LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - Battle Over Children's Museum Site Highlights Why Chicago Politics is "One of a Kind!"
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Hey, you dogs! You know, I have lived my entire life here in Chicago - with the exception of my first eight weeks as a pup. I was born in Joliet IL, home of Stateville Penitentiary. Come to think of it - my birthplace might have foretold my love of All Things Chicago. After all, over the years, I've heard that many Chicago Politicians spent hard, uhhh, I mean GOOD time there in Joliet!
Here is a great example of how Chicago politics may work to affect the outcome of a very public place, and how it might be swayed by a very public Chicago Mayor!
Seeking bigger space and a more favorable lease, the popular Chicago Children's Museum is looking to move from its current Navy Pier home. The location it is considering - the northern edge of Chicago's famed Grant Park, along Randolph Street, just east of it's younger and more flashy Millennium Park, to the west.
Currently, there is a public ice rink and field house in the area now known as Daley Bicentennial Park, in honor of the famous father of Chicago's current mayor, Richard Daley. The Chicago Children's Museum would replace the field house building, and have considerable exhibit space underground. (For illustrative purposes, here is a Sun-Times Photo of Chicago's Grant Park by Rich Hein - the new museum would be built in the area at the bottom left of the photograph, just in front of the ice rink).
What you need to know about Chicago's Lakefront Parks begins way back - in the late 19th Century.
Back then, influential Chicagoans architect Daniel Burnham and retailer Montgomery Ward fought to keep this lakefront park, formerly home to railroad yards and lake docs, "forever open, free, and clear." Indeed, Illinois Supreme Court Decisions - the Ward Decisions of 1897 and 1909 - upheld the city's covenants prohibiting any building which obstructed the view of the park, or charged an admission fee.
The new Chicago Children's Museum would respect the view - but it would charge for a ticket. This has the local Chicago Alderman, Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward, which includes Grant Park, irritated. A Citizens Group, "Save Grant Park," has the current support of the alderman. In addition to violating tradition and law, opponents of the museum's move feel it will bring more congestion, traffic, and buses to the area.
Proponents of the museum's move, including Mayor Daley himself, have suggested these opponents may even be motivated racially.
With the support of the Mayor, the Chicago Children's Museum and the Chicago Park District have applied jointly for a Zoning Variance to allow the $100 Million museum complex to be built. Such a process, depending on the level of debate by the Chicago Plan Commission next month, and the Chicago City Council as early as June, can take a year or more to complete.
However, there is more at stake here than whether a museum requiring admission fees can be built in Grant Park.
Custom, in Chicago, is to first garner the blessing of the Local Alderman before proceeding with major development and building plans - especially one breaking with Chicago tradition. In virtually every decision involving major projects, to smaller condominium buildings, the Alderman is the first point of contact, and the first point of influence. Apparently, Reilly was almost sidestepped in discussion thus far.
Recent custom here in Chicago - "What the Mayor Wants, the Mayor Gets!" is also at stake here.
The closing of Miegs Field airport, on Chicago's Lakefront, by bulldozing the runways after hours without any public debate, happened with the mayor's blessing. A controversial Bottled Water Tax of 5 cents per bottle passed the City Council with little debate, as did recent increases in the Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax. Surrounding every Chicago Public School, and many Chicago Parks, with decorative wrought iron fencing - passed with minimal debate.
Historically, the mayor gets little resistance to his pet projects. Why? Who really knows, although many may guess! Many Chicagoans predict the same rubber-stamp approval will be given the Chicago Children's Museum.
However, alderman here feel a powerful precedent will be set if the zoning change is granted over Alderman Reilly's disapproval.
Would similar neighborhood projects in other neighborhoods of Chicago also skirt the local aldermen? Would constructing a building in Grant Park, making a "little exception," open the door for more buildings like it in this lakefront gem, perhaps changing its whole character? And, will this whole plan turn into a costly, toxic legal battle between the two sides - left unsettled for years, with an escalated price tag for taxpayers if it ever does get approved?
As a little dog, living in a big city, you know what I'm seeing here. Often times, it's not always what's best for the neighborhoods . . . for the people (and of course, their little pets). Sometimes, it's not even what is best for Chicago as a whole, although many feel moving the Children's Museum to the park will benefit everyone in Chicago.
What it's really about - more and more of the time - is who wields the greatest power!
Maybe I'll even consider a run for Mayor - Buddy in '09! Together, we'll get things straight!
Read Fran Spielman's City Hall Column in today's Chicago Sun-Times for more details, as well as photos, and reader comments.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
