Chicago City Wire

On February 6 the Wheeling Board of Trustees met to discuss two ordinances pertaining to the construction of a new building proposed by the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago, and ultimately unanimously voted to approve.

One of the ordinances discussed dealt with amendments to the approved site plan, floor plan and building elevations of Bisco Hall, which is the fourth building in the site plan of the Cultural Center. The other was a request for approval to build the special events hall on the site.

“It's a beautiful building,” said board member Mary Papantos. “The renderings look great, and I hope it ends up looking exactly like this. And I know your events are well attended.”

According to information presented at the meeting, the proposed amendment to a special use permit was discussed as the Cultural Center intends to demolish the existing building and replace it with Bisco Hall. This is an 8,800-square-foot special event building with performance space, a banquet facility and flexible main floor and storage areas.

The Cultural Center brought its proposal to the planning commission on January 25 where they approved it unanimously for plans as long as conditions were met. The center will need to replace the north-facing trash enclosure and get plans approved by Cook County. They will also require a new fire service in the building and a new hydrant. The center will be prohibited from removing landscape without permission and will need to submit a plat of their easements before being allowed occupancy.

Project Manager Eric Eichler answered questions from the board, and one main concern was about parking and conflicts with events nearby.

“My only concern is parking,” Papantos said, adding “What are we going to do when there is no place to park?”

Eichler said they would coordinate with neighbors to minimize issues in the case of large-scale events. There has also been a drop-off area created for visitors to be dropped off or park, and walk up to the building.

“I think the cultural center feels like those have been addressed,” Eichler said of the board’s concerns.