The James R. Thompson Center, opened in 1985, is looking at a future of not being around, if Governor Bruce Rauner has his way. He wants a public auction to sell the property for cash by the close of 2016.
At 17 stories, the 980,000 s.f. open-air atrium has been criticized for excess noise and granite slabs that have fallen out.
The Trib reports some compelling financial incentives to move on from this 30-year-old building: Governor Rauner stated that the current building has $100 million in deferred maintenance costs--while a new structure could bring in about $20 million annually to the city and public schools. And approximately 2,200 government workers would be relocated to other properties in the city or Springfield, further sparing $6-12 million from taxpayers per year.
Would you miss the current structure? If not, what would you like to see in its place?
·1040 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611 [Chicago Tribune]
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