City moves forward with Point Project clandestinely

The Conservancy learned that the Chicago Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) issued its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the $5m design planning study of Promontory Point in December to prequalified firms clandestinely. We know that several highly qualified preservation architectural/engineering firms were omitted from CDOT's prequalified list. The deadline for receipt of proposals closed on January 26, and CDOT will select a contractor on February 26. We have FOIA'd for the RFP and the list of prequalified firms. We have also reached out to Alderman Yancy (5th Ward) to find out about his recent meetings with the Chicago Division of the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Chicago Park District  (CPD) and CDOT about this RFP and about recently announced community meetings for the construction at Morgan Shoal. (See flyer below.)

The Corps, CPD and CDOT are hosting a community meeting about the construction at Morgan Shoal on February 22, 5:30-6:30pm, Kennicott Park, 4434 South Lake Park Blvd.

What CDOT and the Corps propose at Morgan Shoal will be a predictor for what they propose for Promontory Point later this year. Promontory Point and Morgan Shoal are funded for revetment reconstruction under a joint congressional funding authorization passed in December 2022. Community meetings for Promontory Point will probably begin late spring/early summer this year. Construction at Promontory Point will begin the moment construction at Morgan Shoal is completed in spring 2026. The proposed construction will close the Point for 3-5 years.

The beginning of the community meetings by the governmental agencies means that it's now up to us to show up and advocate for what we want for our lakefront parks. Remember, when they ask you if you want pink or blue concrete, say "NO CONCRETE!"