It's a new world on Printers Row

It's the new era of the park

11/06/2009 1:25 PM

By Bonnie McGrath

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In case you’re in the mood for a free cup of hot chocolate tomorrow morning, I know just the place for you: Printers Row Park.

Where? you might be asking. It may have been a long time getting here, but the park has landed, been planted and ready for its first official opening and dedication ceremony at 10 AM Saturday--between Dearborn and Federal and the Transportation and Rowe Buildings.

So many years have passed since that plot of land was destined to become a building that would blot and blight the south-facing windows of the condos in the Transportation building. That blight/blot threat was the impetus that started the group called Historic Printers Row Neighbors--now South Loop Neighbors--when neighbors banded together to stop such foolishness.

“Who would ever think I’d look out my window someday and see a park,” reminisced Mary Ivory recently over lunch in her dining room, as she got up and walked to one of her large, industrial-sized windows overlooking the new park, which at that time was still under construction.

That’s the kind of disbelief in such good fortune that many Printers Row residents will be displaying tomorrow as our Alderman Bob Fioretti and other community leaders--with music provided by local lutist Jack Scott, and prayer by local Rev. Christopher Coon of Urban Village Church, poetry readings by Printers Row residents, performances by the Columbia College Jazz Band as well as its Gospel Choir, and food and drinks provided by SRO, Hackney’s, Bar Louie, Trattoria Caterina, Pockets and Starbucks, and various other kinds of support and sponsorship provided by South Loop Neighbors, South Loop Referral Group, Chicago Community Bank, Jones College Prep and the Chicago Park District--usher in a new era on Printers Row: the Printers Row Park Era.


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