One of three proposals for a Chicago casino
The live-stream has begun. Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) is chair of the zoning committee is speaking. He says this town hall is intended to get community feedback so they can make their decision about the casino location.
Samir Mayekar, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Development, is framing this project within the scope of the whole economy. He says Chicago had the lowest unemployment rate last year compared to other large cities; @BetterGov fact-checked this statement before https://www.bettergov.org/news/fact-check-no-chicago-s-jobless-rate-in-2021-was-not-better-than-any-large-american-city/
Mayekar says the concerns posed have been regarding:
1. congestion and traffic
2. safety in the district given more traffic
3. equity of benefits of such a large development and who benefits
Jennie Huang Bennett, Chief Financial Officer, says the City has been planning this development for 3 decades, saying “$400 million statewide and $200 million citywide each year is lost each year this is not opened”
Soo Kim, the Chairman of Bally’s Corporation, is presenting on this development. Bally’s has 16 casinos, as well as an online business throughout the country and London.
He says this site has the highest potentially to bring people into the City. The existing planned development in this area would likely be high-end residential, and Kim believes this project will do more for the surrounding community.
Within 1 year, a temporary site (left) will be built to show what the final facility (right) will be like. They are partnering with places Second City and One Off Hospitality (Publican, Big Star, etc.) for entertainment and food, respectively. https://t.co/OYsWZzkhoM
Bally’s says that the development would reduce traffic, according to a study conducted by the City of Chicago.
Bally’s representatives say they are concerned about community engagement and have already met with the following focus groups: https://t.co/G9lhFBc9R8
The Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCB) is a group of 8 minority companies in design and construction that are involved in this project: https://www.ballys.com/chicago/our-partners.htm
One the Bally’s investors said he chose to support Bally’s because this proposal generated the most revenue, and he was concerned about the police and fire pension fund. He was also interested in the jobs this development would bring.
They are beginning with moderated questions. The first question is in regard to the timeline. The Bally’s representatives say the temporary development will be done in a year, and the final one will be done in 3 years.
Kim says the site is flexible, so they can change the designs. For example, the pedestrian bridge was added to provide more access to the site. But it can be taken out of the plans if the community wants that.
Someone asks if this area is limited to this one developer. Kim says the current plan is just the development that has been approved, and doesn’t know about any possibility of more developments like a strip.
Kim also reminds the crowd that, even if Bally’s doesn’t build, then another developer will.
The open question portion is beginning, and each person gets 90 seconds.
The first speaker asks how small businesses and independent restaurant operators will be brought into this plan. He makes the point that the City is 77 neighborhoods that need to be reached out to.
A former Cabrini-Green resident and business owner says they support Bally’s, but that the minority contractors they are working will have not worked with community contractors, particularly local Black contractors. He asks how they will reach out to Black contractors/suppliers.
Bally’s says this is a new market, so they are going to have a vendor and career fair, and start building options locally.
Another resident says they want to ensure that a fair share of jobs and contracts are given to Black workers and contractors. He says that 20% of the contracts need to be reserved for Black people, and emphasizes that Black people are being pushed out of Chicago.
Bally’s says that they are pressuring unions to open up their apprenticeship opportunities and do outreach.
A River North resident asks about noise and wants more specifics about the noise related to entertainment. Bally’s says their large theater will be indoors.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. This concludes the Chicago Casino Town Hall: Bally’s meeting. The next Casino Town Hall meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org.