Bally's future Chicago casino might look a little taller, now that workers have put the final beam in place at the top of the tower that city leaders say will transform the River West neighborhood.
City and community leaders watched along with laborers as a crane hoisted the bright red girder into position Thursday afternoon atop the hotel tower at the complex site, 800 N. Halsted St. The steel beam bore the signatures of hundreds of people, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and other dignitaries.
"We did it together," Bally's chairman Soo Kim told the crowd, noting the progress on the building that Chicagoans have been watching go up along the North Branch of the Chicago River. "We know what this means. We're excited to help shape the next chapter of this great city."
Mayor Johnson said that tax revenue from restaurants and hotel rooms on the complex will help bring more than $100 million in new money into the city's budget, while a percentage of the take from the gaming rooms will help shore up pensions for first responders.
"We're not only building a project, but we're building careers," the mayor said. "And the construction opportunities that the City of Chicago is providing are establishing strong communities.
More than 1,000 construction workers have been involved in the project, and the casino's expected to generate hundreds more permanent jobs when it's open early next year.
And the mayor - who doesn't gamble - says he's asked for one addition to the gaming floor.
"There has to be an UNO table. You promised me!" exclaimed the mayor to laughs from the audience. There's no word on whether or when Bally's might fulfill the mayor's request.
Chairman says complex set to open 'early next year'
Chairman says complex set to open 'early next year'
