By Susan S. Stevens

Ground Zero in Chicago’s proposed plan for the 2016 Olympics, Washington Park, was ready for a celebration on Oct. 2. Instead, it became the scene of hundreds of stiff upper lips—as well as new ideas for community improvements without the Olympiad.

As televisions showed Chicago eliminated in the first round of Olympic site consideration and the decision to hold the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro seven years from now, people clustered around the big screens in the park were nearly silent. Then they expressed gloom that matched the cloudy and rainy weather.

The only cheers came from children attending the UniverSoul Circus under the big top. Nearby, in a smaller tent where adults had hoped to stage a victory party, City Council members representing the three wards that would have been affected most by the Olympics had set up an Olympic Watch.

Those aldermen are looking forward to improvements anyway — particularly a new community on the site of the former Michael Reese Hospital. The City bought the Michael Reese property for $91 million, with demolition costs to be paid by the seller, Medlinie Inc.

Crews on Oct. 22 began tearing down buildings, with the City planning to spare the original main hospital building and the Singer Pavilion, possible landmark buildings that noted architect Walter Gropius helped design.

“I was disappointed that Chicago did not get the Olympics,” Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th Ward) said. Nonetheless, she hopes many of the plans will be realized in “our own 2016 plan.”

Chicago “is a world-class city,” and a 2016 plan that does not include the Olympics can make the city even better, Preckwinkle said. She hopes “the energy, enthusiasm, and optimistic spirit that characterized our Olympics bid” still can be put to work.

Her top priority is education. Half the city’s high school students do not graduate, and Preckwinkle said the 2016 goal should be to bring the graduation rate up to 75%. Also, she said, “we will try to make schools and the environment around schools safer.

“We talked a lot about transportation improvements,” she continued. “That is something we could focus on.” She called for substantially enhancing public transit on the South Side, including adding more Metra commuter train lines and a modern streetcar on Cottage Grove Avenue.

At the 37 acres that will be open around the remaining Michael Reese Hospital buildings, a mixed residential development will rise, Preckwinkle vowed. She also suggested a high school in that area, one focused on the hospitality industry because McCormick Place’s proximity could help the school. In addition, she hoped President Barack Obama might be enticed to locate his presidential library on the site. Preckwinkle is pleased with the City’s decision to tear down all but two Michael Reese buildings.

“In my view, if we are going to have a site that’s developable, the demolitions are necessary,” she said. “The land the Gropius buildings are on is the most valuable” because of their proximity to the lake, Preckwinkle contended.

“It was always my view that the building of the greatest significance is the old main hospital building built in 1905,” she said. “I am pleased the City is going to save it, and also the Singer Pavilion.” In another nod to Obama, Preckwinkle said Chicago should be the center of green jobs and green technology. “The president has talked a lot about it, and let’s take him up on it,” she offered.

Ald. Patricia Dowell (3rd Ward) said many projects planned in anticipation of Olympic events centered in Washington Park will be carried out. She also believes the Reese Hospital site will be redeveloped.

In addition to new housing, she predicts new stores, infrastructure improvements, improvements on arterial streets, and a Green Line rapid transit expansion.

City officials are planning a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood on the Michael Reese site that would have been used for temporary housing under the Olympics plan. The City plans to sell the land to private developers. Ald. Willie Cochran (20th Ward) suggested Chicago start its own version of the Olympics as an economic boost. “Why should we let other people determine our worthiness?” he asked.

Politicians were not the only ones dismayed at losing the Olympics after a campaign that organizers said cost $72 million in private money and which they claim would have generated a $13.7 billion economic impact on the City.

“I am disappointed because Chicago, more than anything, needs more jobs,” said Charonda Sillers, who was in Washington Park for the “victory” party. She expected the games to put thousands of people to work, with jobs that would have steered young people away from crime, she said.

“It is very disappointing,” said Lori James, who also was in the park for the announcement. “You have President Obama, who is from Chicago, and his wife, who made a great plea” in Copenhagen to the Olympics committee. “I am just saddened.”

“Even though we did not get the Olympics, I still have this overwhelming pride in my city,” said Barbara Akins, who grew up in the Washington Park neighborhood. “You can’t take that pride away from me.”

“It is a time for our city to stand tall and proud and honored to be part of history,” said Noel Mickelson.

“The main thing is figuring out how to capture and harness all the energy that went into the Olympics bid into improvements in our city,” Preckwinkle concluded.