McCormick Place Lakeside Center Arms Glass Exteriors with Bird-Safe Film, Battles Bird Collisions in Chicago

The McCormick Place Lakeside Center has concluded the installation of bird-safe films across its glass exteriors, a project designed to prevent bird casualties on the vast glass surfaces that have historically posed a lethal threat to avian migrants throughout Chicago. The protective measures come as the city encounters another peak in bird migration, and follows last year's distressing incident where nearly 1,000 birds lost their lives in a single day's collision at the convention center. The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which manages McCormick Place, announced the $1.2 million initiative's completion this past Tuesday.

Significant in its timing, the installation of the bird-safe film aligns with the migratory patterns of birds flying south through Chicago during the fall season. As detailed by a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Larita Clark, CEO of the MPEA, has emphasized their commitment to being "a good neighbor and environmental steward," noting their swift action to remedy the glass hazard after last year’s mass collision event. The bird-safe film, covering an area equivalent to two football fields’ worth of glass, aims to alert birds of the looming barriers, curtailing the risk of impact.

Annette Prince, associated with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, lauded McCormick Place for this proactive step, acknowledging improved outcomes. "We are excited McCormick Place finished its application, and we think it's already yielding good results," Prince told the Sun-Times. Since the installation, the occurrence of bird collisions has reportedly dropped at the Lakeside Center, in contrast to other city buildings where such incidents persist.

Despite these advancements, McCormick Place has come under scrutiny from local residents who have observed lapses in another bird-friendly initiative. The building has pledged participation in the 'Lights Out Chicago' program, which encourages buildings to dim or turn off their lights at night to avert the disorientation of migratory birds. However, Irshaad Goedar, a South Loop resident with a clear view of the center, noted that the commitment seems to wane, sighting the lights on and the drapes open during periods crucial for bird navigation. "We need more public accounting," Goedar stressed in the Chicago Sun-Times interview, calling for more consistent enforcement of light regulations.

Complementing the bird film installation, MPEA is reportedly cooperating with the Field Museum to track daily collisions during migration seasons, as reported in an article by WTTW News. Furthermore, Chicago’s birding community remains vigilant, continuing to advocate for bird-friendly building practices throughout the city, recognizing that while Lakeside Center has been a significant concern, it is far from the only hazard in Chicago’s skyscape.