CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --Bally’s Chicago is being forced to make changes to its planned hotel tower at its casino site near the Chicago River.
Bally's plans to "break ground" on its permanent casino site at the old Tribune Printing plant on West Chicago Avenue later this year.
But Bally’s Chairman told the Chicago Tribune the planned hotel tower needs to be relocated from the north end of the site, to avoid damaging city water pipes near the Chicago River.
A Bally's Chicago spokesperson released a statement to WBBM saying "an alternate plan has been submitted to the city to move the hotel tower on the site and to stay on schedule for opening the permanent casino site in 2026."
Bally's is currently operating a temporary casino site at the Medinah Temple in the River North neighborhood, which opened in September.
The glass-faced hotel tower was a key part of Bally’s proposal that helped it land Lightfoot’s nod as Chicago’s casino operator over two other experienced companies.
Under its host city agreement with Chicago, Bally’s is contractually obligated to build the tower as well as a 65,000-square foot convention center and a 3,000-seat theater, among other amenities. And it has to spend at least $1.34 billion to make it all happen.
Bally’s said it’s still “on schedule” to leave Medinah and open the permanent casino by Sept. 9, 2026, as required by state law.
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