(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Chicago commission decided Thursday to save a long-vacant building in the City's Motor Row District that once housed an infamous nightclub with a tragic story on South Michigan Avenue.
Twenty-one people died in one of the city's deadliest tragedies in February 2003 during a stampede at the E2 Nightclub in the South Loop.
The Chicago Landmark Commission heard heated debate Thursday from the owners, calling for the building to be demolished and the families of the victims, asking for their memories to be preserved.
The Chicago Landmark Commission voted to deny plans to demolish the building. The commission concluded the move would have a negative impact on the character of the landmark district.
Howard Ray is the brother of a victim. He said the families want to see the tragedy in Chicago's history memorialized.
“Our proposal seeks to allow sufficient time to the city, the building owners and the E2 family to collaborate on a mutually beneficial solution. Specifically, the current E2 family proposal to a community benefit agreement, a memorial and historical landmark designation,” Ray said.
The building owner’s lawyer told the commission that the legal battle is not over.
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