Close A Major Lakefront Entry Point In Streeterville Overnight? Alderman Urges Yes
By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 20, 2017 5:55PM
Chicago's Lakefront Trail and Navy Pier are two of the city's most popular summertime draws, so does it make sense to close off a key entryway—even if only during late-night hours—to both? With fears ratcheted up after a high-profile shooting near Ohio Street Beach, one alderman is floating that very idea.
In an email to constituents, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42th) wrote that he's reached out to the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Chicago Park District to "consider gating" the underpass, which connects Ohio Street to the beach and lakefront, between midnight and 6 a.m. "during the warm weather months."
The request comes just in the wake of a highly publicized fatal shooting near the beach, in Streeterville. Raven Lemons, 25, was in the 500 block of E. Ohio St. at around 2:40 a.m. early on Sunday when she was shot in the head while standing with an acquaintance, according to police.
Reilly wrote that he's also met with the mayor asking for a "significant increase in police visibility and beat patrols" during late-night hours and weekends for on the Ohio block and on the Lakefront, Riverwalk and larger Streeterville area.
It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of the closure request, given how highly used the pathway is during the summer.
Underpass entrance at E Ohio St and Lake Shore Drive / Google Maps
[H/T Tribune]
Correction: An early version of this article described the underpass in question as located near Oak Street Beach on some references. It is actually Ohio Street Beach.