PROTEST CHICAGO'S OLYMPIC BID

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Permalink Reply by Clark on September 23, 2009 at 11:47am

All good reasons to express our displeasure. IVI-IPO (Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization) also opposes the Games.

For years IVI-IPO has provided common-sense local voter information. They were one of the first organizations to oppose the Games. They have also called on their members to join the protest at 5:30 next Tuesday.

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Permalink Reply by Martin Macias Jr on September 23, 2009 at 12:08pm

IVI-IPO rocks!! Thanks for posting it on the site!

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on September 23, 2009 at 12:40pm

i suspect that Daley is planning to use parking ticket revenues to cover the budget gap...

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Permalink Reply by PJ on September 23, 2009 at 12:57pm

I'm a fan of this site that got forwarded to me the other day: http://www.chicagoansforrio.com/

It's a site for Chicagoans to support the Olympics... to be in Rio De Janeiro instead of here.

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Permalink Reply by M.A.R.K. on September 24, 2009 at 1:14am

There is plenty of resistance to the Olympics.. Just search Chicago Indymedia.. If we can only get all these people together at the same place at the same time..

One of the sicker things that I think about as far as the Olympics is the closing of the struggling Michael Reese Hospital as the site of the Olympic village. And how the city would rather choose to purchase it to the tune of 1 Billion or so vs. invest money in the local people who depend on that hospital for their health and well being. And then flipping it as housing, most likely unaffordable when the Olympics are gone. Even if Chicago is not chosen for the Olympics, it's my understanding that the city is going to gobble the land up anyway for planned development..

On a brighter side.. Won't there be a Velodrome now on/near the lakefront if the Olympics come? I remember a topic which I may have started sometime back about it, and the friends of the park lady speaking loudly about how there is no need for a velodrome in Chicago as no one would use it.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ellison on September 24, 2009 at 7:11am

though I'm not necessarily a fan of the games possibly being in chicago, i would love having an indoor velodrome that is easy to get to and indoors. i just hope the place doesnt get too... "ironic"

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Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on September 24, 2009 at 8:48am

Michael Reese closing had nothing to do w/the Olympics, it's been in the works for years now. Out of state owner of facility has been closing it down for years.

Last I had heard, they were going to use the Kenosha velodrome, but that may have been changed.

Frankly, I think the Olympics could bring a lot of good to the city. Massive development on that scale only happens a few times a century, and the opportunity to potentially have significant infrastructure improvements, and a new housing campus in a "difficult" area, is significant, building over the railroad tracks will not happen as a commercial development, but could as part of this, stitching the near-south side to the lakefront (no private developer is going to bother with the issues involved).

Of course there's lots of chance for fraud, etc., but that's why concerned citizens need to be involved in the process rather than just pissing and moaning about it.

"Make no small plans..."

M.A.R.K. said:

One of the sicker things that I think about as far as the Olympics is the closing of the struggling Michael Reese Hospital as the site of the Olympic village. And how the city would rather choose to purchase it to the tune of 1 Billion or so vs. invest money in the local people who depend on that hospital for their health and well being.

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Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on September 24, 2009 at 9:22am

I tend to be on board with Homebuilt. Chicago's infrastructure is in shambles. If getting the Olympics means a much improved public transportation system, I'm for it.

Homebuilt said:

Michael Reese closing had nothing to do w/the Olympics, it's been in the works for years now. Out of state owner of facility has been closing it down for years.

Last I had heard, they were going to use the Kenosha velodrome, but that may have been changed.

Frankly, I think the Olympics could bring a lot of good to the city. Massive development on that scale only happens a few times a century, and the opportunity to potentially have significant infrastructure improvements, and a new housing campus in a "difficult" area, is significant, building over the railroad tracks will not happen as a commercial development, but could as part of this, stitching the near-south side to the lakefront (no private developer is going to bother with the issues involved).

Of course there's lots of chance for fraud, etc., but that's why concerned citizens need to be involved in the process rather than just pissing and moaning about it.

"Make no small plans..."

M.A.R.K. said:

One of the sicker things that I think about as far as the Olympics is the closing of the struggling Michael Reese Hospital as the site of the Olympic village. And how the city would rather choose to purchase it to the tune of 1 Billion or so vs. invest money in the local people who depend on that hospital for their health and well being.

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Permalink Reply by yellow jello on September 24, 2009 at 10:10am

A velodrome in city limits would be awesome, but I'd rather it be funded by the IOC and/or part of the various taxes I already pay now. Not an increase in taxes for future generations, which the city council committed to, when we go over budget.
[http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1761087,chicago-olympics-2016...]

I wouldn't worry too much about the velodrome becoming too ironic...since there's nothing ironic about track bikes in velodromes....

But this can only mean that full suspension 30 speed mountain bikes will be the next big thing if we get a velodrome. There's a business idea!


Brian Ellison said:

though I'm not necessarily a fan of the games possibly being in chicago, i would love having an indoor velodrome that is easy to get to and indoors. i just hope the place doesnt get too... "ironic"

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 24, 2009 at 11:57am

LOL Well played Willy.

yellow jello said:

I wouldn't worry too much about the velodrome becoming too ironic...since there's nothing ironic about track bikes in velodromes....

But this can only mean that full suspension 30 speed mountain bikes will be the next big thing if we get a velodrome. There's a business idea!


Brian Ellison said:

though I'm not necessarily a fan of the games possibly being in chicago, i would love having an indoor velodrome that is easy to get to and indoors. i just hope the place doesnt get too... "ironic"

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on September 24, 2009 at 12:27pm

Homebuilt said:

...

Last I had heard, they were going to use the Kenosha velodrome, but that may have been changed.

...BR>

Won't happen in Kenosha, at least at the Washington Park Velo. That track is not up to Olympic standards (indoor Wooden track, etc...) Kenosha has a beautiful track, but not what the IOC would want.

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on September 24, 2009 at 12:31pm

Northerly Island would be a TERRIBLE place... just driving & parking there is an expensive and frustrating nightmare already. Spectators and racers would probably stay away in droves.

Wasn't Douglas Pk. a proposed site?

h3 said:

The Velodrome proposal was for Douglas Park.
Here's the quote:
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=33413

I've thought Northerly Island would be the most appropriate place for a Velodrome.

I could be wrong but I think Michael Reese's closing happened prior to and independently of the Olympic onslaught.

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