Preservation Engineering Studies

2002-present

• July 31, 2023 Letter from McLaren Engineering Group, the Conservancy's marine engineering firm, unequivally stating that "the limestone revetment at Promontory Point exhibits no indications of imminent widespread failure. The structure currently functions as effective shoreline protection, and with maintenance and repairs to localized areas of deterioration, the limestone revetment can continue to serve Hyde Park and its surrounding communities."
• 2002 Galvin Marine Engineering Preservation Study
  • Galvin Engineering Design Study
• 2003 Shabica Marine Engineering Study and Cost Analysis
  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction
  • Marine Engineering Study
  • Cost Estimate for Preservation
• 2004 Kalven Mediation Report
  • Press Release (via Save the Point)
  • Jamie Kalven’s Introduction to the Report
  • Full 2004 Kalven Mediation Report

Historic Preservation Agreements and Decisions

1993-2022

• 1993 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
• 2002 IL State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) letter refusing a letter of no adverse effects
• 2006 Obama Scope of Work ( Obama SOW)
• Promontory Point Conservancy’s and other consulting parties' letter making a legal case to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Washington, DC, that the 1993 MOA is still in effect and prioritizes preservation at Promontory Point, September 8, 2022
• The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation letter to  the Chicago Corps agreeing that the 1993 MOA is still in effect for Promontory Point and Morgan Shoal, and expressing its concerns about the Chicago Corps's preservation process at Promontory Point, December 13, 2022

Landmark Designation Reports

• Jan 19, 2018 National Register Nomination Report
• April 19, 2023 Chicago Landmark Designation Report (source)

USACE and CDOT Demolition & Replacement Plans

These plans were created by the Chicago Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and are referred to by the Corps as the “locally preferred plan”.  They do not reflect the legitimate community plan or the community's wishes. (See Preservation Engineering Studies above.)

• CDOT's BRIC FEMA Pre-application, September 2020
  • Signed application
  • Exhibits showing the planned design for Promontory Point of demolition and replacement with concrete with decorative and ornamental limestone blocks. The exhibit photos also falsely ascribe storm damage at Morgan Shoal to Promontory Point so as to justify demolition and replacement
• SmithGroup Districtwide Lakefront Shoreline Assessment and Strategic Action Plan (redacted) This response to the Chicago Park District's RFP indicates that SmithGroup completed a condition study and a strategic design plan for Promontory Point in spring 2022. The Park District has confirmed its completion, promised to provide it to the Conservancy, and has failed to date to deliver.
• 2013 Illinois Shoreline Erosion Study Unknown to the Alderman and the community until recently, the Chicago Corps prepared this study of Promontory Point to obtain funding for construction. Its plans for Promontory Point are detailed on pages 21, 58-9, 106-7, 138-40, 326-7, 393-419 and 452-3 of this report. This plan shows the demolition of the historic limestone revetment and its replacement with concrete to match the 57th Street Beach design. Some limestone blocks are repurposed as the top tier of the concrete revetment. This report also includes the Corps's original 1994 rubble mound solution to Promontory Point as an attachment.

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Elected Representative and Organizations Supporting Preservation

• U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s letter to the Chicago Corps in support of preservation, October 25, 2021
• Illinois Senator Robert Peters letter to Illinois State Historic Preservation Office in support of preservation, February 13, 2022
• Illinois Senator Robert Peters letter to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks in support of Chicago Landmark status, January 2023​