A groundbreaking ceremony has been held for the first phase of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the South Side. Replacing around half of the former South Works foundry, the fully realized campus will center around public-private partnerships, with California-based PsiQuantum serving as its anchor tenant.
Rendering of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Just a month ago, we reported that PsiQuantum secured roughly $1 billion in funding for its future projects, including the Chicago campus, which is being developed by Related Midwest and CRG. This first phase, designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative, will include an 88,000-square-foot office and lab building on the southeast corner of the 128-acre site.
Rendering of phase one of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of phase one of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Eventually, multiple computing buildings and a cryogenic cooling facility will be built along the Calumet River to support the creation of the first commercial quantum computer. Various other companies will join PsiQuantum on the campus, with additional office and lab space planned for the southern half of the land.
Image of groundbreaking via AP Images
Plans also call for an expansion of the site’s existing park, riverwalk, and lakefront path. The total cost of the development is estimated at $9 billion, with the state committing $200 million in incentives. This past week’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in the project, with phase one expected to be completed sometime in 2028.
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Why not divert funds to bail out TRANSIT deficits also ?
The article states $200 million in incentives, but that’s not directly $200 million in direct funding.
In our politics, it could very well mean that money is pocketed… but it’s not a means to fund transit, unfortunately—altogether a separate use of money. I don’t do statistics; this could be either wishful thinking for further investment (optimistic trickle-down) or a massive government payday.
We need more private investment, and as much as possible. (that’s responsible, of course) $9,000,000,000 for $200,000,000 seems like a massive tradeoff. Only time will tell in this newer age of Prtizker. This could very much determine his legacy as a governor.
He could go from best governor of Illinois (low bar) to having a legacy as governor if this pays out. I’m not hopeful on this panning out to the degree expected by most (commercial usefulness of quantum is low), but I think its low risk/high reward and won’t make or break Pritzker’s reputation.
He used Covid money to balance the state’s budget instead of implementing real structural change. He implemented cash bail. He completely caved to the public sector unions which means that the structural problems will only get worse. He has been extremely polarizing and nothing in the state works well. His reputation as just another nightmare in Illinois is already pretty solid.
He removed cash bail, improving social justice, not just a game for the wealthy to skirt. An equitable justice system is fundamental to a functioning democracy, not that our president leads by example.
“Nothing in the state works well.”
– People often complain about the DMV, but if you book your appointment, show up on time, and follow the process, you’re out in no time.
– Access to early childcare is becoming universal, and community colleges have never been more utilized, with it being free for working-class families.
– The University of Illinois has entered the top 10 public universities in the US.
– The high school graduation rate has reached its highest point in over a decade, and Illinois ranks among the top five states for college readiness.
– Credit upgrades are fundamental to future economic standings, and we’ve received 9. Yes, starting at garbage isn’t that impressive, but it’s not regressed.
– How many balanced budgets did Bruce Rauner achieve? Where’s the fault with him and four others for devastating our economy? Pritzker has delivered 7 (yes, Covid money was used) while we went over 18 years without one.
– Infrastructure funding hasn’t seen a most significant investment in decades. People decry the construction ALL THE TIME, yet get real silent the second you ask them about Indian’s notorious roadways.
– Illinois is one of the safest states to exist, however you choose to express yourself. He signed laws to protect reproductive rights, expand LGBTQ+ rights, and enshrine workers’ rights in the state constitution.
Get nitpicky because you want to wave a front-yard sign that says “Pritzker Sucks”. Glad my governor isn’t using our education budget to build prisons.
Truth be told? More like Stop Listening to Fox News, Troll
Yea, this 100 percent.
(To be clear I was echoing Z’s comment, the formatting of this board is not good)
Le Courvoisier, you should be thankful for Drew. If it weren’t for him you would be the biggest idiot on this forum.
TruthSocial™ strikes again with that zinger!
In the developed world, mockery isn’t considered an adequate response in debates nor in typical conversations.
The land planning appears to be like a suburban office park with no recognition that there is valuable lake frontage, no center for restaurants or services for the workers. I highly missed opportunity to create an intelligence village.
It certainly could have been much better considering the site. I always thought that the Obama Library would have been great in this locale. There could have been ferries from Navy Pier, plenty of open land, Michelle’s gardens, etc. The Metra Electric line could have even moved its terminus here.
This land is contaminated. Every project that aimed for a hopeful balance of happy people living their best lives would require an unreasonable amount of money that the states don’t have. Place these services elsewhere, not on the old steel mill site, where there are numerous opportunities to do something meaningful.
Perhaps there is hope someday down the line, but they are likely doing the most minimal of occupancy while still finding a productive use for the land.
Of course this makes sense… but the land would have made such a nice neighborhood high density or not. Water frontage on three sides, fairly drivable..
Yeah, ’cause people like living on poison soil with all those close by amenities like Gary, Indiana.
Where’s everybody going to park? I see no parking in the renderings?
Horrible planning. Without parking, it’s going to create a traffic nightmare for the community. Environmental racism!
I can see multiple surface parking lots in the render.
the proposed design, unfortunately, presents a significant missed opportunity for this prime lakefront parcel. its uninspired aesthetic lacks the distinctiveness and public draw necessary to serve as a civic asset for both residents and tourists. the investment of such valuable public land should be commensurate with a design that delivers long-term community enrichment and robust public benefit, rather than what appears to be a short-sighted focus on immediate, but minimal, financial returns.
The people hating on this are the most NIMBY. This parcel and this neighborhood need economic development so badly. Who said “invest in South and West”? So now there is investment in a site no one else wants in the South, on cutting edge technology, and we have a feed of NIMBY haters. Huge companies have already spent billions on quantum and it is going to happen someplace. If it doesn’t happen here then it will go somewhere else to a rural hole along the Great Lakes that will do anything to get investment. Stop complaining when you got the industry investment that you have been begging to get for years.
Well put. Bravo.
Any updates on the timeline of the new hospital here?
Truth be told-yes Pritzker has been a horrible public servant-this area is being built with nothing more than south suburban looking industrial warehouse looking buildings.
I don’t see any comments about the impact on Lake Michigan. Silicon Valley has had a tremendous negative impact on ocean levels and aquatic life. We are selling out our children and grandchildren…
Agree
Wonderful news! Remain excited about the full potential of this deep dive in science.
These data centers require huge amounts of electrical power and water. This site has both.
There are hundreds of miles of vacant or lightly developed land that can be residentially developed that are not serviced by major electrical lines.