Jackson Park's Burnham Building To Be Restored With Help From 500,000 Federal Grant

The Burnham Building in Jackson Park, designed by the prestigious D. H. Burnham & Company in 1912, will be restored as a public restroom with a $500,000 federal grant. Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons announced that the renovation will incorporate new utilities and accessibility features. Following the award of construction bids early next year, the restoration is expected to take approximately one year to complete.

The comfort station has suffered extensive damage over the years, including a roof collapse due to heavy snowfall and a vehicle crash in 2021. Jackson Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, mandates adherence to federal standards during the restoration process. The Park District aims to restore the building to closely resemble its original appearance, with completion initially projected for late 2023. The project has received necessary approvals under the National Environmental Policy Act. The remaining costs of the multimillion-dollar project will be covered by the Park District's capital funds.