The development plans for Chicago’s first casino have hit a hitch due because the planned 35-story hotel could damage underlying water pipes. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

The development plans for Chicago’s first-ever casino have hit a hitch. Bally’s Corporation has to go back to the drawing board as it has come to light that a 35-story hotel tower could cause damage to water pipes on the site. The Rhode Island-based casino company now has to decide on an alternative area on which to erect the tower and get approval from city officials.

Bally’s got the green light for its plans toward the end of 2022, with the first phase consisting of a 100-room hotel. The glass-faced tower was part of the second phase, which would create another 400 rooms.

risks of damaging the major water pipes that are close to the river

It was Bally’s that first pointed out the risk of damaging the major water pipes that are close to the river. City officials agreed following further inspection.

Work has not yet begun on the site and Bally’s hopes to break ground at some point this summer. It has opened a temporary casino at Medinah Temple while the work is ongoing, but the early figures from this temporary facility have come in significantly below projections. In the few months that it has been open, the city has benefitted by just $3.1m.

Bally’s is confident that despite the hitch with the pipes, the timeline remains the same and the permanent casino will be ready to open by September 2026.