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| The 2008 Daley Plaza tree. (CBS photo) |
Posted: Tuesday, 03 November 2009 9:22AM
Budget whack! City trims Daley Plaza Christmas tree
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CHICAGO (CBS) ― Chicagoans love the Christmas tree in Daley Plaza, but the massive tree we've grown accustomed to is not coming back. The city is giving it the axe in favor of something more scaled down. Pam Zekman reports that thanks to a 2 Investigator report, the city will be saving taxpayers at least $150,000 this year by Trimming the Tree.
Remember the Daley Plaza Christmas tree from last year? It was 85 feet high and composed of 113 smaller trees.
City workers had to build a frame to hold it, then decorate it, then take it down. Six weeks of work at a cost of more than $300,000.
After CBS 2's report, Mayor Daley met with his Director of Special Events Megan McDonald. She told CBS 2 what happened.
"I can tell you, it's not a meeting I ever want to have again," McDonald said. "He was upset, and for good reason. I got very clear direction to do things a lot differently. And I think I've done that."
This year, the city is hiring a private contractor to cut down one big tree, bring it to Daley Plaza, set it up and then take it down after the holidays.
That's how they do it in New York for the tree in Rockefeller Center. McDonald says New York also advised Chicago on how to get the tree for free by having a contest.
"This is going to be a great new thing. If you have a tree, the tree in your backyard could be the city tree some day," McDonald said.
She says this year's tree is coming from a backyard in Orland Park. It's 54 feet high and 20 feet wide, about the maximum size that can be trucked into the city and get under the 'L' tracks.
City workers will still handle the electrical work to light the tree. But in the end, the city says last year's $300,000 cost will likely be cut at least in half.
The city also has a corporate sponsor now. Underwriters Laboratories is donating $100,000. So, the total cost may be cut to about $50,000.
Chicagoan Debra Lewis says she won't miss the old tree.
"Considering the deficit and the economy, and all of the tragedies that we're facing now economically, for the city, it's an excellent idea," Lewis said.
Bill Bowers agrees.
"I think it's a great idea. Why they didn't do it before, I'll never know," Bowers said.
The director of the Better Government Association, Andy Shaw, says scaling down the Daley Plaza tree is worth it if it means preserving more important city services.
"If we have to put up with a little less so that our garbage can be picked up and the firemen can come on time, and the police can patrol the streets, that's the basic stuff," Shaw said.
In the end, Megan McDonald says the current plans will result in a tree that is: "More fiscally responsible, and just as beautiful and wonderful as it has always been."
The tree is expected to arrive in Daley Plaza later this week. The city plans to have it ready for the tree-lighting ceremony on November 25th.
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