In December, the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council was asked by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency to review their recommendation that Navy Pier be removed from the National Register of Historic Places because of the demolition of the freight and passenger sheds. The vote did not support removal.
The council is deeply concerned by the demolition of the sheds. They were an integral part of the pier complex designed by architect Charles Sumner Frost and engineer Edward Clapp Shankland, major figures in the history of Chicago architectural achievement.
The historical significance of Navy Pier as a totality cannot be overstated. This entire complex made Chicago a great shipping port and extended its commercial influence beyond domestic shores. These buildings have served Chicago as a recreational center, a university campus and an exhibition hall as well.
The council feels there should have been more consideration given to the possible adaptive re-use of the irreplaceable portions of the buildings that were demolished.
Future plans for Navy Pier must take into account the historic context of the remaining structures. Planned additions must be sensitive to the integrity of the Head House and the auditorium and should be designed in accordance with the sound preservation principles.
