CHICAGO | City Casino

[BVictor1]

Was just driving around and ended up at Halsted & Chicago and took a pano... So much potential. Omni and Bally's should have a joint discussion about infrastructure and ingress/egress. With that pass under Chicago along Halsted and 1,000+ units possible at 700 W. Chicago, that could be their 2nd exit at Erie.

05.08.22

[gandalf612]

Originally Posted by ardecila

It's possible that Bally's might target a residency model for tourists. Chicago is certainly large enough and cosmopolitan enough that you might persuade a top talent to move here for a few months or even years long residency. Obviously that's common in Vegas, but Springsteen and Billy Joel have done it in NY.

Madonna did a month? at the Chicago Theater

[kolchak]

I know many here complain about where the parking is, but it seems as functional as possible.

It feels a bit like LA Live - which is a good thing. The contrast between LA Live's bright lights Vegas feel and the surrounding subdued historic blocks works well. The River will also reflect the lights from the riverwalk and casino and really visually liven up the area. The lack of access (like having the garage on Chicago Ave) is probably intentional with security in mind.

A total game changer. I'm so glad they had the guts to put this thing on the near North Side.

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by marothisu

On another note....will they have a sports book? I know Bally's has multiple sports TV channels now. If they have it then I can ser that being very popular.

Yes, plus city council just approved a sports book for Wrigley Field, United Center, Sox park (whatever they are calling that now) and I think Solider Field too. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/loca...ittee/2707079/

Also most people just bets on sports with their phone in case you haven't seen ever other commercial on TV advertising a sports betting app.

All hail the era of gambling.

[Chi-Sky21]

With Tribune gone does anything else use that rail spur anymore?

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by bnk

Think of Midwest collage kids meeting up to have a good weekend that would have probably not even tried visiting. Its a big boost even if they to not gamble a lot. Its the spill over into the local area even down to the uber driver or a hotel or air BnB. Shit like that adds up if you multiply it by a factor.


These kids are not looking for the same experince in east Chicago, Gary or Hammond.

still wont beat out windsor canada due to the drinking age

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

With Tribune gone does anything else use that rail spur anymore?

Blommer Chocolate uses it to bring in fresh dairy from up north. I think they're the only ones beside Tribune.

Blommer has another rail spur on the upper level so maybe they can use that? Or maybe they'll finally throw in the towel and move out of the neighborhood...

If UP vacates the rail spur, then the city becomes responsible for the river bridge at Carroll Ave - maintaining it and legal liability. That could be a hefty bill, so I think they've avoided it up until now.

[joeg1985]

Has it been discussed that there is a new rendering already being circulated? ABC was showing a rectangular tower this morning. Are they already pulling a fast one on us, or is this maybe an old rendering?

[ardecila]

The rectangular tower was the old rendering. Who knows what the final design will look like, though... there's nothing binding about the current set of renderings. We'll have to see what they put in the PD in a few months, but even that is subject to change. PDs don't stop developers from doing VE.

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by ardecila

The rectangular tower was the old rendering. Who knows what the final design will look like, though... there's nothing binding about the current set of renderings. We'll have to see what they put in the PD in a few months, but even that is subject to change. PDs don't stop developers from doing VE.

Maybe this is too much to expect, but this is high profile and important enough that I would hope the city could get more of a design commitment than the commonplace bait and switch

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

Casinos in reality:

The gambling crowd: richer and older than average. Typically, they’re bored retirees spending their pensions or capital gains.

The entertainment crowd: 30 year olds getting drunk and going to shows.

The older patrons can be at risk of being targeted for crime due to the money they carry - which is why I think casinos should be in wealthier areas with good prospects for pedestrian traffic, but away from major roads and subway stations.

Casinos that are built in poor or vacant areas simply reflect their neighborhoods.

But if the people of River North can deal with Hubbard and Rush St. just fine, the casino is not going to be much different.

The city should understand as well as design pedestrian corridors that can be monitored, especially late. One obvious case will be people walking to and from River North hotels. Unfortunately, there is not a strong, continuous commercial strip between the two which would be an obvious choice for walkers and provide opportunities for businesses. Crossing the river initially leads to a largely residential dead zone which might be a little disorienting. Same thing applies going west from RN. But the city should be taking all that into account to make it as easy possible for anyone on foot to come and go while at the same time being able to monitor activity.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by VKChaz

Maybe this is too much to expect, but this is high profile and important enough that I would hope the city could get more of a design commitment than the commonplace bait and switch

Maybe, but the city is clearly hoping to take any surplus in the form of cash for the pension funds, and not in the form of expensive architecture.

Lightfoot's administration has already done more than every other American city to shape this casino development plan in terms of siting, access, urban design etc and the resulting plan is Good, Actually. If they have to compromise on some of the facade systems I won't consider it a loss.

Does anyone seriously think they're gonna build that scalloped glass lobby, or the wood shutter panels behind the curtain wall? lol

[r18tdi]

The butthurt is real:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdOUnpEr7mm/

Originally Posted by VKChaz

The city should understand as well as design pedestrian corridors that can be monitored, especially late. One obvious case will be people walking to and from River North hotels. Unfortunately, there is not a strong, continuous commercial strip between the two which would be an obvious choice for walkers and provide opportunities for businesses. Crossing the river initially leads to a largely residential dead zone which might be a little disorienting.

I think Grand will get a lot more pedestrian activity once the other phases of the River District (and whatever Shapack is planning at the Salvation Army) start to come online.
It's a shame that the south side of Grand is ruined by the self storage facility and Kinzie Park turning its back on the rest of the city. At least one of those can get torn down someday...

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by ardecila

If UP vacates the rail spur, then the city becomes responsible for the river bridge at Carroll Ave

UP won't simply "vacate" the River Line and Carroll Ave tracks; they'll continue to insist they're a valuable railroad asset for which the city must pay big $$$$.

[Randomguy34]

City revenue projections from gaming:
$69M in FY2023 (upfront $40M direct payment + temp casino revenues)
FY24 — $55M
FY25 — $57M
FY26 (permanent casino opens) — $170MM
FY27 — $211M
FY28 — $245M

https://twitter.com/AlexNitkin/statu...44124041830400

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

https://twitter.com/AlexNitkin/statu...44124041830400

^ Some good stuff in this thread.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

UP won't simply "vacate" the River Line and Carroll Ave tracks; they'll continue to insist they're a valuable railroad asset for which the city must pay big $$$$.

I'm sure they will, but the city is not powerless in this matter. The city can likely persuade Blommer to get deliveries in a different way after all the TIF money Blommer has received. Or the city could induce Blommer to relocate. Not to mention that the arbitrator in any dispute is the STB, led by longtime Chicagoan (former alderman, former Metra chair) Marty Oberman.

Hopefully the city has enough leverage that they can reach a reasonable deal with UP.

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

I’m thinking Steeterville with riverwalk vibes. High-rise curated tourist area.

If I were a casino operator, I would have been looking at City Winery and Tiny Tapp thinking there’s clearly demand for more riverwalk venues-and especially after midnight hours!

Since none of the casinos can generate returns from gambling, the focus on dining and retail and entertainment would increase.

I can’t see a Las Vegas style party scene since it’s so clearly centered around Wrigleyville and Hubbard now, and no reason to shift to a less accessible location.

The State St. issues have more to do with poor CTA Red Line security than anything else.

Do we know how the riverwalk will be used late or if it will have any limitations? A couple restaurants situated on the river might provide some late access. But otherwise I believe the city walk closes at 11pm and most of the private walks don't show much interest in encouraging visitors. A late outdoor summer river spot would be a good addition.

[pip]

Is there a city where Casinos worked? Some of the most depressed cities have bet on Casinos to help and look at them now. Las Vegas is casinos and tourism so I'm not sure that counts. Las Vegas is an exception. Can Chicago pull it off, I highly doubt it. I'm not against the casino, though glad I don't live near the proposed casino but to me casinos are a gasp of desperation that doesn't work. I can't share enthusiasm that this will work out and help Chicago. It hasn't anywhere else. Casinos are desperation and for something that doesn't work.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by pip

Is there a city where Casinos worked? Some of the most depressed cities have bet on Casinos to help and look at them now. Las Vegas is casinos and tourism so I'm not sure that counts. Las Vegas is an exception. Can Chicago pull it off, I highly doubt it. I'm not against the casino, though glad I don't live near the proposed casino but to me casinos are a gasp of desperation that doesn't work. I can't share enthusiasm that this will work out and help Chicago. It hasn't anywhere else. Casinos are desperation and for something that doesn't work.

Yes. Especially when you realize that the US isn't the only country in the world and there's examples of it outside of thia country