Restaurant group’s plan to open at once-troubled resort

CHICAGO (CBS) — A restaurant group’s plans to open a brand new venue on the Eurostars Magnificent Mile Lodge has come underneath the microscope.

The River North resort was a identified hotspot for violence throughout the peak of the pandemic. Now, as CBS 2’s Tara Molina reported Monday, neighbors are apprehensive about what the plans for a restaurant group transferring into the resort actually appear to be.

The neighbors are involved concerning the historical past of violence and criminal activity on the resort. We uncovered the fines and sanctions they confronted – finally settling with town.

They’re in good standing now.

So Molina requested the restaurant group immediately about neighbors’ considerations.

From shootings inside to violent crimes equivalent to armed theft and sexual assault, we’ve got instructed you about points reported on the Eurostars Magnificent Mile Lodge, 660 N. State St.

Ultimately, town was pressured to step in. Company had been required, at one level, to signal agreements at check-in stating they did not have a weapon and would not throw a celebration of their room.

On Sept. 1, 2021, town and resort reached a settlement. The resort has been in good standing for the reason that spring of 2022, with a plan of operation addressing these points in place.

However permits for the LM Restaurant Group to open a brand new rooftop bar and restaurant on the resort has a residents involved once more – and reaching out to town permits.

The resort employees’ union mailed a flyer to residents within the space – involved concerning the celebration venue on the roof, and referring to the resort as a “unhealthy neighbor.”

The union, UNITE HERE Native 1, issued this assertion:

“UNITE HERE native 1 will not be at present negotiating a contract with the Eurostars Chicago Magnificent Mile. We imagine that all resort employees in Chicago should work for employers who absolutely adjust to native rules. We additionally imagine that Chicago deserves a resort trade with excessive requirements. 

“The proposed restaurant and celebration venue are to be operated by LM River North, LLC as a part of LM Restaurant Group. The Eurostars Chicago Magnificent Mile is operated by Golden Mile Motels, LLC. On the webpage for the proposed Twenty-Six venue on the roof of the Eurostars, LM Restaurant Group marketed that company might “dance the evening away on prime of the city.” The latest nuisance abatement plan that Golden Mile Motels, LLC, signed with town prohibits ‘reside or amplified music on the out of doors patio’ and working ‘as a nightclub or dance membership.’ After we alerted the Division of Enterprise Affairs and Shopper Safety and Alderman Brendan Reilly, the web site was modified to take away the reference to dancing. I’ve hooked up a screenshot of the unique webpage and the up to date model. 

“The Municipal Code of Chicago consists of provisions to make sure that neighbors are consulted about new developments. Particularly, the code specifies that candidates for public place of amusement and liquor licenses should submit discover ‘in a spot clearly seen from the general public means.’ Notices about LM River North LLC’s public place of amusement and liquor license purposes had been posted beneath eye stage, behind a valet stand, and between a material awning and a steel partition coated in giant planter packing containers. I’ve hooked up photographs displaying the position of the notices. Now we have additionally knowledgeable Alderman Reilly and BACP concerning the placement of the notices. Based mostly on the applying date, the 35-day interval wherein neighbors can object to both license ends Tuesday, January 10.”

A spokesperson for the River North Residents Affiliation mentioned they’ve heard the identical considerations, and “various adjustments to their plan of operation are being really helpful.” This was their full assertion:

“On the finish of the day, the aim is to reassure neighbors that their comprehensible considerations are thought of and addressed, whereas supporting accountable hospitality operators who will contribute to the native financial system with out negatively impacting high quality of life.”

“RNRA is effectively conscious of previous points involving the resort at 660 N State and has been engaged in a dialogue with representatives of LM Restaurant Group and Alderman Reilly’s workplace for a number of weeks. Based mostly on these ongoing discussions, various adjustments to their plan of operation are being really helpful, with the aim of bettering safety, and mitigating detrimental exterior impacts involving noise, lighting, and pedestrian and vehicular site visitors.

“Surrounding residents have official considerations primarily based on the historical past with this location, and one efficient method to tackle such considerations is to make sure that venues are managed by high-quality hospitality operators. LM has operated various profitable institutions in Chicago, together with a restaurant referred to as Troquet at Clark and Huron, with out dangerous impacts to the encircling group. The proposed River North Bistro ought to function similarly as a full-service restaurant. The twenty sixth flooring area is not going to be open to the general public and can solely be used for personal, invitation-only gatherings equivalent to company occasions and weddings. The really helpful plan of operation would prohibit visitor DJs, bottle service, cowl costs, entry traces, out of doors amplified music, all-you-can-drink packages, and different parts generally related to nightclubs or dance golf equipment.

“The highest precedence for RNRA, as we all know can also be true for Alderman Reilly, is defending security and high quality of life for individuals who reside and work on this neighborhood. Accountable hospitality operators are welcome in River North, so long as they exhibit good company citizenship.”

So we reached out to LM Restaurant Group ourselves and discovered there are literally no plans for a top-floor bar or membership. A spokesperson mentioned the area on the highest flooring will solely be used for personal occasions…not a late evening bar or membership.

LM Restaurant Group director of branding and communications Lauren Hammond issued this assertion:

“LM Restaurant Group is happy to be opening two tasks on the Eurostars Magnificent Mile Lodge in River North. Twenty Six, the occasion venue on the highest flooring, will likely be for personal occasions solely and is effectively fitted to company conferences, cocktail receptions and small weddings. LM Catering & Occasions, the workforce behind Chicago occasion venues, Metropolis View Loft, Lacuna Occasions, LM Studio and the upcoming Sky on 9 in Rosemont, will deal with all meals and beverage operations at Twenty Six, exterior catering is not going to be permitted. 

“The bottom flooring restaurant, River North Bistro, is a household pleasant American bistro specializing in approachable modern delicacies. It’s the second location of LM’s widespread bistro idea which may also be seen at Grant Park Bistro, positioned on the bottom flooring of the Le Méridien Essex. Different eating places in LM’s portfolio embody Land & Lake Kitchen, on the bottom flooring of the LondonHouse Lodge, Land & Lake Andersonville, Land & Lake Ravenswood and the forthcoming Land & Lake Rosemont within the newly renovated Vacation Inn/Staybridge Suites in Rosemont. 

Having beforehand owned and operated a restaurant in River North for various years, Troquet River North within the Lodge Felix, LM is happy to be again within the neighborhood and appears ahead to as soon as once more being part of this vibrant group for a few years to return.”

We by no means heard again from the Eurostars Lodge.