Navy Pier Short on Funds for Centennial Overhaul

Though significant parts of an ambitious $278 million project to overhaul Chicago’s Navy Pier in time for its 100th anniversary have been completed, $115 million in taxpayer funding hasn’t stretched as far as anticipated. Specifically, $10 million originally earmarked to upgrade the family pavilion and the upper level of the Chicago Children’s Museum has been cut.

Cost overruns occurred on the $43 million south walkway, $33 million food court area, and $19 million entrance park. Completing the pier’s Centennial Vision will mean raising funds from donors.

Added to this issue, some subcontractors have alleged that the pier and Madison Evans Construction, the general contractor for the south walkway project, owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in combined bills.