24-Jul-08 – The controversial overhead doors were installed this week at Dick’s Last Resort. The Dallas-based restaurant chain is expecting to open at Marina City in late August. CEO Steve Schiff, who was in Chicago this week, says they hope to finish construction by August 1. After that, he says they will work on finishes and decorations.

(Above) Three aluminum and glass doors will open to a new outdoor patio along the south wall of the Marina City concourse level.

Described by many as “garage doors,” the three eight-foot-wide retractable doors now lead to an eight-foot-deep outdoor patio that will accommodate nine tables. A portion of the south wall was moved back to create the exterior space in the southwest corner of the concourse level.

More soundproofing than originally planned

Schiff described three forms of soundproofing, an issue of concern to residents at Marina City. Material was sprayed beneath the concrete floor to reduce vibration coming from sound sources within the restaurant. Panels made of a material called Tectum were installed in the ceiling. And in the east wall separating the band area from the residential mailboxes, four layers of sheet rock were installed instead of two layers that were originally planned.

On Tuesday, Dick’s Last Resort CEO Steve Schiff (seen above) showed off progress in the commercial tenant space to Marina City Online.

Schiff says the aluminum and glass panel doors on the south wall will keep sound levels below the 45 decibels allowed by city code. He says they will measure the sound periodically and keep the doors closed when a band is performing.

Typical customer difficult to define

Schiff says Dick’s customers are a broad mix and challenging to target. But off the top of his head, he said the typical customer is a 35-year-old women who drives in from Wisconsin, or a financial worker in downtown Chicago.

“We’re all about events. Elvis’s birthday, Mardi Gras, Aunt Sally in town,” says Schiff. “Dick’s is about making a splash and being irreverent.”

Schiff reiterated that a pre-opening event of some type will be held for residents, the details of which are still being worked out. As for the first bands, Schiff says he’d like to start with a Big Band sound. “Lots of horns.”

 More images of Dick’s Last Resort

30-Jun-08 – Crunch will close its fitness facility at Marina City, company officials have confirmed. General Manager Sean Herron says they were “unable to negotiate acceptable lease agreements” at Marina City and at 820 North Orleans, two of five Crunch locations in Chicago. Both locations will close on July 31.

Crunch will still have facilities at 30 East Grand Avenue, 939 West North Avenue, and 2727 North Lincoln Avenue. Herron says Crunch members will receive a letter soon that explains the closings and offers special incentives at the other locations.

Gym equipment from the Marina City location will be donated to charity, according to Lauren Boukas, a spokesperson for Crunch.

Crunch has been at Marina City since June 1999. It replaced a Bally Total Fitness location. In 2002, Bally acquired the company that owns Crunch, then sold it off in 2006. Based in New York, AGT Crunch Acquisition LLC operates 30 facilities across the United States. Its estimated sales in 2007 were $118.7 million, according to Hoover’s.

 Crunch web site

353 North Clark takes over northwest view

(Above) Illuminated at sunrise by construction lights, 353 North Clark, diagonal from Marina City, rises to about the 30-floor level in mid-June on its way to 44 floors. It is scheduled for completion in 2009. (Click on image to view larger version.)

27-Jun-08 – Another hearing was held recently over a consumer fraud complaint filed by a west tower resident against Marina Towers Condominium Association.

The complaint was filed with the City of Chicago Department of Consumer Services on February 28 by Mindy Verson, who claims MTCA has not provided financial documents she requested in November 2007.

Just prior to an informal hearing on January 30, MTCA agreed to a schedule for allowing Verson to see financial records. Although she was allowed to see summaries from 2006 and 2007 – but not allowed to make copies – she wanted to see detailed records of attorney fees paid by the association.

According to an audit by an outside CPA firm, legal expenses incurred last year by MTCA were 149 percent over budget. General legal fees were budgeted at $15,000 but $37,322 was actually spent. Legal fees related to collections were $38,405, or 54 percent over budget, and offset by legal fee income of just $19,624.

Through its attorney, former state legislator Ellis Levin, MTCA denied the request, saying Verson had not given a “proper purpose” for the request. Levin says legal bills are subject to attorney-client privilege and not available to unit owners, and that copies of his invoices to MTCA are not included in the definition of “financial books and records” of the association.

A Chicago municipal code section requires a condominium association to allow unit owners to inspect its financial books and records within three days after a written request is made. MTCA could be subject to a fine by the City of Chicago of $300 per day.

Appearing at the June 25 hearing were Verson and her attorney, Leo G. Aubel. Representing MTCA were Levin and residential property manager David Gantt. A decision is expected from department director Barbara Gressel in about two weeks.

 March 10 MCO story: Lawyers square off in MTCA records dispute

Steven Dahlman is a writer and photographer who lives at Marina City. He has written for radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and web sites. He was a radio news director, reporter, and anchor for more than a dozen stations and networks. From 1984 to 1990, he was a regular contributor to ABC Radio Networks.