Navy Pier - Chicago Illinois Magnet

From 1965–1989, Navy Pier was considered an underutilized eyesore. No government agency in or around Chicago wanted to invest money in it. Many advocates, inspired by the Plan of Chicago and the pier's successful use as a public gathering place in the 1920s, called for its reconstruction. In 1976, Navy Pier began its third life as an area for public exhibits, when the East Buildings (furthest into Lake Michigan) were opened as exhibition halls. Special events including music and arts festivals (ChicagoFest was one) began to draw crowds to the pier despite its aging infrastructure. From 1979 to 1987, a submarine, the USS Silversides, was docked at Navy Pier. In 1989, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority took control over the pier. Major renovation and construction followed in the 1990s at a cost of US $200 million. As rebuilt in the 1990s, the pier's layout included fast-food kiosks, shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, and convention exhibition halls. Statistics above provided for informational purposes only, no copyright infringement intended. This information was provided by http://en.wikipedia.org This photograph is copyright protected and may not be used without permission from this store.