Promontory Point Conservancy announces three new, authoritative structural studies that marry preservation and coastal resilience for Promontory Point’s limestone revetment
Promontory Point Conservancy, McLaren Engineering Group, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates are pleased to announce the results of three new structural studies concerning the future of Chicago’s Promontory Point. These include two engineering studies and an historic structure report, all demonstrating that a preservation-based approach to repairing the Point’s iconic stepped limestone revetment and promenade easily meets storm damage and coastal resilience requirements.
eThe Coastal Vulnerability Analysis and Alternatives Design Study were conducted by the McLaren Engineering Group (McLaren), an industry-leading engineering firm with extensive expertise in assessing waterfront structures. An additional Historic Structure Report, by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) corroborates McLaren’s engineering studies and confirms the feasibility of the preservation-based approach required by federal regulations for all design and construction at the Point.
Here are Fact Sheets of highlights and key conclusions for the Coastal Vulnerability Analysis, Alternatives Design Study and Historic Structure Report. The cost-benefit analysis portion of the Alternatives Design Study is detailed in these cost comparison examples for low-, medium- and high-cost alternatives: all alternatives come in cheaper than the USACE/CDOT plan. Handouts explain the key take-aways of the engineering reports and the current status of the project. McLaren’s credentials and engagement on federal projects may be obtained here.
McLaren’s Coastal Vulnerability Analysis applies U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Chicago Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) requirements for storm damage and shoreline protection to the existing limestone structure. It concludes that the limestone structure performs well against extreme design wave criteria and future water level estimates, as stipulated by USACE and CDOT. McLaren concludes that the entire structure can be returned to overall good condition for shoreline protection with a restoration of subgrade fill material, re-setting of select limestone blocks and installation of adequate drainage in the parkland and revetment as described in the accompanying Alternatives Design Study.
McLaren’s Alternatives Design Study shows that repair and rehabilitation of the existing limestone structure meet shoreline protection and coastal resilience requirements, and are both feasible and cost-effective. It presents five design options that emphasize shoreline protection, coastal resilience, and minimizing maintenance costs while retaining the structure’s historic fabric, in contrast with plans proposed by USACE and CDOT. A cost-benefit analysis determined McLaren’s alternatives are likely less expensive – and certainly not more – than USACE and CDOT plans.
WJE's Historic Structure Report functions as the masterplan for all design and construction work at the historic property, Promontory Point. It states that the significant historic features, materials and character of the limestone structure retain their integrity and, therefore, can and should be repaired and rehabilitated. Given the revetment’s historic significance, its integrity of structure, and its overall good condition, rehabilitation is the appropriate Secretary of the Interior preservation treatment standard. Rehabilitation would also allow changes for the purpose of Universal Access and ADA compliance while retaining and repairing the existing limestone block structure.
These three incontestable studies prove that demolition and a new concrete revetment, as intended by USACE, CDOT and Chicago Park District (CPD), are wholly unnecessary. They also emphasize the need for genuine, interactive public input into any design and construction at the Point, a stark contrast from the closed, heavy-handed approach of USACE, CDOT and CPD. The Conservancy once again invites these agencies to collaborate with the community and their elected officials to develop a solution suiting the interests and needs of all. Preserving the limestone is preserving the community that has gathered at the Point for decades.
Here are Fact Sheets of highlights and key conclusions for the Coastal Vulnerability Analysis, Alternatives Design Study and Historic Structure Report. The cost-benefit analysis portion of the Alternatives Design Study is detailed in these cost comparison examples for low-, medium- and high-cost alternatives: all alternatives come in cheaper than the USACE/CDOT plan. Handouts explain the key take-aways of the engineering reports and the current status of the project. McLaren’s credentials and engagement on federal projects may be obtained here.
McLaren’s Coastal Vulnerability Analysis applies U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Chicago Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) requirements for storm damage and shoreline protection to the existing limestone structure. It concludes that the limestone structure performs well against extreme design wave criteria and future water level estimates, as stipulated by USACE and CDOT. McLaren concludes that the entire structure can be returned to overall good condition for shoreline protection with a restoration of subgrade fill material, re-setting of select limestone blocks and installation of adequate drainage in the parkland and revetment as described in the accompanying Alternatives Design Study.
McLaren’s Alternatives Design Study shows that repair and rehabilitation of the existing limestone structure meet shoreline protection and coastal resilience requirements, and are both feasible and cost-effective. It presents five design options that emphasize shoreline protection, coastal resilience, and minimizing maintenance costs while retaining the structure’s historic fabric, in contrast with plans proposed by USACE and CDOT. A cost-benefit analysis determined McLaren’s alternatives are likely less expensive – and certainly not more – than USACE and CDOT plans.
WJE's Historic Structure Report functions as the masterplan for all design and construction work at the historic property, Promontory Point. It states that the significant historic features, materials and character of the limestone structure retain their integrity and, therefore, can and should be repaired and rehabilitated. Given the revetment’s historic significance, its integrity of structure, and its overall good condition, rehabilitation is the appropriate Secretary of the Interior preservation treatment standard. Rehabilitation would also allow changes for the purpose of Universal Access and ADA compliance while retaining and repairing the existing limestone block structure.
These three incontestable studies prove that demolition and a new concrete revetment, as intended by USACE, CDOT and Chicago Park District (CPD), are wholly unnecessary. They also emphasize the need for genuine, interactive public input into any design and construction at the Point, a stark contrast from the closed, heavy-handed approach of USACE, CDOT and CPD. The Conservancy once again invites these agencies to collaborate with the community and their elected officials to develop a solution suiting the interests and needs of all. Preserving the limestone is preserving the community that has gathered at the Point for decades.
The Coastal Vulnerability Analysis and the Alternatives Design Study were funded by the community that loves Promontory Point and a grant from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. The Historic Structure Report was funded by the community that loves Promontory Point and, in part, by grants from the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and through the Landmarks Illinois Barbara and Thomas Donnelley Preservation Fund Grant Program.
Join a community meetings so you can tell us what you want at the Point!
You have choices and a voice in the design that will be used. We will be sharing our Alternatives Design Study and its preservation alternatives to demolition and replacement with concrete. Come learn about these viable and econmical design alternatives, and share your own ideas about the future of the Point. Join us at the community meetings happening around the neighborhood. All are welcome.
January 22, 2025, 10:00am, The Promontory, 5311 S Lake Park Ave
February 6, 2025, 6:30pm, Experimental Station, 6100 S Blackstone Ave
February 18, 2025, 6:30pm, Ancona School, 4770 S Dorchester Ave
March 6, 2025, 7:30pm, Vista Homes, 5840 S Stony Island Blvd
March 19, 2025, 6:30pm, University of Chicago, Community Meeting Room, 6021 S Kimbark Ave
April 8, 2025, 7:30pm, virtual meeting. Subscribe to our newsletter below for details and the zoom link.
January 22, 2025, 10:00am, The Promontory, 5311 S Lake Park Ave
February 6, 2025, 6:30pm, Experimental Station, 6100 S Blackstone Ave
February 18, 2025, 6:30pm, Ancona School, 4770 S Dorchester Ave
March 6, 2025, 7:30pm, Vista Homes, 5840 S Stony Island Blvd
March 19, 2025, 6:30pm, University of Chicago, Community Meeting Room, 6021 S Kimbark Ave
April 8, 2025, 7:30pm, virtual meeting. Subscribe to our newsletter below for details and the zoom link.
Promontory Point Conservancy released the McLaren Engineering Group's Condition Study of Promontory Point in April 2024. This Condition Study irrefutably demonstrates that the historic limestone revetment functions in good -- at worst satisfactory -- condition for storm damage and shoreline protection right now, can be retained and repaired, and, if repaired and maintained, has another 100 years of service. It refutes the City's findings that the revetment has failed and must be replaced with concrete. Catch this Fact Sheet, summarizing key findings of the Condition Study. Peruse the Condition Study's appendices A, B, C and D. On June 5, the Conservancy also hosted a Q&A session with McLaren's engineers about the condition study for preservation agencies, preservation organizations, the Army Corps, City and Chicago Park District. Here is the recording (55 min.)
It's time to listen to the community and let the community lead: this is what we've been saying we want for 25 years
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Photo credit: Tim Murphy
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The community is the Point: preserving the historic limestone revetment preserves the community that has gathered at the Point for decades.
- Multiple designs for universal access upgrades and ADA compliance at three locations meet Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards and retain the historic fabric of the existing structure, determines both the Alternatives Design Study and the Historic Structure Report, released January 2025.
This is what the U.S. Army Corps, the City and the Chicago Park District want for Promontory Point. It's not what we want.
Right: This USACE engineering drawing shows a two-step concrete revetment and concrete platform replacing the limestone block structure. Two rows of limestone blocks are "repurposed" in the parkland as a wall between the park and the revetment. This design constitutes replacement and does not meet the Secretary of the Interior standards for retaining the historic materials and limestone block structure.
Left: This rendering visualizes a two-step concrete revetment with limestone cladding and a concrete platform. CDOT and CPD want this concrete platform for bikes, scooters and joggers, displacing sunbathers, swimmers, meditators and prayer groups. USACE and CDOT believe that the public cannot tell the difference between the existing limestone block structure and a concrete revetment with limestone veneer.
Left: This rendering visualizes a two-step concrete revetment with limestone cladding and a concrete platform. CDOT and CPD want this concrete platform for bikes, scooters and joggers, displacing sunbathers, swimmers, meditators and prayer groups. USACE and CDOT believe that the public cannot tell the difference between the existing limestone block structure and a concrete revetment with limestone veneer.
USACE publicly states on its official project webpage for the Promontory Point Project: "The original shoreline structures, built in the early 1900s, have deteriorated and no longer function to protect against storms, flooking and erosion. This project will replace existing infrastructure and construct new structures to protect the shoreline and critical infrastructure." Of course, these foregone statements contradict the findings of McLaren's Condition Study, Coastal Vulnerability Study and Alternatives Design Study, and WJE's Historic Structure Report. This statement is also illegal because the Point is on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated Chicago Landmark.
As of December 10, 2024, USACE, CDOT and the Chicago Park District have succesfully raised the construction authorization for Promontory Point and Morgan Shoal to $149m. The funding authorization itself was removed from the contingency passed to keep the government running and appears to be in the FY2025 federal budget awaiting passage in March 2025.
As of December 10, 2024, USACE, CDOT and the Chicago Park District have succesfully raised the construction authorization for Promontory Point and Morgan Shoal to $149m. The funding authorization itself was removed from the contingency passed to keep the government running and appears to be in the FY2025 federal budget awaiting passage in March 2025.
Watch CDOT's "preferred solution" for the Point's limestone revetment (18 seconds. 2022). On its official project webpage, CDOT states: "the preferred design of the revetment is . . . concrete steps and promenade to replace the existing stones. This design maintains safe access to the shoreline while preserving its historic and aesthetic value".
This is not legal, genuine preservation as USACE, CDOT and CPD now say they are committed to carrying out at Promontory Point. CDOT and CPD’s public statements commit only to “repurposing", “saving and reusing as much of the existing limestone as possible”. "Replacement", “repurposing" and “reusing" are NOT Secretary of the Interior preservation standards.
Photo credit: David Schalliol
2025 Promontory Point volunteer clean-up schedule: monthly, Sundays, 10:30am - noon, March - November 2025. Stay tuned for 2025 dates.
Promontory Point: now a Chicago Landmark! The Chicago City Council voted Promontory Point a Chicago Landmark on April 19, 2023! Read the 537 letters of support from Point lovers here. Read the Chicago Landmark Designation Report here. Promontory Point was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 19, 2018.
Historian Bill Swislow maps the 500 carvings on the limestone revetment at Promontory Point that you can walk yourself. The 6-page map is downloadable and printable as well as interactive. Read Bill's statement about these carvings and their unique history
Historian Bill Swislow maps the 500 carvings on the limestone revetment at Promontory Point that you can walk yourself. The 6-page map is downloadable and printable as well as interactive. Read Bill's statement about these carvings and their unique history
The conflict between true preservation and USACE, CDOT and CPD's plan for demolition and replacement with concrete is succinctly presented in this video here (4:14) by Hans Friedl.
Photo credit: Tim Murphy
Questions about an event, swimming buoys or donations for a bench?
From what the Conservancy understands from the Chicago Park District, you do not need a permit for a gathering at Promontory Point unless it:
For inquiries about a dedicated memorial bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Parks Foundation: For missing swim buoys, park damage, parked cars, locked bathrooms during park hours, safety concerns, maintenance issues or other problems in the park, contact the Chicago Park District directly
- includes more than 40 people;
- uses a sound amplification system; and/or
- serves alcohol
For inquiries about a dedicated memorial bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Parks Foundation: For missing swim buoys, park damage, parked cars, locked bathrooms during park hours, safety concerns, maintenance issues or other problems in the park, contact the Chicago Park District directly