City closes ‘The Bean’ amid coronavirus outbreak, but Millennium Park will remain open

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events also announced Maxwell Street Market would be suspended, as well as the Chicago Cultural Center.

SHARE City closes ‘The Bean’ amid coronavirus outbreak, but Millennium Park will remain open
The city of Chicago is reflected on Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” sculpture, known as The Bean, during dedication ceremonies May 15, 2006.

The city of Chicago is reflected on the western side of Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” sculpture, often called “The Bean” in this 2006 file photo.

Charles Rex Arbogast / AP

Cloud Gate Plaza, the home of “The Bean” sculpture, has become the latest casualty in a wave of closures of public spaces and events attributed to the spread of the coronavirus.

The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced the closure Saturday evening, in addition to the suspension of Maxwell Street Market and all programs and tours at the Chicago Cultural Center through April 12.

Millennium Park would remain open, but all events and programing have also been suspended, the department said.

“The health and safety of our visitors, event attendees and staff members remain our highest priority,” the department wrote in the announcement.

In addition to closing the cultural center, the department also said the Clarke House Museum and exhibitions at Expo 72 and City Gallery, located at the Historic Water Tower, would be closed.

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The entire city is aiming at their backs. The McCaskeys and Kevin Warren sitting back on some Al Capone vibe waiting on when to give the order. Fire v. Fired. Same thing.