Cafe Deko Bringing More Caffeine and Vibes to Printers Row (715 S. Dearborn)

Looks like we have a new cafe coming to Printers Row:

The spot will be called Cafe Deko and seems to be a second incarnation of their original location at 800 W Diversey.  Judging from our sleuthing on their website, yelp, and socials it seems like their vibe is a stylish coffee shop with small sandwiches, croissants, and snacks.  So why the vibes -  check out this video from the original location: 

   

This definitely seems to be bringing something different to the neighborhood.  Couple the vibes of Cafe Deko with the high ceilings and history of M.A. Donohue & Co. Building it seems like a match made in heaven. 

It's unclear when they're looking to open, but since this is the space vacated by Grail Cafe a couple years back, it seems like it wouldn't require major structural changes.  

If you're really curious on the concept and history, we found this 40 minute youtube video where a local realtor talks to the entrepreneur and owner - George:

Fun stuff - looking forward to having Cafe Deko in the Sloop!

Bad ROI: Cancelled Plans for Research Hub at The 78 Cost Illinois Taxpayers $30M

Well this doesn't seem good (via WBEZ):

Seven years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner invited dignitaries to a 62-acre plot of land in the South Loop and offered a bold promise: The long-vacant property would be transformed, with a high-tech research facility that would give a massive economic boost to the city of Chicago.

The University of Illinois would operate the proposed $285 million facility, dubbed the Discovery Partners Institute. It would sit on an acre south of Roosevelt Road along the east bank of the Chicago River donated by the property owner, Nadhmi Shakir Auchi, an Iraqi British billionaire who has long been denied entry to the United States as a result of past criminal convictions.

But the university pulled the plug in October on the planned research hub at the sprawling site that has sat vacant for decades and is now being marketed as The 78. The U. of I. said it would turn its vision to the south and become part of a quantum computing research park that Gov. JB Pritzker wants to build on a vacant, 300-acre site at East 79th Street and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, once occupied by U.S. Steel.

That decision means Illinois taxpayers are now out of more than $30 million, records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show.

And the losses for taxpayers still could grow, sources say, to $40 million.

This property has been this biggest quagmire for the neighborhood, government, and numerous ambitious business people.  Our first post back from taking a bit of a hiatus pondered the question "The 78: Will 2025 Finally be the Year?"  So far the answer has been an expensive, resounding no!

This giant empty piece of land that is so visible from so many vantage points across the Sloop is tantalizing to dream about the possibilities.  But so far, it's just been an expensive, bureaucratic nightmare with big dreams but little return on investment.     

Riverline Development Starts Construction at 1010 S. Wells

The Riverline development was announced way back in 2015 and almost 10 years later the project is finally underway at 1010 S. Wells (via Urbanize Chicago):

Renderings have been released for 1010 S. Wells, the first building to be constructed at Riverline in the South Loop.  Developed by CMK Companies, the project will be located along the South Branch of the Chicago River at the intersection of S. Wells St and W. 10th St. 

With Gensler behind the updated design, the 21-story tower will stand 227 feet tall. As part of the redesign, the building has shifted from 286 condos to 386 apartments. The building’s parking count has been reduced from 240 spaces to 182 parking spaces. The building will include 2,904 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. 

The article goes onto say that there will be retail that will be accessible via Wells and most importantly this will also have a public river walk that hopefully one day will allow you to walk from Harrison all the way south to Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.

While CMK's buildings are usually modern and glassy - they're pretty straightforward.  This one looks a little better in our opinion - maybe because it's on the river?!?  

This isn't the only project CMK is working on at the moment - they have four (yes 4!) buildings under construction in the Sloop (according to Yimby Chicago - 1730 Wabash (red) – 1700 Wabash (green) – 1630 Wabash (yellow) – 1717 Michigan (orange):  

Dick's Sporting Good - at The Maxwell on Canal Street - Closing on December 4th

Well this ain't a great way to start the new year (via Chicago Star Media and Chicago Block Club):

Dick’s Sporting Goods will close its South Loop location on Jan. 4, adding to a string of recent retail departures in the area. The closure was announced via a sign near the store’s entrance, at 1100 S. Canal St., according to the Block Club Chicago. 

Dick's sign outside of The Maxwell on Canal street
(via Block Club Chicago)

The retailer is part of The Maxwell, a shopping center that also lost T.J. Maxx nearly a year ago. Remaining tenants at The Maxwell include Nordstrom Rack and Burlington. 

The South Loop has seen several high-profile exits recently. Rising rents forced The Container Store to announce its departure from Roosevelt Collection Shops, while Show Place Icon theater and local boutique Kido Chicago also have closed.

While some might poo poo on big national retailers, the reality is that it's just not a good sign for the neighborhood if they can't be supported.  The Dick's store was massive and nice.

Two South Loop Locations Approved for Marijuana Dispensaries

(It's been awhile - sorry about that folks!)

We're coming to you with some interesting developments on the Sloop marijuana front.  We recently read about two new spots in the neighborhood where dispensaries are opening (via Tribune):

The board also approved a permit to Rickey Hendon, a former alderman and state representative, and his children to open a Green Rose dispensary in the South Loop, at 1233 S. Wabash Ave., and a dispensary by High Hopes Chicago at 622-24 W. Roosevelt Road.

The spot at 1233 s. Wabash is a pretty prominent location and is where the long vacated bar - Wabash Tap - once sat (closed in 2019).  The bar at one point said they were going to "reinvent".  That clearly didn't happen, but we guess a Marijuana Dispensary is a reinvention (although likely different owner?):

While numerous South Loop locations have been rumored and discussed for a dispensary, not much has materialized.  

We will see what else materializes, but if you're into the pot you may not have to leave the neighborhood soon.

City's Last Ditch Dome Option for Soldier Field Seems Costly and Unlikely to Keep Bears

Seems like a costly, unrealistic last ditch effort but we'll see what happens (via ESPN):

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot revealed three proposals on Monday for renovations to Soldier Field to entice the Bears to remain at their home stadium of the past 50 years. At the center of the proposal is the construction of a domed stadium, which could cost anywhere from $900 million to $2.2 billion. Lightfoot laid out three options for construction of a dome: 

• The first would fully enclose the stadium by rebuilding both end zones with columns that can support a dome structure. 

• The second would require both end zones to be rebuilt with columns to make the stadium dome-ready. 

• The third option calls for modifications to make Soldier Field a multipurpose stadium suited to host soccer games while also making it a viable location to accommodate major concerts and a range of events.

The Chicago Tribune hit the nail on the head with this blurb in the article we read:

While she (Lightfoot) tries to determine if it’s possible to keep the team in Chicago, the mayor also needs to prepare for a post-Bears future at the lakefront so she can present a forward-looking plan to try to defray the loss of revenue and civic prestige if they Bears leave, which helps explain Monday’s news conference.

Shedd Aquarium Approved for Renovations

 Good news for Shedd Acquarium lovers (via Urbanize Chicago):

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved the Lakefront Protection Ordinance application for renovations to the Shedd Aquarium. Located at 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr, the project will improve the facilities of the museum on the Museum Campus. Looking towards its 100th anniversary in 2030, the Shedd Aquarium plans the work as part of its Centennial Commitment, a $500 million plan to improve physical facilities and programmatic content.

The most prominent change to the exterior will be the addition of a new entry and ticketing pavilion surrounding the Man with Fish sculpture outside of the accessible entry. Currently the entry does not have enough capacity to meet demand, so the new design will accommodate a larger number of visitors. With 85% of tickets purchased in advance, the separated ticketing and entry pavilions will streamline the entry process for those who have bought tickets online allowing them to enter directly.

Two pavilions will be added in front of the current entrance with a circular trellis connecting the two to create a sense of arrival for visitors. The structures have been designed to create a light touch within the landscape, enhanced to allow for greater visibility of the entrances while using larger trees to break down the scale of the new structures. In response to feedback the ceilings of the pavilions will be GFRC instead of the original wood material.

CPS CEO Pulls Funding for Proposed South Loop High School ; Says More Time & Community Engagement Needed

In case you missed it last week, more delays and uncertainty around next steps with a "South Loop High School" (via Chicago Tribune):

Hours before the Chicago Board of Education was poised to vote Wednesday on the $9.4 billion budget for the coming school year, Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez pulled a $120 million line item for a proposed high school that would serve Chinatown, Bridgeport and South Loop.

“Conversations for the need of a neighborhood high school in the Near South have been happening for a decade now, with many advocates and community leaders urging CPS to take this step. Our team has done a great job in showing the need, with our Black students attending 95 different high schools and our Asian students traveling some of the longest distances across to other neighborhood schools,” Martinez said at Wednesday’s monthly board meeting.

Though planning is still in the early stages, critics railed against the proposal for utilizing money promised to a different neighborhood and spending millions on a new school instead of improving the high schools in the area. CPS also has come under fire for exploring building the school in the footprint of the former Ickes Homes public housing complex without first seeking feedback from residents who live near there.

Unfortunately the bureaucratic process and various groups CPS is trying to appease will continue to cause challenges.  Read the article and it's not hard to understand why this is difficult.  Regardless - it's frustrating for parents who across the board and likely is a reason why people flee the city.

This has been going on for decades - apparently 25 years by estimates of Chinatown leaders - and it seems like we're back to the drawing board.  Yikes!  

Partners Animal Hospital Coming to Former Chase Retail Space on Dearborn (542 S Dearborn St)

 Mr. South Loop has the scoop on a new pet hospital for Printers Row:

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River West Casino Gets Approval from City Council

For those of you who cheered when the River West location was chosen for the Chicago Casino but continued to hold your breath until it was a done deal - yesterday marked a major step in the process (via Tribune): 

A casino for Chicago — an enterprise supporters say is 30 years in the making and opponents view as a rush job — took a big step toward reality Wednesday with the City Council voting 41-7 to approve the plan. 

Less than three weeks after Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her choice, a majority of aldermen signed onto the plan for Bally’s to build a $1.7 billion casino, hotel and entertainment venue in River West. 

The gambling complex must also now win approval of the Illinois Gaming Board. It also faces strong headwinds in the area among nearby residents, as do plans to open a temporary casino inside the historic Medinah Temple building that would operate while the permanent development is constructed.

Knock on wood that this continues...

Sources: River West Proposal to Get City Casino

Well it looks like the South Loop Casino proposals for The 78 and One Central are sitting on a "bust" hand and waiting for the final card to be played (via Sun-Times):

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is preparing to turn over her cards in the Chicago casino game, with all signs pointing to a winning hand for Bally’s Corporation and their River West bid, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday. 

The city signaled in a March report that Bally’s proposal for the Chicago Tribune printing plant site at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street was the front-runner over two other finalists for the casino. An official decision could come Thursday. 

The publicly traded Rhode Island corporation was the only one to offer an upfront payment of $25 million for the license — and was projected as the top revenue generator over a Hard Rock casino proposed across DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Soldier Field, and the so-called “Rivers 78” plan backed by billionaire Neil Bluhm for the South Loop. Those are key considerations for city officials desperate to start pumping casino tax revenue into depleted police and firefighter pension funds.

If this reporting is accurate from the Sun-Times, the South Loop got lucky.  Although a casino would have given these developments a big shot in the arm and likely accelerated their plans, it would have brought a completely new element to the neighborhood which likely would have altered it dramatically forever.

It's not over yet, but seems like a positive development for the neighborhood.

Aldermen in "Special Committee on the Chicago Casino" to Meet Today to Discuss Next Steps

We've been watching the potential Chicago casino very closely, but the process has been unclear (maybe because it wasn't clearly defined?).  With staunch opposition from residents in each community (South Loop and River North) along with our Aldermen we were curious how this would unfold.  Well WBEZ has an information quick read with likely timing:

Facing a chorus of opposition from Chicagoans near the remaining three possible casino locations, a committee of aldermen will begin meeting Monday to discuss where to allow the city’s first flashy gaming and entertainment district to be built. 

The locations still in the running are: a site from Bally’s Corporation at the Tribune Publishing Center in River West, a site from Hard Rock just west of Soldier Field at a proposed development known as One Central and a site from Rush Street Gaming west of the South Loop in a megadevelopment known as The 78. 

Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th Ward, chairs the new Special Committee on the Chicago Casino created by the mayor and approved by City Council last month. 

“We’ll probably be narrowing it down,” Tunney said. “Sometime between April and May, I think we’re going to reconvene with the mayor and really try to fine tune and announce a finalist.” 

No vote will be taken Monday, Tunney said, but rather aldermen will have a chance to talk to city officials and department leaders who have been involved in the casino planning process. The three bidders will not be at the meeting, but Tunney said there may be revisions submitted to the committee that take into account community feedback.

The article goes on to give good info and it sounds like they're hoping to make a decision this summer (June or July).

As it relates to the special council, we found it interesting that the alderman who represents the site of The 78 - And. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez isn't on it:

The City Council members who represent the three sites and the surrounding communities have all come out against the specific proposals in their backyards. 

Ald. Walter Burnett, Jr., 28th Ward, told Block Club Chicago he hoped the Bally’s proposal in his ward would not be chosen. He declined an interview request from WBEZ. 

Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd Ward, issued a lengthy statement opposing the Hard Rock proposal at One Central in her ward. She said it would be “dropped into an existing, well-established family community” and added that even though the developer insists the casino and the megadevelopment are separate projects, it’s difficult to see them as anything but “interrelated projects.” 

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward, is against the Rivers casino at The 78 in his ward. “It is clear that the residents of the 25th Ward — 80% of the residents — do not support this proposal,” Sigcho-Lopez said. He is the only alderman who has a finalist in his ward but is not on the special committee. 

Tunney said he wants all Council members to participate in the meetings and said Sigcho-Lopez will not get left out despite not being on the committee.

We're no experts on the inner workings of Chicago City Council or Aldermanic politics, but we'll go the cynical route and say it's harder to influence from the outside.  

If you think all bids have an equal chance of winning at this stage, then we have a 67% chance of a casino landing in our neighborhood.  If you adjust based on simple observations - such as the special council thought above - it seems more likely than not that this big development is coming to the Sloop.  

Should be an eventful spring and summer on this front for the Sloop.

Casino Bids Face Stiff Opposition from Neighbors

Last week was when the three remaining Chicago Casino bids had a chance to further lay out their vision and get public support.  Judging by all the reviews from the meetings, nobody wants a Casino in their neighborhood.

For us in the Sloop, it seems as if this poses a big problem as two of the sites sit squarely in high profile spots in the neighborhood.

Interestingly, one Alderman came out and said he couldn't support the plan in his ward (via Block Club):

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez  (25th) wrote in a letter to a powerful colleague this week that he “cannot support” a proposal for a casino to be built as part of “The 78” mega-development brewing in his Near South Side ward, imperiling the proposal’s chances as it competes with two other plans.

Sigcho-Lopez’s support hinges on the backing of the 78 Community Advisory Council, a group made up of neighbors and community leaders who should collectively be considered a “subject matter expert” in the vetting process for any new development along the 62-acre swath being developed by Related Midwest, the alderman wrote in a letter to Ald. Tom Tunney (44) on Monday. Mayor Lori Lightfoot picked Tunney last week to chair a new Committee on the Chicago Casino, which will head up the city’s consideration of the three remaining casino projects. 

In his letter, Sigcho-Lopez pointed back to a resident survey conducted by the 78 Community Advisory Council that found overwhelming opposition to the casino plan last month. Of the 378 neighbors polled, 78 percent said they were either “highly unsupportive” or “somewhat unsupportive” of Related’s and Rivers’ casino proposal. 

So you're telling me that 78% of South Loop neighbors don't support a casino at the 78 development?  Well that's a funny coincidence.

If you look at the other proposed South Loop casino site - One Central - just west of Soldier Field, it doesn't sound like it went much better (via Block Club):

If the team behind the Hard Rock casino proposal hoped to win over the public, they may have their work cut out for them.

In a contentious Tuesday night meeting at Harold Washington Library in the Loop, residents blasted city officials and company leaders for the lack of details around the project, and questioned how it would affect crime in the area and spur community investment. Some roundly rejected the idea, saying they worried about the scale of the project on the southern end of One Central, a massive mixed-use project covering 32 acres between Museum Campus and McCormick Place. 

Alderman Dowell - who represents that ward - hasn't officially stated where she stands on this project, so in some respect it would seem like One Central currently sits in a better space than The 78 proposal.  That said, she could very well come out and say she's against it.

It also seems like the proposal for the Bally's location on the Chicago River just north of the city also is facing stiff neighborhood opposition.  So should be interesting to see how this all plays out.

City Announces 3 Finalists for Casino Locations ; 2 of them in the Sloop

Looks like two Sloop locations made the cut (via Chicago Tribune):

And then there were three.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has narrowed down the city’s five proposals for its first casino to three finalists: Bally’s at the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center, Rivers at The 78 and Hard Rock at the proposed One Central megadevelopment, the city announced Tuesday.

The three remaining bids advanced by the city may represent the path of least resistance for a Chicago casino. But none has landed without some objections or concerns, which the city may have to confront before it whittles the group down to a single favored plan, which officials said will be by early summer. It would still need to win state approval.

Not going to lie, a bit unfortunate to see that the McCormick Lake Side center cut but seems like that ran into some stiff resistence from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority - the powerful group that runs the giant convention complex.

The proposal for a casino at The 78 seems like the most straightforward of the remaining bids in our opinion.  Although the River North option at Ashland and Halstead (formerly known as the Chicago Tribune Printing Center) also wouldn't be hard to envision.

The one that seems to have the biggest question mark (but maybe the most strategic opportunity for Chicago and Mayor Lightfoot) is the Hard Rock option on the train tracks west of Soldier Field:

Hard Rock is proposing a $1.74 billion casino at One Central, a massive mixed-use project developers hope to build over train tracks west of Soldier Field. The proposal includes a 3,500-seat live entertainment venue, a 500-room hotel and other amenities.

While Landmark Development’s proposed $20 billion One Central megadevelopment may still need $6.5 billion in state funding to get off the ground, the city said Tuesday that the Hard Rock Chicago can proceed independently from the broader development.

“The Hard Rock proposal proposes a phase one where the remainder of One Central does not need to move forward,” said Jennie Bennett, the city’s chief financial officer. “It’s not contingent on state funding.”

The One Central development is massively controversial, complex and seems unlikely.  However, judging by that last quote it seems like this could move forward without full approval of One Centra.

In theory this proposal sits at an interesting spot and one that could help the city re-envision what the Museum Campus and Soldier Field is for the next couple decades. 

It's been well documented that the Chicago Bears are potentially (likely?) going to move to the burbs.  As a result, it's caused city hall to rethink how it can utilize this iconic, but dated building and the area more broadly.  

Could the Hard Rock Casino serve as a shot in the arm for whatever they want to do?  Will be interesting to see what transpires here.  

Crane Assembly Underway at 1400 S. Wabash 30 Floor Highrise

Via YIMBY Chicago:

Crane assembly can be seen for the 30-story high rise planned at 1400 S Wabash Avenue in South Loop, replacing a long-empty vacant lot. As of now, permits have been issued for the foundation, tower crane, and the superstructure up to the fourth floor.

While it's good to see and learn about progress at 1400 S. Wabash - there were some other bonkers maps within this post.  While One Central development and The 78 are questionable, could you imagine if these "proposed" buildings actually end up getting built.  Look at how much density it would bring to the Sloop:

Does anyone think all of these buildings will be built by 2030?  2040?  It's mind boggling to think about what would have to happen in Chicago to support that much development.  Just seems impractical looking at the landscape today.

Printers Row Fountain is Getting a Facelift and Fix

Good news, looks like the Printers Row park fountain is getting fixed (via Block Club):

The Printers Row Fountain is getting a six-figure facelift, thanks to the Printers Row Park Advisory Council, the Chicago Park District and Ald. Sophia King (4th).

The park advisory council began restoration efforts in September, launching a crowdsourcing campaign to defray the cost of the project with the goal of raising $110,000 to upgrade the lighting, repair pump and pipes, replace colored enamel reliefs and polish the fountain’s bronze highlights.

The fountain, located inside Printers Row Park, 632 S. Dearborn St., was designed by Edward Winhurst in 1999.

It is unclear if the park advisory council met its goal; members couldn’t be reached for comment. But King confirmed that her office would be matching the park district’s $10,000 contribution.

“It was a big priority for the park advisory council, and we’re happy to add resources. Beautification is important, and it brings safety and other positive things to the neighborhood,” said King.

We posted about the drive to get donations back in September and it's great to see this moving forward.  It's a lovely little park!  

7-11 on South State (533 S. State) Closing ; A Sign of Bigger Challenges in the Loop?

Mr. South Loop posting about a 7-11 closure on South State:

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While one 7-11 closing isn't much news (especially with two other ones in close proximity in the area), it is interesting to see.  Based on the caption it seems like it's a function of lack of business, but also points to a challenging situation on South State further North.  

If you've been North of Ida B. Wells you'll notice numerous storefronts that are empty.  State street was arguably the second biggest "shopping street" downtown behind Michigan Avenue.  While some stores further north are still open the further you go south it gets pretty bleak and desolate.  

This dynamic has always been in place for awhile, but seems like the pandemic has really exacerbated the problem.  The question is - will this bounce back? and if so when?  

There are some major challenges with the loop and how many office workers will return.  It seems like the typical 5 day in-office work experience ain't coming back.  That puts extreme pressure on these retail storefronts.  The value has decayed quickly.

City Makes Final Attempts to Persuade Bears to Stay at Chicago

The super bowl has come and gone.  A major storyline from this years big game was the Los Angeles Rams brand new $5 billion SoFi stadium.  It is a beautiful building no doubt.  Any team would be envious of that palace - especially a local one with a stadium that despite it's history doesn't meet the needs of the team and fans.

With that as a backdrop, it seems like the Mayor Lightfoot and the city are changing their tone and trying to make a final pitch to keep the Bears at Solider Field (via Chicago Tribune):

Mayor Lori Lightfoot plans to present the Chicago Bears with a “compelling financial case” for the team to stay in the city and her administration will “explore” the possibility of placing a roof on Soldier Field, she said in a pair of interviews Friday.

“We’re going to continue to do everything we can to keep the Bears in Chicago,” Lightfoot said on WSCR-AM 670. “We’re working on some plans to present to them that I think will make a very, very compelling financial case as to why it makes an abundance of sense for them to stay in Chicago.”

The city can offer the Bears “a tier-one market, a tier-one audience, fan base, and I don’t think they can get that in Arlington Heights,” Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot did not elaborate on what sort of financial arrangement the city can make that will keep the Bears from building a lucrative new stadium in the suburbs. But some experts have questioned whether anything short of a new building can convince the Bears to stay within the city limits.

Later, in an interview with WMVP-AM 1000, Lightfoot was asked about the possibility of putting a roof on Soldier Field.

“I think that’s something we have to explore. We do,” Lightfoot said. “My bigger thing is, obviously the roof is an issue, but there are other things we can do to really make the amenities more hospitable” for Bears fans.

The talk of a roof is interesting, but seems unlikely.  While that might make the temperature and experience in stadium nicer, there are bigger financial and logistical challenges that likely are more pressing.  Essentially how can the Bears make more money - whether that's increasing capacity or finding new revenue streams (stadium naming rights, ancillary businesses and fan experiences).

There are also the challenges of getting to Soldier Field that seems to be a sticking point.  Interestingly enough, the massive One Central development seems like it could help on that front.  That plan isn't really linked to the Bears, but could the city (and state) use that as an opportunity to sway the Bears to stay?  Not sure if it's feasible, but that seems like it could help.

Should be interesting to see how this plays out.  If we were betting a person we would put our money on the Bears leaving the Sloop.

400 Concrete Truck Line-up on Jan 22nd to Pour for 1000M High-rise

This is a bit old, but we still found it interesting (via Chicago Construction News):

McHugh Concrete has completed a nine-hour continuous concrete pour including nearly 4,000 cu. yds. of concrete for the mat slab foundation for 1000M, a 73-story apartment tower at 1000 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago’s South Loop.

This construction milestone completes the foundations under the main tower of 1000M, which will be one of the city’s tallest apartment buildings at 788 feet when it delivers in 2025. McHugh Concrete has poured the concrete for eight of Chicago’s 10 tallest concrete buildings, the company’s public relations agency said in a Jan. 24 statement.

One lane of Michigan Avenue alongside the project was closed on Jan. 22 for the more than 400 concrete trucks delivering concrete to the site, which is across from Grant Park. Sweeper and vacuum trucks mitigated dust and dirt around the perimeter, and flaggers were posted alongside the site for pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Prior to the pour, McHugh Concrete installed 685 tons of steel rebar (about the same weight as 15 Boeing 737-800 airplanes), and general contractor McHugh Construction coordinated below-ground preparatory work, including drilling and socketing caissons to bedrock approximately 87 feet below ground to support the tower portion of the skyscraper, perimeter sheeting, waterproofing and piping for utilities.

We were out and about that day and can attest to the crazy amount of cement trucks lined up around the site waiting for their turn.  Seems like this development finally has some solid momentum (pun intended?!?!). 

Shedd Aquarium Embarks on $500 Million Renovation Called the "Centennial Commitment"

The Shedd Aquarium is awesome and it looks like it's going to be getting even better (via Chicago Tribune):

The Shedd Aquarium houses a remarkable creature called an archerfish that spits water 3 feet into the air to knock insects off trees into the water for dinner.

Right now, the archerfish swims in an aquarium with a label displaying its name. That’s it.

But soon, visitors will be able to see the fish actually do its thing — spitting at a tree to dislodge crickets for a meal.

Interactive experiences like this inspire the public to care more about the fish and its habitat, according to Bridget Coughlin, president and CEO of the Shedd Aquarium.

This connection between humans experiencing wild animals and being inspired to conserve is the driving force behind the aquarium’s new $500 million project, an eight-year vision called the Centennial Commitment.

Connecting people to nature will involve creating new aquarium galleries along with immersive experiences and programs.

For example, the north gallery, which houses rivers, islands and lakes exhibits, will be renovated into a Caribbean coral reef habitat within a 40-foot glass tunnel. Visitors will feel as if they are part of the reef with sharks, rays and colorful fish.

Renovation and re-imagination of the aquarium galleries and educational facilities will cost roughly half of the $500 million and take four years to complete. Renovations are expected to be finished in 2026, ahead of the organization’s 100th anniversary in 2030.

Here is a rendering of one of the projects - "a Caribbean coral reef habitat that will give guests different perspectives of sharks and rays within the diverse ecosystem":