Chicago Music Venue Operators Still Concerned About Lincoln Yards Project

The proposed Lincoln Yards project in Chicago still has local music venue operators on edge, reports Greg Kot. While the original plan to allow a soccer stadium and entertainment district has been scrapped, critics say that the city is not releasing details about what will happen with the development.

They say venues housing up to 10,000 seats could still come in and displace local clubs, and a large corporation such as AEG or Live Nation would control them. "In interviews with a dozen club owners and members of the music community across Chicago, all felt blind-sided by the project, which came into view less than a year ago," says Kot.

Additionally, the city’s willingness to fund the project through tax increment financing has left club owners feeling that they are not part of the planning process. They are working with CIVL, a consortium of independent performance venues, to stop the project from moving forward until the new city administration comes on board in May, after next month’s mayoral election.