(Above) Aerial view of Riverwalk construction east of Dearborn Street on February 24. Click on image to view larger version.

4-Mar-15 – A Boston-based company will help Chicago find retail concessions for its new Riverwalk.

OpportunitySpace is an online real estate marketplace that specializes in public property, particularly properties owned by cities. They say they will partner with World Business Chicago, a program chaired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, to promote seasonal opportunities for retailers along the Riverwalk.

The company has created web pages that summarize seven riverfront locations between Lake Shore Drive and LaSalle Street. The concessions would be open from May 3 to November 1.

“Our job at OpportunitySpace is to be sure that this truly unique public-private arrangement gets the exposure it deserves,” said OpportunitySpace CEO Alex Kapur.

The city is looking for food and beverage, recreational, cultural, and educational concessions. Prospective concessionaires have until March 9 to submit their bids. Three blocks of the Riverwalk, from State Street west to LaSalle Street, will open to the public this month.