The location of a proposed Daniel Burnham Memorial in Grant Park has drawn both supporters and detractors among community groups.

By Marie Balice Ward

A Daniel Burnham memorial planned for the south end of Grant Park near the Field Museum has earned a mostly positive response from the Friends of the Parks and a largely negative one from the Grant Park Advisory Council/Grant Park Conservancy.

Spearheaded by the American Institute of Architects, this effort to commemorate 19th century architect and city planner Burnham and his 1909 Plan of Chicago began as a design competition. Designs from the winner, David Woodhouse Architects, as well as submissions by local artists and architects are on display in the Field Museum.

Woodhouse and his team presented their model for the Burnham Memorial at many community meetings to garner input and support from various local organizations. “Our dialogue with these groups has led to some alterations to our design,” stated Woodhouse. “Overall, however, the reception has been positive, and we also have received innumerable letters of support.”

The design calls for diagonal granite walls and a life-size sculpture of Daniel Burnham, with an estimated cost of $5 million.

Woodhouse said fundraising from private sources to cover the project’s entire cost will begin after approval by the Chicago Park District.

Erma Tranter, president of Friends of the Parks, recently wrote in a letter of support that “Friends of the Parks is pleased to add our support for the David Woodhouse-designed Burnham Memorial and sculpture at the southeast end of Grant Park. Our board of directors has reviewed the plan thoroughly and is enthusiastic about the vision and the location for the Burnham Memorial and sculpture. The southern end of Grant Park, where it ties into Burnham Park, is an excellent location.”

Friends of the Parks did, however, recommend there be no loss of green space and that the existing terraced and contoured landscape currently part of the museum campus be retained. Tranter told the Gazette, “Friends of the Parks likes the location and its connection to Burnham Park. It is an outstanding project.”

The Grant Park Advisory Council and Grant Park Conservancy’s president, Bob O’Neill, disagreed.

The GPAC/GPC has held two public meetings attended by more than 100 people, in which the consensus has been “against locating the memorial in front of the Field Museum. It would interfere with the elegant landscaping that was so very recently completed.”

O’Neill feels the entire project has been “rushed” and “doesn’t serve a purpose.” He has received many e-mail messages indicating concern over the project and its proposed location.

O’Neill suggested the $5 million to be raised for the project be used to honor Burnham by creating an east-west access from Queen’s Landing, where Buckingham Fountain is located, to Lake Michigan.

“I would venture to say that Daniel Burnham would like to be honored by a project that would serve a practical purpose and is consistent with his Chicago Plan, which includes bringing residents and visitors to the lakefront,” O’Neill said.

GPAC/GPC will hold an update meeting on the project in early spring.

Woodhouse noted more public meetings will be held and that the Park District will review the project as well; if approved, it will undergo subsequent levels of review and approval. He added that if all goes smoothly, “construction will start at the end of 2010 and hopefully will be completed to coincide with Burnham’s centennial anniversary of his death in 2012.”

To learn more about and view the proposed Burnham Memorial, visit www.davidwoodhouse.com.