Spectacular Fail on the Horizon
Another financial boondoggle coming up soon, just so Rahm has a ribbon to cut:
- After enduring 15 years of shrinking convention attendance and persistent budget difficulties, the government agency that owns Chicago's sprawling McCormick Place convention center is trying to outgrow its problems through a $650 million expansion.
What's the first Rule for Holes? "When you're in one, stop digging."
- The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, known as McPier, is betting that the project now under construction — a second hotel and an arena to showcase DePaul University's basketball team — will draw more conventions, attract sports fans and transform a barren section of Chicago into a vibrant entertainment district. City and McPier officials predict the expansion will bring $250 million in new spending to the area each year.
Gee, shrinking convention business? Let's build another hotel with rooms we won't fill! And a losing private university team? Let's split the cost of building them a new stadium with seats they have no hope of filling! All of this based on what exactly?
- But the Tribune found that McPier's formula for success is based on a series of optimistic and risky predictions.
The $250 million figure comes from a McPier-funded study that assumes DePaul fans will fill almost all of the arena's 10,000 seats for games — nearly tripling the team's recent average attendance. The Blue Demons, who now play in suburban Rosemont, haven't had a winning record since 2007.
McPier officials also are hoping that, between basketball games, the arena will host convention meetings, concerts and other events, bringing new guests to the planned hotel, a 1,200-room, $450 million Marriott Marquis. But a recent study commissioned in New York found that sports facilities are unattractive to conventions because of their fixed seating, a sentiment some convention officials also expressed to the Tribune.
No one thought to commission these "studies" before pouring $650 million into what is undoubtedly a hole in the ground? $650 million that just happens to match the pension balloon payment due by State Law? Where do we sign up for this stupidity?
Labels: money questions, un-fucking-believable
posted by SCC at 12:35 AM
92 Comments:
They can bet on bring in more money. However the only way to get my money is to tax me........
I'm not going there.
Doesn't McPier run on a seperate set of rules where they really don't have to disclose how the money is spent, or something along those lines? I am not quite sure how it is, but I think they are pretty secretive about it and have little oversight, or I may be completely wrong too!!!
...and the whole thing will produce nothing but CO2, sewage, and trash.
...unlike, say, what used to be the old U.S. Steel South Works. As far as that goes, they've given up on putting in a huge tract of luxury housing right next to one of the poorest areas in town, and are now talking about putting that "Star Wars Museum" out there. A huge glass termite nest sticking up in the middle of nothing.
That'll look funny.
I believe there is a method to their madness. I think that the arena being built for DePaul will be the entertainment venue for the casino that will eventually be built there. On a side note why won't Rahm allow video poker machines in the city limits? They are a virtual gold mine for the suburbs that have them.
$650,000 million dollar boon doggle to build a DePaul/McPier Stadium with the sanction of Tom Hynes and his son Dan Hynes cause they are on the McPier Board and so they are on the good side of Mayor Emanuel. Shucks. Tell me it aint so. Thats a lot of bucks to spend on a Private, Catholic University....which has no following not even its own alumnae. End Game....Stick it to the citizens of the City of Chicago cause they can!!!!
Be of good cheer and good faith that someone is going to make a lot of money off of the proposed expansion project. Plus, jobs will be generated. That is what government does. It takes taxpayers money and spends it and/or transfers it to other pockets.
If you build it, they will come. Hopefully they will wear their bulletproof vests due to the black on black violence that has been coming to that area. They ruin everything, when's Rahm gonna realize that.
Have to feed the unions and the contractor who make political contributions. Hurray for me, the clouted, and fuck you, the taxpayers.
Daley's daughter on that board...no thanks!
You just do not understand!
The cronies get rich.
The unions get paid.
The construction companies get paid.
The taxpayers get screwed.
It is the Chicago Way!
"Spectacular Fail on the Horizon"
This is the story of Democrat ruled Chicago.
WTF??
$650 Million sure would go a long way towards shoring up our pensions..... oops I keep forgetting Rahm has no intention of honoring our pension obligations.
Off topic. How many retired and active police are Catholic? The Archbishop has publicly stood with Phleger and criticized us. The media, the politicians, and the public hate us. Now the Church is against us too.
It is actions like this and wasting of dollars and talent like this that created Detroit. Chicago is not immune.
A new Detroit is being created in Cook Co, Illinois.
Definitely OT: Well, Fr. Faker was visited by our Archbishop. Since actions speak louder than words, will SCC kindly re-post the Faker bill, suitable for placing in collection baskets. Guess you have a stray sheep to corral, Fr. Brandt.
This deal was fostered by the Daley crime family as one last "fuck you" to the taxpayers. Rahm came along and saw that there was still some left to steal, so he and his crew said, "why not". These and most politicians' arrogant "I know better than all of you" attitudes are more dangerous to this country than any and all foreign enemies, real or imagined. Same scenario at some level or another in all major cities across this once great country.
Rahm is addicted to cutting ribbons. They catch him doing that in his office all the time. It makes a real mess.
Speaking of which, where is the 650 M payment????? Did the RAT BASTARDS pay it yet ???
STAY FETAL BOYS AND GIRLS . NO PENSION,NO WORK.........................
It's funny, I haven't heard a thing about the casino since Rahm got reelected. I'm starting to think he lied.
Don't forget if you stop anyone visiting the new arena fill out an ISR.
Two words.....casino.
You needn't commission a study, all you need to do is to listen to the traffic reports (on the 8's all day long on WBBM radio) The Stevenson expressway is probably the most backed up, unfriendly, difficult to access downtown from expressway in Chicago. I'm not sure what goes on at the Pulaski entrance, but it seems the featured backup and accident site on the expressway. Figuring a mass of traffic is going to funnel its way into McCormick place is dreaming. Going to DePaul basketball games hasn't been iterestting since Ray Meyer died or Dillard got caught robbing gas stations.
The State is propping up McPier, a loser that NO private investors would touch.
Funny, taxes keep going up, they have no money for schools, yet they still manage to dump millions and millions into this black hole.
The pier is just trying to spend all that juicy taxs money.
Why not build a giant merry go round with heated seats!
How about pay for some real security so all those tourist quit being robbed by the pier!
I've talked to several DePaul students about this. They said there is zero school spirit there in regards to the men's basketball team. No one cares. If they had a stadium near DePaul that would have made sense.
What government agency owns McCormick Place? We understand another irresponsible, democrat controlled agency is wasting more taxpayer dollars. Which agency is it?
OT: With all the problems in our federal government, which has been democrat controlled going on 8 years, why would we elect another democrat to fix the problems They made?
J.J.
Democrats love to lecture Conservatives on the importance of "Separation of Church and State".
So, how does a Democrat Administration justify spending this money on a Catholic School project? What next, free tuition at DePaul for children of tourists? Let me take this opportunity to coin a new phrase: "Legacy Debt". This term should be used to all debt incurred by the Chicago Political Machine, to be passed onto our grandchildren and great grandchildren, should they be stupid enough to still reside in Illinois after we are dead. So far the pensions are the first great "Legacy Debt", next will be the Parking Meter Deal and now we can add this McCormick Place fiasco. And like a Herpes Sore, these debts will continue to hurt forever more. Hopefully, there is a special place in hell for politicians like Daley and Rahm. Baby"G"
Ahhhh yes, and $4 million plus of the $650 million was used to MOVE an old brick house of no significant historical value that was in the way. They moved it two blocks away. I bet it would be interesting reading to find out the owners of the properties involved.
3/28/05: Crain's: Meigs closure losing business for Chicago
Chicago has lost convention and trade show business to other locations such as Las Vegas.
Hey, at least Chicago is consitant. Every plan is a money pit, kickback generating, corporate welfare boondoggle.
Still haven't met one person that has claimed they came on vacation or to a convention in Chicago because of millennium park.
McPier is what happened when the cook county combine set up when they saw the writing on the wall about city hall hiring. It is a quasi-governmental agency with little oversight over hiring and contracts. It's a complete fuck you to the taxpayers.
"Another financial boondoggle coming up soon, just so Rahm has a ribbon to cut"
There's a little more to it than that, as I'm sure you know. Massive project like this involve huge contracts to be let, which offers many possibility to give deals to the clouted and receive campaign contributions in return.
But paying what is due towards the pension? As Clyde Barrow once said "There ain't no percentage in that".
Call the next case. Not a cop.
I'm sure it went like this: "My brother in law has a failing hotel and stadium construction business, and needs my help. What can we do?"
+++++ '"It was a dumb idea when it was proposed, it was a dumb idea when they approved it and it will be a dumb idea in the future," said Marc Ganis, a Chicago consultant who works on stadiums.' +++++
And there you have it.
If you are 40 or younger, u ain't getting a pension.
Rahm's here for 2 reasons:
1.) Get Daley past the statute of limitations for theft. Clock runs out in May, 2018.
2.) Hoover up anything the Daleys missed and get the fuck out of Dodge in 2019.
It will become Chicago's first casino, just imagine the potential for graft, skimming and corruption, the mob has nothing compared to Chicago politicians.
So ram still hasn't paid the 500 million to the pension??
Guys I work at one of the airports and believe me this "crime capitol" shit is killing us. People who get stuck over night are terrified at the thought of even staying over night in one of the Hotels near the airport and actually ask me which is the safest. So what are the chances of outsiders with cash driving all the way downtown to watch a losing team that isnt even on anyones radar in a arena thats to small to make much in other ventures?
They're in the process of knocking down and redeveloping a huge parcel of land in Lincoln Park along the river where Finkl Steel used to be, so why didn't all the involved parties try to find a way to make the stadium happen on that site? I realize that Lincoln Park land is considerably more expensive, but you're building a small intimate arena, not a stadium to sit 60,000. The attendance might have even increased since students could actually walk to the arena; not have to drive or jump on four buses to see a basketball team that's been terrible for 30 years minus a few outliers.
DePaul played Villanova the then number one team in the nation on February 9th and drew 6,400 fans for a 37% capacity. If there's a word stronger than irrelevant, that would be used to describe DePaul basketball.
Is somebody blind here about DePaul basketball????? Since when is DePaul a huge draw that one hotel, let alone two hotels are needed?? Has anyone gone to a DePaul basketball game? I think a high school basketball game attracts more fans. We're not talking about games that will attract fans like duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan state etc... This is DePaul, they are nobody's and nobody cares about paying 200 plus dollars for a hotel to go watch them. If somebody does go and watch a game they will just go home after. Just another hotel in the south loop that "they" can come party in and take over and end up killing somebody in the lobby at 2am. You want more conventions? Stop charging the vendors 100 dollars for a case of water, 150 for a case of pop and ungodly Union set up fees. It cost way more to have a convention here than in Vegas, Tampa, Miami etc and trust me those with the exception of Tampa are are more desirable location than Chicago.. Start making it worthwhile for the conventions to come here then you will reap the benefits in taxes through hotels, attractions, food, beer, public transportation etc through taxes. But the democrats say more taxes to the few who still come here to make up for lost revenue. If you lower taxes, lower than your competition then you will draw more people, more conventions and steal more business from other cities.. Meanwhile your hotels and restaurants are bringing you a windfall with all these new visitors and that makes up for your lower convention takes and give you extra in the pocket. Stupid democrats will never learn.
Total misinterpretation is the only thing that can be said because of rules and regulations.
We are not allowed to say total fraud, total lies, or total organized crime.
So we'll stick with saying total misinterpretation.
Oh, and wear you body camera at all times chumps.
rahm finds billions should be the headline! He owes pension funds hundreds of millions but says nope going to use money for his "friends and family" program it goes on and on unabated! that's like saying I am not going to pay for my house but just buy another 1! We go to jail and lose everything but rahm just freely throws taxpayers money away and cries broke!
sign up at the police dept.......
isn't it an ex daley gold braid that is running it?? remember bryan murphy?? oh yeah, and lori healy with all the other usual suspects, degnan etc...
the list is unbelievable, yet the feds fail to look into this crooked circle of corruption
How can you spend money, but then deny you have money? You have to be a good money manager, that is why Chicago will never go bankrupt as it would expose the books and show all the major theft and payoffs over the years! that with the shoddy construction (Look at new police facilities) brand new structures tilting floors,doors don't close, shims under desks to keep drawers from opening on there own, plumbing leaks everywhere. A normal citizen does any work gets permits has inspectors everywhere, the city does this and shazaam to bad no one checks! How short was the cement pour on 35th? Who got paid?
Will our pension board give more money to davis/vanecko "investments" to lose! 60 million dollar giveaway!
Hook up a land based casino including sports betting and you may save this project! Other than those tidbits, I would rather go to Las Vegas, a much more vibrant and fun scene, with better weather as compared to Chicago! Hell you can even walk outside with a drink of your favorite alcoholic beverage without fear of receiving one of those stupid ANOV tickets to mess up your stay! Chicago is a dying city and the politicians would be smart to study Las Vegas and to see what makes cash paying adults happy to come back on spend money in your town! Furthermore, I live in Chicago and hate spending my free time here! So If I feel that way, how do out of towners feel about coming to Chicago! Da Pelon
Biggest bunch of a--holes in the country. All they think of is spending Taxpayers money with no consequences. Just 14 years ago my family was asking what convention arena was the best in the country....not in Chicago cause of the weather....its mostly Las Vegas or Florida or California.
How do you spell D E T R O I T?
Surprise the pension board hasn't given or went out their way to offer them $60+ million bucks... You have got to have a blatant out right scam that Ray Charles to see, to get money out of them... With a guarantee rate of loss I might add.
Fiscal nincompoopery at its bedt
Off topic. How many retired and active police are Catholic? The Archbishop has publicly stood with Phleger and criticized us. The media, the politicians, and the public hate us. Now the Church is against us too.
Write your local Archdiocese and parish and explain that you will no longer financially support the Catholic church due to their support for an anti-law enforcement, racially divisive demagogue priest who uses the church as his means of personal and political gain. Also articulate that you, your family, and friends will be more than happy to donate to another religious organization that supports the officers in their community. You can practice your faith elsewhere or join another Christian based organization, e.g. episcopalian, lutheran etc. When they start receiving more and more letters like that, believe me they will denounce fools like Phleger and send him packing. Money talks and bs walks, especially in a foundation whose existence is predicated on charity from individuals like yourself.
Oddly, no mention of the company that'll be booking acts and selling tickets in the venue, Live Nation. And whose brother is a large share holder in that company again? Oh that's right, Rahm's that's why the Trib missed that little tidbit.
somebody needs to go to jail.
"Two words.....casino."
What's the other one?
The entire Depaul connection confounds me.
Firstly, aint nobody gave a rat's ass about Depaul basketball since the early 80's. And rightfully so. Besides, it's a north side school. There is zero downtown or south side connection to Depaul. Just makes no sense.
On the upside,(for jagoffs)the games will bring a fresh clientele of potential HEAD UP THEIR ASSES victims to the south loop and near south side areas.
You boys and girls in 001 & 002, might wanna get ready.
This is worse than the Soldier Field "renovation" project. I recall on the train going home that several contractors from Walsh construction were enjoying several cold beverages on the train discussing how many of their buddies are making money hand over fist on that project. This one will hurt. Yet Rahm was the golden boy and considered the smartest guy in the room. Hope the Carmex tastes good.
Depaul basketball?? I think he's banking on us getting a casino....depaul couldn't draw as much attendance as midget wrestling.
That's okay, they'll just find a way to milk the tax payers. We, the working class, foot the bill for both the rich and foolish and the poor ghetto foolish. I'm beginning to wonder who the real fools are. Maybe us?
SSSShhhhhh! don't tell the tourist industry that chalkie works overtime in chiRaq.
Forget about DePaul basketball. Make a thunderdome so the bangers can fight to the death while tourists can drink overpriced beer and eat shitty nachos.
I used to attend conventions and expos in Chicago. Wife and I used to spend weekends---2 nights in a hotel, food, entertainment.
Anymore I can't remember the last time I was there. And have no desire to return. Ever. Expos are overpriced and shitty. Unions, shitty service and out of sight taxes ruined them.
Hotel and restaurant taxes, various other taxes designed to screw the visitor. And for what? The chance to spend 48 hours rubbing elbows with the highest crime rate in the US?
Screw you, Chicago. You're the epitome of "over-priced." You offer nothing that I need. Most of all, your screw-the-visitor-to-pay-for-crooked-and-inefficient-politicians makes me want to piss on your graves. But I don't like standing in line, either.
"On a side note why won't Rahm allow video poker machines in the city limits? They are a virtual gold mine for the suburbs that have them."
Excellent question. Could it be because the machines are online to the state and too difficult for Rahm & his gang of thieves to hack & skim off the top?
I'm not a fan of a gambling-based economy compared to one based on manufacturing, i.e., actually producing something. But as you say, the money spent on video games is staggering. Be a helluva note if all profits from video games inside Chicago could be designated to fund pensions. Fat chance Rahm and the 50 thieves would ever go for it.
OT Apple Inc conspired on price fixing
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/08/technology/apple-supreme-court-ebook-prices.html?_r=0
Karma for trying to protect a terrorist.
Class action refunds!
The "Executives" at McPier are racist and criminals and need to be arrested and prosecuted. The lawsuits for both total in the millions, too.
Maybe if we are lucky we can have Trump's victory speech there.
Why do the feds only target the small mobsters in Cicero and not the head of the family in Chicago? Perhaps the IRS would be more appropriate for the task.
Taxpayers - 0
Walsh Construction - 732
McCormack Place worker - 0
McPier Executive Board - 101
Who's building what;
Ohare Expansion, Deep Tunnel, Schools/Library/Public Safety facilities.
Ever wonder where the Democrats get their money?
Why would Rahm do anything different, whose going to fund his campaign war chest ?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Definitely OT: Well, Fr. Faker was visited by our Archbishop. Since actions speak louder than words, will SCC kindly re-post the Faker bill, suitable for placing in collection baskets. Guess you have a stray sheep to corral, Fr. Brandt.
3/07/2016 05:29:00 AM
Visited by? Cupich celebrated mass there. It was a vote of confidence, not a rebuke.
Im beginning to think Dean lied to us about the casino deal, Senate Bill 777.
A friend who is a De Paul alum saw the news of this deal in 2013. He wrote
"Note to De Paul: You are filth. I will tell people you are filth for the rest of my life. You will never get a nickel out of me again."
Just A Civilian (who didn't attend De Paul, but feels about the same)
Look at the taxes that surround me up here in the central business district on the way up to division that we are paying – – no one looks at all of our food beverage and other hotel taxes to support this giant failure – – Time to allowDisney World to take over Navy pier and true convention people to take over McCormick Place
Cupich backing Phleger? I hope he's just setting the stage to remove him from his little nest he's made. Maybe move him out of state?
But if Cupich is serious about backing Phleger, I've lost all respect for the guy.
Do they keep expanding in the hope of putting a casino in that area?
3/28/05: Crain's: Meigs closure losing business for Chicago
Chicago has lost convention and trade show business to other locations such as Las Vegas.
3/07/2016 08:29:00 AM
Something wrong with those giant "X"s across the runways in the middle of the night?
So where is Bashir-Al-Daley hanging out these days?
We're lucky it's not barrel bombs during ice skating on Block 27.
Cupich backing Phleger? I hope he's just setting the stage to remove him from his little nest he's made. Maybe move him out of state?
3/07/2016 11:42:00 PM
Oh, stop it. You know better.
Pope Francis thinks 1 1/2 million aliens are good for Germany. You're not going to move vanity plate "VSOP" anywhere in Chicago in this situation.
Blogger Nertz said...
Do they keep expanding in the hope of putting a casino in that area?
3/07/2016 11:51:00 PM
That would be a good bet.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Cupich backing Phleger? I hope he's just setting the stage to remove him from his little nest he's made. Maybe move him out of state?
But if Cupich is serious about backing Phleger, I've lost all respect for the guy.
3/07/2016 11:42:00 PM
Ya a show of confidence by bashing the Police too! Like minds...
Next they will be bashing Trump like their, lives in another world, boss!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I used to attend conventions and expos in Chicago. Wife and I used to spend weekends---2 nights in a hotel, food, entertainment.
Anymore I can't remember the last time I was there. And have no desire to return. Ever. Expos are overpriced and shitty. Unions, shitty service and out of sight taxes ruined them.
Hotel and restaurant taxes, various other taxes designed to screw the visitor. And for what? The chance to spend 48 hours rubbing elbows with the highest crime rate in the US?
Screw you, Chicago. You're the epitome of "over-priced." You offer nothing that I need. Most of all, your screw-the-visitor-to-pay-for-crooked-and-inefficient-politicians makes me want to piss on your graves. But I don't like standing in line, either.
3/07/2016 03:06:00 PM
Yes, better head out to Las Vegas, big spender. They would never cheat anyone. Better yet, stay home in two-streets Iowa. Bring the wife down to Denny's on Saturday night. Get the special.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
"Two words.....casino."
What's the other one?
3/07/2016 12:24:00 PM
"Sucker"
Hook up a land based casino including sports betting and you may save this project! Other than those tidbits, I would rather go to Las Vegas, a much more vibrant and fun scene, with better weather as compared to Chicago! Hell you can even walk outside with a drink of your favorite alcoholic beverage without fear of receiving one of those stupid ANOV tickets to mess up your stay! Chicago is a dying city and the politicians would be smart to study Las Vegas and to see what makes cash paying adults happy to come back on spend money in your town! Furthermore, I live in Chicago and hate spending my free time here! So If I feel that way, how do out of towners feel about coming to Chicago! Da Pelon
"study Las Vegas"? I believe P.T Barnum said it best: “Nobody ever lost a dollar by underestimating the taste of the American public" or how about “There's a sucker born every minute.”
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Definitely OT: Well, Fr. Faker was visited by our Archbishop. Since actions speak louder than words, will SCC kindly re-post the Faker bill, suitable for placing in collection baskets. Guess you have a stray sheep to corral, Fr. Brandt.
3/07/2016 05:29:00 AM
Visited by? Cupich celebrated mass there. It was a vote of confidence, not a rebuke.
3/07/2016 07:10:00 PM
See for yourself. Guess he's picking who he wants to side with. Let them pay for "their church". I've been done with them for years!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-cupich-st-sabina-0307-20160306-story.html
Are we building the next Pontiac Silverdome of the future for Chicago?
The Pontiac Silverdome was an 80,000-seat stadium with 127 acres of adjacent parking. It was built for over $55 Million when new in 1973 (that was BIG money back then)
- BUT SOLD FOR A MERE $583,000 (in 2009) when the County wanted to get rid of it because they could not afford the $1.5 Million annual maintenance fees. It did have a successful run, but then fell into decay and non-use. It was worthless.
Sound impossible? It happened in Detroit, why not here???
Now they are in the middle of just tearing it down.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2015/10/29/demolition-pontiac-silverdome/74834576/
Chicago's priorities are messed up. Fix the violence. Fix the crime. Then, try to build something positive.
Right and that high-speed train to O'Hare is another boondoggle.
Reports are, it will cost $30 a trip (riiiiight).
Who's going to pull luggge around and stand around to get on a train where the seats and aisle are obstructed by luggae all ovet the place? ?
What traveler is going to risk getting mugged taking a train in to and out of the city?
Fiscal nincompoopery at its bedt
>>>>>>>Stop holding your tongue, lmao
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Definitely OT: Well, Fr. Faker was visited by our Archbishop. Since actions speak louder than words, will SCC kindly re-post the Faker bill, suitable for placing in collection baskets. Guess you have a stray sheep to corral, Fr. Brandt.
3/07/2016 05:29:00 AM
Visited by? Cupich celebrated mass there. It was a vote of confidence, not a rebuke.
3/07/2016 07:10:00 PM
See for yourself. Guess he's picking who he wants to side with. Let them pay for "their church". I've been done with them for years!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-cupich-st-sabina-0307-20160306-story.html
3/08/2016 07:53:00 AM
I stopped giving them anything long ago and will never look back! Had kids in grammer school west end of 008, catholic school paid quite a bit, then found out minority kids were subsidized by others! I talked to the principal and proest was told its called "giving." OK got that but working days off part time to "give" it away makes no sense at all! So I am done!
"Are we building the next Pontiac Silverdome of the future for Chicago?"
3/08/2016 08:25:00 AM
Ho, boy. What a white elephant. Thank God we did not get those Olympics; they are famous for leaving behind millions of square feet of space, built at vast expense, graft, huge cost overruns, etc. and then you can't use it for anything else. Weeds growing up through the concrete.
China has a whole city that was built for a 12-day Chinese games AND NEVER EVEN FINISHED before the event itself was over! Huge "Athletes' Village" where they never even topped the buildings off or got glass into the windows. Concrete slab foundations all over with rusting re-bar sticking up. You think you've seen boondoggles here...China has been building whole "ghost cities" of luxury apartments, 100 cities per year according to plan, and they are 99% uninhabited. A few people living in shacks made from scrap wood, and subsistence gardening in vacant lots, that's the "economy" there. Again, half-finished buildings left open to the weather to deteriorate. Just crazy. Look into it, it's astonishing.
"Yes, better head out to Las Vegas, big spender. They would never cheat anyone. Better yet, stay home in two-streets Iowa. Bring the wife down to Denny's on Saturday night. Get the special."
Like Chicago, LV has nothing that's worth putting up with a boatload of shit just to do it.
Nowadays we spend 10 days at a crack at a great destination and never once feel the need to scrape Chicago shit from our shoes.
But hey. It's a free world. If you're happy living a shit-scraper's dream, more power to ya, bub.
Can't you ride the blue line to o'hare in forty minutes? Can the $30 speed train be any better than that?
"...a 1,200-room, $450 million Marriott Marquis..."
...upholstered in fine Corinthian leather.
"Can't you ride the blue line to o'hare in forty minutes? Can the $30 speed train be any better than that?"
3/08/2016 10:16:00 PM
Sure, with Rahm standing in the aisle affecting to read a newspaper -- for a week or so.
He hits that 606 all the time too, right?
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