Lakeside Center’s future is bright
As CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which owns McCormick Place, no one was more alarmed than I was when, earlier this week, a small section of non-structural decorative face brick on one of Lakeside Center’s retaining walls fell and temporarily blocked traffic on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. And no one was more grateful than I was that there were no injuries and only minor vehicle damage.
MPEA takes this incident incredibly seriously, and we are working quickly to identify the cause to ensure nothing like this happens again. The affected face brick — the rest of which has been removed out of an abundance of caution — was purely cosmetic. Therefore, it’s unfortunate that the Sun-Times editorial board is using this incident to spin abject hyperbole about the condition of Lakeside Center.
An editorial last week depicted Lakeside Center as “ragged” and “crumbl[ing] into the street like a common shack.” Let me be clear: Those characterizations could not be further from the truth. I can tell you firsthand that is a dangerous misrepresentation of Lakeside Center, which remains a vital piece of McCormick Place and an integral driver of the city and state’s economic growth.
To suggest Lakeside Center is little-used and in disrepair is simply disingenuous. Lakeside Center has more than 250 events scheduled through 2035.
In fact, during the past two months (May and June 2022), there have been only seven days when Lakeside Center was completely unused.
Like any older building, Lakeside Center has significant upcoming maintenance. However, the center and all buildings on campus have been maintained regularly and appropriately.
What is not true is any suggestion that these needs represent a risk to the future of the building or a public safety liability. Lakeside Center’s future is bright; as I have previously alluded to, we plan to solicit ideas for potential redevelopment in the coming months.
Until then, MPEA and McCormick Place will remain committed to serving as vital ambassadors for Chicago’s meeting, trade show and convention industries — and Lakeside Center will remain a crucial part of our efforts.
Larita Clark, CEO, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority