WCB Politics Writer
The estimated crowds gathering for the NATO summit could
affect residents and businesses in the area.
With the world watching over Chicago during NATO weekend,
some businesses are making the decision to shut their stores during those days,
for safety purposes mostly.
Although in a recent article on nbcchicago.com, Mayor Rahm
Emmanuel said the summit would show off Chicago, help grow businesses and that
there will be no reimbursements for any loses for businesses during that
weekend.
With that in mind some business are choosing to close
anyways.
Columbia College Chicago moved up its graduation date and
has chosen to close the campus from May 19 to May 22.
“I can speak to the impact of the NATO summit, both on me,
personally and on at least one local business with whom I’ve spoken and the
yacht club at which I’m the director,” said Bill Van Emburg, the treasurer of
the greater south loop association, a not-for-profit neighborhood organization,
via email.
“My yacht club is shut down for a week, and will see reduced revenue and missed opportunities for new members for two months as Burnham Harbor, 1559 S. Lake Shore Drive, is closed until May 24,” Emburg said. “It will seriously impact our revenue for the year.”
Emburg has spoken with a Michigan Avenue business owner as
well who has shown concern about whether he will be able to stay open during
the week. He is located south of Cermak, right next to McCormick Place.
“I think he [the business owner] doesn’t know [right now],
whether he will be open. And no one really knows,” said Emburg. “ [But] if they
aren’t wondering they aren’t paying attention. The rumor is there will be a two
block security zone and that will obvious affect some businesses.”
However, will issues with the NATO summit have been voiced
to some, others have heard little concern from residents and business owners.
Deb Soehlig, the past president and membership chair of the
greater south loop association, said via email, “I haven’t seen any questions
on the website nor at our meetings about NATO.”
As well, the south loop neighbors have not heard any
information about NATO security measures, according to Dennis McClendon, the vice
president of the south loop neighbors.
Also, the active transportation alliance, according to Ethan
Spotts, the marking director has “not received any input or questions about the
NATO summit.” The active transportation alliance is an organization in place to
make bicycling, walking and public transit safe and convenient, from activetrans.org.
However, according to metrarail.com, Chicago
Metra is working with the U.S. Secret Service, Chicago police, other municipal
police departments and other transit agencies to coordinate plans regarding
security during the NATO summit. Locations that will be impacted by traffic and
road closures are being identified.
Emburg said, the lack of information is a problem. And the
fact that the city of Chicago is ignoring that this will hurt businesses, like
“take the yacht club for example,” it will not get back the money it will loose
during the summit. And that is also a problem.
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