“The Promontory Point Conservancy received a $117,500 grant last week to bolster its efforts in making the case that the park’s limestone shoreline can be preserved.

“Gifted by the Driehaus Foundation, the grant will fund the completion of an “Alternatives Design Study and Cost-Benefit Analysis” of Promontory Point by McLaren Engineering Group. This study, commissioned by the community conservation group last year, is the latest move in preservationists’ 20-year fight to save the limestone from erosion and demolition by the city.

“The Promontory Point Conservancy has over the years commissioned several engineering studies of the Point to counter the concrete and steel proposals initially proffered by the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Among these alternative reports is a 2003 study arguing that its proposal for rehabilitation fits ‘well within the sponsors’ stated budget for the project’ while also proposing changes to make the revetment more accessible for people with disabilities.

“Partially released this past April, the new study from McLaren concluded that in-kind repair and restoration would be the most cost-effective means of repair and will maintain the character of the historic landscape architecture.

“‘The historic limestone revetment at Promontory Point exhibits no indications of imminent failure, in spite of what has now become several decades of fruitless handwringing,’ the study reads. ‘With maintenance and repairs to localized areas of deterioration, the limestone revetment can continue to serve Chicago’s South Side and surrounding communities with minimal interruption and cost outlay.’

“Notably, this condition study did not include specific design proposals nor cost estimates for rehabilitation of the Point. Those details, according to conservancy president Jack Spicer, will come sometime in the fall.

“Spicer also said that this initial study was funded almost entirely by small donors totaling about $200,000, though it has gotten some foundation help, too.

“In addition to the Driehaus award, the conservancy received $2,000 from the Donnelley Preservation Fund of Landmarks Illinois and $15,000 from the Johanna Favrot Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation to ‘engage an historic treatments consultant to ensure that these design plans comply with federal preservation standards,’ according to the conservancy.” (Monaghan, Hyde Park Herald, 7/23/24)

“For years, members of the Promontory Park Conservancy have been locked in a battle with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the fate of the Point’s historic limestone stair-step revetment on Lake Michigan.

“The Corps has claimed the existing structures no longer protect against storms, flooding and erosion, and need to be replaced, much like the Corps has done elsewhere along the shoreline, pulling out limestone and swapping in a concrete bulwark.

“The conservancy — a community nonprofit originally formed as Save the Point — has countered that the limestone works just fine and is simply in need of repair.

“Now the conservancy says it has the proof to back up its argument.

“On Thursday, the Promontory Park Conservancy released the results of an independent condition study it commissioned from McLaren Engineering Group. McLaren had its engineer-divers inspect the Point from above and below and concluded that the limestone blocks currently in place along the Point’s shoreline are structurally sound, function as intended, aren’t in danger of collapse and provide critical shoreline protection for the inland park and south lakefront.

“‘It is McLaren’s professional assessment that … with maintenance and repairs, the service life of the structure can be significantly extended, obviating the need for major demolition and replacement,’ the study said.

“‘We hired them to tell the truth,’ said Debra Hammond, the conservancy’s treasurer.

“At a news conference held Thursday morning, elected officials and preservationists alike — many of whom have a deep connection to the Point — called on the city and Army Corps to go on the record and commit to a shoreline protection plan that retains the historic limestone.” (Wetli, WTTW Chicago, 4/4/24)

“‘It’s a Chicago treasure,’ says Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, who grew up wading in the lake, jumping on the limestone, and lounging in the sun with his dog. ‘It’s one of the last vestiges of stonework and easy access into the water. I think it’s kind of legendary.’ (Lane, Chicago Reader, 3/20/24)

Read the full story at Hyde Park Herald

• Promontory Point Conservancy nabs big grant for engineering study; Roadblock to Army Corps planning efforts lifts, Marc C. Monaghan, Hyde Park Herald, 7/23/24
• Morgan Shoal shoreline redesign wades forward through criticism, Marc Monaghan, Hyde Park Herald, 6/25/24
• Preservationist-Backed Study Finds Promontory Point Rock Wall is Good for Another 100 Years as Efforts Continue to Fight Off Demolition, Patty Wetli, WTTW Chicago, 4/4/24
• EDVY 2024 Winner: McLaren Engineering Group – Promontory Point
• McLaren Condition Study of Promontory Point, 6/5/24 (55 Minutes)
• Saving the Point, again; The beloved Hyde Park green space’s historic limestone is once more at risk of being destroyed, S. Nicole Lane, Chicago Reader, 3/20/24
• Promontory Point limestone steps on Chicago lakefront just need repair, not replacement: advocates, Evelyn Holmes, ABC 7 Chicago, 4/4/24
• Preservationists fight to save last stretch of lakefront limestone, Rachel Pierson, WBBM NewsRadio 780, 4/8/24
•    Promontory Point’s Limestone Is Still Protecting The Lakefront And Can Be Preserved, Advocates’ Study Finds; The Point needs a rehab, but that can be done using many of the existing limestone blocks — and without a drastic, costly overhaul, coastal engineers found, Maxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago, 4/8/24
• Independent Promontory Point Condition Study by McLaren Engineering Group
• Redesigning Morgan Shoal — engineering with nature and humanity gets real, Marc C. Monaghan, Hyde Park Herald, 3/27/24
• Kenwood Neighbors Push For Balance Between Tradition, Upgrades With Morgan Shoal Redesign; As local officials plan to reinforce the Kenwood lakefront and tout their proposal’s new amenities, some residents say they want the natural, “healing” charm of the shoal and Pebble Beach to be preserved, Maxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago, 3/25/24