Chicago mayor Richard Daley has been trying for a while to have the city’s children museum moved to Grant Park, and now there is a possible explanation of why Daley is insisting on the move, that would cost at least $100 million, when next year’s budget has a multi-million deficit.

It turns out that the plans for moving the museum require taking 400 parking spots in a parking garage leased to Morgan Stanley, who employs the mayor’s nephew, William Daley Jr.  Morgan Stanley is projected to make $3 million a year, because the move is expected to bring in more visitors to the museum, and the company just raised the parking rates 29%.

Those who are opposed to the move point out that putting the museum on Grant Park would violate a law that requires the lakefront to be open, free and clear of buildings.

Morgan Stanley is not going to stop with possibly being in control of the Chicago Children’s Museum’s parking.  The company is also negotiating two other leases with the city, that would allow them to manage Midway Airport and the city’s parking meters.

Click link below: “Chicago Sun-Times” to read the article.

Parking bonanza

THE WATCHDOGS | Mayor's nephew's firm stands to make millions on museum move

August 28, 2008

BY TIM NOVAK, CHRIS FUSCO, NATASHA KORECKI, & BRIDGET KENNEDY