The Chicago Children’s Museum is now one step away from final approval for its controversial move to Grant Park. The city council zoning committee Thursday signed-off on the plan after a lengthy hearing.
The museum says it’s outgrown its current space on Navy Pier, and says Grant Park is a more accessible location for visitors. Opponents say the new design violates longstanding laws and court orders protecting open space, and say the museum will bring extra noise and traffic to the neighborhood.
These points were made repeatedly during the public testimony portion of the 6-plus hour hearing. Some aldermen started to get testy.
ALDERMEN: We’re starting to repeat the same thing over and over...We’re sincerely beating the heck out of this thing...You’re making me sick to my stomach...This is the third hearing that we’ve had on this issue...Now we’re getting silly.
In the end, the zoning request passed 6 to 3. The full city council gets a chance to weigh-in next week.
Mayor Richard Daley has lobbied in favor of the museum’s new location, while the local alderman - Brendan Reilly - is strongly opposed to the move.