Chicago is a global city that deserves a global operator.” “We look forward to a robust dialogue with city leaders about Hard Rock Chicago and what we bring to the table. “We’re excited about the prospect of creating a new entertainment destination for the city of Chicago, and we’re humbled to be chosen for the next phase of the selection process,” Hard Rock said in an emailed statement. MPEA said using the North Building is “not feasible” due to its upcoming scheduled events.īennett said Tuesday that Hard Rock is “amenable to looking at an alternative temporary facility” that wasn’t within the MPEA campus. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Īnother potential hurdle for Hard Rock is the proposed use of the North Building at McCormick Place as a temporary facility. The area around 18th Street and the Metra tracks west of Soldier Field, where the proposed One Central site that is a finalist for the Chicago casino location would be located, is seen March 22, 2022. Rush Street Gaming, which is headed by Chicago real estate developer Neil Bluhm, is proposing a $1.62 billion riverfront casino at The 78, Related Midwest’s 62-acre megadevelopment slated for long-vacant land in the South Loop. The letter, which is posted on the group’s website, said noise, traffic congestion and crime would likely be exacerbated by the casino, “negatively impacting” home values and local businesses.Ĭhicago-based Rush Street Gaming, which owns four casinos including Rivers Casino Des Plaines, partnered with two developers on separate proposals, one of which is still in the game. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, expressing concern over the Bally’s Freedom Center proposal. In December, the River North Residents Association, a 22,000-member nonprofit neighborhood advocacy group, sent a letter to Ald. If it ultimately wins approval, Bally’s plan would be to open a temporary casino on the site by the second quarter of 2023, with the permanent casino opening in the first quarter of 2026, according to the city. The proposed $1.6 billion Bally’s Chicago casino, hotel and entertainment complex at the site of the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center, located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street.

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