Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic summer games could bring many changes to the city.
The influx of visitors and international media attention has always been a good reason to clean up the city, add important infrastructure, and build hotels and housing.
Cities such as Salt Lake and Atlanta are just a couple that have benefited from a successful Olympic bid. The cities both have new freeways, public transportation and an increase in tourism as a result of hosting the Olympics.
Chicago could see the arrival of two new ports on the Lake Michigan shoreline if the city is successful in bringing the Olympics to the area.
The Chicago Park District Board approved a contract with the firm in charge of planning London’s Olympic games to develop two new ports in the area that will house a total of over 1000 slips.
EDAW Inc., based in San Francisco, will be in charge of the projects. The firm is currently working on projects for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and London. EDAW has also worked on projects for previous games in Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
The first port is planned for 31st Street. Plans call for sailing competitions to be held here during the games. A total of 830 slips will be built here.
The second port is planned for the Chicago Gateway.
The Olympic Village will also transform a neighborhood in Chicago. Lawmakers are still deciding on a site for the village, which will house athletes from all over the world.
The campus of Michael Reese Hospital is one part of Chicago that developers are studying for the potential construction of thousands of housing unit for the Olympics.
Technorati Tags: Chicago Olympic Development, New Chicago Real Estate
