Helo Hell? More Questions About Near South Side Aviation Proposals

By JoshMogerman in News on Feb 23, 2014 9:00PM

[Seth Anderson]

We highlighted the two (yes, TWO!) heliport projects that seek to turn Pilsen into the chopper hub of the Midwest a couple weeks ago, noting the potential sonic assault that hundreds of helicopters flying daily might wreak over the Near South Side.

While its rotor-rooters“welcome” the seeming competition between the projects, one of the proposals had a very bad week, losing important City Hall backing and adding another prominent community voice to its list of detractors.

DNAInfo reports:

The [Chicago Helicopter Express] project was dealt two blows this week, first the withdrawal of support from Ald. Danny Solis (25th) and then from Friends of the Chicago River, which called the heliport an "inherently noxious use" of the waterway that could harm migratory birds and halt plans to connect a river trail with Chinatown’s revamped Ping Tom Park and other planned river developments.

“The noise, fumes and risks associated with 135 takeoffs and landings per day would discourage more river-friendly development,” Friends of the Chicago River Executive Director Margaret Frisbie said in a letter to the Plan Commission.

In light of the public pushback, the Chicago Planning Commission, an essential green light for the project to get off the ground, shelved debate, thus leaving the heliport in limbo. It is reasonable to ask questions about whether one whirlybird facility amidst vibrant neighborhoods makes a ton of sense.

But two? Further public input is necessary—before Pilsen, Bridgeport and Chinatown are bookended by facilities that could turn the area into a helo hell.