Meigs concerts to rev up in June

By Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 29, 2005


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/i_am_hydrogen/northerlyisland.jpg


Come summer, concertgoers at Northerly Island will bask in breezes off Lake Michigan while facing a stage framed by views of Burnham Harbor, Soldier Field and downtown Chicago under plans the Chicago Park District revealed to the public Monday.

The temporary 8,000-seat entertainment venue at Northerly Island, the former site of Meigs Field, will have three sets of bleachers that rise 26 feet and form an arc around ground-level seats. The bleachers will face a 40-foot-high covered rectangular, metal stage flanked by speakers that will direct sound toward the lake.

The speakers will be flanked by large panels to hold banner advertising for commercial products during concerts and messages from the Park District at other times, said Arnold Randall, the district's director of planning and development.

Concession stands will be located north of the seating, and paths will lead from the venue to other parts of Northerly Island, a 78-acre peninsula that opened to the public last year.

"It's very minimalist, but tasteful," said Bob O'Neill, president of the Grant Park Advisory Council, referring to the design by Valerio Dewalt Train Associates.

Between 25 and 30 music and family events will be held at the venue to raise money for a multimillion-dollar nature park long favored by Mayor Richard Daley. Park District officials also hope it will generate interest in the nature park and help attract private donations.

District officials also revealed other details about new uses for Northerly Island, where Daley ordered Meigs' sole runway destroyed in March 2003, citing concerns about terrorism.

Rotary International, which will hold its annual convention in June in Chicago, where Rotary was born 100 years ago, will plant a garden behind the 12th Street beach house on Northerly Island.

"They really want to create something of substance and beauty to commemorate their 100th anniversary," Randall said.

Planning is under way for several programs, including nature-oriented children's activities, bird and nature walks and a Family Adventure Day featuring team events, exercises, games, fishing and rock-climbing, Randall said.

The entertainment venue will be built by a local subsidiary of San Antonio-based Clear Channel Entertainment. The district is negotiating a final contract with the company, which was selected last month to run the venue.

The contract with Clear Channel would be for three years with options for two one-year extensions, district officials said.

District officials have declined to publicly disclose how much revenue they expect the concert venue to generate, but they told community groups recently that they expect it to bring in $800,000 to $1 million.

The money will be used to maintain Northerly Island and help pay for the planning of the nature park, district Gen. Supt. Timothy Mitchell said.

"The event venue is an integral part of the district's ultimate goal to create a world-class nature park," Mitchell said.

After a series of recent public brainstorming sessions, the Park District is drafting three plans for a nature park to present to the public in the fall, he said.

Park District officials have not announced a price tag for the nature park, but an 8-year-old proposal by the Lake Michigan Federation said a similar proposal would cost $26 million.

Since removing the runway at Meigs, the city and district have spent about $4 million to clean the site and create a temporary park, according to city documents.

Both the Grant Park Advisory Council and Friends of the Parks, the city's leading parks-watchdog group, agreed to back the entertainment venue, based on district pledges that it will not become a permanent feature.

"It will help speed up development of the nature park," said the advisory council's O'Neill. "It's a necessary compromise."

At the end of each three-month concert season, the venue will be dismantled and stored.

"We had hoped they could take it down at the end of each concert, but I guess that is too cost prohibitive," said Erma Tranter, president of Friends of the Parks.

To lessen the environmental impact of the concert venue, its size was scaled back to 4.6 acres from nearly 7.Construction is expected to start in late April or early May, with the concert season starting in late June, after the bird migratory season.

Backers of the nature park have floated the idea of having a bird rehabilitation center on Northerly Island, noting it is a major stop for migrating birds.

A temporary bird rehabilitation center will open this summer, perhaps in the former Meigs' terminal, Mitchell said.

O'Neill, meanwhile, has asked that the concert venue's designer, Valerio Dewalt Train, consult with Studio Gang, an architecture firm that built the Ford Calumet Environmental Center, designed to prevent birds from crashing into its glass.

Randall said such a meeting is being set up.

To avoid marring the landscape with portable toilets, trailers containing bathrooms will be used. Parking would be available at the underground garage at Soldier Field.

This whole concert thing still rubs me the wrong way. They'll be lucky if they don't lose money on the whole proposition. There are better ways to raise the funds necessary to fulfill Daley's ultimate dream for Northerly Island than a couple of concerts.

I hope this never works, doing that is like putting a Wal-Mart there.

I hope this never works, doing that is like putting a Wal-Mart there.


^Why would you not want this to work? If it brings funds to build northerly park, wouldn't you be happy? I'm sure I would.

As long as it's not a permanent venue, I don't have a big qualm with it

O, I thought this was Perament.

Anyhow, I dont think that this wont gain anymoney unless the people who plays the concert is special or if the seats are cheap.

Won't the people hear it from LSD, and wont the animals be deaf if they live by it(either land or water)?

Won't the people hear it from LSD, and wont the animals be deaf if they live by it(either land or water)?
:rofl:

ROTFL Azn....
I believe Ray Liotta says it best to Joe Pesci in Goodfellas....
"YOUR A FUNNY GUY"

Keep em comming kid, you have definately made our forum more fun.

keep it in mind the kid says he's only 13. i mean come on. what the hell where you thinking about when you were 13? i can tell you i was thinking about gi joes and a girl named britany.

This whole concert thing still rubs me the wrong way. They'll be lucky if they don't lose money on the whole proposition. There are better ways to raise the funds necessary to fulfill Daley's ultimate dream for Northerly Island than a couple of concerts.

But they have had several huge concerts in the south part of Grant Park for the last few summers....very popular. Made lots of money and was shown on cable. So perhaps....they know it will work?

I just wish we could make sure that all the profit goes directly into that park.

A summer performance venue on the water? Anyone think Milwaukee could see some competition with it's Summerfest if a project like this continues to grow in Chicago? Something to think about...

A summer performance venue on the water? Anyone think Milwaukee could see some competition with it's Summerfest if a project like this continues to grow in Chicago? Something to think about...

RuPaul is at PrideFest this year! Bunch of us are booking hotels for that festival. It is so cool.

You aren't the only Azn Chi Boy in Chi-town Azn Chi Boy. I would meet with you right now, but I'm in the Philippines right now for a long awaited vacation. I haven't been back in my homeland for 15 years. Anyways, just wanted to correct your glaringly inaccurate assumption. :) i'm glad not to be alone :)

You aren't the only Azn Chi Boy in Chi-town Azn Chi Boy. I would meet with you right now, but I'm in the Philippines right now for a long awaited vacation. I haven't been back in my homeland for 15 years. Anyways, just wanted to correct your glaringly inaccurate assumption. :) i'm glad not to be alone :)

ok I stand corrected. Have fun on your trip back. I am happy to meet another asian person from chicago. and I will change my signature, to say one of the few Azns.

Back on the subject, Is the concert indoor or outdoor, becuase when its outdoor and rains... thats bad.

i'm half polish and half korean. ya i know not the most common mix. sorry to bring the thread off topic though.

RuPaul is at PrideFest this year! Bunch of us are booking hotels for that festival. It is so cool.

??

http://www.bisonarium.com/index.html

??


What was the question for...someone mentioned SummerFest in Milwaukee and I said PrideFest this year will have RuPaul.

It would be cool to have something like the Fest Area in Milwaukee here in Chicago.

At first glance I thought the bisonarium proposal some sort of joke; but on second thought and and thinking about the problem--how to attract people to the southern end of Northerly Island--a bisonarium makes lots of sense. A small, well-maintained herd would have wide appeal, and a few head sold each year (bison meat is widely popular once again) could defray some of the expense. Bison do well on grassland that is maintained by a prairie dog colony; these are also proven attractions out west. I look forward to the suggestions of others.

At first glance I thought the bisonarium proposal some sort of joke; but on second thought and and thinking about the problem--how to attract people to the southern end of Northerly Island--a bisonarium makes lots of sense. A small, well-maintained herd would have wide appeal, and a few head sold each year (bison meat is widely popular once again) could defray some of the expense. Bison do well on grassland that is maintained by a prairie dog colony; these are also proven attractions out west. I look forward to the suggestions of others.

Excellent, well thought-out ideas. I would add that allowing children to ride the bison, possibly even in Lake Michigan, would be a great idea as well. They could then enjoy the father of said riden bison in burger form at a local "bison-burger" joint (patent pending).

plus how many other cities can lay claim about a bisonarium.... at the most a ratarium or pigeonarium.

i like it.

I think chicago will be the first in bui;ding one right at downtown of a US major city.

I think it would make us the laughing-stock of the United States... and rightfully so. Talk about perpetuating talk of Chicago as the "flyover!"

City expects windfall from amphitheater
Take from Meigs site should eclipse goal, park officials say

By Hal Dardick
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 12, 2005


The Chicago Park District's annual take from a temporary amphitheater at Northerly Island--site of the former Meigs Field--could near $1.4 million in its first season, easily topping the district's goal, officials said Wednesday.

"The expected revenue here will far exceed $1 million a year," said Jim Chronis, district chief operating officer.

Chronis made that projection at a meeting of the district's board of commissioners, which approved a nearly complete draft of the contract with a Chicago subsidiary of San Antonio-based Clear Channel Entertainment.

Commissioners in February approved contract negotiations with Clear Channel, which is building the amphitheater and will operate it. The contract is for three years, with two options for one-year extensions.

When district Gen. Supt. Timothy Mitchell announced the amphitheater, he set a minimum revenue goal of $800,000. That amount, he said, would cover the cost of maintaining Northerly and planning to convert the 78-acre peninsula into a nature park long advocated by Mayor Richard Daley.

Twenty or 21 concerts--including a June 24 amphitheater debut featuring Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire--and family events are expected to be held this year at the venue, Chronis said.

The bulk of the revenue, about $800,000, will come from parking at the underground garage at Soldier Field. Parking, which would include a trolley ride from Soldier Field to Northerly, would cost about $18, Chronis said.

The district also will receive a $225,000 guaranteed annual payment and 75 cents on every ticket sold, which would top $113,000 if 21 events this year were 90 percent sold out. Starting in 2007, the district will receive $1 for every ticket sold.

And the district will get about $252,000 for its 60 percent share of the annual net profit from naming rights. The venue is expected to sport the name of "a financial institution," Chronis said.

Should Clear Channel's gross revenue exceed its expectations--which have yet to be projected--the district would receive 10 percent of any gross revenue above those expectations, he added.

A $25,000 bonus also would be paid each year to the district starting in 2007 if annual attendance tops 200,000, Chronis said. If attendance tops 225,000, the district would receive an additional $25,000, he said.

The amphitheater, conceived to raise money for the nature park, would cover about 4.6 acres. It will be removed at the end of each season and eliminated within five years, officials said.

In March 2003, Daley ordered the destruction of the sole runway at Meigs Field, citing safety concerns in a terrorist age.

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=943d90d4-0142-4106-a582-dd3ba4021f0e#d

Listen To Chicago's Plans For Meigs Land... And Have Lunch
Wed, 01 Mar '06

City To Offer Its Plans To The Public
Aero-News has learned that Wednesday, March 1, is the date of the first public discussion of the Chicago Park District's plans for Northerly Island. The event is part of a weekly lunch lecture series conducted by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.



The free event will be held from 12:15 pm until 1 pm, at The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery in downtown Chicago. Arnold Randall, Director of Planning & Development, Chicago Park District, will present the Park District's plans in a lecture entitled "Northerly Island: Planning Chicago’s Next Great Open Space"

Of course, Northerly Island once was home to a lovely little airport called Meigs Field (above) -- until -- cough-- Mayor Richard Daley ordered bulldozers to rip its runways to shreds under the cover of darkness in March 2003 (below, right).

"We encourage all nearby Meigs supporters to attend to show support for our Parks and Planes proposal, combining a new lakefront park with an aviation museum and operating Meigs Field," the Friends of Meigs stated in a news release.

The lecture will be the first time the city has put its plans for the former Meigs Field up for public discussion since the final "public planning session" in March 2005 -- during which approximately 2/3 of the participants walked out in protest of the city's plans.

Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch for Wednesday's event. Aero-News also suggests appropriate headache and heartburn medication.

http://www.aero-news.net/images/content/genav/2003/Meigsfield-0303b.jpg
http://www.aero-news.net/images/content/genav/2003/meigs-destruction-0403-1a.jpg
by Aero-News Network, Inc.

there is still a black angus farm at the very northern edge of lake bluff on sheridan on the lake!
its pretty amazing to see it, you can see the lake from sheridan with the cows grazing and the farmhouse, its just south of the navy complex and its hospital,
pretty cool neck of the woods, as well as the lake bluff beach is pretty cool, and very lesser known, i never get any hassle going there, cuz my license has lake bluff, il on it
but its worth checking out when its cold out cuz no one will give you grief in going there, i think its so bogus the whole semi private beach thing,

^^ huh?

i just brought up because of the talk of bison,
sorry i didnt see that there was another page of discussion,
just something i found interesting, that there is indeed cattle grazing on grass in lake county on the lake, not something you would think is around anymore,

Did anyone go to this?

Off topic, but now, I think since Chicago is into the Olympics... why not put some of the Olympics things there with a Giant forest. Extend and Expand the Island too...

http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/11159.php

Debate Continues Over Future of Northerly Island

Bob Roberts Reporting

CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio 780) -- Nearly three years have passed since Mayor Daley ordered the bulldozers in, to destroy Meigs Field in the middle of the night. The war of words continues between open-space advocates and those who want to see the airport rebuilt.

Park District Planning and Development Chief Arnold Randall is firm about the future of Northerly Island -- and about plans for an "airport in a park" developed by the group Friends of Meigs Field.

"We respectfully disagree," he told those attending a lecture at the Chicago Architecture Foundation as he placed a slide showing 1930s teens at the 12th Street beach engaging in a tug-of-war to nervous giggles.

"The struggle will go on, I\'m sure, because they\'re very committed and we respect that," he said. "But ultimately, no, we\'re not considering any aviation-related ideas at Northerly Island."

He said that there is no shortage of ideas for Northerly Island, including a second access road.

Already, there are walking paths, wildflowers and a concert pavilion on the island, but the only "permanent" structures on Northerly Island are those left over from Meigs --the former terminal building, hangar and tower. The Friends of Meigs Fields\' Josh Levy said he sees the same problems with Northerly Island that the Daley administration has on State Street --only supersized.

"This is essentially a Block 37." Levy said. "It will be a vacant piece of land, an underused piece of land until the Park District comes up with funds to develop it -- and I don\'t see that happening."

Levy said he believes most, if not all, of the proposals that have been put forward for the Northerly Island park can be accommodated in Grant Park.

He claims that if the city were to purchase Northerly Island from the Park District with Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Funds, it would leave the parks with well in excess of $100 million after development were complete.

Randall disagreed, calling Grant Park "very busy every day," and saying that the Friends\' "airport in the park" plan has been considered and rejected.

Looking ahead, Randall said an outside design team may be in place by mid-summer. He said the temporary concert pavilion adjacent to the 12th Street Beach is helping to underwrite maintenance and development costs.

The Associated Press
Published March 22, 2006, 7:39 AM CST


Part of the old Miegs field airport terminal at Northerly Island in Chicago will be converted into a bird hospital.

The Chicago Park District says the new hospital will treat wild birds injured in accidents including running into high-rise building windows.

The hospital will be run by the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Dawn Keller, founder and executive director of the nonprofit center, says the city hospital on Lake Michigan will provide a close relaunch location for the birds.

The most common bird injury is head trauma, and the most injured urban bird species are warblers and sparrows.

The park district is donating the space to the center, which plans to open the office early next month.

These are from last summer.
http://images.snapfish.com/34664876%3B%7Ffp344%3Enu%3D3279%3E%3A85%3E266%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A85%3A97%3A%3Anu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/34664876%3B%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3279%3E%3A85%3E266%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A85%3A97%3A8nu0mrj

My only question is what can be done to make sure that Northerly Island becomes the sickest piece of lakefront/park land that Chicago has?

"Chicago's famous architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands stretching between Grant and Jackson Parks. His vision for this park included lagoons, harbors, beaches, recreation areas, a scenic drive and grand stretches of green space that would provide breathtaking views of the lake and City skyline." (from Chicago Park District's website)

I assume everything planned for Northerly Island is on hold because of the Olympic bid. Regardless of whether or not that happens, I'd like to see that cool concept structure Jahn proposed a few years back.

Yeah, I guess you're right that the Olympics potential is likely to put everything on hold. I'm not familiar with what Jahn proposed. Do you have any links or more info? I'd love to see...

"Chicago's famous architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands stretching between Grant and Jackson Parks. His vision for this park included lagoons, harbors, beaches, recreation areas, a scenic drive and grand stretches of green space that would provide breathtaking views of the lake and City skyline." (from Chicago Park District's website)

Thanks for mentioning a favorite topic of mine.:)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/ChicagoPlan.jpg/800px-ChicagoPlan.jpg



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Burnham_1909_chicago_plan.jpg




.

Welcome to SSC skybuzz!

I'm not familiar with what Jahn proposed. Do you have any links or more info? I'd love to see...

Well, most of the renderings and things were part of the Visionary Chicago Architecture exhibit a few years ago. A companion book was published with many images of the proposals. Prairie Avenue has it for $35.

All I could find on the web was this:
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5817/sailtowerbp9.jpg

I was out on the Tower 3 roof top and noticed that those 3 fairy scuptures that use to be at Roosevelt and Michigan in Grant Park have been moved out to Northerly Island. I was planning to ride out their this weekend but didn't get around to it. I was glad to see that they have a home.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/880799,CST-NWS-park07.article

Parks may lease island assets
MEIGS FIELD SITE | It would raise cash to turn site of airstrip into nature park
April 7, 2008Recommend

BY FRAN SPIELMAN AND ANDREW HERRMANN Staff Reporters

The Chicago Park District board president is hinting the agency might lease assets to help pay for the transformation of the former Meigs Field into a nature park.

In the coming days, the park district is expecting to sign an agreement with the the urban and landscape design firm JJR LLC to formulate redevelopment plans of the 91-acre Northerly Island peninsula just east of Soldier Field, park officials say.

............The idea is to make the south end of Northerly more natural with trees and other plantings with the north end focused more on active use, Biagi said.

"We're not being that prescriptive [to LLC]. There will be a way to move through the park on bicycle and on foot. Do we need to have some sort of intermodal form of transportation? . . . Those are the kind of ideas we want them to look at,'' she said.

..........She suggested the volleyball facility might have a post-Games life as a music venue.
..

You know looking at the Burnham plan and a photo aerial today I think consideration for extending the southern tip eastwards with infill to creat another penisula so it makes an L which could provide more green space and lake.

The northern end I think will likely always feel more like an extension of the museum campus and Burnham harbor anyhow no matter what is done.

I would also hope they would consider keeping the bike velodrome on the northen end or somewhere in that area along the lakefront as well.