Some residents of Marina City-those iconic corncob towers north of the Loop-may have a front-row seat to Nik Wallenda's high-wire act Sunday, but building management there is setting some ground rules.
Wallenda will do a two-part walk-first between the Leo Burnett Building and Marina City's west tower over the Chicago River and then, blindfolded, he will walk a span between Marina City's west and east towers. The walk is set to begin at 6 p.m., according to Discovery Channel, which will air the event live.
On Oct. 16th, building management sent a memo to residents who plan to watch the daredevil feat from their balconies, banning laser pointers, flash photography, fireworks, yelling, loud music or disturbing sounds, drones, grilling, throwing things and leaning over the railings. Residents also are limited to a maximum of 10 guests per balcony, according to the memo, and each of those guests must be registered in advance.
"We are all very excited to be a part of this historic event," the memo states. "Marina City will be on the world stage and we want to make a favorable impression, ensure your safety and that of Nik Wallenda and his crew."
The letter also warns that any violations will "be dealt with severely."
"I don't take this personally. There's a lot at stake, including somebody's life," said Steven Dahlman, who rents a north-facing apartment in Marina City and edits Marina City Online, a news website that covers the towers and surrounding neighborhoods. "People are just jockeying for space on a balcony somewhere, and it's a big deal here. There are only a lucky few who have a great vantage point."
Dahlman, who will be watching the event from a designated press area, noted that because the towers are cylindrical, the majority of residents will have little to no view of the tightrope walk.
But, "facing south, you'd have an amazing view," he said. "You'll see him, you'll be within shouting distance. I think it will be an odd thing for [Wallenda] because I don't think many of his walks have involved populated buildings."
The city is planning street closures between Thursday and Sunday to prepare for the walk, according to a newsletter Ald. Brendan Reilly (2nd), whose ward includes the downtown area, released to constituents Tuesday.
While crews install the wires and rigging Wallenda will use during his walk, several street closures are planned. From 9 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday, Wacker Drive will be closed from Dearborn Street to State Street, and both Dearborn and State streets will be closed from Wacker Drive north to Kinzie Street.
On Sunday, Wacker Drive will be closed between State and Dearborn streets. In addition, the State Street and Dearborn Street bridges will both be closed between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The Chicago Police Department and the city's Office of Emergency Management also have a list of streets that may be closed at the discretion of law enforcement during the event, either for safety or crowd control purposes, according to Reilly's letter. Those streets include:
- State Street from Kinzie Street to the State Street Bridge
- State Street from Lake Street to Wacker Drive
- Dearborn Street from Kinzie Street to the Dearborn Street Bridge
- Dearborn Street from Lake Street to Wacker Drive
The closures may effect vehicle and pedestrian access to Marina City Towers, the Renaissance Hotel, the House of Blues and Catch 35, Reilly said in his note.
The Chicago River also will be completely inaccessible from 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday between the State and Dearborn Street bridges.
Chicago Tribune contributed.
Chicago Tribune contributed.