Despite a smattering of gray skies, Chicago inaugurated another stretch of its revamped riverwalk this Memorial Day weekend, and visitors were eager to explore the newly expanded public space.
Kayakers, pedestrians, locals and tourists alike came to check out the partially opened project, which will remain under construction through the summer.
Along with Ross Barney Architects, Benesch, and Jacobs Ryan and the Chicago Department of Transportation, Sasaki Associates led design on the project—a major component of Mayor Rahm Emanuel‘s bid to rebrand the Chicago River as the city’s “second shoreline.” Work began in 2013, and many of the storefronts built along the riverwalk’s newest section—from State Street to Clark Street—still await tenants. Construction work continued right up until opening day.
https://twitter.com/DillonGoodson/status/603226446484656128
A few night views of the new #ChicagoRiverwalk @r_barc @SasakiDesign @AlfredBeneschCo pic.twitter.com/B8wucXn6iP
— MAS Context (@MASContext) May 25, 2015
#ChicagoRiverwalk is open “@car_jaq: Public enjoying #Chicago #RiverWalk for the first time today. pic.twitter.com/8UZ1JHCXcw”
— Chris Merritt (@chrisdmerritt) May 24, 2015
Today was a great day to check out the new section of the #ChicagoRiverwalk pic.twitter.com/U3PLegOhRR
— Mike Smith (@mdsmith577) May 23, 2015
Curbed Chicago rounded up some more photos of the riverwalk from this weekend.
