Registration Required.  Advanced Registration Appreciated.  Your advanced registration helps us make sure we have enough goodies for all of the kids. Please register below and make sure to “check in” at the registration table the day of the event so we know you arrived.

The event is FREE, but donations are welcome and appreciated.  Donations can be made through Eventbrite when you register.  Thank you in advance for your consideration. For a PDF of the flyer, Click Here.

• Family: four tickets
• Individual: two tickets

The first month of the Chicago – Halsted Viaduct and Chicago Avenue River Bridge project is complete.

Project Overview

This project involves replacing the Halsted Street viaduct structure from Ancona Street to the north branch of the Chicago River, along with a full replacement of the Chicago Avenue River Bridge. The new river bridge will feature a tied-arch design, while the viaduct will be rebuilt in-kind. Additional improvements include a new riverwalk connection, protected bike lanes, dedicated CTA bus lanes, upgraded street lighting, and enhanced traffic signals. These upgrades aim to improve safety, accessibility, and multimodal connectivity throughout the area. Completion is anticipated in December 2026.

Work Completed

Crews have removed existing street lighting, traffic signals, signage, and bus shelters along Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue. Viaduct removal is underway along the north leg of Halsted and the east leg of Chicago, with significant progress made to date.

Upcoming Activities

Bridge demolition will continue over the next month, including concrete sawing, breaking, and steel beam removal. In areas where demolition is complete, crews will begin constructing new bridge piers. Please note that bridge demolition is inherently noisy and dusty; however, crews will implement measures to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

On September 29, 2025, the project will advance to the next phase – full closure of the viaduct and river bridge.

Michael Goldwater, President of One River Place Condominium Association

RESTORATION AND REINSTALLATION OF STATUE AT FORMER MONTGOMERY WARD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

Iconic Spirit of Progress statue, beacon of what is now One River Place Condominium Association in River North, was returned to her perch September 6th on the Chicago skyline after an extensive repair and restoration.

Chicago, IL September  2025: The Board and Homeowners of One River Place Condominium Association (formerly the Montgomery Ward & Company Administration building)  located at 758 N. Larrabee Street, at Chicago Avenue and the east bank of the Chicago River, have been performing projects to maintain and restore the building and important elements that contribute to its historic presence in Chicago.  As part of those projects they are pleased to announce the restoration of the iconic statue crowning our building: Diana, The Spirit of Progress.  Over the last 9 months the statue has undergone an extensive inspection, cleaning, and restoration and is now ready to reascend to her place of honor as a beacon of the Chicago skyline.

History: The building was originally constructed in 1928.  A statue of the Spirit of Progress (also referred to as Diana or the Goddess of the Hunt) was erected on top of a pedestal at the northeast corner of the building in 1929.  Made of bronze and standing 22.5 feet tall, this statue has been an icon of the Chicago skyline for almost a century.

The building, along with the original Montgomery Ward Catalog House building across the street, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.  We are presently seeking City of Chicago Landmark status.  The Statue was installed in its present location by Montgomery Ward & Company and is an updated version of the bronze statue that topped the former Montgomery Ward office at 2 N. Michigan Avenue, which itself was created and patterned after the statue on top of the Agriculture Building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Details on restoration and reinstallation: The statue was removed December 2024 and sent to the renowned Conservations of Sculpture and Objects Studio for restoration.  Over the past 9 months the statue has been repaired, cleaned, and her mounting has been reconstructed to ensure she will be securely attached to the building for many years to come.

Crane placement began at 8:00 AM Saturday September 6th: The Statue delivery and crane placement took place at the property at 758 N. Larrabee Street at 8:00 AM, and raising and reinstallation occurred between 10-Noon.  Viewing of the reinstallation was possible on the east side of Larrabee Street and also on Chicago Avenue.   After the statue’s reinstallation, final masonry work on the pedestal and refinishing will occur and additional lighting will be installed to highlight our beacon of the skyline.  This work and scaffolding removal are expected to occur before year-end 2025.

         Be part of the solution!

Sept 16 (Tuesday):  Beats 1831/1832 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Anti Cruelty 510 N. LaSalle. Note change in address.

Sept 18 (Thursday):  Beats 1833/1834 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Northwestern University – 303 E. Superior Street.

October 01 (Wednesday):  Beats 1214   5:00 p.m. 1121 N. Leavitt at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Note the October time is earlier than usual,