Alderman Danny Solis attended Monday’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate hearing to express his support for the Chicago Park District’s acquisition of land in the 25th Ward for a proposed 27,000 square foot indoor skate park. The indoor park would be the first of its kind in the City of Chicago. The ordinance, proposed by former Mayor Richard Daley, would sell land to the Chicago Park District for further recreational space. “I support adding recreational space for residents. This would be the first indoor skate park in the City of Chicago and will be adjacent to the recent Ping Tom Park expansion. I look forward to this park being a jewel of the city and working with Alderman Pat Dowell and Alderman Bob Fioretti on this project,” said Ald. Solis at the hearing. The proposed skate park would be funded by approximately $2 million in TIF funds as part of the River South TIF. The land currently holds open space as well as a recycling center. Although the plan does not currently detail what will happen to the recycling center, it will be relocated to another area. “I do not want to get rid of any recycling in the city. In fact, I’d like to add more,” said Ald. Solis. The vote today was only for the acquisition of the land and not a vote on the proposal itself. A process of community input will begin once the land has been acquired by the Chicago Park District.