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If you think that Great America is too expensive then maybe you should just wait around a while. Yesterday developers broke ground on a project that the Rosemont village mayor has dubbed "Disneyland North." Just what Chicago needs!
The development, to be called Rosemont Walk, will be comprised of 60 acres of hotels, restaurants, a movie multi-plex, office space and a big convention/conference center. Phase one of Rosemont Walk also calls for a $110 million waterpark resort. And a $128 million luxary hotel and 22-screen movie theater. Future phases include more offices, more hotels, more restaurants, a bowling alley, and an outdoor ice rink. You know what we think the artist drawings of the development look like? Not Disneyland. More like Reston, VA. Reston Town Center, hello? If you've been there, you known what we mean.
Developers seem to be hanging their hat on the "It's closer than Wisconsin" rationale, but is that enough? We suppose people will be able to drive or take the El out there... but will they? One developer says that people attending a convention in downtown Chicago can stay in the city for a few days then go out to Rosemont for a few, but that seems unlikely to us to happen. It seems their customer base would be families in and around Chicago. Right? Or business travelers stuck staying out there by O'Hare?
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All the freaky people make the beauty of the world
Closer to home, I was thinking it looks alot like Streets of Woodfield.
Bowling alley? I'm so there.
Although a Chicagoist at heart, I live in DC and just moved to a condo at the Reston Town Center. I love being able to walk to shops, restaurants, and the outdoor concerts at the pavilion. I think it's a great idea for Rosemont!
Last time I visited Disneyland they had something called "rides". In fact, if I remember, they were, you know, the main reason we went.
Apparently, anyplace that has SIDEWALKS is like a themepark to this guy. I mean WHY ELSE would people WALK anyplace right?
This does seem more like Streets of Woodfield or what you'd get if Navy Pier was dropped off in the middle of the 'burbs...
Speaking of Navy Pier, wouldn't this be better than what the mare was thinking about? I'm just sayin"...
great, bring soul-less America to Chicago. This country is slowly dying from its conformity. If it will truly be like Reston Town Center, then I hope everyone boycotts it. There is nothing more anachronistic to Chicago than the manufactured 'entertainment' of the suburbs/strip malls.
Hey Chris - have you ever been to Rosemont? It is not exactly Chicago...
"Soul-less America" has been in Rosemont for a really long-time. Anything is an improvement over what they have now - a convention center, theatre and hotels all scattered about with nothing in between.
No one goes to Rosemont on purpose, especially anyone from the city. I wouldn't call it Disneyland North since, as karczek pointed out, Disneyland has rides, not just parking garages. This concept drawing actually looks exactly like the SouthSide Works in Pittsburgh. and I mean EXACTLY.
Have they not seen the desolation that is the surrounding area of Disneyland? A tumbleweed could go for miles on end without hitting a human being during the 'off season' and that's with a huge convention complex right across the street from Disneyland...with rides!
Quote:Although a Chicagoist at heart, I live in DC and just moved to a condo at the Reston Town Center. I love being able to walk to shops, restaurants, and the outdoor concerts at the pavilion. I think it's a great idea for Rosemont!
Read the blurb again - nothing about residential. Now a days, only a fool would build this sort of "lifestyle center" (in developer-speak) without a residential component. Reston is a good example, as is the Glenview Air Station redevelopment. Having residential integrated into the development isn't just good business, it brings 'life' into the development.
But here's the rub - Rosemont has a population of just over 4,000. Yeah, that's all. Think about all the property tax that they collect from the hotels, theaters and convention business. If I'm not mistaken, the residents not only don't pay property tax, they get a 'home improvement grant' or something each year from the municipality. That's why Stephens is basically "emperor for life" of Rosemont. That's why there won't be any residential as part of the development - new folks may not toe the line. And that's why this will suck.
follow. the. money.....
Are they still going to charge ridiculous amounts of money for parking in order for you to enjoy your Rosemont (nee Stevensville) Walk experience?
you cant smash mouth rosemont untill you have lived there for life. every one in the world can post comments about us but we dont care because we live here and know what happens and what is neened. you come live here as a child and see how much fun you have with only 1 park and a couple kid friendly stores. not much fun!the kids here need a place to play and hang.without a car they are limited.and rosemont is not soul less because if you have checked latly we are one of the most visited places in illinois.how do u know it o\is being stuck in a hotel by ohare obviously you have come to stay many times. mabey you should read smack about your home town on the internet.
you cant smash mouth rosemont untill you have lived there for life. every one in the world can post comments about us but we dont care because we live here and know what happens and what is neened. you come live here as a child and see how much fun you have with only 1 park and a couple kid friendly stores. not much fun!the kids here need a place to play and hang.without a car they are limited.and rosemont is not soul less because if you have checked latly we are one of the most visited places in illinois.how do u know it o\is being stuck in a hotel by ohare obviously you have come to stay many times. mabey you should read smack about your home town on the internet.if you have a problem with parking garages ddont come here.
you cant smash mouth rosemont untill you have lived there for life. every one in the world can post comments about us but we dont care because we live here and know what happens and what is needed. you come live here as a child and see how much fun you have with only 1 park and a couple kid friendly stores. not much fun!the kids here need a place to play and hang.without a car they are limited.and rosemont is not soul less because if you have checked latly we are one of the most visited places in illinois.how do u know it is being stuck in a hotel by ohare obviously you have come to stay many times. mabey you should read smack about your home town on the internet.if you have a problem with parking garages dont come here.
you cant smash mouth rosemont untill you have lived there for life. every one in the world can post comments about us but we dont care because we live here and know what happens and what is needed. you come live here as a child and see how much fun you have with only 1 park and a couple kid friendly stores. not much fun!the kids here need a place to play and hang.without a car they are limited.and rosemont is not soul less because if you have checked latly we are one of the most visited places in illinois.how do u know it is being stuck in a hotel by ohare obviously you have come to stay many times. mabey you should read smack about your home town on the internet.if you have a problem with parking garages dont come here.