Chicago Children's Museum

Discussion about the Chicago Children's Museum - particularly the proposed move to Grant Park.

Post new News and Developments here.

There is a wealth of of news and information on the topic outside this thread. See Windy City Chat (http://www.windychat.com/windy-city-chat/) and scroll through previous posts.

Eric

keep that museum out of Grant Park.

Chicago Tribune; "Will construction crews break ground for a Children’s Museum in Grant Park in 2008?"

Eric Zorn lists questions for 2008 with an opportunity to post responses.

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2007/12/predictions-ple.html


Chicago Sun Times; "'I GUESS YOU DON'T MESS WITH US' | From condos to fences to museums, Chicagoans defend their turf

Out in the neighborhoods this year, folks stood up for themselves to defend their quality of life and even their dogs."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/neighborhoods/716519,CST-NWS-hoods28.article

Thanks. Is it likely they will file in the next few days to be on the January Planning Commission agenda?
Eric

Doesn't look like the CCM is on the agenda for the January meeting either.

What is the chance they gave up ? 0% ? I'm sure they will continue in their idiocy.

http://chicagoist.com/2008/01/03/headlining_2008.php

A recap of one of many fantastic articles by Lynn Becker on the whole CCM/Pritzker debacle ....(this one always makes me smile)

"Here's something that is sad, perhaps even tragic: a great Chicago family that has become so obsessed with winning that its willing to trash a deep reservoir of good will, earned over decades, for a specious campaign cynically conceived to inflame racial tensions as a tactic to divert attention from discussion of the real issue: a private institution seeking to replace open, free public space with 100,000 square feet of new construction with an $8.00 admission charge.

Memo to Gigi Pritzker: if you really, as you keep saying, want to refocus the debate over the museum to the real issues and not make it all about race, stop talking nonstop about race."

http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2007/09/gigi-pritzker-crawls-into-richard-m.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/arts/chi-0106_preview_kaminjan06,1,7340393.story

"Chicago Children's Museum, Round 2: Following last fall's fireworks, when Mayor Richard Daley suggested that neighbors fighting the museum's plan to move from Navy Pier to Grant Park were racist, the museum has been shopping its scheme for a mostly underground facility to alderman to "build citywide support." Translation: The museum is trying to make an end run around Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), who opposes the plan on the grounds that it would undermine the tradition of keeping Grant Park "forever open, clear and free." No date is set for a Chicago Plan Commission or City Council vote on the plan, designed by Chicago architects Mark Sexton and Ron Kreuck."

Thanks good article. A bruising debate, huh?

I like this article, not sure where it originally appeared --

Mayor Daley's comments are unconscionable (http://creatingcommunityconnections.org/node/2638)

"The Navy Pier museum has been the center of a heated discussion since September when it was reported that Daley suggested race was a factor for residents' opposition toward the plans to build at Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park.

"I was in support of the living wage ordinance and what he did to that is the same thing he did here, which is to accuse the people of being racists," Preckwinle said. "So, this is old news as far as I'm concerned."

An article in the Chicago Tribune's tempo section talks about how maps shape the landscape and includes a couple paragraphs about the Children's Museum --

Made by a map -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-0109chicago.mapsjan09,0,6536623.story)

"A 172-year-old map is at the center of the ongoing dispute in Chicago about building the new Children's Museum in Grant Park."

On the map, in an empty space designating a stretch of lakefront between Madison Street and 12th Street (now Roosevelt Road), the men wrote: "Public Ground -- A Common to remain forever Open, Clear & free of any buildings, or other Obstructions Whatever."

"The result, ultimately, was Chicago's verdant expanse of lakeshore parks, providing restful glens, refreshing swimming beaches and open space.

"The map "became a rallying point" for those fighting to keep the lakefront public, according to John Russick, a historian at the Chicago History Museum. One was Aaron Montgomery Ward who, between 1890 and 1911, went to court four times on behalf of an open lakefront and four times won victories in the Illinois Supreme Court. Another was Daniel H. Burnham whose Plan of Chicago (1909), written with Edward H. Bennett, envisioned the lakefront as a playground for the entire city.

"In recent months, the 1836 map has again become a rallying point for those opposing construction of the Children's Museum in Grant Park.

"However, supporters of the plan, including Lois Wille, a former Pulitzer Prize-winning Tribune editorial writer and the author of "Forever Open, Clear and Free" (University of Chicago Press, 1972), the history of the lakefront, argue that the museum would fit the spirit of the map's "public ground" designation. In addition, they say it wouldn't be tall enough to obstruct views of Lake Michigan."

http://www.suntimes.com/business/745453,CST-NWS-hotel17.article

Will city defy Congress pickets?
HOTEL | Owners seek approval to add up to 5 floors

"Also, Ald. Robert Fioretti, whose 2nd Ward includes the hotel, said he opposes the expansion. It's rare for a mayor to ignore aldermanic wishes on a zoning deal, but Daley has campaigned to put a new Chicago Children's Museum in Grant Park over another alderman's objections."


http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=3877&TM=83020.94

Groups launch 2008 goals
Community organizations work on ongoing, new projects

"The most controversial issue of 2007 for Grant Park has been the proposal to build a new facility at Bicentennial Plaza, right near Columbus and Randolph, for the Chicago Children's Museum, which currently resides on Navy Pier. The Grant Park Advisory Council and Conservancy along with Mayor Richard M. Daley support the proposal, while 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly is opposed. O'Neill said they will continue to support the move in 2008.
"We're going to continue to get the Daley Bicentennial field house rebuilt and support for the Children's Museum with a very green design moving into that location at Randolph," O'Neill said."

Preservation Chicago speaks out

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-preservation_webjan29,0,6495342.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-preservation_webjan29,0,6495342.story)

I've seen a few shots like the one taken over Daley Plaza / that end of Grant Park.

Do you think it was taken from 340 on the Park or Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Also, I wonder if Blaire Kamin and Lynn Becker are influential members of Preservation Chicago or how much their views led the the decision by Preservation Chicago...

Eric

Actually I don't see either one of them on the board although they might be on a committee...

Preservation Chicago (http://www.preservationchicago.org/about/board.html)

Eric

ps.. For a few seconds I thought it was odd to see the prominent "Chicago 7" link on the top left, I thought clicking on it would lead to an ABC site! hehe

Daley defends system of aldermanic zoning decisions
Aldermen should decide what is built in wards, mayor says

"Mayor Richard Daley on Monday defended the Chicago tradition that allows aldermen to dictate the fate of development in their wards, backing a status quo in which the City Council routinely ignores the recommendations of planners."

...unless, one of his bosum buddies, like Gigi Pritzker wants something else, of course! Amazing how this man can talk out of both sides of his mouth...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-daley_29jan29,0,7338902.story

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=3917&TM=62433.67

WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" (Tuesday, 2/5) will discuss Preservation Chicago's Endangered list (Grant Park being prominent on that list)...

WTTW - Chicago Tonight: What's on Tonight (http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=28,1)

Rumor is Daley and the Chicago Children's Museum will try to bring the proposal before Planning Commission in March..

For the CCM's sake I hope it dies there and they can move forward with other plans. They wasted too much time already.

They must know it's doomed... but I guess the board needs closure so they can shake up the staff and start fresh.

Eric

THe latest from the Sun Times...

"Eager to avoid a City Council showdown with Mayor Daley, rebel rookie Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) has presented the Children’s Museum with a list of two dozen alternatives to the mayor’s controversial plan to build a $40 million Children’s Museum in Grant Park."

Museum move to Grant Park back in spotlight :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/803634,022008museum.article)

From the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-kidsmuseumfeb21,1,2412373.story

Good article, but they must mean Richard Ward, not John Ward?



THe latest from the Sun Times...

"Eager to avoid a City Council showdown with Mayor Daley, rebel rookie Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) has presented the Children’s Museum with a list of two dozen alternatives to the mayor’s controversial plan to build a $40 million Children’s Museum in Grant Park."

Museum move to Grant Park back in spotlight :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/803634,022008museum.article)

Good article, but they must mean Richard Ward, not John Ward?



THe latest from the Sun Times...

"Eager to avoid a City Council showdown with Mayor Daley, rebel rookie Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) has presented the Children’s Museum with a list of two dozen alternatives to the mayor’s controversial plan to build a $40 million Children’s Museum in Grant Park."

Museum move to Grant Park back in spotlight :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/803634,022008museum.article)

Tune in WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" this evening (Thursday, 2/21) for an interview with 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly.

I missed it and was unable to catch in on Comcast in Demand and it is not on their web site as a "Producer's Pick".

Did the CCM come up or was that the only thing they spoke about?

Is it confirmed that Daley / the CCM will file for the March 20th Planning Commission meeting? :deal:

Eric

I guess the Daley administration is now saying they are NOT going to file for the March 20th planning commission.. maybe there was a miscommunication -- that is when they plan to start construction! :wacky:

But kidding aside, they would have until March 5th to actually file for the March 20th meeting if they decide to do it... so we'll see.

From Richard Ward --

We have discovered a significant discrepancy in the SAME Children's Museum document. For 2 years, we have urged them to include side views to reveal the illegal "visual obstruction" above the ground surface of the Daley Plaza. Now you can carefully study Graphic C and discover how their apparent deception does NOT agree with Graphic D in the same document: http://neweastside.org/CCM2008.html (http://neweastside.org/CCM2008.html)

Alderman Reilly is is trying to help the museum officials consider 24 recommended alternative sites, other than the legally protected Grant Park. Please continue to support the http://SaveGrantPark.org (http://savegrantpark.org/) efforts by signing the petition from all areas of the Chicago region.

--
Richard F. Ward
155 N. Harbor Dr. #5101
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 938-0884
http://neweastside.org (http://neweastside.org/)

From Peggy Figiel --


Hi All,

The Mayor did not file by the deadline so the Museum WILL NOT be on the March 20 Plan Commission Agenda.

WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THEY WILL FILE FOR APRIL.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THURSDAY APRIL 17TH'S PLAN COMMISSION MEETING AT 1:00 PM IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CITY HALL. PLAN TO BE THERE!

It's now more important that ever that you help us keep up the fight to Save Grant Park. The City/Park District has done back room deals that have given public parkland to private interests in Lincoln Park www.cklpp.org (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001U9yUC-P7L-iA2J5PIgGM2toO-iTgpPmGUgr0BxOwbfuhJByI1o9wIpDmmnxV459MgYPVacmxgXy zw4le_mY_lenmqIAH82b39KZg3gwqtyo=), Kenwood Park, and Albany Park!

Grant Park is protected by law! If we don't stop this illegal land grab every park in Chicago is at risk and yours could be next!

Our legal team has put in countless hours researching our case and planning the strategy. We are also working closely with important allies like Preservation Chicago, Friends of Downtown, and Friends of the Parks among others.

We continue to ask you to do these important action items to help us keep up the fight to Save Grant Park:

1. Call friends, family and co-workers in OTHER WARDS, tell them to call THEIR alderman and tell them they should support Alderman Reilly in keeping Grant Park "open, free and clear" and NOT APPROVE the Children's Museum's plans.

Phone numbers and ALL contact information for the 50 aldermen can be found on our website www.savegrantpark.org (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001U9yUC-P7L-gg5m3d4E6bcb1gmRqmj4H1_dYYjvplxKl56nXEYlePxegqVODd 5n2FTrGTqxYlFqJu-jl5Kgp6UdRgHAtgQheCtB_GkKZ2GPrSqXOiFUx1-Q==).

2. Help keep the story in the media by writing letters to the editors! The Museum has arrogantly ignored Alderman Reilly's list of 24 alterntive sites! View all these sites on our webiste and make your comments.

Tribune ctc-tribletters@tribune.com (ctc-tribletters@tribune.com) Suntimes letters@suntimes.com (letters@suntimes.com) Crains letters@chicagobusiness.com (letters@chicagobusiness.com)

3. SIGN THE PETITION ON OUR WEBSITE! EVERYONE IN THE NEW EASTSIDE AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY SHOULD SIGN AND STAND WITH ALDERMAN REILLY IN PRESERVING GRANT PARK!

Many of you have asked how you can donate money. Checks can be made out to "Save Grant Park" and sent to: Debra Hiskes, Fifth Third Bank, 400 E. South Water St., Chicago IL 60601 Attn: Save Grant Park

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE PLAN COMMISSION MEETING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 17 1:00 PM IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CITY HALL!

You may be receiving more frequent updates from me as I get more information.

Regards,

Peggy Figiel
Save Grant Park

From BusinessWeek --

The Secret Side of David Axelrod

The master of "Astroturfing" has a second firm that shapes public opinion for corporations

The Secret Side of David Axelrod (http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080314_121054.htm)

Axelrod's political connections can cross over into his corporate business. Mayor Richard M. Daley, one of Axelrod's friends and earliest clients, is pushing construction of a new Children's Museum in Grant Park to replace a facility on Navy Pier that the museum says it has outgrown. So far, though, "open-space" foes such as Reilly have stymied the move. The museum retained ASK early in 2007. Sedler says Axelrod's ties with Daley had nothing to do with the contract.

ASK is counseling the museum, which reports annual revenue of more than $11 million, including government grants, on its message strategy. It is also writing ads, including a 60-second radio spot that stresses how the new quarters would blend into Grant Park and be more accessible. Sedler won't say how much ASK is receiving, joking that it's "about 30¢ per hour." Consultants at other PR firms say corporate clients pay monthly retainers of up to $25,000, though nonprofit groups usually pay less. In addition, firms typically get 15% of whatever clients spend on advertising.

The Secret Side of David Axelrod (http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080314_121054.htm)

:grouphug:

The latest from the Sun Times.

"The Children's Museum needs to follow the successful blueprint of Indianapolis and stop their single-minded insistence that downtown Chicago in general and Grant Park in particular is the only place where they can be successful".

Residents want hearings on museum plan :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/851316,CST-NWS-museum19web.article)#

In the Beachwood Reporter;

http://www.beachwoodreporter.com/politics/not_in_grant_park.php#more

Kid museum's sights still set on Grant Park

"The Chicago Children's Museum is poised to seek approval for its controversial plan to build a new home in Grant Park and has hired a prominent public-relations firm to drum up support as part of a renewed push.

"It's ironic that the museum has to pay consultants while average, everyday citizens are working on their own to protect the park," said (Alderman Brendan) Reilly, a former public-relations executive. "It is clear that there is huge opposition to this plan."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-chicago-childrens-museum-22mar22,1,7680634.story

From Richard Ward:

PR firm helped sell Iraq war, and now CCM

The Children's Museum has reportedly hired one of the world's five
largest public relations firms that for 15 years tried to discredit the
smoking links to cancer:
Hill & Knowlton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_&_Knowlton)

It has also been reported that a legal team is discussing strategy to
attempt to overturn the 4 Illinois Supreme Court Decisions that have
protected Grant Park land for 172 years. There have been zero "challenged"
exceptions:
DECISIONS (http://neweastside.org/DECISIONS.html)

"Hill & Knowlton is most famous for being a tobacco industry shill, but they've had other successes, depending upon your political views that is. They merit at least seven pages of text in a book called Amazon.com: Weapons of Mass Deception: The Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq: Sheldon Rampton,John Stauber: Books (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1585422762/105-2953602-2460421?SubscriptionId=0PZ7TM66EXQCXFVTMTR2)

A bit from the book synopsis;

".....Documentation of the blatant (and expensive) manner in which the US government manipulated the message to the US public (if CIA had done this they would have been in violation of the law--when Hill & Knowlton does it is called "public relations" even though everything is a complete fabrication and a betrayal of the public trust). "

http://www.b12partners.net/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/swanks/managed-mt/mt-tb.cgi/2693

Court fight threatened over Children's Museum

GRANT PARK | Daley reportedly has votes to approve move<O:p</O:p

"Montgomery</ST1:p Ward was in court for 24 or 27 years. Hopefully, it won't be that long," Peggy Figiel, co-founder of Save Grant Park said Wednesday, referring to Ward's 19th-century court battle to keep businesses from building on the lakefront. "We're prepared to do whatever we have to do to keep Grant Park 'forever open, free and clear.' This would set a dangerous precedent. Grant Park would be piece-mealed out to whatever one of Daley's friends wants a part of it."

The article also contains an online poll. <O:p</O:p

Court fight threatened over Children's Museum :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics (http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/863655,CST-NWS-museum27.article)

Watch WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" for an interview with Alderman Brendan Reilly and the CEO of the Chicago Children's Museum.

Watch WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" for an interview with Alderman Brendan Reilly and the CEO of the Chicago Children's Museum.

About half way through it looked like Jennifer Farrington wished she was not there :stunned:, I almost felt bad for her..

It doesn't look like the clip is available online WTTW - Chicago Tonight - Home (http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,1) , but it is up on Comcast in Demand for today until this afternoon or evening..

Eric

From today's Beachwood Reporter;

Today's Worst Person In Chicago is Jennifer Farrington, president of the Chicago Children's Museum. Is this what you teach the children, Jennifer?

"Last night, Farrington appeared on Chicago Tonight with 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly. What transpired was stunning for these parts: a Chicago alderman clearly and directly answering questions while a children's advocate shamelessly dodged and weaved"

See link for a summary of the interview with comments.

The Beachwood Reporter (http://www.beachwoodreporter.com/)

Yes, that was nuts.. I am actually continually impressed at how direct Reilly is.. the bad smell of evasiveness comes up every time the CCM talks about their proposal in public, I'm suprised they've gotten this far.

I was at the first of many "neighborhood" meetings open only to residents of each building (I lived at NHT at the time) where they tried their one-sided pitch (divide and conquer). Peter England, consultants, and others talked.

Reilly was most memorable in interjecting at one point to a question.. unscripted.. succinct, and to the point. Whereas other questions were tossed aside by the CCM staff at the event.. Some residents were concerned it seemed very much like a done deal the way it was being presented. (He simply said it was not a done deal.)

I'd be curious how the rest of their one-sided pitches went to other buildings. I guess not good for them given their subsequent reprehensible behavior, i.e. commandeering that NEAR meeting busloads of people preventing interested parties from entering and police presence.. crazy..

Eric

A great editorial in today's Trib;

"But let's not pretend this project is about putting children at the center of our city or any other sentimental platitude. Because this land grab isn't really about children.

This land grab is about clout."

The Grant Park land grab -- Grant Park, Chicago Park District -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-0330edit1mar30,0,4971741.story)

Also, WTTW has posted the Alderman Reilly/Jennifer Farrington interview on their website.

WTTW - Chicago Tonight On Demand (http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,8,1&pl=New%20Video%208)

I see there is a lot of discussion on their message boards on the topic..
WTTW - Message Board (http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=28,4,3,1)

from today's Beachwood Reporter;

X X X
Are there X's (http://64.143.36.15/images/Meigs_closed_3-31-03_aerial_Tribune_David_Klobucar.jpg) in Grant Park yet where the Children's Museum will go?
If I was Save Grant Park (http://www.savegrantpark.org/), I would post guards.

The Beachwood Reporter (http://www.BeachwoodReporter.com)

B12Partners weighs in:

The Grant Park land grab - B12 Solipsism (http://www.b12partners.net/mt/archives/2008/03/the-grant-park-land-grab.html)

:hammer:

So have they filed for a Planning Commission meeting yet?

Tired of waiting... :sleep1:

See the Trib and Sun Times for the latest from our mayor....

Clout Street - local political coverage | Chicago Tribune | Blog (http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/04/daley-offers-lo.html)

Daley plays race card in museum debate :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics (http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/873841,museum040208.article)

Mayor plays the race card again

Hi All,

Thanks to our hard work and the opposition of our allies like Preservation Chicago, Friends of the Parks, and Friends of Downtown, we've forced museum officials and the Mayor to back down for another month.

THE MUSEUM WILL NOT BE ON THE APRIL 17 PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA!

Museum officials said they would submit plans within the next 60-90 days which could possibly put us at the Thursday, May 15 Plan Commission meeting.

But this fight is far from over. Yesterday the Mayor pulled out the race card again.

Race card back in museum debate :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics (http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/873841,museum040208.article)

Now is the time for you to reach out to your co-workers, friends and families throughout the city and urge them to contact their aldermen and tell them to vote NO. The museum has retained a small army of high-paid consultants, and newspaper editorials alone are not going to win this fight.

Mayor Daley and museum officials will be twisting arms (note the aldermen in the article who support Daley's claims). But we know from the many aldermen who have already pledged their opposition to the museum's land grab that the one thing that matters most to City Council members is where their constituents stand.

Alderman Reilly was on WTTW Chicago Tonight last week with the COO of the Musuem. If you missed it, you can go to their website and view the segment under previous programs. WTTW said they received an overwhelming response with 96% of the letters against the museum's plans.

Make those calls! Tell everyone to go to savegrantpark.org (http://savegrantpark.org) and sign the online petition and get all the updates. Or you can also help by donating money! Checks can be made out to "Save Grant Park" and mailed to:
5th/3rd Bank, 400 E. South Water St., Chgo, IL 60601 Attn: Save Grant Park.

We will share more information as it comes available.

Thank you for your support in helping protect the one and only Grant Park.

Regards,

Peggy Figiel
Save Grant Park

The Sixth Ward: Court fight threatened over Children's Museum (http://thesixthward.blogspot.com/2008/04/court-fight-threatened-over-childrens.html)

Rogers Park Bench: Mayor Uses Tactics for Children's Museum People (http://rogersparkbench.blogspot.com/2008/04/asshole-mayor-daley-uses-asshole.html)

Lynn Becker's ArchitectureChicago PLUS (http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/04/mayor-daley-loves-children-to-hide.html) and ( Comments (https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=10923291&postID=1594675706450541575) )

From the Trib and Sun Times

Showdown expected after Children's Museum filing -- Grant Park, Chicago Park District (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-childrens-museum-webapr04,1,1974551.story)

Museum sets stage to build in Grant Park (http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/876131,museum040308.article)

The Trib's Blair Kamin reveals museum plans.

The Skyline | Chicago Tribune | Blog (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/04/chicago-child-1.html)

An interview with Alderman Reilly

http://wlsam.1871dev.com/content/img/f45747/D_R_with_Brendan_Reilly_4_04.mp3

"Daley has lost his mind"

Daley has lost his mind :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Neil Steinberg (http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/877374,CST-NWS-stein04.article)

Finally, lots of good commentary in Voice of the People.

Out of Grant Park -- Regional Authority, Grant Park, Chicago Transit Authority -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/print/chi-vpsaturdaygrantparkapril05,0,2847308.story)

Monday, April 7 @ 9:30

Watch for a press conference by the CCM's newly formed "committee"

The Skyline | Chicago Tribune | Blog (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/04/childrens-mus-1.html)

Lynn Becker dissects the All Chicago Children's Museum Committee

Including:
Phil Harris
Bob O'Neill
Rev. Michael Pfleger
Lois Wille

ArchitectureChicago PLUS (http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/04/childrens-museum-announces-grand.html)

He also looks at the irregular :clown: Chicago Tribune poll voting patterns:

http://bp3.blogger.com/_OvonoKii_ds/R_rWbKWPJjI/AAAAAAAABek/Hv0FXgrjKBo/s400/totals.jpg

http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/04/childrens-museum-announces-grand.html

A fantastic commentary on Lois Wille.

Andrew Patner "Critic's Choice" WFMT and wfmt.com

The segments are called "Critic's Choice" and this one is called "Save Grant Park."

http://www.wfmt.com/main.taf?p=17,2

John Kass speaks out;

How does Daley defy thee? Let us count the days -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass11apr11,1,4667008.column)

Also, Lynn Becker shows it as it is.

ArchitectureChicago PLUS (http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/04/jagged-icebergs-and-open-pit-brutalist.html)

A quote from Lynn Becker:

In the densely built city, on Block 37, to name one example, or the site of the current Fort Dearborn Post Office at Clark and Grand, Krueck and Sexton's design (for the CMM in Grant Park) might be an interesting failure, an exploration of the idea of a hyperdense city. As an intrusion into a park that is one of the last places of repose and contemplation in the North Loop, in a place that for most of two centuries has been mandated Forever Open, Clear and Free (http://lynnbecker.com/repeat/chicagochildrensmusuem/ccm.htm) :deal:, it is an outrage.

However I'm sure it would make for a good Batman set :batman:

Richard Ward writes:

These Children's Museum graphics have been withheld because they reveal
how difficult it is to hide a building that is 14 times the volume of
the legal Daley Fieldhouse:
http://neweastside.org/HIDDEN.html

From the Sun Times

Daley knocks Sun-Times, Tribune; defends museum :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics (http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/890653,daley041108.article)

Fantastic Trib editorial with Video....

Children's Museum, Option 1

Children's Museum, Option 1 -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0415edit1apr15,0,2682339.story)

Thanks for pointing this out.

Option #1 seems wonderful! My kids (15 mos and 3 yrs) love watching the boats, they wave and laugh..

Or if the riverfront is unavailable, maybe they can buy a parcel in the Lakeshore East development?

But I have not heard of any restrictions on riverfront development, Friends of the River would probably welcome it as long as pedestrians can still get by..

Suburbanites would love it as they would actually be seeing Chicago instead of walls in an underground bunker (and being ferried back and forth on lower levels...)

This would be a wonderful development for Chicago!

Eric

The Sun Times' Jack Higgins does a great cartoon that sums up the issues nicely...

http://www.suntimes.com/news/higgins/-1,Higgins.photogallery?index=0

Watch WTTW's Chicago Tonight (THursday, 4/17 @ 7:00) for commentary on the fact that the Chicago Children's Museum is requesting a liquor license as part of their application for Grant Park..

WTTW - Chicago Tonight - Home (http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,1)

This should be interesting.. I want to hear facts. Is it just rhetoric from SGP and Reilly or really an issue in itself?

Personally I'm concerned we're looking at another Park Grille type establishment in Grant Park.

Children Museum supporters, opponents in high gear

Political threats, hired lobbyists and ward organizing (http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=4746&TM=83043.41)

"The completely new 5th Version of the Children's Museum was revealed
yesterday, and details were still missing, even 13 days before the May
15th public hearing at 1pm. Please carefully study what we have so far at
http://neweastside.org/CCM-Myths.html "

Children’s Museum Map Gap Division Street (http://divisionstreet.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/childrens-museum-map-gap/)

I went to the Breakfast@65West forum or "debate" this morning... It may be a warm-up or preview of the sort of arguments that might be expected next Thursday at the Planning Committee meeting.

I typed up some notes as a followup to the event posting --

http://www.windychat.com/union-league-club-chicago-host-reilly-15558.html#post16462

"Farrington called the free access requirement "a fabricated issue," and noted the Art Institute and Harris Theater both charge admission, and park district programming at Daley Bicentennial Plaza, the field house the museum would replace, is paid for, in part, by user fees."

"Reilly rejected that argument, reiterating on several occasions that the museum's proposal could not pass muster with Montgomery Ward's criteria for Grant Park."

Legal issues at fore of museum debate (http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=4800&TM=83099.77)

"Speaking to a largely unfriendly crowd, Children's Museum President Jennifer Farrington defended the new design, released last week, saying even though it was underground it would bring in more natural light than the museum's current site at Navy Pier. She said if there are "substantial" modifications, the museum would go back to the city for approval."

Children's Museum debate offers glimpse of things to come -- -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-childrens-museum-web06-may07,0,1722670.story)

From ArchitectureChicago PLUS --

"In a May 5th letter sent to Chicago Planning and Development Commissioner Arnold Randall :euro:, Royce A Yeater, Midwest Director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has come out in opposition to the Chicago Children's Museum campaign to build a new 100,000 square foot home in Grant Park."

ArchitectureChicago PLUS (http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/05/national-trust-midwest-opposes.html)

"What a loser of a week it was for the Chicago Children's Museum."

"And Tuesday was only one day and one venue."

"That stubborn, we-demand-Grant-Park obsession is creating more enemies than friends :no: for the once uniformly respected Chicago Children's Museum."

Option 8: A Hyde Park nexus -- -- chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0511edit1may11,0,1764832.story)

"Here at the Jerry Agar Show we attempted to get the Chicago Aldermen to state their position on whether or not the Children's Museum should be allowed to relocate to Grant Park."

AGAINST THE MUSEUM GOING TO THE PARK
FOR THE MUSEUM GOING INTO THE PARK
WON’T CALL US BACK OR ANSWER QUESTION
UNDECIDED

THE ALDERMEN LIST (http://www.wlsam.com/article.asp?id=697214&SPID=12107)

Jerry Agar urges people to call their alderman :helpsmilie:

Children's Museum: Planning Council opposes it; Museum releases new drawings, announces support from educators (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/05/metropolitan-pl.html)

"Monday is not turning out to be a good day for supporters of the Chicago Children's Museum's controversial move to Grant Park." :eek2:

1. "Once the museum people had retreated, the opponents, from the Save Grant Park organization, took over :donatello: the podium, microphone and speakers, and made statements against the museum's plan to build a mostly-underground facility in Grant Park."

2. "This afternoon, the Metropolitan Planning Council, a respected non-profit group based in Chicago :euro:, added its voice to the chorus of opposition to the proposal."

Children's Museum: Planning Council opposes it; Museum releases new drawings, announces support from educators (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/05/metropolitan-pl.html)

"Here at the Jerry Agar Show we attempted to get the Chicago Aldermen to state their position on whether or not the Children's Museum should be allowed to relocate to Grant Park."


From the Uptown Update --

Uptown Update: No Surprise: "Ald. Shiller Was Unavailable For Comment" (http://www.uptownupdate.com/2008/05/no-surprise-ad-shiller-was-unavailable.html)

Lynn Becker's comments about yesterday, the day Blair Kamin said was "not turning out to be a good day for supporters of the Chicago Children's Museum's controversial move to Grant Park."

ArchitectureChicago PLUS (http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/05/chicago-childrens-museum-spaghetti-bowl.html)

"On Monday, the museum trotted out another manufactured committee, this time of educators, in support of their proposals. It appears that Board of Education employees were given paid time off to appear at the press conference."

"In contrast to the ad hoc astroturf groups that will disappear the moment the Children's Museum issue is resolved, the list of the real, standing organizations opposing the Museum - those with ongoing memberships, boards, and long, distinguished histories - grew again on Monday, adding the voice of the Metropolitan Planning Council..."

ArchitectureChicago PLUS (http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2008/05/chicago-childrens-museum-spaghetti-bowl.html)

From Ward 42 Weekly Updates --

Recent Press Coverage on the Chicago Children's Museum's Attempt to Move to Grant Park

Museum clears 1st hurdle on move into Grant Park
Chicago Tribune - May 16, 2008
"The [Chicago Plan Commission], handpicked by museum backer Mayor Richard Daley, voted 13-2 to recommend approval of the [Chicago Children's Museum's] plan to the City Council... Opponents said they expected the commission to approve the plan, given the politics of the situation, and vowed to lobby aldermen to defeat it-or in court if necessary."
Click here to read the full article (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fH9SCOiwrYQeS48gC02zi4fXUS_HJhCal30hgg b3-ZM1mfV0-rvwv-1bYHk0WGB9pSJ7GAFf4qJ5SSZOEnPdcy_WrxTkRsVa5E_8xxy0 UxPqK2DMNBkYp6APE6CsgakitKNvBY9u5Uc3MEZSKO5qyGIzrO Oajk250yho0VtXKTHHQtKbUN87Ca1OH3xHvatxdoByVysoGwpb QXORY42rVA==)

Commission votes 13-2 for Children's Museum
Chicago Sun-Times - May 16, 2008
"Thursday's hearing laid the groundwork for a threatened court challenge. It gave residents of high-rises surrounding the Daley Bicentennial Plaza site near Millennium Park a chance to make their case that, despite five redesigns, the project still violates 172 years of legal protections and four Supreme Court decisions that have kept Grant Park "forever open, clear and free" as Montgomery Ward sought."
Click here to read the full article (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fH9SCOiwrYRnNyKiSBqKYwr6QAIJK6FLTbOSqJ-8hs2EKfSFQrvM-Mw1__mRAtFSdnk3eUiBwJx864Zz4pGfWfVBVPnmJf_7r03ByuO _DYsib9Ox3XoD6-jt25z1hil_VrqMtGt_hiHnr1mmqeAPS1I2yxmYISBUcNPIGv9t 52TRczKI6a8Mrg==)

Foregone conclusion
Chicago Sun-Times - May 16, 2008
"Is it not painful to see the careful arguments, the neat little maps, the earnest, overflowing public hearings? The well-written, thoughtful editorials such as the one that ran in the Sun-Times on Tuesday, explaining exactly why putting a Children's Museum in Grant Park is a bad idea."
Click here to read the full article (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fH9SCOiwrYRN-UgZ5ca6O3isq4V1K3yJjUm460eMHdyxeR2RF09lRXv4tc-4bIbY1WUlTnjNv0Qxa0fFui3OICctyWliHnumD8YjWSjsfUqhw a23P0EcR0LlWuysweMBkpYxbUo0y2ccaj07qwUu0qIn5TUmWlu 6C_EScfM3RWADgmbj6tE1Tg==)

From the Chicago Reader --

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City (http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/politics/2008/05/21/alderman-allen-speaks/)

Alderman "Allen took a survey, asking his listeners whether they supported putting the Children's Museum in Grant Park.

"The audience erupted with a chorus of nos, firing off a barrage of questions and comments: Why put it there? How much stuff are they going to cram in that park? They should put it somewhere that really needs it.

"This meeting was being held in the basement of a church near Cicero and Addison, mind you. So Mayor Daley can't accuse these people of being high-rise dwellers who want to keep black children out of their neighborhood.

"When Mayor Daley gets mad at me, will you stick up for me?" asked Allen, strongly suggesting that he planned to vote against the museum. :helpsmilie:

"Will you stick up for us?" one resident responded. :stuart:

"Ah, Chicago, city of deals."

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City (http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/politics/2008/05/21/alderman-allen-speaks/)

from the Chicago Journal..

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4849&SectionID=46&SubSectionID=155&S=1

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4910&SectionID=46&SubSectionID=168&S=1

"Chicago Children's Museum. Waguespack opposes moving the museum to Millennium Park from Navy Pier. He feels that green space needs to be preserved."

http://news.eastvillagechicago.org/2008/05/waguespack-on-record.html

"The site of the new Chicago Children's Museum has been one of the most heated debates of the year. Joining us to talk about the controversy are 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly and Museum President and CEO Jennifer Farrington."

cbs2chicago.com - Video Library (http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=44850@wbbm.dayport.com&cid=48)

Zoning Committee to review CCM's request on Thursday!

http://www.windychat.com/chicago-zoning-committee-18028.html

From the Chicago Tribune - "His act is getting old. A few months ago, Pfleger suggested that opponents of placing the Chicago Children's Museum in Grant Park didn't want black children in their neighborhood. Take what position you want on the museum, but it's divisive and destructive to claim that racism is the motivation for opposition."

See article at:
Pfleger's vile sermon (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0531edit1may31,0,3599844.story)

Ann Gerber writes in Skyline --

RIDDLE: WHAT IS EVEN LESS popular than rabies, Paris Hilton, President Bush? Answer: Putting the Children's Museum in Grant Park.

Richard Ward writes:

Zoning Committee on CCM, Thursday, City Council Chambers, 10am

'We realize that the Zoning Committee meeting at 10am tomorrow morning (Thursday,June 5th) is not designed to be convenient to anyone other than aldermen and staff members. However, please try to make an effort to join over a dozen concerned city-wide and Illinois organizations that oppose the land grab by the politically connected CCM board leadership. We expect the meeting will last no more than 90 minutes. Alderman Reilly and the CCM consultants will give short presentations, and you will be allowed 2 to 3 minutes to share your opinion. There are all senior alderman on the committee (appointed by the mayor), so it will probably pass.

It is amazing that the Plan Commission and the Zoning Committee encourage detailed presentations from the applicant (CCM), but carefully restrict opposing or correcting testimony from established city-wide organizations. I had prepared a detailed 20-minute presentation, and will be restricted to 2-3 minutes as your representative.

The CCM has presented 5 designs, and each time they have assured everyone that it was totally legal. Therefore, they were not being honest to all of Chicago for the past two years. From a close examination of the latest proposal, it remains an illegal public land grab for a private (non-profit, except for CCM executives)corporation, of land that has been specially protected for 172 years. There has NEVER been an exception to the dedication restrictions that has survived in a court challenge, and CCM will certainly not be the first in the history of Chicago. Both the Art Institute and the Harris/Pritzker buildings are "non-challenged" exceptions. The Art Institute has grown 700% since approved in 1891, under the lesser "Charter Protections" of 1863.

Please join us at 10am tomorrow to show your continued determination.

Thank you, Richard

Richard F. Ward, President, NEAR
155 N. Harbor Dr. #5101
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 938-0884
http://neweastside.org"

Michael Sneed writes in the Chicago Sun-Times --

Is Gov. Blago next? :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Michael Sneed (http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/989201,CST-NWS-SNEED05.article)

Tipsville . . .
A history note: Mayor Daley is so intent on bringing the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park, he is doing something he rarely does.
• To wit: Sneed hears his honor has called in the aldermen one by one requesting them to support legislation placing the museum on sacrosanct property.
• The upshot: The rezoning of the area will be addressed in a zoning committee meeting today and is expected to be voted on at the full City Council meeting next week.
• The backshot: Rarely, if ever, does the mayor place his full weight on such an issue.

Is Gov. Blago next? :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Michael Sneed (http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/989201,CST-NWS-SNEED05.article)

"One of the major stories in Chicago is the proposed move of the Chicago Children's Museum from the perfectly good location where it is now, Navy Pier, to Grant Park, which is downtown Chicago's front yard. This story has been on my radar, but I've withheld blogging about it for reasons that will be quite clear at the end of this post."

Read on...
Marathon Pundit: Exclusive details: Lawsuit filed on Chicago Children's Museum in Grant Park (http://marathonpundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/exclusive-details-lawsuit-filed-on.html)

Chicago Public Radio audio clip, 43 seconds:

"The controversial move has the backing of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who says Grant Park is the best location for an expanded museum. Opponents say building in Grant Park would violate longstanding laws and court orders protecting open space. "

Download and listen:
City Council Showdown Nears for Kids' Museum (http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=25714)

Very good AP article on the topic.

"Unlike the old days at City Hall, Daley has fewer ways to punish those who challenge him because the political patronage aldermen historically depended on is less blatant than when his late father, Mayor Richard J. Daley, ran the city, political consultant Don Rose said."

"So the current Mayor Daley is "less scary than the old man used to be," Rose said."

Chicago to vote on moving museum to lakefront park (http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/364842.html)

Children's Museum critics blast 'propaganda in the park' :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State (http://www.suntimes.com:80/news/metro/1046351,CST-NWS-muse09.article)

Did you know the Chicago Children's Museum gets a rebate every time one of their patrons pays to park at Navy Pier? The rebate is meant to offset the high cost of parking for the patron, but instead of giving it to the parker, the museum keeps the money.

Parked at the kid's museum? They owe you :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: The Watchdogs (http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/1157310,CST-NWS-watchdogs11good.article)