By Ameet Sachdev | A
new lawsuit raises questions about the funding of a $350 million
modernization project to make the Willis Tower more energy efficient.
Pickering & Associates, an Elgin-based public-affairs consulting
firm, said in the suit it was hired by American Landmark Properties,
part of a group of investors who bought the building in 2004, to help
secure public funding for the renovation, known as the “greening
project.” Pickering alleges that it has not been paid for its work.
The consulting firm alleged that the breach of contract “occurred
shortly after American Landmark informed Pickering that American
Landmark was re-evaluating the viability of the Greening Project and the
possibility of funding it through public sources.”
An attorney for Pickering declined to elaborate on the statement made in
the suit, which was filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court. American
Landmark officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
A spokesman for American Landmark said the owners are “actively working on plans related to the greening efforts” at Willis Tower.
“We continue to pursue private and public options for funding, and are confident we can achieve our goals,” the spokesman said.
He added that the company has not seen the lawsuit, and will not comment on any potential litigation.
American Landmark announced in June a plan to reduce energy consumption
at Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. The plan called for
replacing all 16,000 windows, upgrading the mechanical systems,
installing lighting control systems and adding wind turbines to the roof
of the 110-story skyscraper, one of the tallest in the world.
At the time, Skokie-based American Landmark said it was exploring a
number of public and private financing options for the overhaul. It
agreed to pay Pickering $32,500 a month for six month starting in
September to assist in fundraising and public relations, the suit said.
Pickering said it met the obligations of the contract by arranging
meetings with the Obama administration, Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois
officials. American Landmark has failed to make a single payment for
either fees or expenses and on Feb. 1 attempted to terminate the
contract, the suit said.
Pickering is seeking nearly $200,000 in fees and expenses.
Green is more important than Teachers.
ANYONE WHO REFERS THE SEARS TOWER IS THE WILLIS TOWER IS A MORON —- THE SEARS TOWER IS A NATIONAL LANDMARK AND SHOULD OF NEVER OF BEEN RENAMED NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY WAS INVOLVED — THE WILLIS PEOPLE ARE COMPLETE PEICES OF S**T FOR FORCING THE ISSUE — IF IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO USE THERE NAME THEY COULD OF SAID SEARS TOWER AT WILLS PLAZA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT
Anyone who types comments in all capital letters is an ignoramous. It’s Willis Tower, like it or not. Stop screaming at us, “David”!
Sears bailed on Chicago years ago, it doesn’t deserve to keep the name of the building.
I still call the AON Center the “Amoco Building”.
Remember the rumor that Willis was going to paint the Sears tower white? I pray they don’t carry through with that plan.
Replacing so many windows seems very wasteful, and I can’t imagine why there would be public funding for it. The turbine idea might work, but there too let the Willis people pay for it.
Old school – First of all, using 16,000 1970s single pane technology windows is much more wasteful than replacing windows. If you’ve ever been in the building and stood next to the the huge heating vents in front of the windows, you can feel a draft. A building that large can save massive amounts of energy by replacing the windows. They’ve also looked at other solutions that would not require replacement. Second, the turbines are a marketing gimmick. They might provide enough energy for 0.5% of the building. Third, Willis isn’t even the largest tenant in the building, they just pay for the name recognition.
Rich, “green” and education go hand-in-hand. It’s not us against them. Polarization sucks.
David, GRRRRR! SWEAR WORD! It’s a name dude. The building was not destroyed and it is still a landmark.