Introduced: June 8,2011 Referred to: Committee on Finance
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago (the "City") is a home rule unit of government by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution of the State of Illinois of 1970, and as such, may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that maintaining a transportation terminal in the West Loop is an economic driver for the City, bolstering its position as a cultural and commercial hub for the Midwest; and
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in preserving its cultural identity through the conservation of its iconic buildings; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Union Station ("Union Station"), located in the West Loop, is a Landmark (as that term is defined in Chapter 2-120 of the Municipal Code of Chicago) and a publicly-owned transportation center maintained by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation ("Amtrak") for the annual benefit of approximately 31 million rail passengers to, from and through Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak is the Federal corporation responsible for providing intercity and interstate passenger train service in the United States and, pursuant to FederaLlaw codified at 49 U.S.CA 24301(1), is "exempt from a tax, fee, head charge, or other charge, imposed or levied by a State, political subdivision, or local taxing authority on Amtrak;" and
WHEREAS, Amtrak plans to renovate the historic eight-story office structure portion of Union Station located at 210 South Canal Street, 225 South Canal Street, and 500 West Jackson Street, Chicago, IL 60606 (such renovation, "the Project"), including the installation of air conditioning in the Great Hall public space to allow year-round passenger waiting and special event space and the rehabilitation of two floors of the vacant office building for the relocation of its Central Division employees; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are expressly incorporated in a made a part of this ordinance as though fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2. In connection with the Project, the City shall waive those certain fees as more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof.
SECTION 3. To the extent that any ordinance, resolution, rule, order or provision of the Municipal Code of Chicago, or part thereof, is in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, the provisions of this ordinance shall control.
SECTION 4. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this ordinance shall be held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the other provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall be effective as of the date of its passage and approval.
EXHIBIT A
Fee Waivers*
Department of Buildings
Plan Review, Permit and Inspection Fees: A. Building Permit:
Construction/Architectural/Structural Internal Plumbing
Department of Housing, Economic Development and Zoning
Zoning Fees
Department of Water Management
Tap Fees
Cut and Seal Fees
(Fees to purchase B-boxes and remote.read-outs are not waived.)
Permit (connection) and Inspection Fees Sealing Permit Fees
Department of Transportation
Street Opening Fees Driveway Permit Fees Use of Public Way Fees
* The preceding fee waivers specifically do not include any waiver of Amtrak's obligation to reimburse the City for: (1) costs payable to City's parking meter concessionaire for loss of revenue, if the Project restrictions the use of public meters in the area surrounding Union Station; (2) costs that may be payable to City's street furniture contractor as a result of the Project; or (3) any third-party design review costs.
HVAC
Water for Construction
B. C. D. E. F.
Smoke Abatement Electrical Permit: Service and Wiring Elevator Permit (if applicable) Wrecking Permit (if applicable) Fencing Permit (if applicable)
Fees for the review of building plans for compliance with accessibility codes by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities imposed by Section 13-32-310(2) of the Municipal Code of Chicago