\nOfficials at Chicago’s Navy Pier are launching an international search for a design team to reimagine the pier’s expansive outdoor public spaces.\n<\/p>\n
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\nThe chosen team will be tasked with re-designing a number of outdoor areas, including the park on the pier's west end, the space around the enormous Ferris wheel, the South Dock promenade, and outdoor space on the pier's east end.\n<\/p>\n
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\nA schedule that was released to the public Thursday gives applicants until October 6 to submit their credentials. Pier officials will cut the field of hopefuls to ten on October 20 and down to just five later in November.\n<\/p>\n
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\nThe final five designs will be showcased to the public beginning February 2 and a winner will be announced on February 14.\n<\/p>\n
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\nNavy Pier officials are hoping the re-design, coupled with broader plans for expansion, will boost attendance. The number of visitors dropped last year from a peak of 9 million in 2009.\n<\/p>\n
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