October dates in Marina City history October 3, 1961 – Bertrand Goldberg Associates files a request for a permit to construct the 16-story office building on the north edge of the Marina City site. October 1962 – Chicago’s first commercial television station, WBKB (now WLS-TV), announces it will erect a 426-foot tower (285-foot mast supporting a 140-foot-six-inch antenna) on the west tower. 969 feet above ground, the top of the tower would be the highest point in Chicago. October 14, 1962 – The first tenants move in to the east tower. A large construction crane is still on top of the tower and only the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd floors are finished. October 29, 1963 – Welders cutting an opening for an elevator accidentally start a small fire in the east tower. It is extinguished by the time the fire department arrives. October 1964 – WFLD, channel 32, announces plans to construct a 1,000,000-watt TV station at Marina City. October 9, 1965 – A 35-foot cabin cruiser, “The Unbearables,” explodes at the Marina City marina, injuring six people, including two fire fighters. October 30, 1981 – Leon Washington is found guilty of the murder of deputy police superintendent James J. Riordan at Marina City. He is sentenced to 35 years in prison.
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