Promontory Point receives final landmark recommendation and moves to the full City Council for vote on April 19!
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) cast its final vote to make Promontory Point a Chicago landmark at its meeting Thursday, March 9, 2023. And called it "witnessing history"!
But we're not done yet! The ordinance declaring the Point a Chicago landmark is being reviewed by the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards before it comes to the full City Council for a vote. If all proceeds smoothly, the ordinance will be voted on at a live City Council meeting on April 19, 10:00am. Join us -- in person or livestream -- at this historic vote for the Point. Witness history!
Read the letters of support from Point lovers here. Watch the unanimous vote conclusion here. Watch the full video of the entire meeting here.
But we're not done yet! The ordinance declaring the Point a Chicago landmark is being reviewed by the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards before it comes to the full City Council for a vote. If all proceeds smoothly, the ordinance will be voted on at a live City Council meeting on April 19, 10:00am. Join us -- in person or livestream -- at this historic vote for the Point. Witness history!
Read the letters of support from Point lovers here. Watch the unanimous vote conclusion here. Watch the full video of the entire meeting here.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Point! Volunteer at a clean-up, Sunday, April 23, 2023, 10:30am. We meet at the National Register Plaque on the east side of the tunnel/underpass. We provide gloves, trash bags, tools and equipment and t-shirts. See you at the Point!

What do we mean when we say we support repair, restoration and rehabilitation per the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Preservation? Read more.
City's "locally preferred plan" funded for demolition and new construction of a concrete revetment. Read Lynn Sweet's Sun Times coverage of the December 15, 2022 Congressional appropriation Photo credit: Top: David Schalliol. Below: Nancy Hays courtesy of the Hyde Park Historical Society |
Promontory Point Conservancy is very grateful to receive the 2022 VIP (Volunteers-in-the-parks) Advocacy award from Friends of the Parks on December 10. Thanks for noticing and acknowledging our hard work these past two years!
Find out how preservation construction is cheaper than the City's "locally preferred plan" by many millions of dollars |
Destination Point: a true preservation approach
Repairing, restoring and rehabilitating the historic limestone revetment at the Point per the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Preservation are feasible, legal, more durable, more environmentally sound and even cheaper than the City's "locally preferred plan" of demolition and new construction of concrete with decorative and ornamental limestone.
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Our Plan
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The marine engineering drawing illustrates how repair, restoration and rehabilitation could work at Promontory Point. The step-stone, limestone revetment is repaired-in-place or restored. Rehabilitation allows for minimal concrete for ramps and pathways down to the revetment and into the water
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This marine engineering drawing is just one of many ways that rehabilitation at the Point might work: maximize historic limestone and minimize concrete for useful, graceful ramps down to and into the water for ADA compliance
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International Point Day 2.0: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Come out and enjoy the Point! Celebrate the park's 86th anniversary, the 120th birthday of its creator, renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell (1903-1998), and Chicago Landmark status! This is a service day with fun-enhancing activities.
2023 clean-up schedule: Sunday, April 23 (Earth Day), 10:30am - noon
Other work dates: May 27 (Saturday, Point Day 2.0), June 25, July 23, August 20, September 10, October 15, November 12
2023 tree inventory of Promontory Point, west and east sides: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm
April 27 (training), May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1. Register here. This should be a lot of fun!
Come out and enjoy the Point! Celebrate the park's 86th anniversary, the 120th birthday of its creator, renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell (1903-1998), and Chicago Landmark status! This is a service day with fun-enhancing activities.
2023 clean-up schedule: Sunday, April 23 (Earth Day), 10:30am - noon
Other work dates: May 27 (Saturday, Point Day 2.0), June 25, July 23, August 20, September 10, October 15, November 12
2023 tree inventory of Promontory Point, west and east sides: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm
April 27 (training), May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1. Register here. This should be a lot of fun!
Questions about an event or donations for a bench?
The Conservancy does NOT issue park permits for BBQs, weddings, or other events, and it does NOT take donations for memorial benches at the Point. The Chicago Park District does: Here is the information on the Park District's website about grilling in parks: Here is information on the Park District's website about whether your event will require a permit: For inquiries about a bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Park District: For permit inquiries and general questions about events at the Point, contact the Park Supervisor Monique Scott at +1.312.742.5369
For buoys, park damage, maintenance issues or other problems in the park, contact the Chicago Park District directly
For buoys, park damage, maintenance issues or other problems in the park, contact the Chicago Park District directly