Today’s Headlines 6/30/2011
- Slash City Council by half, Civic Federation urges
- American in talks with Boeing, Airbus on 250-plane order
- Navy Pier operators ready revamp; Children’s Museum part of plan, report says
- Kraft to delay launch of Gevalia coffee in U.S. stores because of high demand
- Groupon rival LivingSocial makes moves toward $1B IPO: source
- Hildebrandt Baker Robbins to become new independent firm
View All of Today’s News Headlines
— The current and future managers of Navy Pier are preparing a plan to boost visits and revamp the facility, with the Children’s Museum taking a larger role.
The museum, which had been considering a controversial move to Grant Park, might expand at the pier, according to a report on the Chicago Tribune’s website. The report cites unnamed sources close to the planning, who also say a major expansion of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proposed.
Board members of Navy Pier Inc., the non-profit entity that takes over Navy Pier operations Friday, will meet with executives from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which currently owns and operates the pier, Thursday morning to unveil a new pier plan aimed at increasing attendance and creating better public spaces.
A spokeswoman for the MPEA would not discuss any details of the plans in advance of Thursday’s meeting.
Navy Pier Inc. will assume management duties for the pier, the state’s largest tourism attraction.
The new nine-member Navy Pier board, helmed by retired Boeing Co. executive Sarah Nava Garvey, was established in January, when the MPEA split operations of the pier and McCormick Place, which it also runs.
The MPEA announced it will lease the pier at no cost to Navy Pier Inc. The lease is slated to run for 15 years, with renewal options.
Other Navy Pier Inc. board members include Nora Daley, daughter of former Mayor Richard M. Daley; David Mosena, chairman of the MPEA interim board and president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, and MPEA Trustee Jim Reilly.
Also July 1, McCormick Place will transition to private management. Philadelphia-based facility operator SMG Management Inc., which also operates Soldier Field, will take over management duties from the MPEA.
The transition is part of a state-mandated overhaul of the convention business that aims to make Chicago more competitive with rival convention destinations such as Orlando and Las Vegas.
Similar Posts:
- Taste of Chicago restaurants take hit on sales this year: report
- Eugene rejects 5% restaurant tax
- Court says Cobb EMC board violated settlement agreement
- Chicago PMI parent finds buyer in Deutsche B?rse
- Emanuel-backed challenger sinks longtime Alderman Bernard Stone
