Plans to develop Chicago’s first casino have hit a snag because the planned 35-story hotel could damage mains water pipes. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Plans to develop Chicago’s first-ever casino have hit a snag. Bally’s Corporation has to go back to the drawing board as it turns out a 35-storey hotel tower could cause damage to water pipes on the site. The Rhode Island-based casino company must now decide on an alternative area for the tower and get approval from city officials.
Bally’s has received the green light for its plans at the end of 2022, with the first phase consisting of a 100-room hotel. The glass-faced tower was part of a second phase that would create another 400 rooms.
Risks of damaging main water pipes near the river
Bali was the first to point out the danger of damaging the main water pipes near the river. City officials agreed after further inspection.
Work has not yet begun on the site and Bally’s hopes to begin construction sometime this summer. It opened a temporary casino in the Medina Temple while work was ongoing, but initial numbers from this temporary facility fell well short of expectations. In the few months it has been open, the city has benefited just $3.1 million.
Bally’s is confident that despite the piping issue, the timeline remains the same and the permanent casino will be ready to open by September 2026.
