Public to weigh in Thursday on demolition permit for site of E2 nightclub tragedy

21 died, dozens injured in 2003 incident; developer now wants to build on site

Stephanie Wade Image
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Public to weigh in Thurs. on demo permit for E2 nightclub tragedy site
Public to weigh in Thurs. on demo permit for E2 nightclub tragedy siteThe public can weigh in Thursday on a demolition permit for the site of the E2 nightclub tragedy in Chicago's Motor Row District.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is a chance Thursday to weigh in on the proposed demolition of a piece of Chicago history.

The building is part of the historical Motor Row National Register District.

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But it was also the scene of a tragedy that killed 21 people and injured dozens more.

The building in the Motor Row District was at the center of one of the city's deadliest incidents: the E2 nightclub tragedy.

There's a public hearing Thursday morning, as city leaders work to decide whether to demolish it.

The 124-year-old building is listed as a contributing structure to the Motor Row national register district.

It was built as a showroom for automobiles along Michigan Avenue, marking Chicago's involvement in developing the American auto industry.

The building then made headlines in 2003, when 21 people died in a stampede, trying to escape the E2 nightclub.

It's sat vacant ever since.

Devastated relatives of E2 victims have pushed for the building to be demolished and turned into a memorial site to honor their loved ones.

They've said in the past they'll protest any other development at the site of the tragedy.

A developer purchased the Motor Row building in 2021, and wants to replace it with a 21-story development.

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks preliminarily denied a permit to demolish the building in August, prompting Thursday's public hearing on the demolition permit.

It's set to begin at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

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