Chicagoans against the Olympics
 

It seems theres a growing opposition in Chicago against bringing the Olympics here. The Reader published a good article outlining some of the reasoning against it.

To be honest, I haven't paid much attention to the issue thus far. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

I figure it'll add funds to the CTA and pothole repair people, so I'm all for it. :)

Somebody is against everything
 

Polls say that most Chicagoans are in favor, but really are not emotionally invested one way or the other. The groups against the Olympics ratched up the volume when the Olympic organizing committee visited in hopes Daley will buy them off.

And I'm already planning to rent out my south loop apartment for BIG bucks. ^

The 2016 Summer Olympics represent the largest and most incredible triger for graft and corruption in the history of Chicago --- and that's saying something.

These Olympics are a worse idea than Jane Byrne's 1992 World's Fair (which crashed and burned due to a lack of interest by the state).

It won't. The 2016 committee is not asking for any transit improvements, only a few bus lanes. From the bid book, pp. 99-101:

15.6 Transport Infrastructure Plan
The transport plan is based on the use of existing rail lines and roadways to deliver safe, efficient and reliable transport during the Olympic and Paralympic Games....

15.6.4 Additional Transport Infrastructure
No additional transport infrastructure is necessary.

Really, nothing -- not even the obvious, like a Cermak station for the green line (right by McCormick Place). A few already planned, already mostly funded improvements are mentioned (e.g., new buses and train cars that have already been ordered).

Oh, and 2,000 TMA yellowjackets (and 9,000 "contractors") will commandeer all of the streets, so that precious Olympic vehicles aren't obstructed by "background traffic." Fun!

"Efficient and reliable?" That will be a disaster.

Can you imagine hundreds of thousands of extra people with their baggage trying all at once to go to/from O'Hare on the Blue Line? Or the 5-hour cab ride as an alternative?

And around town on the L?

I'll arrange to be out of town, in the unlikely event the IOC falls for this.

Moi aussi.

I was also against the re-do of Soldier Field.

Why isn't there a domed stadium in Chi-town?

More importantly, why did we downsize Soldier Field just in time for the occasion? Now it's no good for an Olympic opening ceremony, and its dome-lessness renders it useless for a Super Bowl or many other events. Just one example of the local inability to make good long-term plans.

Oh, but it'll be so different this time! Right?

Mixed feelings here. Since I live downtown, it won't be a big inconvenience for me as far as commuting anywhere goes. The location along the lakefront would be spectacular.

What did Soldier lose, 5k seats? That wouldn't have been enough either.

I went to Atlanta for work when the Olympics were there and most of the local folks did just that and got the hell out of town. No locals were in the city. Cab fares and parking rates sky-rocketed.

I would like to see Chicago get the recognition but I must admit I get frustrated when the CTA cannot even move its own people around in a timely manner.

Steve

I got to the airport from the near west side (UIC Halsted) in 45 minutes yesterday. Maybe during the Olympics they'll avoid track work - makes a huge difference! :D

I thought the World Cup was a good experience for Chicago. Many of the beautification efforts from that time still remain.

Steve

Met a guy in Beijing a couple of years before the Olympics who was working on TV arrangements for the Games. An FTer. He had worked on six Olympics. Said that in his view the worst thing that could happen to any city was to host the Olympics.

And, you know, he was apparently right.

Only exception--L.A. in '84. because local gov refused to subsidise the Olympic Committee which is a very corrupt bunch.