Opponents seek to end a bungee-jumping venue, citing environmental and safety concerns.
A group of local business owners is looking to shut down a bungee-jumping event that has drawn negative attention to the city.
“We’re going to ask for an ordinance banning the event from the city,” said Steve Johnson, whose company will host the July 3 event on East 12th Street in front of the Central Park-Midtown Station complex.
Johnson said his company is doing more than hosting one event. He also wants to provide a venue for other businesses to hold similar functions. He added that hosting the bungee-jumping event is a way to show support for the area.
“The City Council can change the ordinance,” he said. “They don’t need to ban it. We’re here to support our mayor and city government. We’re not here to hurt the city.”
Opponents, who could bring the issue to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City Council, say a ban will create a problem for the community.
“The first thing we’d need to do is get some sort of plan on making sure everyone is safe while they’re on a bungee,” said Tony Plohetski, director of the Central West End Merchants Association. “We have the best police in the world and they can’t even respond to a call?”
Johnson said the event will be “more in support of the community.” And he added that he was speaking for himself and not for the city, his company or its organizers.
Johnson added, “We’re not asking for the event to be banned. This is the event. We’re just asking for an ordinance that would prevent us from ever doing something like this again.”
The event, which is scheduled for July 3, has drawn negative attention in the community. The Times’ readers will be the first to see a full report in Wednesday’s paper.
One of the most vocal critics of the event has been Dan Qu