The leaders of a several organizations met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, hoping to save one of the last stretches of the Chicago shoreline's historic limestone seawall, according to a press release from The Lakeview Revetment Task Force.
The latest Lake Michigan plan includes a small section of preserved limestone, at the mouth of Diversey Harbor. The rest, however, would be a concrete-and-steel design that some communities have repeatedly objected to.
The community groups also expressed concern over more than 200 'art stones' selected by community representatives and 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney several years ago. The limestone blocks, adorned over decades with the art and poetry of the community, were set aside for use in the new wall. When the plan was unveiled, though, it showed the art stones largely underwater, which some see as an insult.
At the meeting, Colonel John Drolet, commander of the corps' Chicago District, said the Corps could make modifications to the contract, which is under negotiation. Drolet, who is new to the post, agreed that the art stones should be moved.
The nine-mile long shoreline project is about 80 percent complete, Drolet communicated.
Among those attending the meeting were Tunney and members of groups including The Lakeview Revetment Task Force, Friends of the Parks and Preservation Chicago.