Chicago - Hoping to lure restaurants to the lakefront and bring in revenue, the Chicago Park District board is expected to sign off Wednesday on allowing alcohol sales at its two new harbors being built near Navy Pier and at 31st Street.
The plan also opens the door to more restaurants going up on park district land, as early as this summer, officials say.
"The resolution includes the lakefront with the intent of allowing sales in and around harbor buildings and to attract upscale concessionaires in other appropriate lakefront sites," park district spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner said.
Several sit-down, "upscale" restaurants already are on park district property -- including North Pond in Lincoln Park and the Parrot Cage in the South Shore Cultural Center. And the park district is aiming to add to that collection.
The measure -- which the City Council also would need to approve -- also calls for allowing booze sales at the four remaining park district golf courses and Diversey driving range, Maxey-Faulkner said.
"Wine and spirits are available at nearly every other golf course in the Chicago area," Maxey-Faulkner said. "This amenity will keep us on par with our competitors."
This year's $392 million park budget included fee increases for fitness center memberships, children's summer camps and boat slips. And to avoid layoffs, thousands of unionized employees agreed to take eight unpaid furlough days.
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