It's been a longtime in the making, but the new arena for the McCormick Place Entertainment District is officially under construction. The 10,000 seat arena designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli didn't come without controversy though. Mayor Emanuel initially proposed using $55 million in tax-increment-financing funds to help pay for the project, which many saw as a misguided use of tax payer money. DePaul University eventually rejected the TIF dollars, and the money instead went to the Marquis Hotel project next door instead.
While the arena will become home to DePaul's athletic program, the building will also host other various large scale events. The arena may one day possibly also host concerts and even church functions. DePaul is kicking in $70 million to help pay for the $173 million project. Expect to catch Blue Demons games at the new arena in the fall of 2017.
·TIF flap forgotten as mayor breaks ground on DePaul basketball arena [Sun-Times]
·Photos: Here comes the DePaul arena [Crain's]
·McCormick Place Arena Moving Forward Despite Higher Cost [Curbed Chicago]
·All previous DePaul arena coverage [Curbed Chicago]
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