The 78 is proposing a brand-new community on South 12th Street that reimagines a Chicago neighborhood. The casino would house Rush Street Gaming, presented by Chicago’s Related Midwest. It would be a mega-development and Rush Street Gaming is experienced in operating casinos in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and more.
The casino would become an anchoring part of the development on one end. The other end is an “innovation” educational institution called “Discovery,” a university that would include the brightest students from University of Illinois and Illinois Institute of Technology. The project would be located on 62 acres of land at Roosevelt Road and Clark Street. Related Midwest also proposes housing to include affordable housing with rentals and condos.
Its proposal is a $1.6 billion bid that includes “an Eiffel Tower for Chicago,” new local businesses in the form of eateries, specialty shops, retail shops and outdoor activity. It also includes an entertainment component, with a theater that seats 3,000.
The proposal also suggests a re-born Mister Kelly’s nightclub, a once-popular spot on Rush Street. The project promises to connect Chinatown, Pilsen, Little Italy, Bronzeville, Bridgeport, South Loop and the Loop. The Riverwalk will extend and expand from downtown to Ping Ton Park, with a 300-room boutique hotel.
Related Midwest projects $174.2 million in tax revenue for the city. The 78 new neighborhood development will proceed with or without the casino. An 11-year-old young man made an interesting observation at the public hearings, saying, “We don’t need a casino to have a nice community.” Representatives projected the development will bring 7,000 construction and permanent jobs, but they didn’t give a breakdown of how many of those jobs will be designated for minorities.