Is Navy Pier owned by the City of Chicago?
This is a commonly held misconception. Navy Pier (along with the McCormick Place complex) is owned and managed by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). MPEA is a municipal authority created by the Illinois General Assembly. Its Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago. In its role as owner/manager of McCormick Place and Navy Pier, MPEA seeks to promote and operate conventions, fairs and expositions in the Chicago area, in an effort to strengthen the state and local economies. MPEA is also responsible for overseeing the ongoing recreational, commercial and cultural activities at Navy Pier. MPEA is active in the community it serves, and coordinates a variety of programs that positively impact the thousands whose jobs are tied to McCormick Place and Navy Pier, as well as the millions who visit both venues each year. For further information, consult the MPEA web site at www.mpea.com.
