The revised plan of Bally’s casino project has stripped up quite the controversy and things took a turn of events when Bird Friendly Chicago expressed their concerns about the project. Bird Friendly Chicago is an organization consisting of the Chicago Ornithological Society, Chicago Bird Alliance, and Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and is known for advocating for bird safety and friendliness. Recently, Bird Friendly Chicago has rallied against Bally’s casino project after it was found that the new proposed location for the project can disrupt the safe environment for birds.
Bally’s casino will be built after destroying the Freedom Centre where a new casino hotel will be built. The gaming company obtained the right to the land for a building project in the year 2022 and then the plan was to build the casino hotel on the northern end of the property. However, things turned upside down when last year the Bally’s realized that it is impossible to build a casino hotel on the northern end as it could potentially damage the underground structure and disrupt the water supply to neighboring areas. After being faced with such a situation, the Bally decided to build their project on the southern side of the area which sparked concerns among various organizations Bird Friendly Chicago being one of them.
The spokesperson for Bird Friendly Chicago has shared that the newly proposed construction plan of Bally’s casino can have devastating consequences on the local bird population. It was also said that the increased human activity, bright light, and increased noise can interfere with the bird population’s breeding and migratory patterns. The spokesperson added that the Bally’s casino project can have long-term negative effects on the biodiversity of the region.
There are two prime concerns that Bird Friendly Chicago has shared about the project which can interfere with the proper survival of birds and they are high glass windows and heavy nighttime lighting. These are two things that a casino hotel can’t remove from its design. However, these two things can put the lives of birds in that landscape in danger as nighttime sounds can confuse them and the possibility of them hitting the glass as they don’t know how to avoid transparent glasses.
After Bird Friendly Chicago shared their concerns about the projects, locals and residents started to protest against the project and voiced their concerns through various social media platforms. There are also online petitions for halting the project.
The representative of Bally’s Casino has responded to the concern raised by Bird Friendly Chicago by saying that they are committed to responsible development and will work closely with environmental experts to ensure that the project won’t disrupt the biodiversity and minimize interference with the habitation of birds.
Although Bally’s Casino pledged to not disrupt the biodiversity, Bird Friendly Chicago and organizations alike are skeptical about the project and they have demanded a more transparent approach from the developers. Bird Friendly Chicago urges city officials to get into the matter and to study the environmental consequences that the project can have on the landscape before approving further development of the project.
Since there are protests stirring up against the project, it is unsure what the future holds for the project. If the company approaches an accountable method for building the project that won’t disrupt the environment for birds, then Bally’s Casino can move forward with their project without any objections from any organizations.
