Can Kickstarter Funding Help Achieve the 'Breakwater Chicago' Dream?

The strange-but-true idea for "Breakwater Chicago" has two things going for it so far—attention from the press and $38,180 in Kickstarter funding.

1 minute read

June 19, 2014, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The crowdfunding campaign spearheaded by Plainfield native Beau D’Arcy to raise money for his multimillion-dollar project, Breakwater Chicago, reached its goal of $30,000 within about 36 hours last week, D'Arcy said. By Tuesday night, the campaign had received well over its goal with $38,180 pledged on Kickstarter," reports Michelle Manchir.

"D'Arcy's plan includes a floating 300-foot vessel with sun decks, restaurants, a swimming pool and room for boats to dock. He told the Tribune last week he sees the project potentially being Chicago's' 'next Bean,' a reference to Millennium Park's popular Cloud Gate sculpture."

The final estimated cost of the proposal could be around $23 million, but the larger challenge might be winning the approval of regulators. According to the earlier report by Mitch Smith, "[in] addition to lots of cash, D’Arcy’s ambition will need the blessing of more than a few regulators. The facility, which he said be anchored about a mile from the shore during the summer and towed to the beach in the winter, will need permits from the Coast Guard, state and city."

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 in Chicago Tribune

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