Navy Pier Inc

Programs: In 2014, navy pier served an estimated 8. 5 million visitors (65% from chicagoland and 35% from elsewhere), once again making it the most visited place in the midwest. Throughout the year, npi provided a wide range of free and low-cost events and programs to the public including: - the navy pier free fireworks shows, which ran throughout the summer and on special holidays including chinese new year, venetian night, halloween and new year's eve, and were viewed by a total of 1. 4 million members of the public; - 142 outdoor musical performances free and open to the public; - the free 8-week-long series, neighborhoods of the world, which celebrated chicago's diversity; - the annual winter wonderfest, a spectacular holiday-themed event providing affordable indoor family activities, which was attended by over 284,000 people; - a fourth of july celebration and fireworks show, which was attended by 175,000 people and was free to all; - the free annual snow days family event, which included professional snow sculpting teams from around the world and a sculpting competition between teams representing 12 chicago public schools. In 2014, npi generated $41. 5 million in revenue resulting in a $900,000 operating surplus, which enabled npi to build reserves to support infrastructure and fund high-impact community programming. Npi also continued to manage and operate the 50-acre property housing multiple uses including parks, indoor gardens, events spaces and spaces for not-for-profit and commercial tenants. This included stewardship and maintenance of two historic landmark structures: the headhouse and the terminal building/grand ballroom, which have been preserved since their construction in 1914-1916. Construction continued throughout 2014 on phase one of navy pier's redevelopment and began to show visible progress on the promenade and south dock including the addition of a new tree grove and wave stairs leading up to pier park. In addition, npi began to engage representatives of chicago's non-profit performing arts community and accessibility leaders on informing the design of new spaces. Input from a wide range of stakeholders directly impacted the design of planned new performance lawns in polk bros park, which will translate to a better experience for a wide range of end users including performers, families and people living with a range of physical conditions. In july of 2014, the polk bros. Foundation announced a legacy gift of $20 million to npi. In honor of the polk family and in furtherance of navy pier's vision to better serve chicago and chicagoans with enriching cultural offerings, the 13-acre green space at the entrance to navy pier was renamed polk bros park in advance of its complete renovation, which will include a graceful new promenade, an expansive plaza anchored by a spectacular, interactive fountain, which will serve as an ice skating rink in the winter months and two new performance lawns and stages. This gift also led to the launch of a strategic planning process around arts and discovery that will result in 2016 pilot programming and a strategic plan created in partnership with non-profit, arts, cultural, civic and community leaders. Once again this year, npi was proud to partner with the high-impact chicago not-for-profit organizations that call navy pier home: chicago shakespeare theater, chicago public media (91. 5 wbez), chicago children's museum and the richard h. Driehaus gallery of stained glass at navy pier. Npi provided critical support to these organizations in the form of reduced or free rent, and continued to partner with and support chicago shakespeare theater in its expansion plans. In 2014, npi also continued to implement a 30-year sustainable master plan to address water usage, waste, energy usage and transportation. Npi installed new green infrastructure to retain, treat and reuse storm water and to prevent runoff pollutants from entering lake michigan and the chicago river. Npi also began work on several projects to install premium efficiency lighting and ventilation equipment, which will reduce navy pier's carbon footprint. Navy pier's festival hall (conference center), crystal gardens (indoor green space) and historic grand ballroom hosted approximately 215 public and private events including trade shows, weddings, consumer shows, exhibitions, corporate meetings, sporting events and banquets.