Millennium Park celebrates 10th anniversary this week

Millennium Park celebrates 10th anniversary this week
Millennium Park celebrates 10th anniversary this week

Millennium Park celebrates 10th anniversary this week

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One of Chicago’s great cultural attractions turns 10 on Wednesday. Millennium Park attracts visitors from around the world and serves as the backdrop for concerts, plays and even yoga. But, former Mayor Richard Daley’s legacy in the heart of the loop wasn’t initially an easy sell to tax payers; primarily because we didn’t have the money to pay for a project of that scale. And, we still don’t. It surpassed initial budget projections, and even after private donation and bonds, taxpayers are on the hook for paying the bills. Chicago Tribune reporter Hal Dardick profiled the project-and its cost-and he breaks down the numbers. We also talk to Lee Bey about the cultural impact of the park for residents and tourists. Photo: Flickr/sashas777