Long-discussed plans for a casino in Chicago are finally inching towards reality, as officials in Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration weigh five different proposals submitted for review.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the five applications were submitted by three different casino operators and their partners.
Landmark Development
Hard Rock International hopes to incorporate a casino into One Central, the as-yet unbuilt (and unfunded) 35-acre mixed-use complex that would cover a train yard to the west of Soldier Field.
Rendering of the Bally's proposal for the McCormick Place Truck Marshaling YardBally's Corporation
Bally's Corporation has submitted two largely identical $1.6-billion proposals that would locate the casino at 1) the 30-acre Freedom Center site at 777 W. Chicago Avenue or at the 28-acre McCormick Place Truck Marshaling Yard. Bally's has an option to purchase the Freedom Center property, while the McCormick Place alternative would be built under a long term ground lease.
Rush Street McCormick Place Lakeside Center projectRush Street Gaming
Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming has also entered the fray with two proposals of its own. The first, in partnership with Farpoint Development, calls for redeveloping McCormick Place's Lakeside Center, a seldom-used wing of the convention center. As with the Bally's project, this alternative would require a long-term ground lease with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, but unlike that proposal, it would include the adaptive reuse of the existing structure.
Rush Street has also partnered with Related Midwest on a separate submission, which would be incorporated into The 78 - a 62-acre development in the South Loop that was once offered to Amazon during its national HQ2 competition.
