Promontory Point Conservancy Holds the City To Its Preservation Commitment at Promontory Point
In early February, the Conservancy learned that the City of Chicago (CDOT) had quietly issued its RFP for a $5m design planning study of Promontory Point to prequalified firms and that it would be selecting its contractor soon. Our discovery forced CDOT to release a press statement on February 22, saying that it had, indeed, clandestinely issued its RFP, selected a contractor and is negotiating a contract. On the same day, at the insistence of 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy, CDOT and the Chicago Park District (CPD) committed to "a preservation-based approach" at a local community meeting. We continue to be disturbed by the lack of transparency for a highly scrutinized project, about the sky-high price tag for this design study when the City faces a budget shortfall, and by CDOT rushing ahead and outpacing its federal partner. Read the Conservancy's February 26 press statement. Read the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's letter, dated March 7, 2024, to the Chicago Army Corps expressing its concerns about how the federally funded project at Promontory Point is being managed.
In early February, the Conservancy learned that the City of Chicago (CDOT) had quietly issued its RFP for a $5m design planning study of Promontory Point to prequalified firms and that it would be selecting its contractor soon. Our discovery forced CDOT to release a press statement on February 22, saying that it had, indeed, clandestinely issued its RFP, selected a contractor and is negotiating a contract. On the same day, at the insistence of 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy, CDOT and the Chicago Park District (CPD) committed to "a preservation-based approach" at a local community meeting. We continue to be disturbed by the lack of transparency for a highly scrutinized project, about the sky-high price tag for this design study when the City faces a budget shortfall, and by CDOT rushing ahead and outpacing its federal partner. Read the Conservancy's February 26 press statement. Read the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's letter, dated March 7, 2024, to the Chicago Army Corps expressing its concerns about how the federally funded project at Promontory Point is being managed.
Destination Point: The Legitimate Community Preservation Plan
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The community is the Point: preserving the historic limestone revetment preserves the community that has gathered at the Point for nearly a hundred years.
This coastal engineering drawing is just one of many ways that rehabilitation at the Point might work: maximize historic limestone and minimize concrete for useful, graceful ramps down to and into the water for ADA compliance
This coastal engineering drawing illustrates how repair and rehabilitation could work at Promontory Point. The step-stone, limestone revetment is repaired-in-place or with in-kind blocks. The wooden crib pilings are replaced with steel cribbing. Rehabilitation allows for minimal concrete for ramps and pathways allowing access for all to the revetment and into the water (ADA compliance)
Vanishing Point: The City's fully funded $5m design study and the Army Corps's planned 2026 construction at Promontory Point
Watch CDOT's "preferred solution" for the Point's limestone revetment (18 seconds. 2022). On its official project webpage, CDOT states: "the preferred design of the revetment is . . . concrete steps and promenade to replace the existing stones. This design maintains safe access to the shoreline while preserving its historic and aesthetic value".
The Chicago Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publicly states on its official project webpage that the "original shoreline structures . . . no longer function" and it will "replace existing infrastructure and construct new structures". The Chicago Corps describes the multiple-funded undertaking in this press release.
This is not legal, genuine preservation as the City, CPD and the Corps now say they are committed to carrying out at Promontory Point. CDOT and CPD’s public statements commit only to “repurposing", “saving and reusing as much of the existing limestone as possible”. "Replacement", “repurposing" and “reusing" are not SOI standards.
The conflict between true preservation and the Chicago Corps, CDOT and CPD's plan for demolition and replacement is succinctly presented in this video here (4:14) by Hans Friedl.
2024 Promontory Point volunteer clean-up schedule
Sundays, 10:30am - noon: Earth Day April 21, May 26 (3rd annual Int'l Point Day), June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 10. We meet at the National Register plaque, east side of the tunnel/underpass. We provide gloves, trash bags, tools and FREE Save the Point Again! t-shirts. See you at the Point!
Sundays, 10:30am - noon: Earth Day April 21, May 26 (3rd annual Int'l Point Day), June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 10. We meet at the National Register plaque, east side of the tunnel/underpass. We provide gloves, trash bags, tools and FREE Save the Point Again! t-shirts. See you at the Point!
Promontory Point: now a Chicago Landmark! The Chicago City Council voted Promontory Point a Chicago Landmark on April 19, 2023! Read the 537 letters of support from Point lovers here. Read the Chicago Landmark Designation Report here. Promontory Point was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 19, 2018.
Find out how the legitimate community preservation plan is cheaper than the City's plan by many millions of dollars
Promontory Point was twice listed on Preservation Chicago's Most Endangered Seven in 2006 and again in 2022
Historian Bill Swislow maps the 500 carvings on the limestone revetment at Promontory Point that you can walk yourself. The 6-page map is downloadable and printable as well as interactive. Read Bill's statement about these carvings and their unique history
Find out how the legitimate community preservation plan is cheaper than the City's plan by many millions of dollars
Promontory Point was twice listed on Preservation Chicago's Most Endangered Seven in 2006 and again in 2022
Historian Bill Swislow maps the 500 carvings on the limestone revetment at Promontory Point that you can walk yourself. The 6-page map is downloadable and printable as well as interactive. Read Bill's statement about these carvings and their unique history
Questions about an event or donations for a bench?
The Conservancy does NOT issue park permits for BBQs, weddings, or other events, and it does NOT take donations for memorial benches or trees at the Point. The Chicago Park District and the Chicago Parks Foundation do: Here is the information on the Park District's website about grilling in parks: Here is information on the Park District's website about whether your event will require a permit: For permit inquiries and general questions about events at the Point, contact Park Supervisor Monique Scott at +1.312.742.5369
For inquiries about a dedicated memorial bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Parks Foundation: For missing swim buoys, park damage, safety concerns, maintenance issues or other problems in the park, contact the Chicago Park District directly
For inquiries about a dedicated memorial bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Parks Foundation: For missing swim buoys, park damage, safety concerns, maintenance issues or other problems in the park, contact the Chicago Park District directly