Chicago is My Home

12
Jun

Chicago City Council OKs Grant Park as New Home For Children’s Museum

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

CHICAGO – In a decisive 33-to-16 vote on Wednesday, the Chicago City Council approved the proposal by the Chicago Children’s Museum to relocate to a new facility to be constructed underneath Grant Park.

The $100 million proposal, which is backed by Chicago mayor Richard Daley, has garnered citywide attention and drawn hundreds to public meetings. Opponents of the Grant Park site argue the new museum would damage the area’s natural beauty as well as violate ordinances prohibiting construction in the lakefront park.

Museum and city officials who back the proposal say Grant Park is the perfect location for the family oriented museum and the subground structure will have little impact on the appeal of the park. Efforts to raise money have already generated $40 million, according to Chicago Children’s Museum CEO Jennifer Farrington, and the museum intends to raise another $60 million.

Despite the strong support from city council members, Wednesday’s vote does not promise an end to the drama. Museum and city officials anticipate that opponents will file lawsuits in order to continue to fight the project.

By Megan O’Neil