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Originally Posted by galleyfox
The simple answer is that Chicago tourists in general don’t walk outside the Loop or River North. And they rarely take CTA either. Even going to Lincoln Park or Museum Campus is like pulling teeth.
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Again, you are making an argument then for the 78 site here. McCormick is just as far as the museum campus, if not further. It's further from the loop/RN than 78 is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by galleyfox
So parking amenities and tour buses become much more important if space in the Loop can’t be reasonably obtained.
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That's a challenge for any of the five bids since none of them are in the loop. I don't know what the parking situation is with the 78 proposal, but the McCormick doesn't stand out compared to others with respect to parking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by galleyfox
Not to mention, suburban residents are a huge potential clientele and they’re certainly not relying on CTA but arriving in a vehicle.
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Again, another argument for 78.... It's closer to 90/94 and would take less time to get to if you are coming in from the West or North. The only route McCormick has a leg up on is LSD, but that doesn't connect easily with the rest of the suburban metro.
Quote:
Originally Posted by galleyfox
I used to work in the taxi industry, so this chart of Uber travel patterns is a good approximation of where tourists travel around. Most of the casino operators are mindful of these patterns, and it would be foolish to expect any single project to dramatically alter the favored entertainment areas.
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In the link you posted, the top spots are all closer to the 78 side, which would substantiate your claim that people tend to stick closer to downtown/North. In one sentence you are making a claim that you need to pull teeth to get tourists outside the Loop/RN area, then in the same post, you are claiming that Uber travel patterns suggest this location corresponds to where tourists are going.
Quote:
Originally Posted by galleyfox
You also have the issue that the city wants the money to come from non-Chicagoans.
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Again, 78 is closer to the loop, closer to CTA, closer to 90/94......
I get you want the McCormick site chosen, and I don't think it's the worst location. I actually feel like the Tribune site is the worst. But let's be realistic, the 78 site seems to rise above the others in terms of connectivity and integration into an actual planned neighborhood.