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Chicago's historic Navy Pier, located on Lake Michigan just east of downtown, is one of the premier entertainment and meeting centers serving more than 8 million visitors annually. After over a decade since its redesign, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) is undertaking a Master Plan for Navy Pier to ensure the venue maintains its stature as the primary tourist attraction in the
state of Illinois.
R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. (RMCA) served as the primary local
representative of the Master Plan Team, which also consists of the
project lead, architectural firm Toronto based-Forrec Ltd. (Toronto, CA),
Atlanta based-Heery International and Autumn Construction Services. |
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RMCA provided Real Estate Development consulting services
in the following areas: |
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Zoning Analysis / Public Approvals |
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Design Concept Feasibility (Retail, Marina, Hotel) |
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Traffic / Parking Management |
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Cost Analysis |
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The Master Planning process is taking into consideration several factors: 1) Navy Pier is the number one tourist attraction in Illinois serving an extremely diverse customer base, from foreign and domestic tourists to regional and local residents; 2) Two of the Piers' main buildings, the Headland Building and Terminal Building, are listed as national historic landmarks; 3) Attendance is heavily skewed to warm weather months between Memorial Day and Labor Day; and 4) Future improvements to the Pier are heavily constrained by the current zoning ordinance.
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RMCA reviewed documentation, applicable Planned Development Ordinance, and Intergovernmental Agency Agreements to define existing development constraints and opportunities. RMCA provided feasibility assessments for proposed uses from a local perspective, including retail, food and beverage, and entertainment uses, including the option of including hotel facilities and marina.
RMCA coordinated with Forrec and the MPEA's traffic consultant to assess options to improve the safety and efficacy of the vehicular and pedestrian circulation arriving at the Pier. RMCA investigated floating parking facilities and underground parking structure as feasible options to address a shortfall of on-site parking capacity.
RMCA assisted Forrec to develop order of magnitude cost estimates for the proposed improvements. |
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