City Council gives final approval to ‘1901 Project' at United Center
CHICAGO (WGN) — Alders at Wednesday's City Council meeting gave final approval on a $7 billion plan to redevelop 55 acres around the United Center with housing, retail, entertainment space and a public plaza.
The action comes one day after the council's Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards signed off on the multi-phased project, and a month after it got the OK from the Chicago Plan Commission.
'Today is a historic moment for the West Side,' Chicago Bulls president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement released after the council's action. 'This project is more than just development. It's a bold and unprecedented commitment to the future of our community.'
Phase one of the '1901 Project,' named after the United Center's postal address on West Madison Street, is expected to take two years to complete and will include the construction of a large music hall designed to seat 6,000 people.
It also includes a hotel and a public plaza for special events.
'Our commitment is to create spaces that empower all generations, fostering a thriving community that enhances the cultural and economic fabric of the West Side,' said Chicago Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz.
Construction will take place in seven phases over the course of 10-15 years, with the work financed by the two families who own the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks.
There is no government funding in the plan.
The United Center is about 30 years-old and was also not built with public money. It hosts about three million people a year.
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