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Gibsons Says They Want Mariano Park Spot Not for Profit, But to Save Park

GOLD COAST — Now that the lease for Whisper’s Cafe is expiring soon, more than 30 bidders have lined up for a chance at to replace it at the choice concessionaire site in Mariano Park, 1051 N. State St.

One contender, Gibsons Steakhouse, nearby at 1028 N. Rush St., says they want the concession contract not to make money but to protect the parkland, according to Sara Roberts, executive assistant at the restaurant.

“If we make back our investment, we'd be very impressed,” Roberts said, adding that the Gibsons bid is "about maintaining the integrity of the park.”

Steakhouse officials said the plan is to preserve the current historical structure and build a new coffee shop at the south end of the park, Roberts said. This week they released a rendering of their planned design for the site.


A rendering of the cafe proposed by Gibsons. [Courtesy Gibsons Steakhouse]

The total price tag to restore the ol structure, update the park and build the proposed coffee house — which would be less than 400 square feet and  serve espresso, pastries and gelato — is estimated at around $1.3 million, Roberts said.

Other enterprises, including Shake Shack and RedEye, are also interested in the space.

If Gibsons keeps their promise, their goals are closely aligned with the hopes of some vocal nearby residents, who voiced their concerns for the site at a public meeting June 1 at the Newberry Plaza, 1030 N. State St.

Concerns expressed at the meeting included potential issues with traffic, liquor and the size of the structure. With limited space near Gibsons Steakhouse, Gold Coast neighbor Marcella Lattimore said she is concerned that the neighborhood is already cramped and worries the cafe may take up too much space.

“I could see it in a park that’s underutilized...but they’ve got that whole outdoor pavement,” Lattimore said. “I’m sad to see Whisper’s go, but make it work the way it is.”

John Rudnick, a Gold Coast resident who started SaveMarianoPark.com and is lobbying to keep Whisper's Cafe in the park, said he is also concerned about traffic and valet issues if Gibsons moves in, adding that valet service for their nearby steakhouse been problematic in the past.

Rudnick said he's also concerned about the possibility of liquor in the park, and about limiting its availability to residents who aren’t Gibsons patrons.

“I’m not out to bash Gibsons but I’m happy with how [the park] is maintained,” Rudnick said. “This has been working fine for 13 years.”

Whisper’s Cafe is also bidding for the park, but if Gibsons is awarded the deal, the new cafe would be slated to open in May 2016, Roberts said during the meeting.

The final decision lies with the Chicago Park District, though Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) and Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) have some influence in the decision, Hopkins said during the June 1 meeting, adding that he would not approve of liquor being sold in the park.

If a bidder is proposing substantial structural changes to the park, the Chicago Park District will notify the Mariano Park Advisory Council, according its president Peter Spiros.

The council will act as a liaison between the park district and Gold Coast residents and will give input if they think the proposal for the park will negatively affect the area.

”What I’ve seen so far, this is an elegant design [Gibsons has] put together, Spiros said. “If there’s something that we think is going to adversely affect the area, we certainly will step up.”

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