How could that be? Good to see that Natarus got some press. Ahem. I wouldn't even care much, if the food didn't suck. There isn't much else around Millennium Park area open late at night.
City puts heat on clout-heavy cafe :
The Chicago Park District awarded a 20-year lease to run the swanky restaurant at Millennium Park to a businessman who got a top Park District official pregnant during negotiations, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
What's more,
... Among the vendors for Park Grill is an architectural metal company owned by the son of Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd).Other issues raise questions about the deal:
*The Park Grill, which opened 16 months ago, hasn't had to pay any property taxes. The Park District has failed to take the required steps to generate a tax bill for the restaurant. Businesses on public land must pay property taxes.
*While the Park District was negotiating on the Park Grill with O'Malley and his partners, the city was fighting O'Malley to condemn his building about a mile down Michigan Avenue. The city wanted to demolish the building that would become Grace O'Malley's pub. The city dragged O'Malley back to court in December to force him to pay a fine.
*The Park Grill, as part of its deal with the Park District, gets free water, gas and garbage pickup. The garbage pickup costs taxpayers about $245,000 annually.
...
The Park District team, including an outside consultant, spent the next 18 months hammering out a contract with O'Malley's company. The restaurant's rent is tied to its gross sales.
link courtesy of GapersBlock But are pictures of the Park Grill illegal?:
