Chicago Park District Board Authorizes Multi-Year Agreement for the Sueños Festival, Approves More than $6 Million in Capital Investment in West and Near West Sides Parks;[...]

District gives presentation touting more than $532K financial assistance program that helps families in need

Today, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners authorized the Park District to enter into a five-year agreement with La Cultura Presenta LLC, to permit Sueños Festival in Grant Park.

Per the agreement, the District will receive a guaranteed payment of $1.5 million for a two-day festival or $2 million for a three-day festival; or $15-$19 per daily ticket depending on which is greater. Among other key elements included in the agreement dictate the event shall be held in Grant Park in Upper and Lower Hutchinson Field during the weekend preceding Memorial Day and a cap of 75,000 people per day unless mutually agreed by both parties. In addition, either party may terminate the agreement at any time for convenience by providing 90 days prior written notice. The first Sueños Festival was in held in Grant Park in 2022 and has returned to the park in subsequent years, drawing attendance of roughly 38,000 per day in its first year and growing to more than 60,000 this year proving it to be a successful addition to Chicago's festival lineup.

According to a July 2023 study commissioned by the event organizer, the inaugural festival in 2022 generated $120.9 million to Chicago's economy, including nearly $1.5 million in fees to the Chicago Park District. The second annual Sueños Music Festival in 2023 generated $181.6 million to Chicago's economy, including more than $1.9 million in fees to the Chicago Park District and $1.6 million in amusement tax revenue to the City of Chicago, and was responsible for 1,564 full-time job equivalents hired or sustained.

"The new multi-year agreement to host Sueños Festival in Grant Park is a win-win for parks and the city but also the families that rely on us to provide quality yet affordable programs, said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. "In addition to contributing to and enhancing the cultural landscape of our city, Sueños also generated substantial revenue that strengthens parks and the communities we serve."

The Board also authorized the District to enter into agreements that will bring a total of $6.1 million in capital investments to Touhy Herbert Park, 2106 W. Adams in the Near West community and Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Avenue in the East Garfield Park community.

The Park District will enter into an agreement to renovate Touhy-Herbert Park. The scope of work includes renovation of the existing softball field, installation of a new water spray feature and the restoration of existing playground equipment along with other site improvements. The project will enhance recreational opportunities for the surrounding community and the students of neighboring Chicago Bulls College Prep and Dett Elementary School. The $2.7 million contract was awarded to All-Bry Construction Company and exceeds the District compliance goals with 33.1% MBE and 5% WBE participation.

The Board also authorized a contract change order in the amount of $1.13 million for the rehabilitation of the historic Garfield Park Bandstand. The change order and associated costs are needed to address unexpected structural deficiencies in the 128-year old structure. Built in 1896, the bandstand is one of the architectural gems in Garfield Park. The tall octagonal bandstand exterior is clad in white Georgia Marble and intricate glass mosaics topped with a copper roof. The project will address restoration to the bandstand's exterior, decking and roof along with repairs and/or replacement of the exterior steps and pathways. In addition to restoring and preserving the historic structure, this investment return the bandstand to community use. The contract is awarded to M.B.B. Enterprises of Chicago, Incorporated. The total cost of the project is $3.41 million and it exceeds the District's compliance goals with 33.40% MBE and 15.54% WBE participation.

"We are so excited to move forward with these two major park investments at Touhy Herbert and Garfield Park," said Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. "Access to well-maintained park and quality amenities truly do impact the quality of life. Each of these projects is an investment in their respective communities but also in the families who live there."

Also at today's meeting, the Board approved the District's request to initiate the 45-day public notice period to rename Park No. 599, Interfaith Park. The proposed name honors Herman Schaalman, long-serving Rabbi of Emanuel Congregation, a Reform Judaism synagogue that is located near the park, and his wife Lotte. The proposed park name is supported by the Edgewater community. Construction is nearly complete on the 1.08 acre passive park, which will feature landscaping, a walking path, a drinking fountain, benches and seating areas surrounding an open lawn. The park is scheduled to open in Summer 2024. The District will gather community input on the proposed name during the 45-day public input period before returning to the Board for the official renaming. Patrons can provide input here.

The Board approved the appointment of Heather Keil as General Counsel of the Park District. As a member of the executive leadership team, she is responsible for advising the District's Board of Commissioners and the General Superintendent/CEO on a broad variety of legal and business matters. In this role, she also oversees the Law Department, Risk Management Department, Freedom of Information Act Officer, and Ethics Advisor. Keil has served as Acting General Counsel of Park District since May 2022.

The Park District delivered a presentation on the Financial Assistance Program that help eliminate financial barriers for families in need and encourage program participation for children and teens who need it most. As the largest providers of Out of School Time (OST) activities that services all communities, the Park District understands that some families cannot afford the intentionally low-priced fees for aquatics, sports, day camp, cultural and other valuable program opportunities. Through the program, the District raised more than $532,000 that supported 5,375 youth (1 in every 5) Summer Day Camp and Park Kids after-school program participants received full or partial financial assistance in 2023. The Fund also helped over 2,000 more youth access other OST programs. Additionally, the Chicago Park District provided 2,334 free programs for over 34,000 youth last year.

The Board and District honored outgoing Board President Myetie Hamilton for her leadership and years of service to the Board. Hamilton was appointed to the Board as Commissioner on September 14, 2021 and elevated to Board President on Feb 16, 2022. A resolution was read acknowledging her contributions to the Board, parks and communities across the city.

The District read into record a resolution amending the Park District's guidelines for public participation in open meetings. Changes include moving the Board meeting speaker registration period to the Friday before the Board meeting at 12:00pm and closes at 12:00pm on the Monday before the Board meeting, or until all slots are filled. This aligns with the posting of the meeting agenda which is posted on the Friday before the meeting at noon. Other amendments include updates to speaker conduct guidelines and instructions for requesting accommodations such as sign language interpretation or language translation services.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.