It looks like the infamous undeveloped lot at Wells and Harrison will be transformed into a BMX course this summer. There has been a lot of news about this property, but this twist was definitely unexpected. Anyway, should be an unusual but highly entertaining event on May 15th:
This summer, one man’s pile of dirt will become another man’s treasure. Red Bull Stomping Ground will transform an abandoned construction zone into the ultimate dirt playground in Chicago on May 15, 2010. Thousands will be able to witness a BMX dirt competition that will bring the tricks of the trails to an urban mecca, as riders from all over the world will meet in the Windy city to prove who has the best skills.
(Hat Tip: ES!)
15 comments:
dude. that's like totally rad.
Wow! Great use of that site... I hope that it will remain a place for bikers to practice trick for years to come. The biggest trick will be to avoid the thousands of doggie-landmines in that field.
Interesting claims in the comment section of that site by Winged Angel that it's not happening due to a scheduling conflict.
Not really an "abandoned construction site," there hasn't been any work on that site since the train station was demolished in the 70's.
I called Alderman Fioretti's office to find out more information about this event. They admittedly did not know much, but directed me to voice my concerns to timothy.stevens (at) cityofchicago.org.
If you have any concerns or comments about this event, I suggest you do the same.
From what I last heard from fellow dog walkers in that "park" is that they will be using the flat portion of the land at the southeast corner which has already been torn up previously (for a proposed parking lot). The concrete areas will also be used and they would set up bleachers on the west concrete areas where the grass begins. Again, that's just what I heard. Hopefully they don't tear up any grassy areas.
I live adjacent to this lot, and I hope this does not happen.
I love the dust in the promotional photo. Good thinking Red Bull...I'm sure a bunch of dust and construction equipment is really going to endear the neighborhood to your event.
I live in the building across Wells. I totally hope this happens! It'd be great to chill on my balcony with some beers and watch the action happen.
Ryne's got the right idea. Why not enjoy it? It's only one night and it ends early.
Sure we can all enjoy watching this event, but it doesn't change the fact that the city and Alderman Fioretti have done a horrible job informing the neighborhood about this event and its possible impacts. I have questions about how this event will be handled and how it will affect the permanent appearance of that vacant lot (i.e. will they be digging up more piles of dirt, is there a possibility that contaminants on this lot could be released into the neighborhood?) And I believe we have a right to know these things before this event takes place.
Sure, if/when this event occurs, I will watch it, and and I'm sure it will be enjoyable. Still, I would have liked to be informed about this from someone other than Sloopin, and I especially would like answers about this event when I seek them...and so far, neither the Alderman, nor the city, have been able to answer any of my questions.
i live in a building across from the site as well. i think it'll be fun to watch from my living room with a few of my friends. red bull will be paying for permits and i'm sure that little market will do a ton of business. it's only one afternoon and i doubt the setup is going to be all that horrible. i for one hope it happens.
we'll see.
All I know is that people are always walking their dogs there ... and I doubt they clean it up there ... would hate to be the BMX'ers who fall in some of that.
I'm doing a series of blog posts showing what the situation looks like from my condo which overlooks the "abandoned" construction site. Somebody "abandoned" a few tractors in the lot this morning at 3am.
http://www.chicagosnacks.org/?p=1021
I linked back to this blog for people who are interested in the politics of the event. I'm just shooting pictures and taking it lightly.
To be fair, the alderman received the formal special event application on Friday, April 23, and responded appropriately. The earliest informal conversation on the event concept was on April 1, and all of these concerns were expressed to the would-be event at that time.
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