The success of the 2018 Chicago Riverwalk season culminated in a public celebration with a fireworks display along the Chicago River on New Year’s Eve.  “The Riverwalk has changed the way people interact with the Chicago River, transforming from an industrial waterway to one of art, culture, music, architecture, and commerce,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Ringing in the New Year with a fireworks display along the River will build on the success of the past season and highlight all that is coming to the Riverwalk in 2019.” In 2019, the City will improve older sections of the Riverwalk east of Michigan Avenue to help create even more opportunities for residents and visitors to interact with and enjoy the Chicago River. Improvements will include changes to the path to re-orientate visitor’s experience with the river, recreation areas, children’s play area, public art and improved landscaping. The plan focuses on access points or gateways along the east end, including:

• Ellen Lanyon Gateway, LSD entrance: improved landscaping, outdoor public seating, viewing area to showcase existing Ellen Lanyon murals within gateway structure.

• Entrance at Field Drive: pedestrian connection from Lake Shore Drive east, children’s play area, public art space, improved landscaping, outdoor public seating, proposed submarine memorial

• Columbus Drive Plaza: improved landscaping and drainage, outdoor public seating, new elevator from Wanda Vista development

• Michigan Avenue East Plaza: access point from Michigan Avenue to showcase new gateway structure, improved plaza area with enhanced landscaping, outdoor furniture to provide visual screen for lower Wacker Drive. Immediate improvements to be made by Chicago’s First Lady Cruises to their sight, including new signage, re-cladding exterior of ticket offices and improved queuing on the path

• Michigan Avenue West Plaza: reconfigure existing plaza with improved landscaping and public seating to make plaza easier to navigate and more inviting to the public

• Michigan Avenue Market: west of Michigan Avenue Plaza, city planning to develop market to complement current concessions program to highlight neighborhood businesses