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Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21
The reality is , the convention center buildings do not function well together. They are really pretty far apart and not well laid out. If that can fix this AND return that section of the lake front than it MAY be worth it. Put this together with the proposal for over the tracks nearby this will also then link better with the open sites south of this and spur development most likely. And honestly that is a small section of MLK drive right near the I 55 ramps and parking areas anyways.
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Just took a look at the Orlando Complex. It looks even more disjointed with longer distances between buildings than MP.
I actually think the interconnectivity of McCormick Place is pretty good given its size. Are we REALLY losing business due to space at Lakeside Center being east of the main complex? I thought the usage for that building was relatively light anyhow.
As far as the lakefront maybe it will be worth it. It sure as hell would be nice to see some planning if not renders of what the heck they have in mind before they put this not unsubstantial tax on the smaller tavern/restaurant owners. Big shocker, the big sports venues/owners get excluded from this tax.
Spur development to the south? I'm just not seen that. If anything it will just build a heavy wall between the north and south of MP. While MP is already a behemoth that many neighborhood folks aren't likely to roam around I'd agree with ardecila that the campus now has gotten to a point that it is actually pretty well laid out and landscaped. A new building awkwardly squeezing between the south/west buildings will completely deface the shell of the buildings, which I think are pretty nice as far as convention centers go, and make MLK completely dreadful to traverse from end to end. Maybe if one thinks it's also fun to stroll down lower Wacker and Michigan than the prospect may hold appeal. It is no "small segment" though as far as streetscapes go and in fact is the exact opposite.
If there was talk about added a hall added across 55 and east of MLK that also decked over the truck yard then I could get more excited but this plan just seems odd and needlessly expensive.
The more I read about this the more it seems like an utterly disgusting and naked political kickback being rushed with hardly any public overview or debate.
from last week......
Quote:
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/5/...akeside-center
Bill to demolish part of McCormick Place along lakefront gets labor support
Legislation in Springfield would add a ride-sharing tax and allow for construction of a new building over King Drive.
By Fran Spielman, David Roeder, and Tina Sfondeles May 22,
With just over a week to go in the spring legislative session, Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter is beating the drum for a plan to demolish the above-ground portion of Lakeside Center, the oldest McCormick Place building, and replace the lost convention space with a new building over Martin Luther King Drive.
......The labor federation is pushing the latest in a seemingly endless parade of McCormick Place expansion bills because of the temporary construction jobs and the permanent convention jobs it would create. The CFL is a part owner of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“McCormick Place has created a lot of jobs for people in the service industry. There’s a ton of jobs down there for Unite Here, for SEIU, for Teamsters. Those are people who live in the real neighborhoods of Chicago,” Reiter said.....
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