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* Background is here if you need it. From the Sun-Times…
How about turning the James R. Thompson Center into a waterpark resort, complete with thrilling waterfalls? Or adding a conical spire to showcase 3D LED images? Maybe its glass skin could be tinted, with occupants controlling it for their comfort.
Those were among the proposals chosen as finalists in a competition for ideas to reuse the longtime hub for state government at 100 W. Randolph St. The distinctive product of the late architect Helmut Jahn and regarded by many as landmark-worthy is an asset the state wants to sell, raising the specter of its demolition.
Seven proposals for saving the 17-story building were named finalists Tuesday in a competition sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center and the Chicago Architectural Club. A jury of leading experts in design and preservation chose the finalists from 59 entries. A winner will be announced Sept. 14.
Scott Kennedy’s tongue-in-cheek idea to convert the building into a water park was submitted as a proposal by David Rader, Jerry Johnson, Ryan Monteleagre and Matt Zelensek of Perkins & Will. And it’s now a finalist for the prize.
* I asked Kennedy for comment today…
I actually love that this has taken on an energy of its own. It’s outgrown me and that’s great.
…Adding… Here’s the thread that started it all…
Friends, we've finally solved the Thompson Center (JRTC) crisis. THREAD:
— Scott Kennedy (@ScottTKennedy) January 19, 2019
* The Question: If by some miracle this becomes reality, what should the new water park be named?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:17 pm
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Previous Post: Pritzker to Jacobson: “You come in here with a political agenda and you spread misinformation”
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Comment by 2Long Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:21 pm
– what should be the new water park be named –
Down the drain.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:21 pm
The Kennedy Center.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:22 pm
The Kennedy Castle
Comment by Red Line Rambler Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:25 pm
Big Jim’s Ragin’ River.
James R. SplashZone Center.
OSHA Violation Today, Sbarro Tomorrow.
The Memorial James R. Thompson/Scott “Malort Hound” Kennedy Downtown Waterpark. (People will say it’s a mouthful, but they’ll gladly drive the length of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Drive to get there).
Comment by new kid on the block Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:26 pm
Old Chicago II.
https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2017/01/old-chicago-amusement-park-bolingbrook.html
Comment by Big Jer Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:30 pm
Big Jim’s Slip and Slide
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:30 pm
Lake LaSalle Resort
Comment by DEE Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:32 pm
Hall of Mold.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:32 pm
Slippery Slope
Comment by Suburbanon Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:34 pm
The Taxpayer Toilet Bowl.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:36 pm
The long flush
Comment by very old soil Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:37 pm
Clout River Park
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:37 pm
Riverview Redux: Return of the Risk (sponsored by the Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association…for no particular reason).
Comment by new kid on the block Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:37 pm
It’s only appropriate that we continue to think of Big Jim so the new name should be the “Thompson Water Park.” To honor the architect of this brilliant plan, the tallest slide should be the “Kennedy Big Drop Slide.” Either that or “Kennedy Falls.”
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:37 pm
Big swim at the Big Jim
Comment by notsosure Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:39 pm
I’d like to make it one of those flume rides where you sit inside a fake log and call it the logroll.
Comment by Bond Guy Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:41 pm
Big Jim’s Water Gym.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:45 pm
Big Jim’s Whee
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:50 pm
James Thompson Expressway
Comment by MZ Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:54 pm
I never understood why a building has to pay tribute to just one individual (Soldier Field not withstanding). Jim Thompson is a legend but why not recognize all politicians past and present. I think calling it “The Clouted Toilet” would be appropriate.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:56 pm
Did the crew who proposed the Water Wonder stop at one of the dispensaries beforehand? Asking for a friend.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:57 pm
The Kennedy Center, brought to you by Malört
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 3:58 pm
The Kennedy Center, featuring the Thompson Water Slide… and the Lincoln Lazy River…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:00 pm
How has no one suggested Bubbly Creek yet?
Comment by Scott_CCAO Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:01 pm
St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:02 pm
What I want to know is - will they make you wear a helmut?
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:02 pm
The Giant Panda Express.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:04 pm
Madigan Springs; because he caused the water to flow for so many years. I can’t imagine anything less. Who has put more time into this over the last 45 years? Successfully at this level? I can imagine the stress has taken years off his life.
Comment by Al Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:05 pm
Excel Park with the McClain super slide.
Comment by Mr K Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:06 pm
^^ Excelon, I mean. Excelon Park.
Comment by Mr K Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:07 pm
=== I can imagine the stress has taken years off his life.===
Narrator: Mike Madigan is 79 years old
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:07 pm
Jake and Elwood’s Water Experience
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:11 pm
The Rauner Death Spiral (adding to the portfolio of other buildings bearing his name)
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:11 pm
The Great Chicago Flood.
Comment by Tear One Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:14 pm
Joan P — Will they make you wear a helmut
Priceless. Best comment ever.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:17 pm
Money Pit Waterpark
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:19 pm
Flushing Cashflows
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:24 pm
State Employee-Laborers-Judges-General Assembly-Policemen-Firemen-Teachers-State University-Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Waterpark of Illinois at Chicago
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:33 pm
The truth is this: the Thompson Center was named after the former governor as a dig at him. No one liked the design. The building has been a disaster since it opened. Credit Pate Philip for promoting naming that lemon after the former governor. Pate was still upset at Thompson promoting the legalization of public employee unions.
Comment by Old Lobster Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:36 pm
“Jim’s Last Resort” or “The Illinois Down the Tubes Center”
And assuming the water slide is built as shown in the architect’s rendering, it should have an appropriately scary name. Like “Da Frickin’ Golden Thing” or maybe “The Downfall” to make the gubernatorial reference even more obvious.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:44 pm
Squeezy: The snake by the lake.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:45 pm
Scott’s Aquatic Center and Tavern
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:48 pm
Irish Spring
Comment by CG Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 4:51 pm
Big Jim’s Belly Flop.
Comment by Bob Meter Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 5:00 pm
Scott’s Slides and Suds
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 5:03 pm
===Pate was still upset at Thompson promoting the legalization of public employee unions.===
Big Jim’s Pate Park
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 5:08 pm
“The Clout Spout Water Slide Park” (because you know nothing will get done on the site without a considerable amount of greasing of palms; as the late Mike Royko said “Where’s Mine?” FBI just went to Greenbacks Alert as a precautionary measure, even though we all know there’s no corruption in Chicago or Illinois. (Signed, convicted Governors, reps, aldermen, cops, judges, etc.).
Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 5:08 pm
I think Scott should be allowed to auction off the naming rights, perhaps annually.
Comment by Pyrman Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 5:40 pm
#TheInsanitiesGeneration Waterpark
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 5:50 pm
“I’ve got this water park and it’s [expletive] golden.”
Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 6:55 pm
How about the Hodge, Powell, Walker, Ryan, Blagojevich water park?
Comment by one of the 35 Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 6:56 pm
==Blagojevich water park?==
“Come and see the same tunnels Blago used to escape from reporters.”
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:29 pm
==Scott’s Aquatic Center and Tavern==
==Scott’s Slides and Suds==
Are these both in honor of Scott Fawell?
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:31 pm
Scott Kennedy
Illinoisan, Hero, Visionary
A suitable, and a right and just, honor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:34 pm
Big Jim’s Giant Water Slide
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:36 pm
Chicago’s Giant Wild Wet Park
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:39 pm
The Metro Water Recreation District
Comment by Biker Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:43 pm
The Honorable Terry L Bruce Cook One Hundred Two County Eastern District Somewhat North But Not All That North In Context I Mean it is Not Exactly Kenosha Individual and Joint Unit Water Fun Excellence Area Facility.
Comment by Crash Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 7:51 pm
Sorry Scott, but Illinois generally and Cook County in particular have a long history of naming things after utterly irrelevant people. So Former Congressman Bruce gets the nod here.
However, based on your idea, it is possible that Chicago may name something of minor importance for you:
“The Honorable Scott Kennedy Fullerton Ashland Intersection.”
That’s the we have done and will continue to do things here.
Comment by Crash Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 9:45 pm
Ronnies Ache House
Comment by Teddy Salad Wednesday, Aug 25, 21 @ 10:40 pm
Blago’s career trajectory.
Comment by 17% Solution Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 7:05 am
Lazy River
Comment by rather b. fishing Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:48 am