22-May-15 – At least two new stretches of Chicago Riverwalk will open over the Memorial Day weekend.

An exact day and time has not been officially announced but crews, says a Chicago Department of Transportation spokesperson, “are working furiously to wrap up.”

The last block of the new Riverwalk, from Clark Street to LaSalle Street, may need more time. Published reports quoting the mayor’s office say River Theater will open in early June. Engineers following the project believe it is unlikely the stretch will be ready this weekend.

(Left) River Theater on Wednesday. The steps and trees are in place but all of the paving for the walkway is piled at the foot of the steps, where mortar is being mixed.

Announcements from Mayor Rahm Emanuel about the Riverwalk are expected on Friday and he is scheduled to tour the Riverwalk in the afternoon.

The “rooms” of the new Riverwalk expected to open are Marina Plaza, from State Street to Dearborn Street, and The Cove, from Dearborn Street to Clark Street. Marina Plaza will have docks for use by recreational boats. The Cove will accommodate kayaks.

Construction will begin this year on three remaining rooms that will expand the Riverwalk past LaSalle Street to Lake Street.

1 – WanderBikes 2 – Urban Kayaks 3 – Island Party Hut 4 – Wheel Fun Rentals 5 – Cyranoés Café and Wine Bar 6 – Mercury Cruises 7 – McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum 8 – O’Brien’s Riverwalk Café 9 – Bike and Roll Chicago 10 – City Winery 11 – Downtown Docks 12 – Flanders Beer and Fries 13 – Urban Kayaks 14 – Wendella Water Taxi The city has released a “Dining & Activity Map” listing 14 businesses that will be located along the Riverwalk, including five new businesses… Flander’s Beer and Fries will be a 2,150 square foot bistro selling Belgian fries and beer. Dallas attorney Steve Schiff, who is CEO of the company that owns the Marina City location of Dick’s Last Resort, will own Flander’s. The fries will be cut, cooked, and refrigerated at Dick’s, then transported across the river.

Dan Reynolds, general manager of Dick’s and a co-owner of the new venture, will also manage Flander’s. Christy Zirnheld is another owner. The venture submitted a proposal in March.

The arrangement that Schiff proposed to the city was that the business would get a fixed monthly amount, in the range of two to three dollars, per square foot. If gross revenue for the year exceeds a specified six-figure amount, they get ten percent of it, payable in a lump sum on December 15.

Island Party Hut, a bar and café with a tropical island theme, will open on Saturday on an older stretch of Riverwalk east of Columbus Drive. The 1,500 square foot hut and patio appeared on the Riverwalk last week. It is owned by Mark Stern, who also owns Island Party Boats, a charter boat rental company based in Monroe Harbor near Chicago Yacht Club.

City Winery, serving wine, food, and live music, will be located close to State Street. Founded by New York entrepreneur Michael Dorf, the business describes itself as a “combined culinary and cultural experience.”

Downtown Docks will rent boats and Wheel Fun Rentals will rent bicycles.

According to the map, restrooms will be located along the Riverwalk near Dearborn Street.

(Right) Closer view of the distinctive high-back wooden benches that were delivered to the Riverwalk this week on a semi-trailer truck.