Chicago group to remove 'Lightscape' from downtown area

CHICAGO (AP) - An organization that advocates for Chicago's central business district has decided to remove some decorative clusters of lights and speakers from the city's downtown.

The Chicago Loop Alliance is uninstalling 'œLightscape,'ť a multisensory experience that was unveiled in 2011. Each cluster included 50 to 100 energy-efficient LED lights that were in sync with songs that played through the speakers, WLS-TV reported.

The clusters were designed by Site Design Group, an award-winning Chicago landscape architecture group. DesignLab and Traxon Technologies supplied the equipment used for the project, which was installed by Horizon Contractors.

'ť'~Lightscape' has become an integral, beloved part of State Street over the past decade, but we're excited to explore how this space can be used in a future version of State Street,'ť said Michael Edwards, president and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance.

The organization will consider a replacement that aligns with its Elevate State plan, a corridor plan for State Street that was scheduled for completion this year until the coronavirus pandemic delayed it until 2021.

'œChicago Loop Alliance is focused on economic recovery of the Loop after COVID-19 dealt the central business district an unimaginable blow,'ť said Kalindi Parikh, the organization's director of planning. 'œIn order to recover, the Loop needs people. Public art and placemaking projects will be an important factor in reactivating downtown, and planning for '~Lightscape' replacement that fits into our larger Elevate State plan is something we're very excited about.'ť