RIVERS CASINO AT THE 78

Rivers78.com
Fact Sheet

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Summary
Location
Facts & Figures
The Team
Community Commitment
Minority Investment
Key Differentiators

SUMMARY
The Entertainment District at The 78 is a transformative development that will change the way
Chicago works, plays and lives. This exciting destination for Chicagoans and tourists alike will
spotlight the best of the city’s entertainment, culinary and music heritage with new and
unmatched experiences. Sitting on one of the most connected locations in the city, The 78 will
create the missing link between Downtown and the South Side and create a gathering place of
unprecedented accessibility for every Chicagoan who can arrive via L, Metra, water taxi,
walkways, bike paths, the new Wells-Wentworth Connector, Roosevelt Road, I-90/94, 290 or
DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

The Entertainment District will be anchored by Rivers Casino at The 78, which will feature 3,300
initial gaming positions, a world-class sportsbook, a year-round winter garden and an event
space. It will be home to the city’s most iconic restaurateurs; local, up-and-coming minority- and
women-owned food concepts; and a re-born Mister Kelly’s nightclub, once a world-renowned
stage for performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Richard Pryor and Barbra Streisand. A visit to The
78 will provide an unmatched food, beverage and entertainment experience that visitors will
never forget.

The Entertainment District represents a $1.6 billion investment in the Near South Side and the
small and minority-owned businesses that will come together to build it. Rivers 78 will be
complemented by a 300-key, luxury hotel that will rank among the city’s most desirable
accommodations; Harbor Hall, which will bring can’t miss performances and cultural exhibits; a
Riverfront Plaza featuring year-round activations; and the crown jewel: an over 1,000-foot
Observation Tower featuring breathtaking, purpose-built viewing and event space, drawing
inspiration from Chicago’s historic bridges and redefining the city’s skyline from the perspective
of the South Side.

In addition, the Entertainment District will act as a catalyst for the rest of The 78, which will be a
community featuring a residential district, affordable housing and an innovation district anchored
by the University of Illinois-led Discovery Partners Institute. When complete, The 78 will
comprise an entirely new community with ripple effects that reach into the surrounding
neighborhoods, supporting their residents and small businesses.

LOCATION
Rivers Casino will be located at the north end of The 78, a 62-acre mixed-use neighborhood in
Chicago, bordered by Clark Street, Roosevelt Road, 16th Street and the Chicago River. Its
riverfront location will give visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of Chicago’s most precious
natural resources while the Observation Tower will both supplement Chicago’s iconic skyline
and offer a view of the existing skyline from a never-before-seen perspective.

FACTS & FIGURES

● 1,000-foot Observation Tower
● 7,000 construction and permanent jobs
● 200 minority investors
● $100+ million in minority investment
● $1.6 billion investment in Near South Side
● Top 3 destination

THE TEAM
Related Midwest is Chicago’s preeminent developer of mixed-use properties and has a 30-year
history of transforming neighborhoods. Rush Street Gaming is a leading developer and operator
of casinos and riverfront properties and operates the highest performing casino in Illinois.
Together, we are best-in-class developers, operators and owners. Our unique combination of
financial wherewithal, industry leadership, community commitment and dedication to the city
where we live and work will lead to a definitive win for all of Chicago.

Developer
Related Midwest and Rush Street Gaming

Design Team
Related Midwest and Rush Street Gaming have assembled a team of global thought leaders,
many of whom are headquartered in Chicago:
● Urban Planner: Phil Enquist and SOM
● Entertainment District Designers: Juan Moreno of JGMA (MBE) and KPF
● Casino Layout Architects: Klai Juba Wald
● Interior Designers: Rockwell
● Riverfront Plaza Designers: Ross Barney Architects (WBE) and Site Design Group
(MBE)
Construction Team
Related Midwest has partnered with BOWA Construction (MBE) as managing general
contractor for the Entertainment District at large (including hotel, Observation Tower and
Riverfront). Related and BOWA are building on a successful eight-year partnership that includes
innovative properties such as Taylor Street Library and Apartments; the award-winning Lathrop,
a riverfront community; and 900 Randolph, a luxury high-rise currently under construction in the
West Loop.

BOWA Construction has brought on Pepper Construction to manage the casino building
construction in a joint venture partnership.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
Rivers Casino at The 78 represents a community-first approach that will create more than 7,000
construction and permanent jobs for Chicagoans with a focus on those who are historically
underrepresented in the building trades, professional services and construction industry.

Related Midwest has demonstrated a commitment to community through more than

$250,000,000 dollars in contracts with M/WBE businesses over the last 10 years. The
Entertainment District will be built through unprecedented partnerships with minority-owned
firms, including BOWA Construction (MBE), who will serve as prime contractor. An equitable
workforce plan developed in partnership with HIRE360, co-founded by Related Midwest, will
ensure underrepresented populations in Chicago have access to and training for gaming,
hospitality and construction jobs. This hiring model will not only set a new standard for
construction practices in Chicago but will also become a model for hiring across the country. In
addition, Rush Street Gaming will continue to build on its record of working with local nonprofit
groups like the CARA Program and Refugee One to find, train and hire Chicago residents.

MINORITY INVESTMENT
Related Midwest and Rush Street Gaming are committed to 25 percent minority ownership of
Rivers Chicago at The 78 and have secured more than $100 million in investment from 200
minority partners, ensuring that the project reflects and benefits the essential diversity that
makes Chicago unique—and expands the footprint of the generational wealth that this
development will make possible.

KEY DIFFERENTIATORS

Full Entertainment District: A unique site to attract people of all interests

The availability of a greenfield development site offers the unique opportunity to build a full
district that envelops the casino in an ecosystem of entertainment options, including music
venues, meeting space, numerous restaurant options, a hotel, outdoor recreation space and
arts and culture space. No other site offers such an extensive list of possibilities.

Location: A new footprint in the heart of Chicago

The 78 is strategically located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown, bordered by Roosevelt
Road, Clark Street, 16th Street and the Chicago River. Its proximity to Chicago’s downtown and
rich ecosystem of tourist attractions, landmarks and sports facilities makes it an attractive
destination for the millions who visit the city every year and expands the footprint of Chicago’s
heart. This proximity will also allow for a multitude of brand partnerships, sponsorships and
event activations, and will establish the casino as a staple Chicago attraction in itself, which will
generate additional revenue for the city and state.

Accessibility: Fast, easy access from everywhere

The 78 is accessible to all major highways, including multiple direct access points less than four
minutes away from I-90 and I-55 to the south and west and DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the
east. Access to major thoroughfares including the new Wells Street connects The 78 directly to
the Loop and taps into its nearly 370,000 daily visitors. Close proximity to several regional
transit hubs such as the Roosevelt CTA Station, granting access to the entire L system and the
LaSalle Street Metra Station, will offer visitors and employees from all neighborhoods of the city
easy access to the site. The 78 will also connect to bike pathways and pedestrian walkways and
be accessible by the water taxi.

Shovel-Ready Greenfield Development: The city’s only blank canvas

The 78 is a shovel-ready greenfield development that offers the ability to design every aspect of
the casino and its surroundings from scratch. No other site in the city provides a blank canvas
for development combined with proximity to Chicago’s top attractions.

Owned Land: Ready to go on day one

Related Midwest owns the entire 62-acre parcel of land at The 78, making it the only bidder to
have full control over the land on which it proposes to build.

Minority General Contractor: A history-making collaboration

Based on a successful eight-year partnership and multiple award-winning collaborations,
Related Midwest and Rush Street Gaming have engaged BOWA Construction, a minority-
owned construction firm, to act as general contractor of the casino and The 78. This project will
mark the largest project headed by a minority-owned firm in Chicago’s history.

Equitable Hiring Plan: A commitment to sustainable careers for South and West Side
residents
Rivers 78 will create an estimated 7,000 construction and permanent jobs for members of the
surrounding communities. Located at The 78, the casino will also kickstart additional
infrastructure projects on the site and, in turn, generate additional job opportunities, unlike most
other sites. Related Midwest and Rush Street will work in tandem with residents and community
leaders to execute a community engagement program that will:
● Build a hiring network that provides sustainable jobs, as well as contracting,
apprenticeship and internship opportunities for residents in both construction and
professional services
● Prioritize hiring residents from the South and West Sides
● Mandate businesses we contract with to meet inclusion standards and invest in the
community supply chain
● Utilize our Community Inclusion Council (CIC) with leaders of business and community
organizations to help them recruit diverse talent, utilize best practices and hold us
accountable
 ● Engage our dedicated resource center, HIRE360, where residents can receive valuable
skills and training and learn about contracting and career opportunities. HIRE360 is
located just one mile from The 78.
● Build a skills incubator to provide small businesses with mentorship and business
assistance, complying with Illinois Gaming Board requirements
● Host and participate in job fairs, skills training workshops and access-to-capital
opportunities
● Give priority procurement opportunities to companies who hire and invest in the local
community

Minority Investors: A development uniquely by the people, for the people

Related Midwest and Rush Street Gaming have already secured more than $100 million from
more than 200 minority, women and veteran residents, making this development an
unprecedented opportunity to build wealth for minority residents of Chicago.

Chicago River: Incorporating a precious natural resource

The 78 is situated along a half-mile of the Chicago River, providing a stunning backdrop for
outdoor entertainment and gatherings at The 78. The river also offers a rare opportunity to
attract business and leisure boat traffic in addition to water taxi riders and pedestrians. When
the existing Riverwalk is completed, the casino will extend Chicago’s great Riverwalk southward
as originally intended and establish an exciting anchor on the South Branch.

Taking cues from the City’s successful Riverwalk design and programming, The 78’s Riverwalk
will engage one of Chicago’s greatest natural assets with year-round art exhibits, cultural
performances, water-themed experiences and entertainment uses. Our team combines Rush
Street’s proven track record of delivering beautiful riverfront spaces that drive visitors and
JGMA’s stunning architecture to create an unmatched riverfront experience that will earn Rivers
78 a spot on the list of must-visit destinations for international tourists.

About Related Midwest

Related Midwest, the Chicago office of Related Companies, is the preeminent developer of
mixed-use properties, affordable housing communities, and luxury condominium and rental
homes across Chicago. The company commands a portfolio of residential, mixed-use and
master-planned properties, including pioneering projects like The 78 where the company is
heading a transformational development on 62 acres in the heart of downtown Chicago to
create the city’s next great neighborhood and most exciting new destination. Related Midwest is
also the largest developer of affordable housing in the Midwest, with more than 10,000 units,
and has never converted an affordable unit to market rate.

The firm’s other market-defining projects include ultra-luxury residential tower One Bennett
Park, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, with adjacent park by Michael Van
Valkenburgh Associates; luxury rental towers 500 N. Lake Shore Drive and OneEleven;
Lathrop, an ongoing restoration and redevelopment of the historic Julia C. Lathrop Homes into a
mixed-income community; 400 Lake Shore Drive, two residential towers situated where the river
meets the lake in Chicago, and Roosevelt Square, an innovative 120-acre multi-phase
development on Chicago’s west side.

For more than 30 years, Related Midwest has been an industry leader in community
commitment and routinely sets the bar for measurable equity, diversity and inclusion standards
on all of its projects. The company is deeply committed to improving neighborhoods, creating
sustainable opportunities for small businesses and community residents, and building
inspirational places and homes for all. Related Midwest and its affiliated entities have awarded
more than a quarter of a billion dollars to minority- and women-owned businesses and helped
21 small businesses launch by awarding them their first contracts. The firm is a founding partner
in HIRE360, a first-of-its-kind community partnership designed to expand professional
development and employment opportunities in the trades.

About Rush Street Gaming

Founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin, Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed
and operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Des Plaines and Schenectady, NY.
By placing an emphasis on superior design and outstanding customer service, Rush Street
Gaming has become one of the leading casino developers in the United States. Existing casinos
generate over $1 billion in annual gaming revenues, and all Rush Street Gaming casinos have
been voted a “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their Team Members. Locally, Rush
Street Gaming regularly works with local nonprofit groups such as the CARA Program and
Refugee One to find, train and hire Chicago residents.

Press Contact

Tarrah Cooper Wright

tarrah@risestrategygroup.com
312-399-4081