Chicago's Navy Pier, the city's No.1 tourist destination, kicked off $115 million in renovations this week, beginning with an initiative to add greenery to portions of the the historic parcel. Crews also will convert the pier's South Arcade, currently an interior walkway, into a “Chicago-themed food experience” and add a lighted water fountain and skating rink to an existing outdoor park.
Work will be phased over a 20-month period in order to keep the pier operational throughout construction, with Madison Construction Co., Orland Park, Ill., and Evans Construction/Consulting, Chicago, serving as the project's joint-venture construction managers.