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Thompson Center zoning change to be introduced today

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Illinois

* The Tribune’s Ryan Ori with the scoop…

A downtown alderman is proposing a zoning change that could clear the way for the James R. Thompson Center to be replaced by one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers.

Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, wants to allow more than 2 million square feet of space on the sprawling state-owned site, at 100 W. Randolph St., that is up for sale. The proposed ordinance is expected to be introduced Wednesday to the City Council’s zoning committee, and it could be up for a vote by the committee — and eventually the full City Council — as soon as April, he told the Tribune Tuesday. […]

Pritzker sought the change because “the state is moving forward in earnest to market the property for a future sale,” Reilly said.

“Restoring the underlying zoning will allow it to reach true market value,” Reilly added. “Now everyone will have clarity on what is within the art of the possible for this site.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 3:22 am

Comments

I thought it was going to be a water park?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 8:05 am
Good for the city to go big on that prime real estate. Unfortunately, it’s not clear that there will be much of a market for downtown office space anytime soon.

Comment by Bored Chairman Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 8:35 am
=I thought it was going to be a water park?=

Or the Running Scared Movie Museum. With Panda Express as the official concessionaire, with a sign saying “Blago Ate Here.”

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 8:45 am
Blago was never at JRTC. Ask the FBI.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 8:53 am
I hope it gets the aquatic-based entertainment zone zoning it needs.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 8:54 am
It’s possible JB will deprive future governors of perpetually imminent revenue for the state and predevelopment for the site. It would bring an end to a proud Illinois tradition of talking about, not not actually doing anything with the Thompson Center site. I suppose there’s always promised savings from agency consolidation, that’s an oldie but goodie.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:13 am
I am a minimal stakeholder in the Thompson Center and absolutely recognize all of the good reasons to see it go, but I am still sad to see it go.

I liked when the state and governments in general purposefully built monolithic public infrastructure and made bold design choices and the Thompson Center is certainly one of those. I usually keep that opinion to myself these days because there’s a certain group of people who are fixated on a specific style of monolithic public buildings that evoke an attachment to certain “familiar” early 20th century European design choices.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:29 am
Has anyone considered knocking it down and just leaving a vacant lot to be filled with empty promises, failed visions, political shortcomings and unreached potential?

It’s worked out really well for the Y-block in Springfield.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:29 am
I rise to commend the gentleman from the 42nd Ward on this important and much needed legislation for the City of Chicago.

And after it passes, space laser nuke the JRTC from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.

Comment by ChicagoBars Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:29 am
Of all the topics that are discussed here, the JRTC must have the lowest amount of actual impact on our lives or the state finances compared to the amount of words spend discussing it.

Anything that happens on that site won’t be operational for at least a decade, and the property sale will be a one time drop in the bucket for state finances (unless something crazy happens like the state decides to compete with Las Vegas and build like 5 Chicago mega-resort casinos and completely transform the city).

Comment by Homebody Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:30 am
Good thing they waged battle against Rauner and prevented this from happening a few years ago when the Loop real estate market was at record high prices. Instead they wouldn’t do it until J.B. is in and the real estate market is as uncertain as ever because of a pandemic.

But hey way to stick it to Rauner. Awesome job.

Comment by Referred Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:47 am
===Good thing they waged battle against Rauner and prevented this from happening a few years ago===

Rauner, as usual, couldn’t close a deal. Read the story.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:48 am
Odd too, as Rauner was such a unifier.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:56 am
“Odd too, as Rauner was such a unifier.” I think we can agree that a pineapple watch is right twice a day.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 10:00 am
ChicagoBars: “Space laser nuke it from orbit–it’s the only way to be sure”

Nope, I think either the Wave Motion Gun or a Nova Bomb would ensure the complete obliteration of the JRTC.

Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 10:16 am
=== I think either the Wave Motion Gun or a Nova Bomb ===

Sorry. Too late. Space Laser Nuke, Inc. has already won a no-bid contract.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 10:18 am
===Rauner, as usual, couldn’t close a deal. Read the story. ===

When the guy just keeps lying about his grandparents even after being — publicly — corrected at some point a person just needs to accept the fact that Bruce Rauner’s approach to business is bluffs, lies, smoke screens, and making decisions about what to do with other people’s money.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 10:27 am
Truth be told - I will miss that old money pit…
Onward and upward I guess.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 10:50 am
Convert it into a homeless shelter.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 10:51 am
Nothing is more symbolic of State Government than the Thompson Center.
- One of the newest State buildings, built in 1982, now in need of demolition.
- It is named after the most corrupt governor in the State’s history, who is loved and lauded for the bipartisan way in which he gave away money to politically connected people, both R and D’s.
- The State went against architect and engineering recommendations on the glass facade, and chose the cheapest glass. This lead the State to pay a fortune in utility costs, and made many offices unusable because of the UV rays and in the winter, poor insulation and low
temperatures.

Comment by Merica Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:07 am
=== It is named after the most corrupt governor in the State’s history===

Take a breath, Rod went to prison, GHR, while corruption happened at SoS… your hyperbole is ill-found.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:10 am
Merica is correct in that a lot of corners were cut in construction. Even more than the glass was left out and screwed up.
But calling somebody the most corrupt governor of Illinois. Is like trying to name the greatest Yankee of all time.

Comment by Drake Mallard Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:19 am
== Unfortunately, it’s not clear that there will be much of a market for downtown office space anytime soon.==

Was just thinking it’s too bad this process didn’t take place 2 years ago when there was more of a market.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:20 am
Used to love riding the elevators up and down and looking out the glass back of the car. Back when a kid could do that. Seems like ancient history now.

Comment by back in the day Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:27 am
The thing I always hated about the Thompson center was the bad use of space. That atrium going all the way to the top; is so much space that was underutilized. I also did not like that the SOS offices comingled with the Food Court.

Comment by Victor Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:40 am
I realize this site is probably not optimal but what is going on with a site for the Chicago Casino? It is like a dark hole.

Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 11:56 am
OW - all you have to do is peruse through the SJR articles at the time, so many articles about hiring practices and the same vendors getting all the contracts.

What is so interesting are the articles immediately after his governorship. there was an immediate fiscal crisis. The state has been in a fiscal crisis ever since. Part of this is pensions, but a lot of this has to do with Thompson hiring too many people, too many construction projects, and too many grants.

He was the longest serving governor in the State’s history, yet of the countless construction, very little of it has lasted. just a few decades later and you see what’s falling apart: The JRTC, parking garage at stratton, parking garage at ICE, every prison. Jim Thompson was the governor of faulty asphalt and concrete, all purchased from his friends

Comment by Merica Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 12:11 pm
=== all you have to do is peruse through the SJR articles at the time, so many articles about hiring practices and the same vendors getting all the contracts.

What is so interesting are the articles immediately after his governorship. there was an immediate fiscal crisis. The state has been in a fiscal crisis ever since. Part of this is pensions, but a lot of this has to do with Thompson hiring too many people, too many construction projects, and too many grants.===

Narrator: Thompson was never indicted or convicted of any crime.

You didn’t like how he governed, you didn’t like “this” or “that”… friend, what does that make Rod, GHR, Walker… “super corrupt”… I mean, geez… this idea that “corrupt gets thrown around at anyone and everyone in public service…

Like this, LOL

===Jim Thompson was the governor of faulty asphalt and concrete, all purchased from his friends===

The argument of corrupt is poorly chosen or poured concrete?

This is like something I’d read in “The Onion”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 12:18 pm
I agree with Candy, though I have never liked the color scheme.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 12:22 pm
To the post,

I’m on the “laser from space, full demolition, ‘just to make sure’, unless a full tilt, 1,000%, alcohol licensed water park” can be in place and operated.

Those are the two choices.

It was a heck of a building for about 39 minutes… then it wasn’t.

My hope is the L stop aspects of the block are not only salvaged but enhanced.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 12:24 pm
=yet of the countless construction, very little of it has lasted. just a few decades later and you see what’s falling apart: The JRTC, parking garage at stratton, parking garage at ICE, every prison.=

Every time I go past the ICE and I how I look at the building as an embarassment, I sometimes ask myself, “Were the State architects watching too much Dallas at the time and start thinking, ‘Let’s bring a little Dallas to Springfield and Chicago.’”

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:07 pm
== yet of the countless construction, very little of it has lasted. just a few decades later and you see what’s falling apart==

Another building that dates from near the end of the Thompson administration is the Capitol Complex visitor center. Is it just me or does the exterior of the building remind you of a glorified interstate rest area building and not much of a “visitor center.”

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:09 pm
It is true that Jim Thompson was never indicted or convicted of anything. It is also true that protégés of his became U.S. Attorney in Chicago.

It’s very hard to determine who was the most corrupt governor of Illinois. The argument is akin to whether LeBron, Michael, or Bill Russell is the GOAT — there may not be one correct answer. But can’t we all agree that Jim Thompson was one of the greatest, uh, favor-bankers of all time? And also that the JRTC is a worthy monument to Gov. Thompson?

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:32 pm
==It’s very hard to determine who was the most corrupt governor of Illinois.==
Now that would make a great question of the Day..

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:35 pm
===It’s very hard to determine who was the most corrupt governor of Illinois.===

The pool to chose from is those indicted and convicted. That’s it.

This premise that any who weren’t indicted and convicted are more corrupt than the “handful” that have been, including one governor impeached and removed… it’s disingenuous to the facts.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:38 pm
== Jim Thompson was one of the greatest, uh, favor-bankers of all time? ==

One huge difference. Big Jim did the deals out in the public eye, not hidden away in a smokey back room. One of my favorite Big Jim lines was his response to a newspaper reporter about some deal: If you don’t like it, print it (implied banned punctuation).

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 3:09 pm
There certainly is some irony to the fact that the JRTC is on it’s way out while the Bilandic Building is still around. Call it they just don’t build them like they used to or you get what you pay for. If done properly the JRTC could have been still going strong, but it is time to unload it.

Comment by MyTwoCents Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 4:57 pm
We can only hope that the redevelopment of this block is as wildly successful as Block 37 has been.

Regarding the SOS office in the basement, my experiences there have honestly been the most efficient and enjoyable DMV interactions in my life.

Comment by drew Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 9:00 pm