A plan to move the Chicago Children's Museum from Navy Pier to an underground site at Grant Park drew plenty of testimony from opponents yesterday, but it wasn't enough to sway zoning commission members.

The Chicago Commission on Zoning voted 6-3 Thursday to recommend city council approval on the move, a decision that commission members admitted was likely to be controversial.

Voting against the plan were Ed Smith (D-28), Rey Colon (D-35) and Vi Daley (D-43).

The $100 million project is expected to be voted on by the full council next week.

Dozens of people in yellow "Save Grant Park" t-shirts addressed the commission during a meeting that stretched more than six hours.

Opponents cited the Montgomery Ward decisions by the Illinois Supreme Court, which banned construction of buildings for private use at Grant Park.

Architects for the children's museum believe they have circumvented the court ruling by designing a building that is below ground, accessed by a series of ramps.

And some zoning members, including Ald. Bernard Stone (D-50), tugged at Ward's credibility by suggesting he objected to building on Grant Park because it would have obstructed his view from Michigan Avenue.

Other complaints about the project ranged from traffic concerns, the precedent it might set with other private entities seeking space under Grant Park, and the idea that the museum would be seeking a liquor license.

Ald. Brendan Reilly, who represents the 42nd Ward where Grant Park sits, said he opposed the project because it might set a dangerous precedent.

"What happens after this is approved?" he asked during testimony Thursday. "I'm concerned that larger structures will be built in the sub areas... This does not honor the intent of Montgomery Ward."

Instead, Reilly endorsed Northerly Island as the new home of the museum, citing its proximity to Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum.

He said a lawsuit was pending on behalf of 30 plaintiffs on Randolph Street who said their due process was violated because proper notice was not given before the plan commission's vote on May 15.

That suit may be only the first of many over the move, Reilly said, and future lawsuits will likely attack the construction of a private building at Grant Park.

Tom Wolf, president of Friends of Downtown, voiced concern that the museum would eventually need to expand in a location that doesn't seem to have much room for growth. But he was also concerned about setting a bad precedent.

"At best, it waters down Grant Park protections," Wolf said. "At worst, it destroys them."

Jennifer Farrington, president of the museum, expressed relief that the project was nearing final approval.

"We're very grateful for the support of the committee," Farrington said. "We have welcomed the regular process and the various opinions in this. We have a lot of patience. This is an important project. We're very sorry it's reached the level of tension it has."

After the vote, Reilly said he was disappointed that his fellow alderman had not voted his way, a rare violation of the city's code of aldermanic prerogative.

"I wouldn't wish this on any of my colleagues," Reilly said. "I am concerned about the future of prerogative."

Stone said that in this case, the future of Grant Park trumps aldermanic prerogative.

"This belongs to the entire city, not just Ald. Reilly," Stone said. "This is the center of the city and it belongs to all of us."

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