this casino would be roughly similar to the Crown Casino in Melbourne in terms of its urban design, and it seems that it will be (more or less).

[twister244]

Wow - These are some very noticeable tweaks to the design. The overall shape/structure is the same, but this looks much more contemporary with the use of wood paneling, etc - If these renderings are to be assumed correct.

[mh777]

According to alderman Reily’s newsletter cassion pours start 2/24 (pending permits). Going to have a few new tower cranes downtown soon!

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by mh777

According to alderman Reily’s newsletter cassion pours start 2/24 (pending permits). Going to have a few new tower cranes downtown soon!

I don't believe there any caisson equipment on site; rebar, liners... Will have to check tomorrow.

[BVictor1]

Getting ready...

02.25.25

[Randomguy34]

Wow, it's weird no longer seeing the Tribune printing plant

[KWillChicago]

That is such a massive piece of land. Imagine if this could be another river canyon instead of a crappy casino.

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by KWillChicago

That is such a massive piece of land. Imagine if this could be another river canyon instead of a crappy casino.

I mean, we're still getting a 500' hotel and the entire PD includes 4800 residential units in buildings up to 650'. They may not be directly along the rivers edge, but they'll make a visual impact.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

I mean, we're still getting a 500' hotel and the entire PD includes 4800 residential units in buildings up to 650'. They may not be directly along the rivers edge, but they'll make a visual impact.

Agreed - This will be infinitely better than an abandoned printing facility.....

[r18tdi]

Rebuilding Jefferson as a through street will also be nice for inter-neighborhood connectivity for peds, bikes and autos (and perhaps slightly unfuck the Grand/Halsted/Milwaukee intersection) -- even f the casino itself will generate additional traffic.

Too bad the pedestrian bridge at Erie was sacrificed to appease the NIMBY demons. Though I'm still not sure the developer ever intended to the build the bridge in the first place.

[ardecila]

According to a memo published in the Sun-Times, the mayor's new $830M bond issue will fund construction on the Chicago/Halsted Bridge.

I have to assume CDOT will prioritize the new bridge and viaduct with work on the casino underway, otherwise the road construction will overlap with the casino's first year of operation. Not good if the city is counting on that casino to bring in revenue...

Originally Posted by r18tdi

Rebuilding Jefferson as a through street will also be nice for inter-neighborhood connectivity for peds, bikes and autos (and perhaps slightly unfuck the Grand/Halsted/Milwaukee intersection) -- even f the casino itself will generate additional traffic.

Too bad the pedestrian bridge at Erie was sacrificed to appease the NIMBY demons. Though I'm still not sure the developer ever intended to the build the bridge in the first place.

I've long thought they should divert Milwaukee Ave traffic around that intersection, with Erie/Desplaines. Close off the orphaned section of Milwaukee to cars and just make it local access.

Agreed about the pedestrian bridge, what a missed opportunity.

[k1052]

I would humbly request that the city reopen the last two entrances to the Grand stop there so that people don't have to wait forever for the lights to cycle or dodge vehicles running them/making turns.

[BIGdckbrett]

this project is an absolute disaster

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by BIGdckbrett

this project is an absolute disaster

The project hasn't started yet.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by BIGdckbrett

this project is an absolute disaster

Could you state what about this project is an “absolute disaster” instead of simply stating that it is an absolute disaster without any sort of elaboration or explanation? Because, from my point of view, the project seems to be progressing at a steady pace and more or less fulfilling my expectations for what I expect from the project

[BIGdckbrett]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

Could you state what about this project is an “absolute disaster” instead of simply stating that it is an absolute disaster without any sort of elaboration or explanation? Because, from my point of view, the project seems to be progressing at a steady pace and more or less fulfilling my expectations for what I expect from the project

the project has faced multiple funding challenges
including a lawsuit
design issues
pollution of the river
and a tax incentive fight

would like to see a path to success...like we used to say where i'm from "we will just have to see what happens "