Northerly Island Pavilion Expansion: New Proposal Would Give Outdoor Venue Major Boost By Summer

City's Island Venue Could Get Major Boost By Summer

A new expansion has been proposed for Northerly Island — the stunning-yet-underused gem on Chicago's lakefront — that could transform the park space's small-capacity venue into a “Ravinia-type” concert space.

The Chicago Park District is proposing the addition of a lawn seating area to the current Charter One Pavilion, upping the venue's capacity to more than 20,000 people, according to Fox Chicago.

Expansion could start in the spring if approved, in time for summer concerts like the upcoming three-night Phish jam in July. The city's Plan Commission is set to meet Thursday to discuss the proposal.

This month marks 10 years since former Mayor Richard Daley razed Meigs Field under the cover of night. While it enraged many at the time, the Daley-ordered carve up of the small lakefront airport paved the way for the 91-acre space to be used by the public.

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