Tribune

May 11, 2006

Natarus adds his clout to museum foes

By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah



Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd) came out against a proposal to move the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park, at a meeting Wednesday evening with residents opposed to the plan.

Natarus called the plan "a bad idea" throughout the evening, saying the move would exacerbate the area's traffic problems.

"It will bring in too much traffic," he said.

Natarus is a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, which ultimately would have to sign off on a building permit for the project.

The popular Children's Museum, which draws about 500,000 visitors a year, has outgrown its current Navy Pier location.

Earlier this year, museum officials presented a conceptual plan for the Grant Park site that called for a subterranean three-story museum where the Daley Bicentennial Fieldhouse now stands. On top would be an atrium at street level.

The fieldhouse would be rebuilt next door to the museum. Under the museum's plan, the fieldhouse would double in size.

About 300 people attended Wednesday's meeting, organized by residents who live in high-rises north of Grant Park.

"We feel in many ways that this is our neighborhood," said Martin Plys, 47.

Residents have complained about the museum increasing traffic along Randolph Street. They also have expressed concern about the fate of an ice skating rink in the park, which would be removed to build the museum.

But at a public meeting Monday, museum officials said they were committed to rebuilding the rink.

While the majority of the residents on Wednesday opposed the move, the plan had some supporters.

Christine Long, 74, said she's lived in the area for 11 years.

"We seriously ought to consider it rather than act out of fear-mongering," Long said.

The museum could help the community build a new fieldhouse, which it needs, she said. And with city and Park District finances tight, she said, it makes sense to consider partnerships like the one proposed by the museum.

Natarus said he was looking into other ways to fund construction of the new fieldhouse.