Posted 5 years ago in Trending
2 MIN READ - Protests turned violent and millions of dollars in damage was done to at least 45 properties in the Loop over Friday and Saturday, resulting in restricted access to the Central Business District as imposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Days ago, the Loop was preparing for cautiously reopening in phase three of Mayor Lightfoot’s Protecting Chicago framework. Now, Chicago Loop Alliance is focused on clean-up and supporting businesses.
“It is a difficult time for so many reasons,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “We understand the frustration behind this weekend’s protests and the complicated nature of these types of events. The business community is dealing with the vandalism of at least 45 businesses in the Loop, in addition to existing challenges due to coronavirus. Our Security Patrols and Chicago Loop Ambassadors will continue being present on the street, as they were all weekend. We were heartened to hear from residents and workers who were eager to help with clean-up, and CLA staff coordinated with them on Sunday to do just that. We have been in communication with the mayor’s office and aldermen through all this, and we will continue to work together to strategize solutions for this situation.”
Businesses on State Street and Wabash in the Loop that suffered damage and, in some cases, loss of merchandise include:
State Street:
7-Eleven
AKIRA
Bank of America
Dunkin’ Donuts
Fifth Third Bank
Foot Locker / House of Hoops
Journeys
Potbelly
Starbucks
State and Lake Chicago Tavern
TJ Maxx
theWit
Vans
Walgreens
Zumiez
Wabash:
2Twenty2 Tavern
418 South Wabash
7-Eleven
America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses
Ann Taylor
BeeZzee Fresh Food
Central Camera
Chase Bank
Chicago Jewelry Mall
Chicago’s Finest Beef and Brew
Corner Bakery
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub
Fiancee Jewelry
Flax Art & Frame
McDonald’s
Miller’s Pub
Poke Poké
Wedding Brands & Co.
Windy City Diamonds
The public way, which Chicago Loop Alliance manages on State Street, was also damaged, including planters and the Lightscape art installation, as well as The Gateway.
The City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department cleaned up the Loop Saturday night into Sunday morning. The city’s Building Department boarded up damaged windows, and Chicago Loop Alliance encouraged businesses to board up windows on their own that were not yet damaged, as a precaution.
Chicago Loop Alliance is in contact with the Mayor’s Office and the business community to strategize how to move forward, including with reopening that was scheduled to occur on Wednesday. At this time, no concrete reopening plans have been set, and safety is the top priority.
CLA monitors pedestrian activity on State Street with counters by the U.K.-based company Springboard. Saturday’s pedestrian activity was up 165% week over week, but still down 34% year over year.
