Struggles Exacerbated On Magnificent Mile With Gap, Macy’s Leaving, But Advocates Say Reinvention Will Come – CBS2 (Chicago)

“This area generates $1.7 billion in property taxes annually,” Ald. Brian Hopkins said. “So we need to revitalize the downtown area as fast as we can to get that economic engine restarted...I’m afraid it’s going to get worse before it gets better, but eventually, we will recover.”
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nixit
3 years ago

A friendly reminder that bright and airy Oakbrook Center offers the same retail stores as Michigan Ave and State/Rush Streets but with DuPage County taxes.

GEM
3 years ago

Lived in Chicago for 37 years, the last six now in Evanston. Never going back downtown, much too dangerous. I’d say it’s like Berlin 1945, but at least in Berlin you had military police to keep order. I’ve splendid memories of all the nice attractions, so at least I have them. I now telecommute and will soon have a new job in Evanston, so bye – bye Chicago – and forever! It’s terrible what a squalid place Chicago has become – especially so since it was done *by design*… 🙁

Rick
3 years ago

Notice how the alderman only mentioned what kind of tax revenue they get, confiscate, from these businesses. No mention of the city giving an inch to help. Free parking would be a great start, I don’t mean validated parking either, hassle free, free parking. Also a massive tax holiday for the businesses. lots they can do, but they wont, they just wanna take.

Platinum Goose
3 years ago

Macy’s and the GAP are there to turn a profit, if they are leaving that’s a bad sign. Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are there for advertising. If you have to board up for a third of the year how effective is your advertising.

The True Believer
3 years ago

All the cause of pandering to the mob of blm domestic terrorists. As soon as Lori, Sophia King and the Grant park advisory council gave into blm and removed the Columbus statues and refused to jail the blm Antifa scum who injured 50 cops, I knew we were finished. Blm is a domestic terrorist organization that must be stopped by any means necessary.

anonymous
3 years ago

Know many who have not been to Chicago in years and have no plans on returning.

DixonSyder
3 years ago
Reply to  anonymous

Me!!!

NoHope4Illinois
3 years ago
Reply to  anonymous

I so do miss the $50/ hr parking fee – Not!!!

American Eagle
3 years ago

The cheerleader said the Mag Mile will eventually come back. Well, it will have to come back without me and my family. No one is safe anywhere in Chicago. Between carjackings, wilding youths and the ever present twice daily murders staying alive in Chicago is getting riskier and riskier. For me and my family the risk is too great. We are exploring local businesses and restaurants on the North Shore and like what we see. No need for the train ride into downtown., when we can just zip over to the Ruth Chis in Northbrook or one of the great… Read more »

Fed up neighbor
3 years ago
Reply to  American Eagle

Sad part about Chicago all this rip rap, thugs, bums, etc etc will eventually make there way out to the suburbs there’s no escape my friend unless you leave Illinois for possibly greener pastures. Stay safe.

American Eagle
3 years ago

I agree with your thoughts about all the wonders of Chicago coming to the burbs. I have arranged my personal affairs and valuable possessions such that I can be out of here in a couple of days, or even faster in an emergency. What we can’t get into the camping trailer will be left behind for the looters as it isn’t worth all that much relatively. We’re pretty far north and far enough away (a few miles) from the major expressways and commuter rail that we shouldn’t be their first targets. Our bug out greener pastures location is in paradise.

Fed up neighbor
3 years ago
Reply to  American Eagle

?

gg
3 years ago

Folks in Chicago keep voting for the same fools every election….
And they think change will come- Fools

NoHope4Illinois
3 years ago

The ‘Mag Mile’ is off limits to my wife and daughter – they agree.

Heyjude
3 years ago

Whenever the terms “reinvent” or “reimagine” something about our society are used, there is danger ahead. It is a clear sign that a lunatic SJW is speaking.

NoHope4Illinois
3 years ago
Reply to  Heyjude

And they ruined what worked.

mmack
3 years ago

Realistically, why would ANY retailer want to remain in Chicago? Ignore the goofball in the Governor’s office and the rest of the state. Consider: 1) You have no idea when the mayor will ease COVID-19 restrictions to allow foot traffic to your stores 2) The same mayor looks the other way when Diverse and ¡Vibrant! people loot stores and set them ablaze, so there’s no guarantee the same mobs won’t do the same damned thing again 3) Nobody from the suburbs is going to come into Downtown Chicago after last year’s riots and looting and especially with current reports of… Read more »

Governor of Alderaan
3 years ago

The Mag Mile will be reinvented as a movie set for filming the Life After People series

DixonSyder
3 years ago

No problem Micigan Ave, the Mag Mile will be ok. 3 or 4 storefront COGIC churches, a couple of Harolds Chicken Shacks, a wig shop, nail salon and for good measure a fish store. Its gonna be O.K.

NoHope4Illinois
3 years ago
Reply to  DixonSyder

You forgot CBD outlet, and weed shop.

debtsor
3 years ago
Reply to  DixonSyder

AKA State St, that Great St. in 1993. See Freddy’s comment below about a 2020’s version…

Freddy
3 years ago

These stores will be replaced by Payday loans stores-check cashing stores-pawn shops-resale shops-smoke shops.
Lots of new dollars will come to the Magnificent Mile – Dollar Tree-Dollar General-Family Dollar-Dollar Store and maybe if lucky also Dollar Shave Club.

debtsor
3 years ago
Reply to  Freddy

Yes, this. And maybe some pop up halloween or Christmas stores, maybe a young adult nightclub too to fill those large vacant space. It’s going to tough to fill this space. The people aren’t coming back. They’ve moved on. My life my has changed, I have new commuting and travel patterns. I’m not interested in returning. My guess is that 4-5 years from now Mag Mile will be 30-40% vacant and the quality of the area will be diminished. It’s too bad really. It’ll be like the 70’s-90’s. Sure there is activity but it’s a fraction of what it once… Read more »

Chase Gioberti
3 years ago

I’d be willing to bet against a comeback.

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