McPier chairman says he’s stepping down

Jack Greenberg, chairman of the municipal corporation that oversees Navy Pier and McCormick Place, announced Wednesday that he is leaving that post.

Greenberg, former CEO of McDonald’s Corp., was appointed chairman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority — often referred to as McPier — in February 2012.

“Working alongside Jack to bring McCormick Square developments to life has been a pleasure,” Lori Healey, McPier CEO, said in a statement announcing the move. “He has been nothing short of a trailblazer in terms of thinking bigger for McCormick Place and all the potential that exists for McCormick Square, which will bring the buildings and the destination all into one identity.”

During Greenberg’s time at the Authority, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place was expanded and work was started on both a 10,000-seat arena that will be home court for the DePaul University basketball team and a Marriott Marquis Hotel. Both are scheduled to open next year. Plans for major renovations at Navy Pier, including a new hotel, also were recently approved by the Chicago City Council.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Chair of MPEA and I thank Mayor Emanuel for the opportunity and for his extraordinary support and leadership in the transformation of MPEA and its current development projects,” Greenberg said in a statement. “I congratulate Lori Healey and her management team and the board of directors for their leadership in creating thousands of jobs and making MPEA a key economic driver for the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.”